Articles by James Maynard
Birthing Nebula Celebrates With Flowing Jets Of Gas Resembling Champagne
The RCW 34 nebula is a stellar birthplace, photographed like never before by astronomers at the European Southern Observatory in Chile. What is that strange formation that looks like champagne streaming from a bottle?
Dementor Wasp Turns Cockroaches Into Zombies LIke A Creature From Harry Potter
The Greater Mekong region is alive with a diverse collection of animals, including 139 newly discovered species. What strange species did the WWF catalog?
VelociRoach Robotic Cockroach Launches Robot Bird Off Its Back Because - Why Not? (Video)
An ornithopter can launch from the back of a robotic cockroach. Watch the system in action. The VelociRoach is a robotic cockroach that has recently become a launching pad for a robot bird.
Oregon Town Tries Using Fake Orca To Scare Away Sea Lions - The World's First Scaresealion?
A fake orca whale will soon head to Port of Astoria, Oregon, to scare off an invasion of sea lions. Could this actually work?
Sleeping Beauty Research Papers Can Languish For Decades, Even For Albert Einstein
Scientific papers can remain in obscurity for years, and then suddenly become popular among scientists. How could this happen, even to Albert Einstein?
Pain-Sensing Gene Discovered. Is This The End Of Pain Forever?
A gene mutation is found to prevent people from feeling any pain. Could this discovery be turned into treatments to end pain forever?
Was Methane Spike On Mars Caused By NASA's Curiosity Rover?
The Curiosity rover on Mars recorded methane on the Red Planet, which could be a sign of alien life. Or is it?
NASA Mission To Europa Will Search For Life - Will It Find Aliens?
Europa may be one of the most likely places in the solar system to find alien life. Now, NASA has chosen nine instruments to fly onboard a mission to the Jovian satellite.
Avoiding Temptation Or Why Good People Do Bad Things
Avoiding temptation may be more situational than dependent on personality, according to a new study. So, what makes good people do bad things?
Cicadas Waking Up From 17 Years Of Sleep - When Will They Fill The Skies?
After almost two decades, cicadas are rising from the ground in Kansas, Nebraska, Texas and other states. When will these areas experience an insect invasion?
BRETT The Robot Learns By Trial And Error, Just Like Human Beings
BRETT is a robot with the ability to learn from its mistakes. This turns out to be one of the great skills of humans.
Three Young Beluga Whales Spotted In Waters Off Long Island
Beluga whales normally live in the waters of the Arctic. So what are a trio of them doing near New York?
Wolf Volcano In Galapagos Erupts - Could This Be The End For Pink Iguanas?
Pink iguanas only live in one place in the world - near Wolf Volcano in the Galapagos islands. That volcano erupted in the early hours of May 25 possibly threatening the species with extinction.
Nasty 1 Intrigues Astronomers: What You Should Know About This Massive, Mysterious Star
What gives the star Nasty 1 its 'bad boy' nickname? This strange star harbors a big mystery.
Paralyzed Man Uses Mind To Control Robotic Limb And Grab Cold Beer
Prosthetic limbs could permit more natural, fluid movements, thanks to a breakthrough in wiring the devices to the human brain. How would does this new technology operate?
Metabolic Syndrome Increases Cardiovascular Mortality Risk: Study
Death by cardiovascular disease is more common among people with metabolic syndrome. What are the factors driving these higher mortality rates?
Pets Could Ease Anxiety In Kids With Autism
A new study has found that interacting with pets could help children with autism find relief for social anxiety. Does this mean parents of kids with ASD should run out to buy a guinea pig?
NASA's CubeSat Initiative Aims To Explore Solar System With Tiny Spacecraft
CubeSats could be utilized to explore the solar system at a fraction of what it costs to use conventional methods. How would they function on Mars - or Titan, Saturn's largest moon?
Can Thunder God Vine Really Help With Weight Loss Or Is It Just Snake Oil?
Thunder god vine contains a chemical that has shown great promise in relieving obesity. Following recent trials in mice, is it time for obese people to start consuming the Chinese herbal medicine?
Scientists Alarmed By Sudden Onset Of Ice Loss In Antarctica
Rapid ice loss in Antarctica is causing concern among climatologists about an area once thought to be among the most stable on the continent. The damage is so great, it is changing the gravitational field of the Earth.
Enjoy Your Memorial Day 2015 Weekend By Following These Safety Tips
Memorial Day is a time for family, children, and barbecues, while remembering veterans. How can your family avoid the greatest dangers of the holiday?
Lightsail Launches Successfully On Mission To Ride Sunlight For The Planetary Society
The world's first solar sail spacecraft is in orbit around the Earth, testing out futuristic technologies. What is next for the Lightsail program?
Sun Halo Sparks Jokes And Theories Of UFOs In Mexico
A solar halo was seen over large portions of Mexico on May 21. Is this the first sign of an alien invasion?
Dogs And Wolves Split Family Trees 40,000 Years Ago, Much Earlier Than Believed: Study
When did dogs and wolves separate from each other? New research suggests it was further back in the past than previously believed.
Multiyear Study Examines Plankton At Global Level, Finds New Information On These Tiny Lifeforms
Plankton provide half the oxygen we breathe on Earth. A new study reveals much we did not know about this group of lifeforms critical to life around the planet.
Gene Map Could Lead To Breakthrough Treatment For Patients With Advanced Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death in American men. A recent breakthrough could point the way to new targeted treatment for patients with advanced cases.
Large Hadron Collider Smashes Energy Record Following Re-Start
Tests at the LHC have set a new energy record for atom smashers. What mysteries of the universe could be found at these tremendous energies?
SpaceX Dragon Capsule Splashes Down In Pacific After Successful Mission
A Dragon space capsule, designed and built by SpaceX, has splashed down in the Pacific Ocean following a successful mission to the International Space Station. What was accomplished on this flight to the orbiting outpost?
Hubble Took Its First Image 25 Years Ago - This Is The Story Of Its First Picture
The Hubble Space Telescope took its first photograph 25 years ago. This simple image, meant to test the telescope, would affect the HST program for decades.
Supernova Material Collides With White Dwarf Companion - What Did This Teach Astronomers About The Universe?
A Type 1a supernova was seen in the process of exploding. Observations may reveal the underlying nature of these powerful events.
