Articles by Diane Samson
Researchers Say Life On Mars Still Possible But May Still Be Hidden
During the Breakthrough Discuss conference at UC Berkeley last month, a researcher argued that life of some form continues to exist on Mars. However, he suggested that they might be in hiding.
Very Early Galaxies Shone Much Brighter Than Previous Expectations Says Researchers
Observations by the Spitzer Space Telescope revealed that some of the first galaxies in the universe are much brighter than newer galaxies. Researchers believe that this might provide clues about the Epoch of Reionization during the early universe.
NASA Scientists Working On Soft Robots That Looks A Lot Like Sci-Fi Aliens
NASA interns have been developing soft robotic actuators that can expand the tasks that future robots can perform. Scientists are hoping to use soft robots for future exploration and building in space.
Tunneling Experts Excited At Prospect Or Boring Tunnels On Lunar Surface
NASA is ramping up plans to return humans back to the lunar surface. Meanwhile, engineers on Earth have started discussing and developing technologies to be used to colonize the Moon.
Elon Musk Takes Humorous Shot At Jeff Bezos's Moon Lander
On Twitter, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk trolled Jeff Bezos by posting an altered photo of the new Blue Moon lunar lander. Over the years, the two billionaires have clashed because of their contrasting space ambitions.
Study Links Ocean Behavior With Seasonal Monsoons
The South Asian monsoon is the most intense in the world due to the combination of the presence of the Himalayas and the wind-ocean interplay. In a study, researchers found that the ocean influence the strength and timing of the monsoon.
First Stars In The Universe Were Short-Lived And Ejecting Giant Jets Of Matter
The first stars in the Universe exploded asymmetrically, spreading the seeds that would create new stars in neighboring galaxies. Astrophysicists from MIT presented observational evidence of aspherical supernovae from studying a nearby ancient star.
Mars InSight Lander Is Covered In Orange Dust But Scientists Say It's A Good Thing
NASA's Mars InSight recently had a brief encounter with one of the planet's infamous dust devils. The encounter lifted some of the dust that accumulated on its solar panels and allowed it to study Martian winds.
Researchers Propose Ultra-Secure Form Of Quantum Currency
A researcher developed a framework for a currency that guarantees security from quantum computer attacks and more flexible responses. The S-money system can one day enable transactions anywhere in the Solar System and beyond.
Over Half Of All Pregnancy-Related Deaths Can Be Prevented, Says CDC
More than half of the deaths associated with complications during pregnancy and childbirth can be prevented, according to a recent analysis by the CDC. Stroke and heart disease were identified as the leading cause of deaths among mothers.
Traces Of Arsenic In Drinking Water Can Increase Risk Of Heart Attack And Stroke, Says Study
Drinking water contaminated with arsenic might lead to the thickening of the heart's main pumping chamber that could result in cardiac arrest and stroke. Researchers found that higher levels of arsenic increase the chances of developing a heart condition.
Earth's Core Shares Odd Similarity With Salad Dressing: Study
For the first time, researchers have offered proof of the immiscibility of molten metal alloys at extreme temperatures. The experiment offers an insight into the inner processes that take place within Earth and the evolution of the magnetic field.
El Niño Study Produces 400 Years Worth Of Data From Corals
Researchers analyzed coral records and reconstructed a comprehensive map of El Niño events for the past 400 years. They found that climate change might be causing more frequent and more intense El Niño events.
Rising Number Of Health Enthusiasts Turn To Drinking Ginger For Health Benefits
Steeping ginger in hot water can ease digestive issues, reduce muscle soreness after exercise, and combat morning sickness among pregnant women. Ginger is gaining renewed popularity among health enthusiasts for its myriad of health benefits.
A Thousand-Year-Old Shaman Bag Found To Contain Several Types Of Psychotropic Plants
An international team of scientists found a pouch that has traces of hallucinogenic drugs, including cocaine. They believe that the pouch belonged to a native American shaman who performed rituals during a human burial 1,000 years ago.
