Articles by Jim Algar
New Research Gives Explanation for Electron Splitting
Bizarre behavior of seemingly indivisible electrons splitting into two discrete particles investigated. Finds could help confirm a theory of high-temperature superconductivity in materials, Swiss researchers say.
Scientists Find Mammal Species that Practices Incest Frequently
Rate of incest is high in close-knit groups of banded mongoose in Africa, researchers say. Dynamics of their social group may be driving high levels of incest, they say.
Ancient Eye Contains 300 Million-Year-Old Rods and Cones
Eye cells found in ancient fish suggests color vision evolved at least 300 million years ago. Finding represents the oldest vertebrate photosensor cells ever found, researchers say.
Echolocation Gives 'Sight' to the Visually Impaired
Blind people who use echolocation to sense what's around them are using 'visual' parts of their brains, researchers find. And like true vision, it can sometimes trick them, they say.
NASA Picks Four Companies for Commercial Space Flight Collaboration
NASA to offer commercial companies access to its technologies and resources to help develop space capabilities. Space agency has selected four U.S. firms for the program.
Oldest Man in America Dies at Age 110
Illinois man, verified as the country's oldest man, dies one month short of his 111th birthday. C. Conrad Johnson had credited daily prayers and early bedtimes for his longevity.
Ancient Stone Tool Serves as Clue About Early Human Migration
Unearthed in Turkey, flaked stone tool gives clues to movements of early humans out of Africa and Asia, researchers say. Stone tool is dated to around 1.2 million years ago.
Existing Drug May Prevent Brain from Fogging with Age
A drug used to treat ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease may also help slow age-related cognitive decline, a study suggests. Riluzole has been found to improve connections between neurons in brains of laboratory rats, researchers say.
FDA Proposes to Ease Up on Gay Blood Donor Restrictions
FDA proposing to change lifetime ban on blood donation by gay and bisexual men. Under new policy, men could donate if they've abstained from gay sex for a year.
Two Planes at LaGuardia Collide, Clip Wings
Ground collision at New York airport tears part of wing off Southwest airplane. Passengers tweet about incident, take photos.
How Farming Weakened Human Bones
When humanity settled down to farm rather than hunt and gather, we paid a price -- our bones got weaker. The settled lifestyle saw our skeleton become more fragile, researchers say.
How Typing on Smartphones Changes Our Brain Connections
Smartphones make us use our thumbs and fingers in new ways, and that's changing our brains, researcher say. Personal digital technology is continually reshaping our brains, they say.
Don't Buy Your Teen That Cheap, Old Car: It May Be Deadly
Teen drivers in smaller cars, or older vehicles, face greater risks of death in accidents, study finds. New cars better are protecting occupants in crashes, researchers point out.
Archaeologists Discover 65-Ft Long Corridor Leading to King Herod's Herodium Hilltop Palace
Corridor with arches along its length was build as an entryway to King Herod's palace, but evidence shows it was little used, Israeli archaeologists say. Excavations at the West Bank site have been criticized by Palestinian authorities.
Mysterious 'Theta Aurora' is Mystery No More: Origin of Phenomenon Revealed
Secret of amazing aurora seen in the night sky at high latitudes revealed. Hot plasma from the solar wind said behind mysterious "theta auroras," researchers say.
Antarctic Penguins Face Threat from New Enemy: Tourists
As more and more tourists visit Antarctica, penguins face risks of diseases they may bring with them, scientists say. Long isolation has left Antarctic species with immune systems not used to common world pathogens, they explain.
Large Thermoelectric Power Plants Could Generate Low-Cost Electricity
Large floating power plants could use ocean water temperatures to generate low-cost electricity. Such technology could give solar power a run for its money.
Champagne Bubbles May Help Solve Our Future Energy Needs: Here's Why
Scientists use supercomputers to study bubbles in boiling water. Their objective? More efficient electrical-generating power plants.
When Forests Are Cut, Rainfall is Affected and Temperatures Increase
Deforestation is not a local problem. It increases global warming, changes rainfall patterns around the world, and poses a threat to food security in some regions, researchers say.
This Fish Species Adjusts Its Migration to Climate Changes
A species of fish in Alaska has learned to change its migrations to match that of its salmon prey, even as climate change alters salmon migration periods. A type of char known as Dolly Varden is not letting climate change deprive it of its main food source, researchers find.
NASA 'Beams' Up a Wrench to the Space Station
"Digital delivery" sends a socket wrench from Earth to the International Space Station. Astronauts use the station's 3D printer to create the e-mailed tool.
NASA Proposes a 'Cloud City' Above Venus. Dream Big or Dream On?
NASA researchers envision astronauts living in a "cloud city" floating over Venus. Airships would make exploration above the hellish surface of the planet possible, they say.
New Fish Discovered Lurking in Depths of Mariana Trench
Previously unknown species of fish found living more than 26,000 feet beneath the ocean's surface. That's a record for fish depth, researchers say.
Pain Relievers Reduce Risk of Developing Skin Cancer, But Don't Go Popping Pills
Anti-inflammatory drugs may reduce the risk of one type of skin cancer. However, the benefit is minimal and such drugs carry health risks of their own, experts warn.
Manmade Flood Brings Colorado River Delta Back to Life
Experimental release of dammed water turns arid stretches of the Colorado River's course green again. Most of the river's water normally goes to agriculture and for drinking water in distant cities.
Big Carnivores Making Comeback in Europe
Bears, wolves and other carnivores bouncing back in Europe after hunting, loss of habitat almost led to extinction. Changing public attitudes to wildlife also helping in that recovery, researchers say.
Babies with High Autism Risk Born to Pregnant Women Exposed to Smog
Study finds link between exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and risk of women having an autistic child. Risk become highest with exposure in third trimester, researchers say.
Perfect Storm Smothering Star Formation Around Black Hole
High-energy jets from central black hole "switching off" star formation in a galaxy, astronomers say. Lack of new stars despite plenty of star-forming hydrogen fuel goes against the usual rules of new star formation, they say.
NASA Delays Asteroid Capture Mission Decisions
Space agency says more study of two possible asteroids capture and retrieval scenarios needed before final decision. Mission would launch in 2019, bring an asteroid back to a lunar orbit for close study.
Researchers Shine UV Light to Heal Wounds
Scientist use light to manipulate cells in the body in a technique that could drive regenerative medicine to new heights. Technology could drive healing "on demand."
