Catherine Griffin : Science World Report

Aug 22, 2013 09:57 AM EDT

Watch Louisiana Sinkhole Swallow Water and Trees in Seconds (Video)

A massive sinkhole in Louisiana swallowed up trees and water last week, sucking down everything in its vicinity. This spectacular (and scary) event was actually caught on camera, showing exactly how dangerous these sinkholes can be.

Aug 22, 2013 09:16 AM EDT

Mother's Genes Impact the Aging Process: DNA May Reveal How Old We Look

As the years pass us by, we grow and age. Now, scientists have discovered that aging is not only determined by the accumulation of changes during our lifetime but also from the genes we acquire from our mothers.

Aug 22, 2013 08:59 AM EDT

Invasive Species Plagued Earth 450 Million Years Ago in North America

Invasive species apparently plagued the Earth about 450 million years ago. Scientists have discovered that the rise of an early phase of the Appalachian Mountains and cooling oceans allowed invasive species to upset the North American ecosystem, revealing how a changing climate can upset natural bal...

Aug 22, 2013 07:06 AM EDT

New Method for Measuring the Surface Gravity of Distant Stars: Flicker

A star's surface gravity can tell astronomers quite a bit about the star itself. It can allow scientists to calculate its physical properties and even assess its evolutionary state. Now, researchers have discovered a clever new way to slice and dice the flickering light from a distant star that reve...

Aug 21, 2013 01:53 PM EDT

Bitter and Sweet: Fruit Flies Reveal More About the Complexity of Food

Fruit flies could tell us a little bit more about the complexity of food. These tiny insects are attracted to sugar, but are deterred when bitter compounds are added. Now, researchers have discovered how sensory input impacts fruit flies' decisions about sweet taste, revealing a little bit more abou...

Aug 21, 2013 12:35 PM EDT

The Evolution of the Human Foot: It's Not as Unique as We Once Thought

The human foot isn't quite as unique as we once thought. Scientists have discovered that the mechanisms of our feet have quite a bit in common with the flexible feet of other great apes, revealing that they're really not all that original.

Aug 21, 2013 11:14 AM EDT

Gold Miners Could Use X-Ray Technology to Detect Unseen Nuggets

Gold miners may be getting a bit of help with some advanced technology. Scientists have revealed that gamma-activation analysis (GAA) offers a faster and much more accurate way to detect gold than traditional chemical analysis methods. The findings could lead to saving the minerals industry in Austr...

Aug 21, 2013 10:23 AM EDT

Pulsars May be GPS of the Cosmos: New Method for Spacecraft Navigation

Pulsars may become the new GPS of the cosmos. Scientists have discovered that these small spinning stars that deliver occasional pulses of either X-rays or radio waves can help astronomers determine the positions of telescopes, leading to a new way to navigate the universe.

Aug 21, 2013 09:23 AM EDT

Scientists Reveal the Epic Ocean Voyage of Coral Reef Larvae

When most people think of coral, they think of the beautiful tropical reefs that thrive in the Caribbean and along Australia. Now, scientists have used computer simulations to reveal the epic, ocean-spanning journeys travelled by tiny coral larvae through the world's seas.

Aug 21, 2013 08:34 AM EDT

NASA Announces Coronal Mass Ejection Hurtling Toward Earth from Sun

Coronal mass ejections aren't necessarily rare. However, the ones that hurtle toward Earth can cause some issues for our planet. Early on August 20, our Sun slung one of these CMEs in our direction, sending billions of tons of particles into space.

Aug 21, 2013 07:46 AM EDT

Astronomers Reveal How 'Zombie Vortices' Help Birth New Stars

How are stars born? Apparently, it may have something to do with "zombie vortices." Scientists have created a new theory that may reveal how these vortices lead to the birth of a new star.

Aug 21, 2013 06:58 AM EDT

Selfish or Generous? Sharing Food Reveals Origins of Reciprocity in Humans

Are we selfish or are we generous? It could be a bit of both, according to new research. Scientists have discovered that when we (and apes) share our food, we may subconsciously using a strategy to assure reciprocity should we one day find ourselves on the other side of the empty plate.