Articles by Jim Algar
Clever Carnivorous Pitcher Plant Stays One Step Ahead of Insects
Carnivorous plant has evolved to let some insect prey escape, as a strategy that brings it even more victims later on. Feeding success shows evolution can solve problems that would otherwise require a thinking brain, researchers say.
Which Creatures Dominate the Oceans With Their Size?
Size matters in the ocean, but which are the seas' biggest animals? The answers may surprise you.
Evolution of Human Language Linked to Tool-Making
Human language may have developed as a way to share and pass along tool-making skills, study suggests. Participants in tool-making experiments showed the importance of language in teaching the necessary skill vital to human evolution and progress.
NASA to Study Volcanoes with Little Robot Explorers
Robots used to explore volcanoes on Earth could lead to similar explorations on other planets or our moon, researchers at JPL say. Small VolcanoBots can explore small fissures to help understand how volcanoes erupt, they say.
Will Russia Keep Participating in International Space Station in Light of Economic Turmoil?
Russia says it's putting off a decision on future participation in the International Space Station. Economic woes force a reevaluation of Russia's future space program options, officials say.
'Super Mosquito' is Resistant to Malaria Insecticide
Efforts to control malaria may have driven the evolution of a new, insecticide-resistant species of mosquito, scientists say. Experts say it is not an unexpected consequence.
Lower Energy Consumption in Cities Could Have Broad Mitigating Effects on Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Identifying ways for world's cities to be more energy-efficient could help attain climate goals, report suggests. Cities currently consume majority of world's energy resources, emit most of the world's greenhouse gases, researchers say.
Special Nanowire Cloth Heats Up Your Body to Help Endure This Cold Winter
Nanotechnology could keep you warm in winter without having to turn the thermostat up. Nanowire clothing may keep you toasty warm in winter.
Your Computer Knows You Better Than Your Friends Do: Study
Your Facebook 'Likes' can tell a computer a lot about you. In fact, a computer can know you better than your friends or family can, researchers say.
Men Who Post Selfies Apparently Have Higher Tendency Toward Narcissism and Psychopathy
Men who upload lots of selfies may be saying more about themselves than they realize, a study suggests. They may be more likely to exhibit certain anti-social traits, researchers say.
How Does the Nose 'Know' What Odors Are and What They Mean?
Identifying odors involves both the nose and the brain in a process that researchers say proved to be surprisingly simple. Despite the complexity of our brains, a simple linear calculation by our neurons can immediately identify a smell, they say.
Tainted Homemade Beer Kills 69 in Mozambique. Crocodile Bile to Blame?
Officials trying to determine source of poison in homemade beer that killed scores at funeral in Mozambique. Suspicions about crocodile bile have not been proven, they say, but tests are being done.
Diabetes Risk Rises for Black Women Working Night Shifts
Night shift work, with its disruption of circadian rhythm and sleep deprivation, linked to elevated diabetes risk in black women, study finds. And the risk goes up the longer night work continues through life, researchers find.
Violent History of Andromeda Galaxy Revealed
Astronomers track movements of thousands of stars in nearby galaxy to uncover secrets of its past. Andromeda Galaxy shows signs of a cosmic collision, mergers in its history, they say.
Easter Island History: New Research Sheds Light on Native Polynesian Population Decline Mystery
Disappearance of Easter Island people may have been down to environmental and climate factors, not disease of deforestation, new study suggests. Rapa Nui people may not have been able to cope with varying climates on the small island, researchers say.
Optimism and the Heart: Can You Glass-Half-Full Your Way to Better Cardiovascular Health?
A sunny outlook on life leads to better cardiovascular health, a study suggests. Association between the two measures as "significant," researcher say.
Depo-Provera Use May Increase HIV Risk in Women
Review of studies in Africa suggests injectable birth control drug may increase HIV risk. However, benefits of available contraception option outweigh risks, researchers conclude.
Bamboo Shark Stores Sperm For Record 45 Months Before Giving Birth to Pup
Female shark lays egg and hatches live shark pup after no male in sight for almost 4 years. Scientists say sperm-holding technique could help wild sharks survive in face of threats.
Surprise! Endangered California Condors Secretly Give Birth to Baby
Two California condors apparently hatched and raised a hatchling unbeknownst to closely watching wildlife biologists. Though surprised, biologists are delighted by the arrival of a new member of the California flock.
Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Commemorates 50 Years of Space Walks: 'We Have to Tell the Stories' [Video]
Artifacts, photography and art highlight a museum exhibit honoring the history of human space walks. Rarely seen spacewalk-related objects will be on display for six months.
Connecticut Supreme Court: Cassandra 'Not Mature' Enough to Deny Chemotherapy Treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma
A teen cancer patient, who earlier refused to undergo chemotherapy, must submit to forced treatment, a Connecticut court rules. Chemotherapy could give the patient an 85 percent chance of survival.
'Vintage' Exoplanet Posters by NASA Are Out of This World
Wondering what it would be like to travel to a distant exoplanet? NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has released 'travel posters' to help you imagine it.
Dogs Came to America Far Later than Previously Thought
The first peoples to migrate into the Americas did not bring dogs with them, a study suggests. Genetic analysis shows dogs likely came thousands of years later.
It's a Girl! Will Newborn Orca Be Named Hope?
The birth of a baby orca in a pod of endangered killer whales is encouraging, researchers say. The baby orca brings the pod's population to 78 as numbers hover at a historical low.
Hullabaloo Over Leap Second in 2015: Doomsday? End of the World? Not Really
One second added to the year 2015 could cause some computer problems, although measures are in place to deal with it. 'Leap second' has been added to the world's clocks 25 times since 1972.
British Nurse Diagnosed with Ebola is Now Battling for Life Despite Experimental Drug Treatment
Nurse Pauline Cafferkey, infected with ebola while working in West Africa, remains in critical condition in London hospital. Scottish nurse fell ill after returning home to Glasgow.
British Couple Will Not Have to Pay $200,000 Bill to U.S. Hospital for Premature Baby Birth
New York hospital says young British pair won't have to be responsible for whopping bill for birth and care of their preemie son. Hospital says it will work with insurance company to cover all expenses.
Govt's New Dietary Guidelines May Encourage More Veg, Less Meat
New diet guidelines are expected to downplay meat as a part of the American dinner plate, out of both health and environmental concerns. Meat industry is objecting, countering that lean meat belongs in a healthy diet.
Unique Species of Fanged Frog in Indonesia Gives Birth to Tadpoles
Species of frog in the jungles of Indonesia spurns egg-laying in favor of giving birth to live tadpoles. Newly identified species is the only frog to do so, researchers say.
This Man Allegedly Tried to Rape His Nephew's Girlfriend: This Is What Happened to Him
Nephew who savagely beat his uncle says he found him in attempted rape of his girlfriend. Police decline to charge nephew, saying he acted 'in defense (of) the victim.'
