Catherine Griffin : Science World Report

Jul 02, 2013 11:53 AM EDT

The Evolution of Crocodylian Skin: Crocodile, Alligator and Caiman 'Supersenses'

Crocodylians are some of the most ancient reptiles on our planet. Consisting of crocodiles, gharials, alligators and caimans, this group possesses adaptations that have allowed them to survive for millions of years. Now, scientists have uncovered something new about these creatures; the skin of croc...

Jul 02, 2013 11:01 AM EDT

D-Wave Processor May Actually Employ Quantum Mechanics: Quantum Annealing

There's been a lot of talk about the D-Wave processor housed at the USC-Lockheed Marin Quantum Computing Center. Now, scientists have discovered that the D-Wave processor behaves in a manner that indicates that quantum mechanics has a functional role in the way it works.

Jul 02, 2013 10:15 AM EDT

Oldest Evidence of Flower-lined Graves Unearthed in Israel

Placing flowers on a grave or presenting them during a funeral is a tradition that persists today. Yet when did we start using flowers in funeral arrangements? It turns out that it was far earlier than anyone expected--and now archaeologists have unearthed evidence of that fact in Israel.

Jul 02, 2013 09:11 AM EDT

Astronomers Uncover Identity of Next Door Exoplanet

Astronomers have uncovered a little bit more about an exoplanet that hovers just 70 light-years from Earth--practically next door by astronomical standards. Researchers have learned the planet's true size and mass, opening up the path to future studies on other alien planets.

Jul 02, 2013 08:21 AM EDT

15-Year-Old Girl from Canada Creates Flashlight Powered by Human Body Heat

What are today's young scientists doing? At least one of them has created a new invention which could help save on electricity and, perhaps, a bit of waste. Ann Makosinski, a 15-year-old girl, has created a flashlight that is powered solely through the heat of a human hand.

Jul 02, 2013 07:33 AM EDT

60 Billion Planets in Milky Way Galaxy Could Support Life

Astronomers have discovered that cloud behavior on planets orbiting red dwarfs actually doubles how many are habitable. The finding means that in the Milky Way galaxy alone, there are approximately 60 billion planets that may be able to support life.

Jul 01, 2013 02:23 PM EDT

Ancient Saber-Toothed Super-Predator Hunted with Precision and Brawn

Millions of years ago, a pouched super-predator stalked through South America. Now, scientists have learned a little bit more about this predator's hunting strategies, which may reveal a little bit more about saber-toothed animals in general.

Jul 01, 2013 01:20 PM EDT

Smithsonian Finally Acquires the King of the Dinosaurs: The T. Rex

It's known as the king of the dinosaurs, the massive creature with teeth the size of bananas. It once stalked through the forests of the Cretaceous Period, hunting its prey relentlessly. Now, the Smithsonian may be acquiring this ferocious predator for itself: the terrifying Tyrannosaurus rex.

Jul 01, 2013 12:06 PM EDT

The Shockwave Felt Around the World--Twice: Russian Meteor Makes an Impact

In February, a meteor hurtled over the Russian Urals before pieces of it slammed into the ground. Now, scientists have taken a closer look at this incident and have found that this meteor's shockwave traveled around the world--twice.

Jul 01, 2013 11:11 AM EDT

'Megaquakes' Cause Volcanoes to Sink into the Earth

Earthquakes can cause devastation in their wake, leveling buildings, creating tsunamis and even opening cracks in the Earth. Now, scientists have found out something else that "megaquakes" can do. These massive earthquakes can move mountains, causing volcanoes to sink into the ground.

Jul 01, 2013 10:20 AM EDT

New NASA Camera Reveals Sun's Highways and Sparkles in Solar Corona (Video)

NASA's new rocket-launched camera has revealed stunning and unprecedented images of our sun's outer atmosphere. The new pictures reveal fast track "highways" and "sparkles" that may help answer some long-standing questions about the solar corona.

Jul 01, 2013 09:34 AM EDT

Alcohol Formation in Cold, Deep Space Explained by 'Quantum Tunneling'

The harsh environment of deep space doesn't seem like it would be conducive to chemical reactions. Yet alcohols are both formed and destroyed in space; now, scientists have discovered that a quantum mechanical phenomenon known as "quantum tunneling" may be to blame.