Articles by Jim Algar
Astronomers Track Mysterious 'Outcast' Asteroids To Their Surprising Birthplace
A distant family of asteroids may be the source of objects that pass close enough to Earth to be a concern, astronomers say. The group may be spawning near-Earth objects with highly unusual orbits, they say.
Cars May Someday Harvest Energy As They Travel Over Roads - Courtesy Of Their Shock Absorbers
A new system could harvest vibrational energy to create electricity for a car's systems, reducing the work of its alternator. That could translate into billions of dollars saved in fuel consumption costs, researchers say.
Gulf Of Mexico's Oxygen-Starved 'Dead Zone' Larger Than Usual This Year
The size of hypoxic 'dead zone' that threatens marine life in the Gulf far exceeds this year's forecast, scientists say. The dead zone is the size of Rhode Island and Connecticut combined.
Universe's Largest Feature Found - A Ring Of Galaxies 5 Billion Light Years Across
A ring of galaxies seven billion light years from Earth may be the largest cosmic structure ever observed, astronomers say. Its size is five times as big as what had been theorized as the largest possible feature, they say.
Bumblebees Alter Their Flight Plans Depending On The Cargo They're Carrying
When returning to the hive after foraging, bumblebees fly differently depending on whether they've collected pollen or nectar, researchers find. The load they carry affects stability and maneuverability, a study shows.
World's Glaciers Melting At Faster Rate Than Ever, Study Finds
Global glaciers are losing ice at the fastest rate seen in 120 years of record-keeping, researchers say. The loss is likely to continue even if temperatures stop rising and stabilize, they warn.
Carbon Capture Proposals, Even If Feasible, Probably Would Not Save The World's Oceans, Study Finds
Geoengineering proposals to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, even if possible, might be too late to save the world's marine life, researchers say. It would take hundreds, possibly thousands of years for the oceans to recover, they say.
Simple Urine Test May Bring Early Detection Of Pancreatic Cancer
A low-cost, noninvasive test may reveal the existence of pancreatic cancer in its early stages, researchers say. Currently, diagnosis is difficult because the disease often displays no symptoms until it is already spreading.
FDA Gives Approval For First 3D-Printed Prescription Drug
A drug for epileptic seizures will dissolve quickly and be easier to take thanks to 3D printing technology, its maker says. Even high dosages will be more convenient for people to swallow, it says.
Half Of Trending News On Twitter Ignored By Traditional News Media
A significant portion of Twitter trending topics are never picked up by traditional media outlets, a study finds. Additionally, when both are covering a news story, Twitter gets it first more often than not, researchers say.
Greatest Impact Of Nuclear Disasters Is Psychological, Not Physical, Studies Find
Mental problems following nuclear accidents are more widespread than any physical effects of radiation, studies have found. Depression and post-traumatic syndrome affect many people in certain regions, researchers say.
In Current Drought, California Faces 'Rain Debt' Equal To Full Year Of Storms (Video)
The blocking of atmospheric rivers that normally bring rain to California has led to severe 'rain debt,' researchers say. The debt is equal to the 20 inches of rain the state usually receives in average years.
Experts Debate Whether A 'Sugar Tax' Could Help Combat Obesity
Opinion is divided on whether taxing products based on their sugar content would help in the fight against obesity. Supporters point to taxes on alcohol and tobacco, which have reduced consumption; opponents say a sugar tax is unfair because food is a necessity, not a luxury.
Rosetta Mission Finds Possible Building Blocks Of Life On Icy Comet
Organic compounds considered key for the origin of life have been discovered by Philae lander on Comet 67P. Among the 16 found compounds were four never before detected on a comet, mission scientists say.
Drought Hitting World's Forests Harder Than Thought, With Climate Change Consequences
Drought keeps forests from being effective carbon sinks, making the impact of human-caused carbon emission worse, researchers say. Trees take years to bounce back from droughts and start effectively storing carbon again, they say.
