Articles by Andrea Alfano
Scientists Fool Birds With 3D-Printed Eggs To Study Parasites
3D printing could revolutionize old-school field biology practices. For the first time, researchers used 3D-printed eggs instead of plaster models to study how birds reject parasitic eggs in their nests.
NASA Discovers Universe’s Most Luminous Galaxy, Brighter Than 300 Trillion Suns
Data from NASA’s WISE spacecraft has revealed the most luminous galaxy in the known universe. The discovery could help scientists better understand how black holes grow.
Top 10 Most Fascinating Species Discovered This Year
From a cartwheeling spider to the ‘chicken from Hell,’ this year’s list of the Top 10 newly discovered species proves that our planet is still full of hidden wonders.
Drones Of The Future May Feature Batlike Ears And Nose
A new sonar system design borrows the horseshoe bat’s technique for navigating dense forests. The bio-inspired robotic sonar prototype features a movable batlike nose and ears.
How An Octopus’ Skin Acts Like A Third Eye (Video)
Octopus skin contains the same specialized protein found in eyes. This allows octopi to sense light through their skin, according to a new study.
First Snakes Dragged Around Tiny Hindlegs On Land, Not In Water
Reconstructions of the ancestor of all snakes reveal that these reptiles evolved on land and had tiny, nonworking legs with ankles and toes. The work could help settle a long-standing debate in evolutionary biology.
Why Dads Don’t Do Baby Talk
Mothers and fathers tend to speak in different dialects to their children, new research suggests. The two forms of speech may complement one another to improve the child's language development.
Better Than Segway? New 'Electrike' Promises To Plow Through Bumps With Ease
Are three wheels greater than two? Electrike, a Belgian electric scooter company, thinks so. Who says trikes are for toddlers? Electrike, a new electric scooter company based in Belgium, would beg to differ.
Capturing Cancer: New Microchip Traps Tumor Cell Clusters In The Blood
Clusters of tumor cells can be found in the blood of many cancer patients. A new device called a Cluster-Chip could allow researchers to filter these clusters from the blood and use them to guide treatments.
Some E-Cigarette Varieties May Be More Harmful Than Others
Thousands of different flavors are already on the market, but their health effects are still largely unknown. New research suggests that some aerosol flavors may be more damaging to lung tissue than others.
What Trees And Salmon Ear Bones Have In Common (And How It Can Aid Conservation Efforts)
Salmon ear bones serve as a road map of the fish’s life. Taking advantage of this built-in tracker could help improve conservation strategies.
First 'Warm-Blooded' Fish Discovered
The opah, a large fish found throughout the world, can keep its body warmer than the waters in which it lives. No other known fish has this ability.
Your Genes Can Change The Way You See Emotional Images
People with this common genetic variation literally see erotic and other emotionally charged images more clearly than people who do not have it. A recent study found the variation in about 50 percent of participants.
Bill Nye’s LightSail Kickstarter Hit Its Goal In Less Than Three Days (Video)
A new citizen-funded spacecraft called LightSail is slated for a test run next week. If successful, it will be the first ever light-propelled spacecraft.
Ants Use Superpowerful Jaws To Launch Themselves Out Of Lion’s Lair
Trap-jaw ants can snap their jaws shut at incredible speeds. But their powerful mandibles are useful for more than just capturing prey.
Brain Scans Reveal Gender-Based Differences Among Kids With Autism
The brains of autistic girls and boys are wired in distinct ways. A better understanding of these differences could lead to more tailored treatments.
Northern Birds Invade The Southern US In Huge Numbers When Climate Shifts
Boreal bird species such as pine siskins have highly unusual migratory habits. With the help of citizen scientists, researchers recently figured out why.
An App That Teaches Echolocation And Furthers Research To Help Visually Impaired People
An upcoming app will contribute to research aimed at making echolocation a more accessible tool for visually impaired people while teaching sighted people some of these skills.
Astronomers Discover Famous Star’s Significant Other
One of the universe’s most studied stars, Delta Cephei, turns out to be part of a pair. Its partner likely escaped detection over the past two centuries because of its 'small mass.'
Clingfish Offer Inspiration For New Medical Devices
The northern clingfish’s remarkably strong suction abilitiy is inspiring research into new technologies.
Is New Recreational Drug ‘Flakka’ Even Worse Than Bath Salts?
A neurobiologist who has studied both drugs weighs in. The drugs are banned for their ability to trigger psychotic behavior and potential for causing kidney damage.
Too-Pretty Profile Pictures Perceived As Two-Faced
Men often see highly attractive female profile pictures as both alluring and alarming - but the same does not hold true for women looking at photos of men.
Brain Control On A Budget: Gadget Allows Users To Control Someone Else’s Arm
DIY neuroscience company Backyard Brains has developed an inexpensive device that allows users to control part of another person’s body with their brains.
