Articles by James Maynard
King Richard III genome sequence may help scientists see eye to eye
Richard III, who ruled England in the late 15th century, will be the first historical figure to have his DNA completely sequenced. What will this be able to teach historians, and, more importantly, what does William Shakespeare have to do with DNA?
Monster jellyfish discovery in Tasmania stuns biologists
A giant jellyfish, measuring five feet across, washed up on the shores of Tasmania. But why are people calling it "Big snotty?"
Crocodiles can climb trees better than you think: Study
If you're being chased by a crocodile, a tree is not a safe place to hide. These reptiles are expert climbers and some of them even love to bask on branches.
Richard Branson will send you into space as early as this year... for a price
Tickets to space are now up for sale on Virgin Galactic website, and flights will be departing before the end of the year. Who gets to sit next to Angelina Jolie?
Popularity of coffee, energy drinks rising among teens: CDC
A new study shows consumption of soda by young people is down; however, consumption of coffee and energy drinks have spiked among the teenagers. What does that mean for their health?
Loch Ness Monster is dead, locals fear
After 18 months without a sighting of the Loch Ness monster, some locals fear the creature may be dead. The lack of reports may also mean another species has become extinct.
Cellular nanomotors may make Fantastic Voyage possible
Tiny motors have been tested inside human cells for the first time. These miniature torpedoes could destroy cancer cells from the inside.
Photosynthesis protein developed long before oxygen became available
Cyanobacteria living in oxygen-poor environments near underwater volcanoes and thermal vents reveal secrets of how their distant ancestors carried out respiration. Surprisingly, they used a protein essential for photosynthesis long before oxygen became available.
Discovery of Galaxy Abell2744 Y1 on the edge of universe has made NASA giddy
The most distant galaxy ever seen has been photographed, seen as it was over 13 billion years ago. But how did astronomers use other galaxies to increase the powers of the world's most powerful space telescopes?
Leonard 'Mr. Spock' Nimoy wants Star Trek fans to quit smoking
Leonard Nimoy, aka Mr. Spock, points out the logic of avoiding tobacco use to fans, after the science fiction icon was diagnosed with chronic lung disease.
Winners of 2013 International Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge are...
Photographs, illustrations, videos, and more demonstrating the beauty of science and nature have been judged by the National Science Foundation, the journal Science, and the public. Here are the winners.
Mars Curiosity rover takes first photo of Earth from the Red Planet
The first picture of the Earth and Moon taken by the Mars Curiosity rover are inspiring millions of space enthusiasts.
Discovery of 800,000 year-old footprints in Norfolk may explain how human ancestors lived
Human footprints from 800,000 years ago could re-write the history of the human race. But, why are the new findings already destroyed?
Is Jose Salvador Alvarenga a castaway hero or a cannibal? The mystery may never be solved
A strange tale told by castaway Jose Salvador Alvarenga involves the disappearance of a young fisherman. Did Alvarenga add the most-forbidden meat to his diet of turtles and fish?
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: Are African-Americans fighting a losing battle against the dreaded disease?
Decades after the discovery of HIV, drugs are widely available to treat symptoms of the virus. Why are African Americans, especially in Washington DC, declining treatment?
Deep sea (mesopelagic) fish biomass 10 times more than previously thought
Deep water fish are ten times more common than once believed. A new discovery about their life cycle could also have a significant effect on the carbon cycle.
New technology makes ballistic transport via graphene nanoribbons possible
Graphene nanoribbons attached to silicon wafers allows electrons to travel without resistance. This accidental discovery could herald a new generation of super-fast computers.
Dimetrodon with 'steak-knife' teeth was more terrifying than T. rex
With teeth like steak knives, the 12-foot-long Dimetrodon may have been far more frightening than T-rex. They were also the distant ancestor of all mammals, including rabbits.
Carbon nanotubes may reduce stem cells reliance on human or animal cells
Stem cells can now be grown, using a microscopic scaffolding of carbon, in the form of nanotubes. This small structure could revolutionize medicine.
Vegan woolly mammoth became extinct because of wildflowers and not human hunters
Conditions in the arctic just before the last ice age may have been filled with fields of flowers. One of them became vitally important to giant animals, such as the woolly mammoth, foraging for food.
Forget GPS: Pacific salmon uses magnetic map to navigate to feeding grounds
Chinook salmon are born with the ability to navigate using the magnetic field of the Earth. What does that mean for the future of the salmon industry?
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has just spotted a fresh impact crater
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has photographed a stunning crater, created by a meteor, recently striking the Red Planet. But what does that have to do with bringing the Internet to space?
CVS decision not to sell tobacco products has upset smokers and investors
CVS has announced it will stop selling tobacco at its 7,600 stores by October 1st, drawing praise, and criticisms, from everyone involved.
Study of camel bones suggests Bible may be wrong
Radiocarbon dating, as well as the presence of bones beginning at 900 BC show several stories in the Bible tell of domesticated camels hundreds of years too early.
Sucker-footed bats throw clues on ancestry of modern day bats
The discovery of two ancient fossils of bats may re-write what scientists know about the winged mammals.
Oregon chub makes strong comeback, first fish to be taken off endangered list
The Oregon chub has become the first fish to be taken off the endangered species list. Once down to just 1,000 members of their species, this tiny fish now numbers in the hundreds of thousands.
Saturn polar vortex revealed in all its glory by NASA Cassini spacecraft
The Cassini spacecraft has returned a new image of a strange hexagon dominating the north pole of Saturn. This is a powerful storm that holds within it a giant hurricane.
