Articles by Jim Algar
Social baboons enjoy the benefit of a longer life
Social bonds can extend life span in baboons, a 30-year study finds. Results suggest a similar benefit exists for humans.
Ancient squirrel-like discovery forces rethinking of mammal evolution
Tiny fossils unearthed in China pushes possible age of Earth's mammals back by millions of years. Small mouse- and squirrel-sized creatures were adapted for tree-top living, researchers say.
Ozone layer may be recovering: The plot (and the ozone layer) thickens
Banning of ozone-depleting chemicals more than 25 years ago finally yielding results as Earth's ozone layer shows signs of recovery, U.N. report says. Worst damage, an ozone "hole" over Antarctica, has stabilized, it says.
Stonehenge found hiding ancient secrets. Deep, deep below.
Ground-penetrating radar find evidence of many structures around Stonehenge, Britain's most iconic archeological site. Study finds evidence of activity at the site over generations and centuries.
Exercise before school has calming effect on kids with ADHD symptoms
Physical activity before school is seen to improve ability of kids with ADHD symptoms to concentrate in class. Activity found to improve attention, focus, study finds.
Sequenced gibbon genome gives insights into our chromosomal biology
Gibbons have "scrambled" DNA in the genomes that may yield clues to their evolutionary history. The research could also yield insights into human diseases such as cancer, researchers say.
Enterovirus D68 leaves hundreds of children sick: States, CDC partner to fight respiratory illness
Number of children taken to hospitals with EV-D68 virus illness worries health professionals. Hundreds of children being admitted in U.s. Midwest, Southeast hospitals.
Increase in Alzheimer's disease risk linked to sleep and anxiety drugs
Drugs used to treat early symptoms of possible Alzheimer's may in fact be accelerating onset of disease, research suggests. Study includes call for caution in prescribing class of drugs known as benzodiazepines.
The truth about whales’ pelvic bones: Those hips don’t lie
When whales and dolphins lost their legs, they didn't lose their pelvic bones; they kept them for better sex, researchers say. The pelvic bones give them control of the parts that matter most.
Rising CO2 levels in ocean block sharks’ ability to smell prey
Climate change could make world's sharks less capable hunters, raising threats to their survival, scientists say. Ocean acidification from human-created CO2 is the culprit, they say.
The God particle: Why Hawking’s doomsday theory isn’t something to worry about
Higgs boson as destroyer of the universe? Don't hold your breath, experts say. An accelerator to test the theory would have to be larger than Earth itself.
North American birds can’t escape climate change: 314 species threatened
Climate change will shrink or change habitats of more than half of North American bird species: report. Many U.S. states will see their state birds threatened.
Pain as a 'social glue': Suffering isn't fun, but at least you can make friends
Sharing painful experiences can be a bonding experience bringing groups together, psychologists say. Such shared suffering can be a "social glue," they say.
New titanosaur species found embedded in cliff wall in Tanzania
New species added to science's list of titanosaurs, some of the biggest creatures to ever walk the Earth. River erosion helped reveal fossil of giant dinosaur.
Asteroid 2014 RC buzzed by Earth dangerously close last weekend: What you should know
An asteroid passed by Earth at just a tenth of the distance of the moon. Dubbed "Pitbull," the space rock approached our planet at a distance of 21,000 miles away.
How the coffee bean got its kick? Genome sequencing finally has the answer
Sequencing the coffee genome yields some surprises about caffeine. Evolution of the chemical that gives us our morning lift is at last understood.
Dreadnoughtus: The gigantic dinosaur that dreaded nothing
Fossil unearthed in Argentina may that of the biggest creature to ever walk on Earth. Dubbed Dreadnoughtus, the giant creature could have weighed as much as 65 tons, paleontologists say.
Potassium-rich food cuts stroke risk in post-menopausal women
Women encouraged to ensure adequate levels of potassium in their diets to reduce stroke risks. Foods like bananas are a particularly good source, researchers say.
Ebola scare prompts Sierra Leone to issue temporary lockdown: Is it enough?
Medical aid group Doctors Without Borders warns Sierra Leone lockdown to combat ebola not likely to work. Group renews calls for international aid.
1,500-year-old Greek papyrus throws light on early Christianity and 'Last Supper'
Papyrus found in a British library may have been worn by an early Christian as a charm to protect from evil. Long a practice in ancient Egypt, such amulets or charms, but now with Bible passages, were adopted by early Christians.
Hot selfie alert: Man dives into active volcano with GoPro
Explorer descends into volcanic crater of bubbling hot lava. And he takes cameras along to document the deed.
Rosetta's potential landing sites to be revealed, mission gets first results
Scientists pore over asteroid data to pick site for first attempted soft landing on such a space rock. Five candidate sites have made a short list.
Merck’s new cancer fighter gets FDA approval, is novel 'game changer'
FDA fast-tracks approval for new drug to treat melanoma. Trials show shrinking of tumors, no re-growth, researchers report.
Threatened amphibians are ‘invisible’ under climate change models
Most models of effects of climate change leave threatened or endangered species "under the radar," researchers say. Scarcity of data leaves them virtually invisible to species distribution predictions, they say.
EPA zeroes in on aircraft greenhouse emissions
Environmental Protection Agency takes first step toward regulating emission of aircraft. Move is applauded by environmental groups.
CVS quits tobacco, refocuses on its purpose: Health
CVS is first major pharmacy chain to stop selling tobacco products. Company says it's willing to forgo $2 billion in tobacco sales for customers' health.
The Archerfish spits to kill with incredible precision: Here’s how
Archerfish can knock prey into the water with a powerful jet of water that it spits at its target. Its mouth works like an adjustable nozzle for the most accuracy, researchers find.
Brain-to-brain communication from India to France: How telepathy is mastered
Information successfully sent from one person's brain to another's over thousands of miles, researchers report. Feat is first non-invasive brain-to-brain link, they say.
Newly found asteroid to glide closely past Earth this Sunday
Asteroid around 60-feet long will make close flyby of Earth. Small telescopes will be able to spot it, and a couple of webcasts will follow it live.
Coffee genome reveals secrets of our morning cup of joe: Its potential, our dependency
We love coffee for its caffeine, but what benefit to the coffee plant would make it evolve the ability to create it, researchers ask. Newly sequenced genome of coffee offers some possible answers, they say.
