Science News
Synthesis of superconducting solid picene
Phys.org - 18 Dec 2013 15:15
Research by Professor Yoshihiro Kubozono at Okayama University has potential for innovative applications of solid picene and organic superconductors, graphene and other functional materials.
A novel insight into cardiac function: Development of a new model of spontaneous oscillatory contraction
Phys.org - 18 Dec 2013 16:50
Researchers have successfully developed a realistic theoretical model that provides a rational explanation for the spontaneous oscillatory contraction (SPOC) of muscle. The findings were published in Physical Review Lett...
8 Ways Magic Mushrooms Explain Santa Story
Live Science - 18 Dec 2013 23:22
Maybe Santa only thought his reindeer were "flying" while he was tripping on mushrooms. The modern-day story of Santa derives from a Siberian shaman who gave out 'shrooms, according to one theory.
Anger Disorders May Be Linked to Inflammation
Live Science - 18 Dec 2013 23:02
For some people, violent behavior and anger may be linked with inflammation in their bodies, a new study finds.
Interactions.org Newsdigest 18 Dec 2013
Interactions - 18 Dec 2013 23:00
-- CESAR, CERN's Ancestor To Large Hadron Collider, Was Turned On 50 Years Ago Today --'Rocker' physicist knows his neutrinos -- Collider: a gimmicky look at the LHC -- Viewpoint: Ups and Downs in the Search for Dark Mat...
To Spotlight Endangered Species ... Condoms?
Live Science - 18 Dec 2013 22:59
Remember the environment even in your most intimate moments with free endangered species condoms, handed out by the Center for Biological Diversity to raise awareness of population growth.
Babies Abound at Penguin Colony Found by Poop
Live Science - 18 Dec 2013 22:50
A recent visit to a remote Antarctica penguin colony found about 5,000 fuzzy penguin chicks, meaning the colony is even bigger than previously thought.
4 British Women to Row Across Pacific Ocean for Charity
Live Science - 18 Dec 2013 22:50
Four British women are attempting to take on the Pacific Ocean next year, by attempting to row across the 8,446-mile (13,600 kilometers) expanse unassisted.
November 2013 Warmest Month On Record? Average Global Temperature Was 'Highest' Since Records Began
IBTimes - 18 Dec 2013 22:50
Start planning your summer travel arrangements now, because according to data released Tuesday, Earth had its warmest November on record since 1891 - the year scientists began collecting temperature data.
Steamwise Vorticity in a Supercell Thunderstorm Simulation
Live Science - 18 Dec 2013 22:45
This animation, created from the dataset of a simulated hypothetical thunderstorm, compares vortex (gold) with wind velocity (grey to red by speed). The scene illustrates rotation in the updraft, the hallmark characteris...
Snow Leopard Collared for First Time in Nepal
Live Science - 18 Dec 2013 22:40Photos: Snow Leopard Captured and Collared in Nepal
Live Science - 18 Dec 2013 22:39Don't Take A Holiday From The Future -- Sign Up For Our Newsletter To Stay In The Loop
Singularity Hub - 18 Dec 2013 21:57
For many, this time of year is chock full of friends, family, and holiday celebrations, but while you can take a vacation from your 9-to-5, there’s one thing you can’t escape this holiday season: the future! Waves of...
What Is Melatonin?
Live Science - 18 Dec 2013 21:48
Melatonin supplements are often recommended for sleep problems, but the hormone has other effects on health too. Here's a look at what science says about the safety and effectiveness and effectiveness of melatonin supple...
Teens' Marijuana Use Continues to Rise
Live Science - 18 Dec 2013 21:32
An increasing number of high-school students say they don't think regular marijuana use is harmful, according to a new report from the National Institutes of Health.
First Human Infection Of H10N8 Bird Flu Strain Discovered In China, Killing One
IBTimes - 18 Dec 2013 21:28
Yet another new strain of avian influenza, or bird flu, has been discovered to affect humans, taking the life of one person in China. An elderly woman from central China's Jiangxi province has been the first confirmed vi...
Flu vaccine helps unravel complex causes of narcolepsy
New Scientist - 18 Dec 2013 21:00
The link between a strange sleep disorder and a swine flu vaccine has been found, raising hopes of safer vaccines and an insight into autoimmune disease
Yellowstone Volcano 2.5 Times Bigger Than Previously Thought, Eruption Would Cause 'A Lot Of Destruction'
IBTimes - 18 Dec 2013 20:36
It has long been known that Yellowstone, Wyoming's famed national park, sits atop the largest supervolcano on the North American continent. Underneath the picturesque landscape lies a giant bubble of molten lava that, if...
Researchers design first battery-powered invisibility cloak
Phys.org - 18 Dec 2013 20:23
Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have proposed the first design of a cloaking device that uses an external source of energy to significantly broaden its bandwidth of operation.
To Understand Placebo, First Take It Out Of Medicine's Black Box (Op-Ed)
Live Science - 18 Dec 2013 20:20
Placebos have a longer history than medicine as we know it, and have a huge effect on all kinds of diseases and health conditions. But it may now be time to rethink their role.
Hey, Tom Coburn: Why 'Wasteful' Science Is Important
Live Science - 18 Dec 2013 20:14
An annual report on allegedly wasteful government spending gets the science wrong.
Mountains Crumbled When Earth Cooled
Live Science - 18 Dec 2013 20:11
A big chill 2 million years ago bred glaciers that scoured mountains across the planet, pouring trillions of tons of mud into the oceans.