Articles by Jim Algar
Scientists Find 3D Compass Cells in Bats' Brains
Bats navigate their world and fly with accuracy thanks to a "3D" compass in their brains, researchers find. Specialized cells help them orient themselves in every direction.
Space Mirages: How Exoplanets Can Trick Us
Planets around distant stars that look Earth-like and possible homes for extraterrestrial life could be "mirage planets,' astronomer say. Intense heat from their parent stars while the planet were young could have burned away any chance of life developing, they say.
Investigation Shows Hundreds of Police Killings Go Uncounted
Killings by police often go unreported in national crime statistics gathered by FBI. Local law enforcement departments are not required to report them, analysis finds.
Which Brain Regions Are Responsible for Quitting Smoking?
Research focuses on changes in the brain when people try to quit smoking. Increases and decreases in brain activity can predict whether they'll be successful, researchers say.
West Antarctic Dropped Ice Equivalent to Mount Everest as Melting Tripled in Last Decade
Massive increase in the amount, rate of melting of Antarctic ice confirmed in new study. Result could be dangerous rises in global sea levels, researchers say.
What Happens When a Mouse's Brain Cells Are Replaced With Human's?
Putting human brain cells into the brains of mice makes them smarter, researchers find. Not human, they emphasize; they just have smarter "mouse thoughts."
Orion Test Flight is a Combination of Riskiest Potential Events
NASA to push Orion hard in its first test flight to gauge the risks it and its crew will face in space. Unmanned test will include "riskiest events," NASA officials say.
New Tool Allows 3D Study of Viruses and Bacteria
New software will let researchers model and study viruses and bacteria in greater detail. Ability to do so will drive advances in structural biology, the software developers say
Brave Doctor Recovering from Ebola Vows to Keep Working with Patients
Doctor who contracted Ebola at Sierra Leone clinic but has recovered says he will return there to treat those with the disease. Dr. Komba Songu-M'briwa has been declared disease-free after treatment.
3D Printing Aids Surgeons in Face Transplant Procedures
CRT scans and 3D printing let surgeons take a "hands on" approach to full-face transplants. Printed model of patient's skull can facilitate procedure planning, shorten surgery duration and improve outcomes.
Study Confirms It Was Richard III Under Parking Lot, But He May Not Have Been Rightful King
DNA testing confirms skeleton unearthed in 2012 is that of Richard III. It also suggests the possibility of infidelity and illegitimate birth somewhere in the royal generations.
Racial Divides Disappear in Heartwarming Hug Photo Amid Ferguson Protests
Photo of white police officer and young black child hugging while protests go on around them spreads through social media. The two came together at a protest in Portland of the shooting in Missouri of Michael Brown.
Superwoman: This 77-Year Old Granny Can Do One-Handed Push-ups and Deadlift 215 Pounds
Ms. Willie Murphy, at the age of 77, is a weightlifting champion. And no steroids for her; it's pizza with a little rum and cranberry juice instead, she says.
Stinky, Pooping Pig and Owner Kicked Off US Airways Flight
"Emotional support" pig and its owner asked to leave airliner after the animal uses the aisle as a toilet. Although emotional support animals are allowed, they -- and their owners -- can be asked to deplane if they're "disruptive."
Graphene May Make Better Bulletproof Vests than Kevlar
Researchers fire "minibullets" at graphene in test of material's possible use in body armor. Graphene found to be stronger than Kevlar or steel.
NASA Celebrates Black Hole Friday on Black Friday
Space agency takes people into outer space instead of to the mall. Twitter comes alive with images, facts about black holes.
Mount Aso's Achoo Triggers Flight Panic
Airline flights cancelled, more could be as officials monitor eruption of volcano in southern Japan. Mount Aso spews molten magma, ash from its crater.
Why Some Mosquitoes Spread Malaria and Others Don't
Sequencing genome of mosquito species show why some have evolved to carry malaria while other haven't. Researchers say finding could lead to better control of the deadly disease.
Beijing Bans Outdoor Smoking in Public
China's capital city ponders strict new prohibitions on all indoor smoking. Anti-smoking laws have a tough time in the notoriously tobacco-addicted nation.
Comet Probe Philae May Recharge by Next Summer
Scientists hold out hope probe's batteries may recharge as comet gets closer to the sun. Successful reboot could allow science mission to resume.
Study Shows Dogs Can Process Human Speech
Dogs respond to human speech in much the same way we do, study suggests. Their brains can respond simultaneously to bother the content and emotional component of speech, researchers say.
Cookies Kill Michigan Student with Peanut Allergy
Michigan student with highest level of peanut allergy dies after exposure to peanut butter cookies. Oakland University sophomore was in a coma for a week before his death.
One of World's Largest Volcanoes is Spewing Rocks into the Sky
Airline flights cancelled in southern Japan as giant volcano rumbles to life. Magma thrown into the air as ash cloud towers above the crater.
GOCE Helps Scientists Create Detailed Map of Ocean Currents
Satellite data have yielded the best-ever depiction of the movement and speed of the globe's ocean currents. Information will be vital for climate modeling, researchers say.
Trans Fat is Bad for Your Waistline ... and Memory Too
Research suggests too much trans fat in a person's diet can reduce one's memory while pumping up one's weight. Trans fat may be causing cell damage in the body.
Higgs Hunters Project: Calling All Citizen Scientists to Help Hunt Down Higgs Boson
Citizen scientists are encouraged to join the effort to garner new understanding of the Higgs boson. An online database of images can be scanned for new hints about the so-called 'God particle.'
New Heat Transfer Technology Helps Buildings Keep Cool: Here's How
A new high-tech coating material can cool buildings by reflecting sunlight and also sucking heat out and sending it into space. Stanford researchers say this "photonic radiative cooling" process could save on air conditioning costs.
Thanksgiving 2014: ISS Astronauts Enjoy Irradiated Smoked Turkey, Send Greetings [Video]
Thanksgiving on the International Space Station is not quite traditional. "Irradiated" and "thermostabilized" food lets American astronauts have a holiday turkey dinner.
Thanksgiving 2014: Feast but Watch Out for the Calories and Food Coma
Hoping to work off that Thanksgiving meal with some exercise? Prepare yourself for a long session, experts say.
Graphene's Weak Spot May Help Fuel Cells
Graphene, thought to be impermeable to any gas or liquid, may not be -- and that's a good thing, researchers say. Ability of protons to move through the material could drive fuel cell technology, they say.