Fear Of Deadly Fungus Leads Scientists To Urge Ban On Importing Salamanders Into US
A fungus that has decimated salamanders in Europe could gain a foothold in America unless imports are banned, researchers say. The deadly fungus has been spread by way of the pet trade, they say.
Five Distinct Types Of Prostate Cancer Identified, Could Lead To More Targeted Treatments
A genetic fingerprint can identify which prostate cancers are likely to be the most aggressive, researchers find. The discovery could help doctors choose best treatment options for each case, they say.
Changing Diagnoses Have Influenced Increasing Prevalence Of Autism: Study
Rising rates of autism may be, at least in part, more about statistics than an actual increase in new cases, researchers say. The 'swapping' of diagnoses may be playing a part, they suggest.
Discovery Of Rare Beaked Whale Washed Ashore On Massachusetts Beach Baffles Scientists
The beaked whale, a rare deep sea mammal, is only the second found ashore in the state in 15 years. Marine biologists say little is known about the reclusive creatures.
Two Inexpensive, Generic Drugs Effective In Reducing Breast Cancer Death Risk In Postmenopausal Women
Studies show two classes of drugs can improve survival odds for postmenopausal women with early breast cancer. Two studies focused on aromatase inhibitors and bisphosphonates.
Hazy Pluto Flaunts An Icy Heart And Halo [Video]
NASA announces the latest discoveries of the New Horizons mission to the dwarf planet. Flowing ices similar to Earth's glaciers and an unexpectedly deep atmosphere are features in the latest images from Pluto.
Successful People Over Over 50 May Be Indulging In Harmful Drinking, New Study Warns
Affluent, otherwise healthy people over the age of 50 may be risking their health with high-risk drinking, a study finds. Researchers say their finding suggests a worrying 'middle-class phenomenon.'
Stephen Hawking Joins Yuri Milner In $100 Million Hunt For Alien Lifeform: How You Can Help
A hunt for alien life will turn to crowdsourced computing power to crunch data. Your computer, tablet or smartphone can help in the search, project leaders say.
FDA's Proposal For New Food Label With More Detail On Added Sugar Meets Opposition
Food and beverage companies hit back at an FDA proposal to list added sugar on nutrition labels. The FDA also wants a listing of the added sugar's percentage of recommended daily intake included.
Physical Exercise May Be Better Than Medications To Prevent Or Reverse Alzheimer's Disease
Aerobic exercise has been shown to have benefits in protecting against Alzheimer's and dementia. Results are comparable to what current medications are capable of, researchers say.
Kepler-452b: Discovery Of Near Earth-Size Planet Will Help Scientists Understand Earth's Evolving Environment
Astronomers find a planet enough like Earth to raise the intriguing possibility of life possibly evolving there as it did on our planet, astronomers say. Planet Kepler 425b is near Earth-sized, with an Earth-like orbit around a star very much like our sun.
Pioneer Day Or Pie And Beer Day? Here's What You Should Know
A counter-holiday to Utah's official Pioneer Day is getting more popular every year. As the state takes the day off, many non-Mormons prefer to celebrate with a brew and a slice.
Fossil Of Ancient Ancestor Of Modern Snakes Discovered, Complete With Four Legs
Ancestor of today's snakes from hundreds of millions of years ago had legs, researchers say. The creature was likely a transitional species between ancient lizards and modern snakes, they say.
Hillary Clinton Says DOJ Probe Of Email Controversy Will Not Affect Her Presidential Campaign
Clinton hit back at a New York Times story claiming the Justice Department was launching a 'criminal' investigation. The Times has issued a correction to its original article.
Mystery Of Hair Ice Finally Solved: Fungal Activity! (Video)
The role of fungi is creating a dazzling frozen phenomenon in yet another example of what the strange and wonderful organisms can do, researchers say. There's much more in the world of fungi than just mushrooms, they say.
