Articles by Alex Saltarin
IRIS spies M-class solar flare: Sun spits out 'light and x-rays into space'
NASA's IRIS solar observation satellite has borne witness to the biggest solar flare it has ever recorded since its launch a year back. The majestic solar outburst was captured by the IRIS late last month.
Study ranks states according to duration of sexual intercourse and ummm...the winners are...
Are you a sprinter or a marathon runner in bed? According to data gathered by Spreadsheets, an app that collect statistics about sex, it may depend on which state you live in.
University of Hawaii grants Mauna Kea summit for world's largest telescope amid local protests
The construction of the world's largest telescope has finally been given the green light by the University of Hawaii. The soon-to-be-built telescope will have a huge primary mirror larger than any other telescope mirror on Earth.
Mars rover Curiosity slams reverse gear to reduce wheels' wear and tear
Showing off driving skills that would make the Dukes of Hazzard proud, Mars rover Curiosity has traveled 329 feet while driving in reverse. The reverse driving maneuver was executed to reduce the damage on the Curiosity's wheels.
GPS IIF-5 satellite successful launch to boost U.S. Air Force defense capabilities
In a blaze of fire, the U.S. Air Force has successfully launched its fifth GPS satellite - GPS IIF-5 - onboard a Delta 4 rocket, from Cape Canaveral in Florida. The satellite, built by Boeing, will serve and support a variety of GPS services for both civilian and military use.
Florida panther kitten rescued from the jaws of death, finds new home and friends
A cute panther kitten was rescued from certain death by Florida biologists. The young panther was found in a non-responsive state and was rescued just in the nick of time.
Nanoscale pillars may make solar panels and other thermoelectric materials more efficient
Scientists have discovered a way to improve the efficiency of thermoelectric materials using nanoscale pillars. This new development could radically improve solar panels and convert excess heat generated by power plants into electricity.
Nothing can halt melting of Antarctic glacier
Researchers working in the vicinity of the Pine Island glacier in Antarctica have released dire news about the melting glacier. Their findings have indicated that the melting of ice in Antarctica will continue for decades or even centuries into the future and nothing can prevent it.
Valve Dota 2 'free to play' documentary set for March 19 release: What you should know
Valve has announced that it will release its "Free to Play" documentary next month. The documentary follows the life and the experiences of three Dota 2 players.
Astronomers watch in horror as a poor pulsar gets pummeled by asteroids, including billion ton bully
Scientists have discovered an incident involving a group of asteroids, including a billion ton bully, pounding a pulsar 37,000 light years away, using a powerful telescope. However, the pulsar's no weakling - the scientists believe the pulsar has struck back by vaporizing the asteroids with its powerful x-ray beams. Pictured here is an artist's conception of an asteroid being vaporized by a pulsar.
Solve dead zone problem in Gulf, get $1 mn
Tulane University has announced that it will give a cash prize of $1 million to anyone who can provide a practical solution to reducing the size of the Gulf of Mexico dead zone. The dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico has been getting worse and scientists and officials are getting desperate for answers.
Online review ratings of doctors matter to 1 in 4 Americans
A new study has shown that a large number of Americans check doctor ratings online before deciding on getting consultations. The statistics shown by the new study are much higher compared to the numbers indicated in previous studies.
NY senator battles against environmental officials to keep mute swans alive
A senator from Queens is currently working to postpone a New York Department of Environmental Conservation's plan to cull mute swan populations. The battle to determine the fate of the mute swans in New York has intensified.
Terminator-style super muscle from fishing line and thread? Possible!
Researchers have discovered a method of creating artificial muscles using ordinary fishing line and sewing thread. This new type of artificial muscle is both cheap and powerful.
Frank Zappa gets zit-causing bacteria named after him...Ummm, that's an honor, right??
Scientists have named a new type of acne-causing bacteria after musician Frank Zappa. The newly discovered bacteria can also infect grape vines.
Bioshock fans shocked by news of Irrational Games closing shop: Ken Levine explains why
Ken Levine, the founder of Irrational Games, developer of the popular hit game series Bioshock, said the company will be shutting down as he is planning to commit to a "new venture" elsewhere.
Silicon nanoparticles designed to mimic seed arrangement of pomegranate may lead to lighter, better batteries
Scientists have come up with a novel design for lithium-ion batteries. The new battery has electrodes designed in a manner similar to the seeds of pomegranate fruit, and can be used to create more compact and more powerful batteries.
Snake Salvation' star preacher Jamie Coots succumbs to snake bite
Preacher Jamie Coots from the National Geographic show "Snake Salvation" has died from a lethal snakebite. The pastor suffered a snakebite on his right hand during worship services in Middlesboro, Ky.
Amazon black ghost knifefish teaches robots a thing or two about underwater locomotion
The Amazon black ghost knifefish has inspired scientists to build underwater robots with similar capabilities. This new robot uses a new type of locomotive strategy never before seen.
No touchdown: Defunct Russian satellite Kosmos-1220 disintegrates in atmosphere
Russian satellite Kosmos-1220 that was predicted to hit the ocean after atmospheric reentry has burned up in the Earth's atmosphere. Earlier predictions from scientists have been proven wrong.
Wavier jet stream: Blame the warmer Arctic for the blizzards in North America and Europe
Scientists have reported possible changes in the jet stream that drives the weather systems in Northern Europe and the U.S. The narrow band of strong wind is becoming wavier and may cause dramatic changes in weather.
Discovery of Darwinilus sedarisi beetle excites Charles Darwin fans
After spending decades in a museum storage room, a rare beetle specimen collected by Charles Darwin over 180 years ago has been identified to be a new species. The new discovery coincided with Darwin's 205 birthday commemorated on Feb. 12.
Massive fossil trove discovery in Canada's Kootenay National Park excites paleontologists
Scientists have found a giant "cache" of fossils in Canada. The fossil-rich deposit was discovered in the Kootenay National Park, British Columbia, but the scientists are keeping the exact location a secret.
Football helmet not very effective in reducing brain injury risk
A new study has shown that football helmets do little to reduce the risks of brain injuries during hits to the sides of the head. Experts estimate that football helmets only reduce the risks of injuries from hits to the side of the head by 20 percent.
Twitch Plays Pokémon social experiment is the craziest, funniest thing we've ever seen
An estimated 50,000 to 70,000 people are watching Pokémon at the same time on the live streaming esports platform Twitch. Twitch Plays Pokémon is now one of the largest social experiments ever conducted.
On first anniversary of Chelyabinsk meteorite impact, scientists ponder 'What can save us?'
In light of the first anniversary of the Chelyabinsk impact, scientists are considering using nuclear bombs to combat the threat of asteroids. Experts say that a nuclear blast can deal with an asteroid even with limited time to prepare.
Whale spotting from space is fun, efficient and accurate
A team of scientists has used high-resolution satellite imagery to count whales. The images taken from orbit give scientists useful data for the the conservation and documentation of whale populations.
Scientists grow human lungs in fish tank in record time
Scientists have successfully cultured human lungs in a lab. The breakthrough may lead to further advances in growing human organs for transplants.
These six industrial chemicals may damage brain development in children, toxicology experts warn
Scientists have announced new additions to the list of industrial chemicals that can damage normal brain development. The experts fear that more children will be affected by the "chemical brain drain."
Effect of oil spill on tuna sheds light on how pollution causes heart problems
A new study has revealed how oil spills and air pollution can cause heart problems in tuna and humans respectively.
