Articles by Jim Algar
Pause button hit on global warming, possibly for a decade
Scientists say solution to puzzling pause in global warming lies beneath the world's oceans. A 30-year cycle of Atlantic Ocean currents may have moved warming from the atmosphere into the ocean depths, they say.
Go solar with a view using newly developed transparent cells
Researchers are working on technology that could turn every window or smartphone screen into an electricity generating solar cell. Transparent coating absorbs sunlight to create energy while still allowing a view.
Life under Antarctic ice raises hope of life on icy planets
Discovery of life in lake trapped beneath Antarctic ice raises intriguing possibility of it existing elsewhere in our solar system. Antarctic ecosystem could have parallels on icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn, researchers say.
Urban spiders grow bigger: Arachnophobes beware!
Australian study finds common spider is "urban exploiter" in Down Under cities. City-dwelling spiders of one species found to be bigger, more successful in reproduction, than their country cousins.
Cyborg moths will save you from disasters in the future
Insect "biobots" under human control could be sent into disaster situations too dangerous for humans, researchers say. They could survey damage and help search for survivors, they say.
Neanderthals and humans co-existed for a longer time than we thought
Neanderthals were not driven to extinction by modern humans but rather absorbed into them, study suggests. The two groups lived together in Europe for longer than previously believed.
Scientists unlock energy conversion abilities of photovoltaic cells
New technique involving spectroscopy can quickly test an organic material's suitability for solar power cells. Advance could lead to more efficient organic photovoltaic cells, researchers say.
Peanut, almond butter recalled for salmonella
Peanut butter and almond butter under a number of brand names are being recalled for possible salmonella contamination. Products affected were sold through Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Safeway and Kroger stores.
Falcon 9 gracefully lands in SpaceX released video
Commercial spaceflight outfit SpaceX releases new video of successful soft ocean landing of Falcon 9 rocket. Test was third meant to lead to recoverable, reusable launch vehicle.
Curiosity rover forced to take road less traveled due to sand ripples
Sandy terrain threatens to bog down rover, so it makes a leisurely retreat. NASA say alternate routes may be considered for Curiosity's route to Mount Sharp destination.
Weirdest fossil ever found gets its place in history
After 40 years, one of the oddest fossils ever found is finally assigned its place in the family tree of life. And its descendants are alive and kicking -- well, walking -- on the Earth today.
Was Toothless the dragon real? Toothless pterosaur named after dragons dominated skies
Study sheds new light on giant, toothless pterosaurs that dominated Earth's skies until 60 million years ago. Species is named Azhdarchidae, from the Persian word for dragon.
Iceland on 'orange' alert as volcano threatens to rock island and darken skies
Earthquakes, movement of magma suggest Icelandic volcano may be getting ready to erupt, experts say. Flooding, disruption of air traffic a possibility, officials warn.
Asteroid 1950 DA might wipe out humans in 2880: Can we do anything to stop it?
Scientists in intense study of asteroid given best odds on hitting the earth centuries from now. Composition of the near-Earth objects comes as a surprise, they say.
Alligator hunt begins in Loxahatchee, Florida, amid protest
Florida wildlife refuge announces first-ever alligator hunt within its boundaries. Animal rights activists protest decision.
Venus, Jupiter set for pre-dawn kiss: When and how to watch this celestial wonder
Giant Jupiter and rocky Venus will pair up in the pre-dawn skies on Monday. Such a close alignment, called a conjunction, hasn't been seen in 14 years.
Zoom into how lasers can make microscopes much cooler
Microscopes can peer further into the nanoscale world with the help of "cool" lasers, researchers say. Technique offers resolutions far beyond anything optical microscopes are capable of.
Chronic respiratory diseases linked to increased lung cancer risk
Bronchitis, pneumonia and emphysema linked to elevated risk of developing lung cancer. Result is from analysis of studies involving 25,000 patients with respiratory disease.
Mountain lions in Santa Monica Mountains, trapped by freeways and urbanization, risk inbreeding and isolation
Loss of genetic diversity in mountain lions living in Los Angeles area leading to behaviors that could threaten their survival, study finds. Freeways, subdivisions hamper normal movements of the animals, researchers say.
Avastin approved by FDA to treat late-stage cervical cancer
Avastin cancer drug approved for use in combination with existing chemotherapy drugs. FDA gave drug from Genentec expedited approval.
Do antibiotics pave the road to obesity?
Study with mice suggests early exposure to antibiotics could increase risk of obesity later in life. Possible risk in humans will need more study, researchers say.
Best way to brush your teeth? Don't ask your dentist.
Study finds wide disagreement among dental professional on the best way to brush you teeth. Opinions and recommendations vary widely, study finds.
Electron’s quantum behavior recorded by lasers
Control of an electron's quantum state could bring quantum computers and information systems a step closer, researchers say. Technique uses laser light to observe, control the spin state of a single electron.
Tibetan glaciers are warmer than they've been for 2,000 years
Glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in retreat as temperatures are warmest in millennia. Shrinking glaciers could threaten water supplies of millions in Asia.
Parasitic "vampire" plants parlay with victims, demand surrender using RNA language
Parasitic plants tap into their hosts, may be using genetic "language" to overcome host plant's defenses, study finds. Findings could help protect important food crops from such parasites, researchers say.
Virginia Tech drone test site now fully operational
Virginia Tech joins in testing of drones to help FAA create guidelines for admitting them to U .S. airspace. New testing center is one of six across the U.S.
'Extremely important' tomb found in Greece linked to Alexander the Great
Tomb dated to just after death of Alexander the Great could be that of family members, historians suggest. Identity of occupant could be determined soon, they say.
Interstellar dust found on spacecraft could be oldest samples ever
Tiny dust grains returned to Earth by comet-chasing spacecraft may have come from far beyond our solar system, scientists say. The may be the oldest known dust particles ever found.
Lionfish proves to be tireless terminator-like invasive species
Lionfish called "perfect invader" of Atlantic and Caribbean, showing "alarming" ability to seek out and kill native species, researchers say. Predatory fish said capable of eating local populations of native fish to extinction.
Harvard assembles massive self-organizing robot army
Swarm of tiny robots can talk to each other, cooperate to accomplish tasks, researchers say. Swarm can mimic similar behaviors seen in nature, they say.
