Articles by Jim Algar
Nature's Medicines Help Bees Fight Disease
Chemicals that plants create to ward off predators can help cure ailing bees who consume it with the plant's nectar. Natural plant toxins found to kill intestinal parasites that afflict bees, researchers find.
New York's Future Faces Up To Six Feet Of Sea Level Rise
Report predicts a wet, overheated and possibly flooded future for New York City. Climate panel predicts hotter temperatures, extreme rainfall and rising sea levels in coming decades.
Ear's Novel Pain System Acts As Bodyguard Against Loud Noises, Hearing Loss
Our ears have their own distinct pain-sensing system to protect us from dangerously loud noises, scientists find. Novel nerve pathway is only activated when noises reach potentially damaging levels, they report.
Mass Extinctions: Plants Are Resilient, Animals Are Not
In almost all of the Earth's ancient mass extinction events, plants have weathered the disaster much better than animals have, researchers say. Ability to survive and recover has helped create plants' extensive biodiversity today, they find.
New, Better Images Of Dwarf Planet Ceres Taken By Dawn
New, sharper images of dwarf planet raise more questions than answers, astronomers say. Scientists eagerly await the arrival of the Dawn spacecraft at Ceres in March.
Why Does Pot Give You The Munchies? Scientists Weigh In With An Answer
Researchers find active ingredient in marijuana can turn brain's appetite center on its head. Brain circuit that normally tells us we're full is fooled by marijuana into telling us to scarf down that bag of snack chips.
Where Did Ancestor Of Indo-European Languages Originate?
Two studies attempt to settle the debate on where in the world the ancestral tongue of all Indo-European languages was born. Evidence points to the vast steppe region in what is today Ukraine and Russia.
Schizophrenia Alters Dopamine Neurons: How Can This Help Design Treatment Therapy?
Researchers in search of better understanding of negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Cognitive deficits and emotional impairments seen as determining long-term prognosis for sufferers.
Debrand Tobacco Products? Plain Cigarette Packs Shown To Deter Smokers
Removing labels and branding from cigarette packaging can deter young smokers, studies suggest. It can also cut down the number of cigarettes smokers consume in a day, researchers say.
Recently Discovered Star Had A Close Encounter With Our Solar System
A star now speeding away from us once came within less than a light year of our solar system, a cosmic "close shave," astronomer say. Near fly-by took place 70,000 years ago.
Mothers Can Pass Traits To Offspring Through Bacterial DNA
DNA in bacteria in a mother's body can end up in her offspring, researchers find. Finding may lead to reconsidering genetic influences on illness and health, they say.
Strong Link Suspected Between Climate Change And Spread of Infectious Diseases
As climate change alters world habitats, disease-carrying parasites will find new hosts to spread them around the globe, researchers say. Result could be more frequent and deadly epidemics.
Mindfulness Meditation: Eradicating Stress, Bettering Sleep Quality
Meditation techniques could be a simple, inexpensive solution for older Americans having trouble sleeping, study suggests. Mindfulness meditation shows ability to improve sleep, researchers say.
Luna Moths Use Long Tails To Throw Off Attacking Bats
Moth species using long wingtip tails to create sonic distraction to fend off attacking bats. Sound of fluttering tails interferes with the bats' echolocation hunting technique, study finds.
F-Holes And Air Flow: The Science Of The World's Best Violins
Scientists look at -- and into -- violins made by Italian masters of the instrument to discover the secrets of their sounds. Those distinctive f-shaped holes in a violin aren't just for decoration, they find.
World's Ability To Feed Itself Said Under Increasing Threat From Climate Change
Climate change, global warming seen as challenges to agricultural production in coming decades. Solution will need social and cultural changes over the entire planet, scientists warn.
Climate Scientist Fears Secret Agencies Will Harness Destructive Weather As A Weapon
The CIA needs to explain why it helped fund a study on climate change, a senior U.S. scientist says. He expressed concern over whether the ability to control climate might be turned into a weapon.
Stoned Drivers Safer Than Drunk Drivers, Claims Federal Study
A new study finds little difference in accident risk levels between sober drivers and drivers high on marijuana. Alcohol remains a much greater risk factor however, researchers report.
Beaver Teeth May Hold Clues To Improve Enamel And Prevent Tooth Decay
Scientists look at chemical composition of beaver teeth for clues in the battle against tooth decay. Beaver tooth enamel contains iron, which protects against decay, claim scientists.
Apocalypse: Scientists List 12 Risks That Could Bring End Of The World
British researchers compile scientific assessment about the "possibility of oblivion" for human civilization. Most of the risk listed are things humans have time to control if we want.
CERN Scientists All Fired Up To Fire Up Large Hadron Collider Again: What Will They Discover This Time?
CERN atom smasher, now twice as powerful, is set to peer into the subatomic world once again. Hunt is on for new exotic particles that could help researchers understand more about dark matter.
Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong Undergoes Prostate Cancer Surgery
Singapore's prime minister will take a week-long medical leave for prostate cancer surgery. Prognosis for full recovery is good, doctors say.
Study Shows New Soaring Levels Of Plastic In Our Oceans
Eight millions tons of plastic waste going into world's oceans each year, study estimates. Asian countries identified as the world offenders.
Monkeys Are So Curious They'll Trade Prizes For Knowledge
Monkeys seem willing to forego a "sure thing" prize right now just to learn if they've won it but would have to wait for it, study finds. Study could give insights into human curiosity and what we'll give up to satisfy it, researchers say.
Google's New Health Feature To Provide Common Medical Information
Google searches will instantly provide info on common medical conditions, search giant says. U.S. users won't have to click on a subsequent link, Google says.
Prehistoric Fossils Explain Lives Of Early Mammals Living In Trees And Underground
Fossils of tiny prehistoric mammals, one a tree dweller and one a burrower, show beginning of mammalian diversity, scientists say. Ability to inhabit varied ecological niches helped earliest mammal ancestors to compete with dinosaurs, they say.
Katrina-Size Hurricanes Could Pummel New England More Often
East coast of North America was hit by many Category 3 and Category 4 hurricanes centuries ago, researcher find. With climate change, they could come roaring back, they say.
DARPA's Prosthetic Arm Gives Vet Wall-Scaling Ability
New prosthetic technology offers promise of natural movement and sensation in artificial limbs. DARPA awarding research contract for "feeling" prosthetics.
Beginnings of Multiple Star System Formation Observed
Distant cloud of cosmic gas "caught in the act" of forming what may turn out to be a multiple star system, astronomers announce. Condensing filaments of gas could eventually create a triple-star system, they say.
Combination Of Cancer Therapies May Shrink Tumors
Researchers use mathematics to develop strategy for attacking cancer cells that survive traditional chemotherapy. New way to target such cells could reduce tumors, improve survival rates, they suggest.
