Catherine Griffin : Science World Report

Aug 07, 2013 10:34 AM EDT

Physicists Freeze Light for a Minute: How to Pause the Speed of Light

Light is constantly moving, bouncing off surfaces as it speeds through space. Now, physicists have accomplished the seemingly impossible: they've managed to halt light itself. Researchers have now looked at the potential applications of freezing light and have even managed to extend the duration of ...

Aug 07, 2013 10:01 AM EDT

Night Light Color May Impact Your Mood: Red Versus Blue

What color is your child's night light? You may want to reconsider which one they use. It turns out that the color of a night light can affect an individual's mood, causing the person to be either more depressed or happier in the morning.

Aug 07, 2013 09:23 AM EDT

You Are What You Eat: Hormone Receptors Improve Life Expectancy

You are what you eat, and that's truer now than ever before. A reduced caloric intake can increase life expectancy among many species. Yet researchers have often wondered why this is. Now, scientists have discovered that a hormone receptor may be one of the links between nutrition and life expectanc...

Aug 07, 2013 08:30 AM EDT

Star Explosion Illuminates Faint Galaxy from the Dark Ages

More than 12 billion years ago, a star exploded, blasting its remains outward in twin jets at nearly the speed of light. Now, astronomers are analyzing the light from this massive eruption, learning more about a galaxy from the dark ages.

Aug 07, 2013 07:52 AM EDT

Sun to Flip its Magnetic Field Soon During 11-Year Solar Peak

It turns out that our sun is ramping up its activity. The massive magnetic field of our closest star is about the flip, heralding the peak of the 11-year solar cycle.

Aug 06, 2013 02:34 PM EDT

Remarkable Images of the Sun Revealed with the New Solar Telescope

The sun has some fascinating features, spawning solar flares and coronal mass ejections that hurl billions of particles into space. Now, researchers have obtained new and remarkably detailed photos of our nearest star with help from the New Solar Telescope (NST).

Aug 06, 2013 01:46 PM EDT

Shark Week Attacks: Great Whites Struggle Off Screen in California

It's finally here! Shark Week has made its annual appearance on Discovery Channel, including hours of programming featuring these oceanic creatures. Yet as viewers tune in, sharks are struggling off screen. It turns out that great white sharks off of the U.S. West Coast are in jeopardy, which could ...

Aug 06, 2013 12:53 PM EDT

Scientists Uncover Evolutionary Past of Hallucinogenic 'Magic' Mushrooms

Hallucinogenic "magic" mushrooms are well known for their ability to affect those who eat them. Now, scientists have uncovered the evolutionary past of this fungi, revealing a bit more about them and their potential use in medicinal applications.

Aug 06, 2013 11:34 AM EDT

Eye Pupils Hold Key to Communication: Locked-In Patients Answer Questions

Scientists have developed a system that allows immobile patients to answer "yes" or "no" questions within seconds by using a laptop and a camera. The new method could be a boon to those who are otherwise unable to interact with others.

Aug 06, 2013 10:59 AM EDT

Soil Carbon Lost in Massive Wind Storms as Climate Changes

Carbon is a part of our Earth's natural cycles. In soil, it helps sustain plant growth and nurture crops. Now, though, this carbon is increasingly at risk of being blown away. Scientists have discovered that a large amount of carbon is being picked up by wind and is being hurled into the ocean.

Aug 06, 2013 10:19 AM EDT

Timber Rattlesnakes Benefit Human Health by Preventing Lyme Disease

Rattlesnakes aren't immediately seen as beneficial to humans. With their venomous bite, these creatures are often viewed as threats. Now, though, scientists have discovered that the timber rattlesnake may be benefitting humankind by preventing the spread of Lyme disease.

Aug 06, 2013 09:35 AM EDT

Painful Red Skin from Sunburns May in the Past: Scientists Discover Molecule Responsible

Painful, red skin from sunburns may be a thing of the past. Scientists have discovered the molecule responsible for the uncomfortable feeling after a burn, which could lead to better treatments to help prevent the tender aftereffects of a day in the sun.