Articles by Jim Algar
Liver transplant made possible by social media
Facebook plea brings a donor of a liver for a 3-year-old suffering from a rare metabolic disease. Mother's social media search for a donor answered by former high-school classmate of the mom.
Engineers strengthen atom-thick films for next-gen tech
New composite material dubbed MXene could push next-generations technologies, researchers say. One-atom thick material can hold electrical charge while being flexible enough to be molded to various shapes.
Meet the 'queen of carbon science' who just won a Presidential Medal of Freedom
MIT professor known as "the queen of carbon science" to be awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom. Mildred Dresselhaus to honored at White House ceremony.
Skeleton found in massive tomb dating back to Alexander the Great holds clues about identity
Skeleton found in massive ancient tomb in Greece dated to the reign of Alexander the Great. Lavish style of tomb suggests the occupant was someone of great stature, archaeologists say.
Can 'dark magma' explain volcanic hot spots?
Deep, mysterious pockets of magma could be powering volcanoes in places we wouldn't expect them, researchers say. Ancient, 'dark' magma may be behind hot spot volcanoes around the world.
What Rosetta can learn from Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko, the 'singing' comet
As spacecraft prepares a lander to grab onto the surface of a comet, scientists hope a whole list of questions may get answers. Rosetta spacecraft is preparing to release Philae lander to an encounter with Comet Churyumov–Gerasimenko.
47 million-year-old horse fossil has unborn foal inside
Fossil of tiny ancestor of modern horses is complete with intact, unborn foal, paleontologists say. Despite differences in size, structure, evidence shows reproductive process similar to that of modern horses, they say.
Which popular diets are actually effective? Researchers comb through Atkins, Weight Watchers, and more
Little difference found in effectiveness of "brand name" diets, researchers find. All provided fairly similar weight loss results, they say.
Radiation from Fukushima approaching California coast - but don't worry yet
Radiation from Japan's Fukushima nuclear disaster detected 100 miles off the coast of Northern California. Levels said to present no risk to human health or marine life.
Craig Spencer, New York doctor with Ebola, released from hospital
U.S. doctor who contracted Ebola during volunteer work in Africa said cured. Dr. Craig Spencer is released from New York City hospital.
Ebola panic grips nudist beach at Canary Islands as undocumented African boat beaches
Immigrants from African countries hit by Ebola outbreak caused fear when their boat landed on a Canary Islands beach. Although some had fevers, authorities said none were suffering from the deadly virus disease.
Shocking! CERN may not have discovered elusive Higgs Boson particle after all
What particle physicists announced as the Higgs boson may not have been the elusive "God particle" after all, some researchers say. It may have been an even more mysterious particle, the techni-higgs, they say.
WHO releases new manual on how to safely bury Ebola victims
New protocols for safe burial of Ebola victims issue in hopes of slowing spread of the deadly disease. Protocols were designed in consultation with religious leader to respect cultural and religious sensitivities.
Bariatric surgery advantages: Helps weight loss by altering taste buds, lowers health risks for diabetics
Advantages of weight-loss surgery described at medical conference. Several beneficial outcomes can follow so-called "bariatric" surgery, experts report.
Police arrest heartless man who stole cell phone of woman killed by Boston subway train
Man suspected of stealing phone belonging to woman killed by Boston commuter train turns himself in to police. Suspect, released on bail, will face charge of larceny, police said.
Scientists trace insect family tree to 480 million years ago: What else does 1KITE project reveal?
Study shows Earth's first plants and insects evolved together some 480 million years ago. Both shaped the Earth's earliest ecosystems, researchers say.
This robot makes you feel a ghostly presence
Ever feel like you're being watched, but there's no one there? Scientists say they know why that happens, and they can recreate the experience in a lab.
Very small human population rendered moa bird of New Zealand extinct
Humans -- and not that many of them -- drove the flightless moas of New Zealand into extinction. Small human populations can have big impacts on large animals, researchers say.
How did tortoises' breathing evolve?
Tortoises, unable to expand their chests to breathe because of their ridged shells, have turned to muscle power for respiration, a study find. Fossil shows how it happened 260 million years ago.
Huge breakthrough in Parkinson's stem cell treatment
Stem cells could replace brain cells whose death leads to Parkinson's disease, researchers say. Clinical trial of stem cell treatment could begin in 3 years, they say.
Digging deep into the genetic roots of modern Europeans
DNA from oldest known remains of a modern human found in Europe suggests it was a lively place, at least genetically, during the Stone Age. Genetic diversity of Europe has deep roots, researchers say.
A dinosaur, a crocodile and a mammal walk into a future diamond mine: 118 million-year-old tracks found in Angola
Preserved footprints in African diamond mine show passage of both dinosaurs and mammals. Ancient lake may have attracted the creatures to water, researchers say.
NASA completes largest survey of dusty debris surrounding stars
Giant disks of dust around distant stars may be evidence of unseen planets, astronomers say. Hubble completes high-resolution survey of such dusty cosmic rings.
Scientists collaborate to build smallest particle accelerator
Researcher envision powerful atom smashers compact enough to fit any small university campus. New technology can accelerate particles without need miles of magnetic tracks.
450 light-years away, a planetary system is born
Radio telescope captures dramatic image of planets forming around a young star. Clearest-ever image of the phenomenon may alter theories of planet formation, scientists say.
NASA readies Orion for flight test despite recent space flight accidents
NASA says recent accidents in Virginia and California won't change plans for first launch test of Orion crew capsule. Craft that could someday take astronauts to Mars will be launched in unmanned test Dec. 4, space agency says.
One person thinks, another person moves: Brain-to-brain interface made possible?
"Mind over matter" experiment has one person's thoughts controlling hand movement of another person. Brain-to-brain interface makes it possible, researchers say.
Ancient mammal chilled with the dinosaurs: Newly discovered fossil in Madagascar reveals story
Mammal that lived in the time of the dinosaurs surprises paleontologists with its sheer size. No mouse or shrew, this; creature was twice the size of a modern-day groundhog.
Pregnant mothers exposed to smog give kids higher risk of ADHD
Children face a higher risk of developing ADHD if their mothers were exposed to high levels of air pollution during pregnancy, one study finds. About 11 percent of children aged 4 to 17 years are affected by the disorder, CDC data show.
What's it like working on Mars? Curiosity rover finds mineral and scientist speaks out
Scientist find mineral on Mars that may hint at the Red Planet's past habitability. Remotely operating instruments millions of miles away makes for interesting work, one researcher says.
