Articles by James Maynard
Discovery Of Opal On Mars Hints At Existence Of Alien Life
Life on Mars may have left behind a calling card of precious stones. What could the discovery of opals in a Martian meteorite tell us about alien life?
Spock, Mordor, Kirk: Some Of The Names Suggested For Pluto System
Pluto and its system of moons will soon be explored, revealing previously unknown landmarks. The public has voted for their favorite names, which include titles from science fiction, mythology and history.
New Horizons Recovers From Glitch, On Track For Historic Pluto Flyby
Closing in on Pluto, the New Horizons spacecraft suffered a serious glitch. Now, the vehicle is up and running again, ready for a historic encounter with the distant dwarf planet.
Self-Driving Taxis May Help Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Study
Self-driving cabs could help save the environment in the near future, a new study concludes. Will the future look like The Fifth Element without Bruce Willis?
Philae Comet May Be Teeming With Alien Lifeform, Claim Scientists
Comet 67/P could be teeming with life, a pair of astronomers suggest. Has alien life finally been found?
This Sniffing Test Can Detect Autism In Children With 81 Percent Accuracy
Autism has only been officially recognized for just over 75 years. How does a new method of diagnosis fit into our understanding of the disorder?
5-Year Old Florida Girl Killed By Jumping Sturgeon In Freak Accident
Sturgeon leaping from water have killed one Florida girl and injured several other people. What is causing this rash of fish-related injuries?
No Monkey Business! Victoriapithecus Had Tiny But Complex Brain
Victoriapithecus is a rare primate from 15 million years ago that could unravel a great mystery of biology.
Stop! Your Stella & Chewy's Pet Food May Be Contaminated With Listeria: Here's What You Should Know
Dogs and cats across the nation could be in danger from the bacteria that causes listeria. What should you do if you think your pet may have been infected?
Matt Stonie Beats Joey Chestnut In Nathan's Famous Fourth Of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest
Joey Chestnut, the eight-time hot dog-eating champion, has been dethroned by Matt Stonie. Why does this contest happen every July 4, and who are the competitors?
Scientists 3D Print Skeletal Models Of Seahorse Tail And Put Them To Test: Here's What They Found
Seahorses have unusual tails, and now researchers know why. What could this finding mean for the future of robotics?
Celebrity 'Mind Games' Help Scientists Understand How New Memories Are Formed In Brain
Photographs of celebrities and famous landmarks were used to find how the brain creates new memories. What could this study tell us about the inner workings of the human brain?
Gene Therapy Can Help Treat Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Cystic fibrosis may, one day, be treated by replacing faulty genes responsible for the disorder. Does this mean a treatment for this deadly condition is around the corner?
Blue Eyes May Lead To Alcohol Problems: Celebrity Histories Show Trend
A new study shows light-eyed people, especially those with blue eyes, may be more likely than others to become alcoholics. Turns out, celebrities have been leading the way on this idea for decades.
Spiders Can Sail Over Water With Help Of Legs And Web: Study
Spiders are not only capable of flight, they can sail as well, a new study concludes. How could this finding help unravel a mystery of the eight-legged animals?
Brain-Eating Bug Kills California Woman: What You Should Know About Naegleria Fowleri
A deadly amoeba took the life of a 21-year-old California woman on June 20. Are you in danger this summer from this water-borne illness?
Check Global Warming Or See Marine Life Be Destroyed, Warns International Study
Global warming could devastate marine life if global temperatures are not kept in check, a new study finds. How serious is this problem?
Saxenda: This Diabetes Drug Helps Promote Weight Loss, But There's A Catch
The diabetes drug Saxenda appears to be highly effective in treating obesity in a new study. So, what is the problem with using the treatment in the midst of an obesity epidemic?
Fairy Lights: Femtosecond Lasers That Can Be Touched And Felt Give Haptic Interface A New Meaning
Lasers can be used to create 3D images that can be felt by human users. Are we one step away from 'Star Trek's holodecks?
Discovery Of Fossil Of 'Jesus Lizard' Ancestor Intrigues Scientists
A 'Jesus lizard' that lived 48 million years ago was discovered in Wyoming. What was a tropical creature doing in this environment?
Genetic Analysis Helps Explain How Woolly Mammoth Could Bear The Cold
Woolly mammoths had specific genetic mutations designed to help them live in frigid environments. Could this finding be another step toward bringing back the animals?
Can Russia Make Progress Where SpaceX Failed? ISS Astronauts Hope So
A series of launch failures have left the occupants of the International Space Station with fewer supplies than normal. Will Russia be able to deliver the goods to the ISS?
4-Inch Long Centipede Gives Arkansas Teen An Earful
An Arkansas teen woke up on June 30 with a 4-inch centipede in his ear. How large can these animals get, and how dangerous are they to humans?
New Horizons Captures New Images Of Pluto And Charon As It Nears The Icy Dwarf Planet
Pluto and its largest moon Charon are being seen like never before as the New Horizons spacecraft closes in on the system. Now, astronomers have confirmed a layer of methane ice on the icy dwarf planet.
Comets Have Sinkholes, Too, Rosetta Data Suggests
The Rosetta spacecraft has detected sinkholes on Comet 67/P. How are these strange formations created?
Genetic Changes Turned Stomach Bug Into Deadly Pathogen Responsible For Black Death
The bubonic plague, known also as the Black Death, was not deadly until the bacteria acquired certain mutations. What changes occurred that turned a harmless stomach bug into a deadly pathogen?
Excessively Drinking Water Can Be Deadly
Water can be dangerous to athletes if they drink too much during exercise, a new report concludes. So, when should people drink while working out?
Women With PTSD Face Higher Risk Of Heart Attack: Study
Traumatic events in women's lives can dramatically raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes, new research shows. How serious is the connection, and what can be done to lower the risks?
Is It A Bird? Is It Superman? No, It's Mars' First Airplane
The Prandtl-m aircraft could glide through the atmosphere of Mars, arriving as early as 2022. How would this revolutionary vehicle work?
Hades: You Don't Want This Centipede From Hell Crawling Over You
Deep within the caves of Croatia lies Geophilus hadesi, the centipede from hell. What makes this animal so amazing?
