Articles by James Maynard
Smoke on ISS scares astronauts
Space travelers aboard the International Space Station reported smelling smoke on 10 June. Fire is especially dangerous to space travelers.
Very creepy solar storm set to hit Earth on Friday the 13th
A coronal mass ejection from the sun is heading to the Earth and will arrive on Friday the 13th. The eruption occurred during the production of a trio of solar flares.
Earth, actually older than previously thought. By 60 million years
Analysis of gases from ancient Earth shows our planet and satellite are 60 million years older than previously believed.
Warm-blooded or cold-blooded? Dinosaurs were neither
Dinosaurs may have been mesotherms, species with features of both warm- and cold-blooded animals, like Australia's egg-laying mammal, the echidna.
Quantum computing has a magic word - contextuality
Contextuality, or the method one uses to observe quantum effects, has a profound influence on the future of quantum computers, according to a new study.
ISS astronauts join in on World Cup celebrations with gravity-defying soccer [VIDEO]
World Cup Fever has reached out-of the world proportions, as space travelers aboard the International Space Station support their favorite teams.
Ancient Tibet may be origin of Ice Age mammals, fossils reveal
Mammals may have learned how to live in harsh, cold conditions in the Himalayan Mountains of Tibet, before spreading to other areas of the world during the last ice age, a new study reveals.
9-foot long great white shark devoured. Hunt for 'Super Predator' begins?
A white shark, roughly 9-feet long may have been eaten in whole or part by another predator. Is there a monster shark out there waiting to be discovered?
Evolution of face: Violence had a role to play
Australopithecus evolved a flatter face in males, due to the development of the use of fists during fights.
Sun belches two 'significant' X-class solar flares on Tuesday: Harmless to humans, NASA says
A pair of solar flares have erupted from the sun, and could affect Earth soon. Solar flares erupted from the surface of the Sun last June 10, heading in the direction of Earth.
Nanoparticle innovation promises cheaper, lighter solar cells
Solar cells could, one day, be painted onto surfaces, thanks to new nanoparticles University of Toronto investigators have designed a new type of nanoparticle that could replace big, bulky solar cells for energy production.
Gecko-inspired DARPA paddles lets you become Spider-man
Paddles designed by DARPA in their Z-man program, allow users to climb vertical surfaces - even glass - like a gecko.
Underwater volcanoes, not climate change, reason behind melting of West Antarctic Ice Sheet
A tearing apart of the ground under the Antarctic ice sheet is adding to significant dangers for one of the world's most sensitive regions. Warm water circulating under the ice sheet is contributing to its slide toward the sea.
Citrus genome analysis suggests need for genetic diversity
Citrus fruits evolved over millions of years, but they could be in danger from a lack of genetic diversity.
Rats regret making poor decisions. No wonder we're in a rat race
Scientists have found that rats can express regret when making a poor decision. This was once believed to be a uniquely human emotion.
Eugene Goostman beats Turing Test: The '13-year-old Ukrainian kid' who duped humans
The Turing Test was developed in 1950, as a test of artificial intelligence. A computer passed the exam for the first time.
Astronaut Vine video from space goes viral
The first Vine video in space, showing a full orbit of Earth, has gone viral on the internet. The sun never sets in a new video taken by a space traveler aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Chobani 'Nature got us to 100 calories, not scientists' slogan draws fire, prompts apology
Chobani yogurt just tried a new advertising campaign that backfired. Maybe science DID help it get to 100 calories, after all.
Tree frogs croak their way from storm drains to heart of mates
Mientien frogs, like the one shown here, are learning to use storm drains and other structures as amplifiers for mating calls.
'The Beast' asteroid 2014 HQ124 will fly past dangerously close to Earth on Sunday
An asteroid that could devastate a city will pass harmlessly by the Earth on 8 June. This is the story of its discovery.
Chimps better than humans at tactical games
Chimps are stronger than humans, and have better short-term memory. Now, it appears they are better at planning strategies, as well.
Polar bear collar cam allows you to get up close and personal
The USGS released a new video, showing life as a polar bear. The film could help researchers trying to protect the species.
Saturated fat not as bad as we thought after all, claims 'The Big Fat Surprise'
Saturated fats could be part of a healthy diet, according to new research from a journalist. Her ideas are being supported by a growing number of researchers.
Celebrating womanhood: Lego launches all-female line of scientist minifigures
Legos will now be offered in a new set, representing a new generation of female scientists. The Lego Group, manufacturers of well-known building blocks, is releasing a new set of all-female scientists.
Bacteria exposure may help protect babies from allergy and asthma
Babies may be protected by exposure to bacteria and allergens in the first year of life, according to a new study.
Fasting is beneficial to the immune system: Study shows it triggers stem cell regeneration
Having trouble with your immune system? A new study shows that fasting may be a great solution. It triggers a process that's akin to recycling for the immune system.
Truvia artificial sweetener can moonlight as human-safe pesticide. Don't believe it? Ask the fruit fly
Erythritol, a natural sweetener found in some fruits, is toxic to fruit flies, and could become a safe pesticide.
French book on soul and afterlife is bound in human skin, confirm Harvard University researchers
A 19th Century book in the hands of Harvard Library is likely bound with human flesh, say university researchers.
China's plan to bulldoze mountains poses environmental threat, warn researchers
Hundreds of mountains are being flattened in China to make way for new construction. But a group of university researchers are warning of the environmental dangers involved.
Moon was born when Earth and Theia smooched 4.5 billion years ago
Apollo rocks show a slightly different composition to similar objects on Earth. Lending an evidence of an impact 4.5 billion years ago between the Earth and a Mars-sized body called Theia.