Citizen Scientists Release Study On New Hampshire Tick-Borne Disease
An increase in tick bites is associated with warmer weather, but research suggested that the threat exists all year round in New Hampshire. They also found the presence of a new pathogen among ticks collected by volunteers in the state.
Geologists Recorded 'A Lot Of Movement' In Yellowstone Volcano But No Danger Of Eruption Yet
New rumors have emerged, warning about the eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano. However, authorities have been monitoring the area and found no evidence of a cataclysmic event any time soon.
Researchers Film How The Human Immune System Kills Off Invading Bacteria
Researchers filmed how the immune system attacks a foreign invader to understand how the human cell remains undamaged after the process. Their findings could lead to weaponizing the immune system to attack rogue cells.
A Look Into The Deepest Hole Bored By Humans
The Kola Superdeep Borehole is still the deepest man-made hole on Earth. The project began in the 70s in an effort to study the inner makeup of the planet and was halted in the early 90s.
Group Of Researchers Stresses Importance Of Dynamics That Make Planets Habitable
Researchers from the Carnegie Institution for Science said that the inner composition of a planet is equally important in determining the potential for life. They explained that the processes that take place underneath can also affect conditions on the surface.
Don't Wash Raw Chicken Before Cooking, Says CDC
Washing raw chicken does not get rid of bacteria that can cause food poisoning, said the CDC. The only way to make meat safe for consumption is by thoroughly cooking it.
Buzz Aldrin Just Called For A 'Great' Human Migration To The Red Planet
Buzz Aldrin is urging the United States to send humans to Mars to set up base permanently. He said that expanding the presence of humans in the universe is necessary to ensure the continuation of the species.
Astronomers Stitch Together Years Of Hubble Data To Create Wide View Of The Distant Universe
The Hubble Image Field offered a view of the farthest and faintest galaxies that the Hubble Space Telescope has ever seen. In this single image, 265,000 galaxies from up to 500 million years after the Big Bang can be seen.
Scientists Accidentally Built A Highly Accurate Ozone Detector While Trying To Build Something Else
Rapid Ozone Experiment or ROZE was accidentally invented when scientists were working on an instrument that can measure hydroxyl. The ozone detector is said to be 100 times more accurate than the devices currently available today.
Moviegoers Watching Midnight Screening Of 'Avengers: Endgame' May Have Been Exposed To Measles
A woman might have exposed movie fans to measles at a screening of 'Avengers: Endgame' in Orange County, California on Thursday. The authorities advised those who were at the cinema to look out for symptoms of the highly contagious disease.
Researchers Find Neutron Star Collision That Could Have Birthed Plutonium On Earth
Scientists claimed that a neutron star collision near the early Solar System triggered the process that created plutonium and other heavy elements on Earth. In a study, they detailed how the event shaped the composition of the solar system.
Researchers Track Down Uranium Cubes Made In Germany During WW II
Two researchers investigated the history of uranium cubes and uncovered Nazi Germany's plans to build nuclear reactors at the end of World War II. Adolf Hitler nuclear efforts spurred the creation of the U.S.-led Manhattan Project.
Study Suggests Cannabis Can Help Improve Exercise
Researchers found that 81 percent of runners who participated in a survey smoke marijuana before and after their workout. Some reported that the drug improved their performance while others said that it made them more motivated.
New Bill May Soon Require Doctors To Treat Unvaccinated Children
A doctor examining a young patient. A new bill in Pennsylvania will prohibit doctors from scolding, harassing, coercing parents of patients to vaccinate their children. They also would not be allowed to deny care for sick unvaccinated patients.
Scientists Solve Mystery Of Strange 'Sea' Appearing In Antarctica
Researchers revealed that the massive Maud Rise Polynya that appeared in Antarctica in 2017 was caused by a cyclone. They warned that more polynyas will appear as the frozen continent is exposed to intense cyclones caused by climate change.
