Articles by James Maynard
Neptune-Like Planets May Turn into Potentially Habitable Worlds
Alien life may, one day, be found on mini-Neptunes, former gas giants shaped by their suns into habitable worlds. How would this process work?
Violent Psychopaths Don't Understand Punishment: MRI Study
Psychopathic offenders have different brains than others who exhibit antisocial behavior. What could this discovery mean for the future of treatments for criminals?
Why Have Some Modern Illnesses Persisted Since Our Ancient Ancestors? Scientists Begin to Understand Genetic Link
Sickle cell anemia, Crohn's disease, and psoriasis may have each provided health benefits to our ancestors, a new study has found. How could this be the case?
Fossil Found in Taiwan is Evidence of New Species of Early Humans
A fossil discovered in waters off Taiwan could represent a previously-unknown species of human ancestor or relative. What do we know about this mysterious find?
Charles H. Townes, Nobel Laureate and Laser Developer, Dies at 99
Charles Townes, an early developer of lasers, has died at the age of 99. This is his story. Charles Hard Townes, an early pioneer in laser technology, has passed away at the age of 99.
Obama's 'Precision Medicine' Begins Genetic Mapping, But Faces Some Obstacles
Precision medicine could bring about a new generation of medical treatments. What needs to happen to develop these new drugs?
What Makes Us Thirsty? Researchers Isolate Responsible Brain Region
Thirst is controlled by regions in the brain that can be turned on using a laser, but how do they work?
ISS 3D Printer Finishes First Round of Objects
The Made in Space Zero-G 3D printer aboard the International Space Station has completed its first round of projects. What is the future of 3D printing in space?
Ancient Snake Fossils Date Back Snake Evolution
Snakes may date back further than researchers once believed, according to newly-recognized fossils from the ancient past.
Doping Graphene Easier Now with New Method
Graphene can now be altered using electricity, possibly allowing the future development of processors which can be modified without changing hardware.
Is There a Link Between Northeast Snowstorm and Global Warming?
Was Winter Storm Juno driven by global climate change? There may be evidence this was the case. Winter Storm Juno blowing through New England may have been less severe than most meteorologists had predicted, but the snowstorm still left many people question whether the event may have been fueled by global climate change.
La Niña May Double with Climate Change
La Niña could become more frequent, driving extreme weather events around the world, according to a new study conducted in Australia.
CU Boulder Proposes a Telescope with Higher Resolution than Hubble: Is it Possible?
The Aragoscope is a proposed space telescope that would record images far more detailed than is possible with the Hubble Space Telescope.
Milestone Prizes Announced for Google LUNAR Xprize
The Google Lunar Xprize has awarded $5.25 million in prizes to companies working to land a private spacecraft on the Moon, and beam pictures back to Earth.
Couple in Arizona Gives Birth to Baby With No Eyeballs: What is Anophthalmia and Can It Be Fixed?
Young Richie Lopez of Mesa, Arizona, was born with eyeballs. This is his story. Richie Lopez, an infant born in Arizona, has no eyeballs, after contracting a rare disorder in the womb.
Siblings with Autism Have Different Genetic Mutations: Study
Autism is more complicated than once believed, as siblings with the disorder often have different genetic mutations, a new study from Autism Speaks has found.
Comet Lovejoy Treat For Californians: Watch Now Or Miss It For 8000 Years
Comet Lovejoy is visible in skies for the rest of the month, shining as a greenish ball of light. Once it disappears, it won't be near the Earth for another 8,000 years.
WISSARD Scientists Discover 'Lost World' of Mysterious Fish, Crustaceans and Jellyfish Beneath Antarctic Ice Shelf
A rich marine ecosystem has been discovered deep beneath the ice of Antarctica. What do we know so far about the lifeforms found there?
Touching Video: eSight Glasses Help Legally Blind Mother See Her Newborn Baby For First Time
Kathy Beitz is legally blind, but she was able to see her baby for the first time, using eSight glasses.
DALER: This Bat-Like Robot Is No Batman But Just As Useful
A robot inspired by vampire bats could carry out search and rescue operations in areas that most vehicles can't reach. How does it work?
Mars Rover Opportunity Completes 11 Years on Red Planet: NASA Celebrates with Hilltop Panorama
Opportunity has been exploring Mars for 11 years so far. What has NASA's robotic explorer found on the Red Planet?
Are You a Lucid Dreamer? New Insights into How Brain Works While Dreaming and Awake
Lucid dreamers may be more reflective than the average person when each is awake, according to new research. But, what is happening in the brains of these individuals?
Tagged Jellyfish Reveal Swimming Superpowers
Jellyfish are able to detect water current and swim against it, according to a new study. What else can this research tell us about the animals?
Black Hole on a 'Diet' Shows Dimming Quasar
A quasar has been seen changing brightness dramatically over just a few years for the first time ever. What can this tell us about these objects, as well as our own galaxy?
Ebola Killing Off a Third of World's Gorilla Population
Ebola may have killed off one-third of gorillas in the world, according to a new study. What can be done to save our primate cousins?
Scientists Recreate Planetary Formation Using Powerful Lasers
Planetary formation in super-Earths circling distant stars has been modeled by physicists using powerful lasers. What surprising results did the experiment reveal?
Travelers Using Antibiotics May Be Contributing to Global Spread of Superbugs
Antibiotics used to treat a common disorder among travelers could lead to the spread of superbugs, a new study warns.
First Batch of Research from Rosetta Comet is Now Public
Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko has been seen like never before, using the Rosetta spacecraft. What did astronomers find on the icy body?
Twitter Can Predict Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: How?
Twitter postings could predict rates of heart disease in communities. Why are tweets so effective at foretelling illness?
Vaccine Costs in Developing Countries Too High, Many Blame GSK, Pfizer
Vaccine costs are too high to protect populations in developing nations, Doctors Without Borders reports. Are pharmaceutical companies to blame for the problem?
