Articles by Jim Algar
Australia Threatens Legal Action Over Japan's Resumption Of Antarctic Whaling
Australia threatens to take Japan to court over its plans to once again hunt whales in the Southern Ocean. Commercial whaling has been banned since 1986; Japan says it conducts 'scientific whaling' under an exemption to that ban.
Japanese Spacecraft's Second Try At Venus After 5 Years Adrift In Space
The Akatsuki space probe, drifting in space since 2010, successfully enters orbit around Venus. An engine malfunction caused its first try 5 years ago to go awry.
Beijing Issues First Ever Red Alert For Pollution Levels
Days of heavy smog prompt the issuing of China's highest level of pollution alert. Schools and factories will be closed and driving in the city is set to be curtailed, officials announce.
Living With Partner Found Good For Women's Emotional Health, With Or Without Wedding Ring
Living together can bring the same emotional benefits as being married, a study suggests. The findings suggest changes in U.S. attitudes, researchers say.
Climate Change Didn't Cause Disappearance Of Vikings From Greenland, Study Says
Research throws doubt on belief warm climate allowed Viking to settle in Greenland and then colder climate drove them out. Analysis suggests climate was the same at the beginning and at the end of the settlement period.
Hubble And Spitzer Space Telescopes Make 'Tag-Team' Discovery Of Farthest, Faintest Galaxy
A discovery could yield a new understanding of the formation of the universe's earliest galaxies, astronomers say. The galaxy is seen as it existed 13.8 billion years ago.
Diabetes Can Put You At Greater Risk Of Tooth Loss, Data Shows
Type 2 diabetes sufferers are twice as likely to lose teeth as nondiabetics, an analysis of health data shows. African-Americans with diabetes are at even greater risk, researchers say.
Space Probe Launched To Search For Gravity Waves Predicted By Einstein
A European spacecraft launched into orbit to hunt for gravitational waves was predicted a century ago. Elusive ripples in space-time were predicted by Albert Einstein.
Poor Protection Of Habitats Puts Migratory Birds At Risk In Their Journeys, Study Finds
International collaboration on protection efforts are needed for migratory birds that cross borders on their migrations, a study suggests. Ninety percent of the world's migratory species are inadequately protected, researchers say.
Visual Stress Could Be Sign Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Study Finds
Discomfort and visual distortion when viewing certain patterns could be a symptom of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, researchers say. The findings of their study could help in identifying the hard-to-diagnose condition.
Firm Recalls Produce Suspected In E. Coli Infections From Costco Chicken Salad
Taylor Farms ordered the recall of vegetable mix used in the chicken salad and other products sold in Costco. The onion and celery mix from the California producer tested positive for E. coli.
Rocket Debris Found In Sea Off UK Shores Could Be From SpaceX Launch In Florida
Marking on floating piece of debris found in sea off Great Britain suggest it comes from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Debris may be from failed June launch or an earlier successful launch in 2014, experts suggest.
Astronomers Say Nearby Exoplanet May Have A Blue Sky Like Earth's
Telescope observations of a planet orbiting a star 100 light-years away find an atmosphere that may create blue skies. The planet is one of the smallest ever observed with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere, researchers say.
Kissing Bugs Spread Into Half Of US, Raising Concerns Of Deadly Infectious Disease
An insect whose bite can spread a disease that can cause damage to the heart has been found in 28 states, the CDC says. Kissing bugs can carry a parasite that causes an infection known as Chagas disease.
Hypergiant Star Seen Shedding Mass Ahead Of Explosive Death As Supernova
Scientists see the mechanism by which a red hypergiant star sheds mass and expands on the way to death in a massive cosmic explosion. The star, VY Canis Majoris, is 30 to 40 times the mass of our sun but is nearing the end of its short life, researchers say.
Women Catching Up To Men In Alcohol Consumption, Survey Finds
Men are still drinking more than women, but that gap has been closing in recent years, a study finds. In every measure of drinking habits, women are approaching men's levels.
Culprit In Mysterious Snake Die-Off ID'd: There's A Fungus Among Them
Researchers identify a fungus causing disease and death in wild snakes in nine U.S. snakes. Disease is affecting seven snake species important to ecosystems, they report.
Chicken Salad From Costco Linked To E. Coli Outbreak In Seven States
Nineteen people have become ill from E. coli from rotisserie chicken salad purchased at Costco stores. Five have been hospitalized, with two suffering a rare type of kidney failure.
Genome Of Organism Known As A Water Bear Shows Surprising Amount Of 'Stolen' DNA
By grabbing DNA from other organisms, the creatures, also known as tardigrades, have adapted to extreme environments, scientists find. The tiny animals can survive extremes of temperature, dryness and even the vacuum of outer space.
Researchers 'Unroll' A Tumor To Better Understand Cancer
An engineered laboratory cancer tumor that can quickly be disassembled for study can help toward better understanding of tumor behavior, researchers say. Cells can be collected and studied in less than 10 seconds, they say.
Mars May Someday Have A Ring Around It, Courtesy Of A Destroyed Moon
The red planet's tiny moon Phobos could be torn apart by Mars' gravity and form a ring, new study suggests. That would make Mars the fifth ringed planet in the solar system, joining Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
Genetic Engineering Yields Mosquitoes That Can't Spread Malaria
A gene-editing technique creates mosquitoes resistant to the malaria parasite. That means they can't transmit the disease to humans, researchers explain.
'Resurrection Plants' That Come Back From The Dead Could Lead To Drought-Resistant Crops
Genetic secrets of plants that play dead during drought but can come back to life could help food crops do the same thing, scientists suggest. Such crops could help farmers survive more droughts threatened by climate change, they say.
Toxic Mud Flowing Down Brazilian River Reaches The Atlantic, Raises Pollution Fears
Toxic sludge released by collapse at a Brazilian mine has reached the Atlantic Ocean. Conservations express concern over its possible impact on wildlife.
Record Number Of Stranded Seal Pups Found On California Beaches
Malnourished northern fur seal pups showed up on California beaches. The impact of ocean water changes on food supplies is likely the reason, experts suggest.
Scientists Turn Salt Water Into Drinking Water By Shocking The Salt Out With Electricity
A simple portable system could be used in disaster areas to provide emergency drinking water, researchers say. The system has advantages over other technologies such as filters.
Giant Galaxies Nearly As Old As The Big Bang That Shouldn't Exist Mystify Astronomers
Astrophysicists are puzzled by massive galaxies almost as old as the universe. Such large galaxies from when the universe was just a few billion years old shouldn't have had time to form, they say.
Genetically Engineered Salmon Become First Modified Food Animal Approved For Human Consumption
Salmon genetically modified to grow faster get FDA approval despite opposition from food safety and environmental groups. After years of GMO fruits and vegetables being available, FDA issues the first approval of a GMO food animal.
Eyeless Daddy Longlegs Found In Brazil Named For Smeagol From 'Lord Of The Rings'
A blind, pale arachnid discovered in a cave in Brazil is named for the cave-dwelling Gollum of J.R.R. Tolkien's tales. The arachnid is dubbed 'Iandumoema smeagol.'
Criminal Charges Filed Against Maker Of Popular Workout, Diet Supplements
The U.S. Justice Department comes down on companies that profit from products 'that threaten consumer health.' Six executives of Dallas-based USPlabs have been arrested.
