Articles by Alexander Saltarin
Can genetic engineering bring extinct passenger pigeons back?
Scientists may soon attempt to revive an extinct bird species. If successful, the world may once again catch a glimpse of the passenger pigeon, a previously common species of bird that went extinct in the early 1900s.
Spiders add fish to their diet. Forget insects
Unlike most spiders that prefer to spin webs to catch insects as prey, scientists have discovered another type of spider which catch fish for food. The fish-eating spiders have been seen fishing for prey almost two times their own size.
Meet Mercuriceratops Gemini, a horned-dinosaur with a Roman god's helmet
Scientists have named a new horned dinosaur with a bony frill reminiscent of the wings on the Roman god Mercury's helmet. The dinosaur has aptly been named Mercuriceratops Gemini.
Citizen scientists delay return of ISEE-3. Here's the revised plan
While the plans to regain full control of the decommission satellite ISEE-3 are going through certain delays, the civilian scientists behind the project are still pushing through.
Warming Arctic spells less extreme cold for U.S., Europe
Contrary to previous assumptions, a new study hints that arctic warming may lead to fewer extreme cold weather events. The study covers parts of Europe, Asia and the US.
USDA Wildlife Services killed 4 million animals in 2013. Justified or just too much?
In 2013, the federal government culled more than 4 million wild animals. The state-sanctioned culling included black bears, prairie dogs, coyotes, bobcats and even a bald eagle and golden eagles.
Computer passes Turing Test, poses as 13-year-old boy and fools humans
In a historic moment for AI development, a supercomputer named Eugene Goostman has finally passed the Turing Test. The computer can successfully fool humans into thinking that it is a 13 year old boy.
Rats feel regret, recognize missed opportunities: Study
Neuroscientists have determined that rats may also be capable of feeling 'regret.' This marks the first time that this type of emotion was scientifically verified in an animal.
Koalas don't hug trees to be cute but to cool down
Researchers have discovered why Koalas like hugging trees. Aside from looking cute, hugging trees serves to cool down koalas during hot days.
Kepler-10c is 'Godfather Earth'. Is this rocky planet home to alien life?
Astronomers discovered what could be a new class of exoplanet known as a "Mega-Earth." This new rocky exoplanet is 17 times more massive than the Earth.
Big Brother creator will launch reality TV show in search of Mars One crew
Big Brother creator Endemol has teamed up with Mars One in order to document the Mars One astronaut selection process. A new reality TV show on the subject is now in the works.
Eruption of Alaska's Pavlof volcano intensifies, ash cloud reaches 22,000 feet
Local volcanologists have reported that the latest eruption of Mount Pavlof is intensifying. While the volcanic activity in the area is increasing, experts say that the eruption is still considered as a low level eruption.
NASA's IRIS films rare gigantic solar flare [Video]
The Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS), NASA's latest solar observatory, has captured its very first coronal mass ejection (CME). It seems the first time's' the charm for the IRIS as the first ever CME it has recorded may be one for the record books.
Alien over Hawaii? No. It's NASA's Mars flying saucer testing it's parachute
NASA is finally getting ready to test their Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD). The flying saucer shaped decelerator will be put through its first high altitude test in the skies above Hawaii this June 3.
Jacque Cousteau's grandson will stay in underwater laboratory for 31 days
In an attempt to break the record for the longest underwater stay for a human, the grandson of renowned oceanographer Jacques Cousteau will be spending over a month in an underwater lab. Fabien Cousteau will be staying in the Florida International University's Aquarius lab.
Ants have a more complex network than Google
Move over Google. A new study shows that ant colonies utilize highly complex communication systems that can rival the massive networks used by tech companies like Google.
Zebras now hold record of longest migration of African land mammals
Scientists tracking a population of Plains zebra using GPS technology have determined that the animals traveled approximately 311 miles while migrating. The zebras now hold the record of the longest terrestrial migration ever documented.
Oversized human brain explains evolution of our weak muscles: Brain wins over brawn
New research reinforces previous beliefs that human evolution focused on brain development instead of muscles. The new findings delve into the evolutionary matter of brain over brawn.
Swarms of lake flies invade Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin
Spring is in full bloom in Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, The birds are chirping, the trees have regained their full splendor, the flowers are blooming and the lake flies are swarming.
Scientists complete genome study of dampwood termite, compare sequence with other social insects
Scientists have finally mapped the termite genome. The new findings could lead to a deeper understand of social insects and how they evolved.
Answer humanity's biggest problem and £10 million Longitude Prize can be yours
The Longitude Prize has been revived 300 years after it was first introduced. The organizers of the prize are hoping that it could spur the development of solutions to some of humankind's greatest problems.
New meteor shower peaks May 23-24. See 1,000 shooting stars per hour.
Astronomers expect that a new meteor shower will peak this weekend. Stargazers are in for a treat and up to 1,000 meteors are expected to light up the night sky.
'Wolfenstein: The New Order' review: Here's what the gaming world is saying
'Wolfenstein: The New Order' has only been out for a day but the verdict is in for the latest title in the Wolfenstein Series. It's a character-driven game with generally positive reviews.
Scientists discover ancient underwater Hawaii volcano off Oahu and Kauai
Researchers have discovered another volcano in Oahu. The ancient underwater volcano may have helped formed Hawaii's third largest island.
Newly mapped Greenland valleys up risk of faster glacier melting
New research shows that Greenland may be a larger contributor to rising sea levels. The findings show deep valleys that have formed under the Greenland ice sheet may erode ice even faster and dump large amounts of water into the world's oceans.
SpaceX Dragon brings home 3,500-lb. cargo from ISS, parachutes safely into Pacific Ocean
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft has successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. The spacecraft was carrying over 3,500 pounds of important scientific cargo brought down to Earth from the International Space Station.
Scientists excavate fossils of titanosaurs, biggest dinosaurs to walk on Earth, in Patagonia
Paleontologits have found the remains of what could be the biggest dinosaur to have ever walked the Earth.THe giant sized fossils were unearthed in Argentina.
Ancient skeleton of a girl may help answer if first Americans crossed a land bridge from Asia
An ancient skeleton found in a watery grave may reveal new information about the earliest settlers of Americas. The nearly complete skeleton was found in an underwater chamber called Hoyo Negro.
Russian Proton rocket carrying communications satellite destroyed after lift off
What would have been Russia's most advanced and most powerful satellite has crashed into the ground. The Proton-M rocket that was supposed to carry it into orbit failed shortly after launch.
ESA's Rosetta spots 800-mile long dust cloud of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko
67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, the comet being observed by the ESA's Rosetta space probe, has finally been seen showing of its coma. The long trail of dust is now visible now that the comet is moving closer to the Sun.
