Catherine Griffin : Science World Report

Aug 23, 2013 02:20 PM EDT

Astronomers Discover Fluffy Disk around Baby Star

Astronomers are getting a better look at a baby star, called RY Tau. They've used Subaru Telescope's High Contrast Instrument for the Subaru Next Generation Adaptive Optics (HiCIAO) to get a closer glimpse at a "fluffy" layer of material hovering above the disk around the young star.

Aug 23, 2013 12:44 PM EDT

Toxic Nanoparticles in Food Supply May Put Human Health at Risk

Nanoparticles have continued to increase in our environment over the years. Now, scientists have developed a reliable method for detecting silver nanoparticles in fresh produce and other food products, which may help humans avoid future health risks.

Aug 23, 2013 11:42 AM EDT

Why Redheads Burn: Gene Receptor Linked to Red Hair and Melanoma

Why are redheads more likely to burn? It all hinges on a certain gene receptor. Scientists have discovered that the melanocortin-1 (MC1R) gene receptor is responsible for both red hair and also promotes an important cancer-causing pathway.

Aug 23, 2013 11:06 AM EDT

20 Million People at Risk in China for Arsenic Contamination in Groundwater

There may be an extra ingredient in China's groundwater: arsenic. Scientists have discovered that almost 20 million people across the country are at risk for being exposed to the chemical in their cooking and drinking water.

Aug 23, 2013 10:13 AM EDT

Mournful Wolf Howl Reveals How Wolves Care for Their Friends

The mournful call of a wolf may not just be a way to contact others. Wolves may also howl in order to show that they care. Researchers have discovered that these canines howl to show the quality of their relationships when a wolf leaves a pack.

Aug 23, 2013 10:12 AM EDT

Arctic Sea Ice Disappearance Spurs Northern Greening

As our climate warms and sea ice declines, the Arctic is receiving a bit of a makeover. Scientists have discovered that warming trends are changing the vegetation in nearby coastal areas, essentially greening the Arctic.

Aug 23, 2013 09:28 AM EDT

Mysterious 'Sea Monster' Carcass Washes Ashore in Spain: Shark or Oarfish?

Sea monster, dragon, Loch Ness monster or something else: a sea creature has made landfall in Spain. The 13-foot-long corpse has baffled beach goers, making them wonder exactly what the "monster" might have been before it met its demise.

Aug 23, 2013 08:41 AM EDT

Scientists Transform Human Scar Tissue into Beating Heart Cells

There may be a way to regenerate cells that have suffered in the wake of a heart attack. Scientists have discovered that the class of cells that form human scar tissue can be transformed into those that resemble beating heart cells.

Aug 23, 2013 07:57 AM EDT

NASA Hubble Space Telescope Reveals Black Hole Ejecting Superheated Jets (Video)

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has revealed a little bit more about a supermassive black hole. It's detected a 5,000-light-year-long jet of superheated gas being ejected from this black hole in the center of the giant elliptical galaxy M87. Now, scientists have assembled time-lapse movies of this vor...

Aug 22, 2013 01:41 PM EDT

NASA Reactivates Spacecraft to Hunt for Asteroids Near Earth

NASA is getting a bit more use out of a "retired" spacecraft. The instrument that discovered and characterized tens of thousands of asteroids will be return to service for three more years starting this September.

Aug 22, 2013 11:40 AM EDT

Scientists Create 'Sun Sponges' to Capture Sunlight

There may be a new way to capture sunlight. Scientists have created a ring of protein and pigments, half synthetic and half natural, that can be used to quickly prototype light-harvesting antennas that absorb more sunlight than natural ones.

Aug 22, 2013 10:52 AM EDT

Scientists Reveal Human Brains are Hardwired for Empathy and Friendship

Are we hardwired for friendship? We just may be. One of the most defining features of humanity is our empathy and now, scientists have discovered why we may be hardwired to empathize.