Catherine Griffin : Science World Report

Sep 11, 2013 09:30 AM EDT

Comet Hides in Plain Sight: Don Quixote Isn't an Asteroid

A large, near-Earth asteroid has flown through space for the past 30 years. Known as 3552 Don Quixote, this asteroid's journey stretches to the orbit of Jupiter. Now, scientists have made a surprising discovery. This asteroid isn't an asteroid. It is, in fact, a comet.

Sep 11, 2013 08:21 AM EDT

Scientists Discover Organic Molecules on Sutter's Mill Meteorite (Video)

Could life have come to Earth on a meteorite? Scientists have discovered that the Sutter's Mill meteorite contains organic molecules not previously found in any meteorites. The findings reveal that there may just be a far great availability of extraterrestrial organic molecules than thought.

Sep 11, 2013 07:46 AM EDT

Scientists Selectively Erase Unwanted Memories in Rats and Mice

Memory can call up a range of emotions, facts and associations. Yet for recovering addicts and individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), these memories may be unwanted and devastating. Now, scientists have discovered a way to selectively erase dangerous drug-associated memor...

Sep 11, 2013 07:03 AM EDT

Monstrous 800-Foot Waves Key to Ocean Circulation

Waves don't only break on beaches. They can also be found deep below the surface of the ocean--enormous monstrosities that drive long-term climate cycles. Now, scientists have learned a little bit more about these waves, revealing that the 800-foot-tall waves are key for ocean circulation.

Sep 10, 2013 02:02 PM EDT

Maya Decapitated and Dismembered Enemies in Ancient City of Uxul

About 1,400 years ago, the ancient Maya city of Uxul thrived in Mexico. Now, archaeologists have uncovered something dark about this ancient city. It turns out that the Maya in this city decapitated their enemies before shoving them into a mass grave.

Sep 10, 2013 12:50 PM EDT

Orangutans and Gorillas Think in Categories Just Like Humans

Categories are a crucial part of the way we think. We place objects in these different segments as we learn to differentiate animals from inanimate objects and to differentiate dogs from cats. Now, scientists have discovered that apes may think similarly. It turns out that they may form categories t...

Sep 10, 2013 11:39 AM EDT

Watch Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo in Supersonic Flight (Video)

Virgin Galactic has made another leap forward when it comes to perfecting its fleet of spacecraft. The company's SpaceShipTwo (SS2) has successfully completed its second rocket-powered, supersonic flight. That's not all, though; the company has also released some spectacular footage of this amazing ...

Sep 10, 2013 10:46 AM EDT

Parents' Genes Impact Child's Back to School Fears and Anxiety

The more we learn about genetics, the more we realize that they control everything from looks to personality to health. Now, though, scientists have found that parents' genes may also influence their children's behavior. It turns out whether or not a child is easily unnerved is largely dependent on ...

Sep 10, 2013 10:05 AM EDT

New Life Discovered in Sediments in Antarctic Subglacial Lake

Deep below the Antarctic ice sheet lie dark and cold subglacial lakes. For years, scientists have wondered whether these freezing bodies of water could hold life, despite the harsh conditions they presented. Now, researchers have discovered extreme life forms dating back nearly a hundred thousand ye...

Sep 10, 2013 09:31 AM EDT

Future NASA Mars Rovers May Have Smart Camera to Tackle Terrain

The Mars rover Curiosity continues to trek across the Red Planet. Now, researchers have begun the development of a new camera that may allow future rovers to decide whether to keep exploring a particular site or move on.

Sep 10, 2013 09:02 AM EDT

'Hubble Bubble' Explains Differing Expansion Rates of the Universe

The "Hubble Bubble" may just help explain the differing measurements for the expansion rate of the universe. Scientists have created a theoretical model that places the Milky Way inside this type of cosmic bubble, revealing that it can explain some of the deviations between previous measurements and...

Sep 10, 2013 08:29 AM EDT

New Method to Harvest Solar Energy from Light

There may be a new way to harvest energy from light. Scientists have discovered a method that is much more efficient than conventional photoconduction and could make solar energy harvesting and optoelectronic devices far better in the future.