Articles by Jim Algar
Ocean plastic pollution on decline but where exactly is it going?
Research find less floating plastic in the world's oceans than expected, scientists say. That's a concern, since it must be disappearing to somewhere else.
Ancient baby boom delivers a lesson in population management
After population growth in Southwestern U.S. hit "highest in the world" centuries ago, it all crashed, researchers say. Study suggests overpopulation threatens our modern world as well.
Don't count these Mormon crickets out just yet as insects may be invading Nevada soon
Discovery of Mormon crickets in Nevada recalls unpleasant memories of past infestations. The 2003 invasion saw the insects crawling over hospital walls, coating city streets.
Great White arrives on Cape Cod: Is this the summer of the shark?
Conservancy group makes season's first official sighting of a great white shark off Massachusetts beach. The 14-foot female is followed by a research boat for an hour.
Triceratops' horns only took two million years in the making
Distinctive triple horns that gave triceratops its name was long in evolving, researchers say. Fossils show evolution over millions of years, they say.
Jacobi iterative math strategy gets a makeover and speed infusion
Math technique developed a century and a half ago gets revved up for use in the age of computers. Researchers say their tweak makes it 200 times faster.
Hawaiian land use board gives tentative approval for controversial telescope, intended as world's largest
World's largest telescope planned for summit of Hawaiian volcano is at center of debate. Opponents cite property issues, feelings of Native Hawaiians.
Environmentalists, hobbyists clash over collection of tropical fish in Hawaiian waters
Conservation group fights battle with collectors, hobbyists over harvesting of tropical fish for aquariums. Debate rages over Hawaiian aquarium fisheries.
Invasive water snakes seen as threat to native California species
Water snake species from Eastern U.S. seen as risk as they make move into California. Native species could be out-competed for food, researchers say, or even become prey.
Good news! Our air is cleaner than ever report satellite images
Images from NASA satellites show improved air quality, especially in major U.S. cities. Improvement seen across 10 years of satellite data.
Is it a mouse? A miniscule elephant? New mammal discovered in Africa
Tiny mouse-like creature known as a shrew shows surprising genetic similarities to one of the world's largest animals, the elephant. New species was found in the deserts of Namibia in Africa.
Want to win $10K? Just prove global warming is a farce
Physicist challenges deniers of climate change to prove their claims. He says he'll pay $10,000 to anyone who can.
Russian Angara rocket grounded due to tech glitches
Russia postpones launch of first new rocket design since the Soviet era. Technical glitch aborts launch just before blast-off, rescheduled for next day.
Wood Stork may soon fly off the endangered species list
America's only native stork is doing well enough to be upgraded from endangered to threatened, officials say. Wood stork populations are increasing as birds move into new habitats.
Baby eagle's death on webcam hits viewers hard
Despite outcry from webcam viewers, officials decline to interfere to save dying eaglet in nest. Nature must be allowed to take its course, they say.
Orion parachute passes its toughest test yet in prep for December launch
Parachutes intended to bring Orion crew capsule safely back to Earth pass latest test in Arizona desert. Orion's first full space launch is set for December.
Fracking may not be freaking good for soil, wildlife or humans
Wastewater from fracking operations to recover natural gas may present risks to people and the environment, study finds. Pollution risk could be increased with accidental wastewater spills.
Neanderthals were a veggie-loving group - as poop don't lie
Analysis of Neanderthal feces shows vegetables were at least part of their diet. Finding contradicts assumptions of a meat-only lifestyle for the ancient relatives of modern humans.
Three supermassive black holes revealed in distant galaxy
Discovery of black hole 'triplets' in far-off galaxy suggests such groupings are not that rare. Discovery could help in search for gravity waves that warp fabric of the universe.
Alaska humpback whales making a healthy comeback
Alaska petition asks federal government to take humpback whales off endangered species list. Petition cites recovery of Pacific populations of the whales.
Mars Curiosity now traversing former ancient glacier territory
Gale Crater on Mars, where NASA rover Curiosity is traveling, shows signs of ancient water, glaciers. Features in the crater match many glacial features seen on Earth today.
Saturn moon Titan may pre-date Saturn
Evidence in the atmosphere of Saturn's moon Titan suggests the moon is older than its parent planet. Titan shows similarities to ancient comets from the far reaches of the solar system, researchers say.
NASA detects X-ray signal, may be evidence of dark matter
Mysterious signal from distant collection of galaxies could be coming from dark matter, astrophysicists say. More detailed observations may confirm it, they say.
Brain chip implant helps quadriplegic gain use of hand (Video)
Sensor implanted in his brain helps young Ohio man move a paralyzed arm. Technology dubbed Neurobridge can bypass injured spinal column.
Pesticides not just killing pests, use is decimating bee population and posing wildlife risk
Survey of all available research suggests pesticides are main cause of decline of pollinating bees. Other species are at risk as well, researchers say.
Cousteau wants more time living underwater as it's a comfortable environment
Fabien Cousteau, grandson of famed explorer Jacques Cousteau, is involved in month-long project to live and study underwater. Cousteau and researchers live full-time in underwater habitat off Florida.
Disco clam is rocking on the sea floor and giving a special light show (Video)
A marine bivalve that creates its own 'disco' light show reveals its secret. Tiny 'disco balls' on the clam's shells create the strobe effect, researchers determine.
Ancient stellar remnant is an Earth-sized diamond, definitely a girl's best friend
Faint, cool white dwarf star is almost all crystallized carbon, researches say. That makes it a giant cosmic diamond.
Ebola outbreak 'out of control,' ravaging West Africa, doctors warn
Doctors Without Borders says fight against Ebola in West Africa is losing ground. The highly contagious disease has hit Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
Swarm mission uncovers Earth's weak point
European satellite mission detects weakening in Earth's magnetic field. Field is what keeps us safe from cosmic rays.
