Articles by Jim Algar
Curiosity rover celebrates its first extra-long year on Mars
NASA happy with successful first year on Mars for rover Curiosity. That's a Martian year, of course, 687 Earth days long.
Tokyo museum exhibit boasts remarkable human-like robots. Creepy or cool?
Android robots with a startling human appearance are on exhibit in Tokyo. Human-like looks ignite debate: are they remarkable or creepy?
Students crowdfunding as part of Time Capsule to Mars effort
Social media will be gateway for young people to participate in a mission to Mars. Small 'CubeSats' with digital payloads envisioned for mission to the Red Planet
SpaceX satellite launch postponed to July due to tech glitches
Technical problems and bad weather push SpaceX launch of satellite-carrying Falcon 9 rocket into July. Engineers are looking at fuel-pressure problems.
Neural tube defects in Hispanic newborns may be tied to mother's diet
Lack of folic acid in corn masa flour, a staple of Hispanic diets, may increase risk of certain birth defects, study suggests. The March of Dimes is pushing for U.S. to require the supplement in the flour.
Flesh-eating bacteria kills teen following routine dental procedure
Deadly infection in wake of routine dental surgery to extract his wisdom teeth kills Maine teenager. The 18-year-old was said to be a victim of 'flesh eating bacteria.'
New York finally legalizes medical marijuana: What you should know
New York becomes 23rd state to legalize medical marijuana use in the U.S. Bill contains a number of limitations, including a ban on marijuana that can be smoked.
Emperor penguins are adapting to climate change in surprising ways
Penguins that usually depend on the same breeding grounds every year are adapting to changes in temperature. Sightings of new colonies show they're willing to relocate.
SpaceX Falcon 9 eyes Orbcomm OG2 launch on Saturday: 2nd time lucky?
SpaceX engineers scramble to get Falcon 9 ready after Friday launch scrubbed for technical glitch. Six satellites intended for low Earth orbit are aboard.
Neanderthal skulls: Is this where 'Game of Thrones' really started?
Prehistoric skulls found in Spain suggest 'Games of Thrones' scenario of different 'houses' of species competing for land and resources. Skulls may answer questions about Neanderthal evolution, researchers say.
CDC scientists may have been exposed to anthrax due to safety lapse
Workers in several labs at the Centers for Disease Control may have been exposed to live anthrax bacteria, officials say. A breakdown in safety protocols is being blamed.
NASA catches super big black hole passing some gas
Black hole at the center of a distant galaxy displays 'unusual' behavior of gas escaping its pull, researchers say. Findings yield clues to black hole formation and growth, they say.
Russian cosmonauts set up antenna, conduct residue sampling during spacewalk
Russian cosmonauts on the International Space Station complete several tasks in seven-hour spacewalk. Balky antenna tamed with use of cable zip tie.
Scientists acknowledge Big Bang research findings might have been a big boo-boo
Scientists who made a headline-grabbing announcement about some Big Bang research say they might have gotten it wrong. Evidence of earliest moments of the universe may have to be reconsidered, they say.
Summer Solstice Saturday: What's it all about?
The planet's Northern Hemisphere to experience its longest day of the year. It's all because the Earth is not an "upright" world, scientists explain.
Fish-eating spiders are pretty common, pretty widespread...and pretty scary
A number of aquatic spider species have no trouble taking on fish bigger than they are as prey, study finds. It's a worldwide phenomenon, researchers say.
Bee swarm at toll plaza is a sight few drivers will forget (Video)
Swarm of 40,000 bees descends on toll booths on Pennsylvania Turnpike. Experts are called out to corral and remove the swarm.
Passenger pigeon resurrection is focus of scientific genetic engineering effort
Using DNA from preserved museum specimens, scientists will attempt to resurrect the extinct passenger pigeon. Species went from billions of birds to extinction by the early 20th century.
UK researchers tackling dementia in massive study with pharma partners
Drug companies, universities join in research partnership to seek cure, treatments for dementia. Study will track 2 million people ages 50 and older.
Invasive emerald ash borer beetle poses significant threat to trees
New Hampshire fears threat to state's ash trees after destructive invasive pest found in neighboring Massachusetts. The emerald ash borer can kill a tree within a year.
Florida panther population booming once again, species recovery possible
Population of endangered panthers in Florida said to be on the rise. The finding is an encouraging sign of a possible recovery throughout the animal's U.S. range.
Elon Musk, SpaceX chief: We can have a man on Mars in next decade
Founder of SpaceX says his company could put people on Mars before NASA's planned mission to the Red Planet. Elon Musk talks of Mars colony by 2026 using Dragon V2 spacecraft.
Earth's abundant mineral, bridgmanite, named after Nobel Prize winning physicist
Mineral hidden deep within the Earth's interior reveals its secrets through a billion-year-old meteorite. Mineral given the official name bridgmanite after Nobel Prize winner.
Espresso landing on ISS, astronauts soon to enjoy that morning cup of joe
That oh-so-important first cup of coffee in the morning soon to be coming to the International Space Station. Espresso machine made by Italian company will arrive in November.
Ancient deadly plague remains discovered in Egypt may be smallpox victims
Archaeological find in Egypt is evidence of a deadly plague that ravaged all parts of the Roman Empire. Possibly smallpox, the pandemic killed a quarter of the population of Rome.
Spider personality plays into life roles such as nannies and warriors
Tasks taken on by female spiders of one species are down to personality and not physical size, researchers find. Aggressive spiders act as warriors while docile spiders take on a daycare role for young.
Whale shark ride makes for a heck of a video (Video)
Florida man posts video of his ride on top of a whale shark. Though not illegal, the stunt sparks debate.
Quantum biology: Algae may prove to be key ingredient for organic solar cells
Strange quantum effect may be why some algae can survive with almost no light for photosynthesis. Finding could lead to more efficient solar cells.
Leonardo DiCaprio pledges $7 million for ocean conservation projects
Actor Leonardo DiCaprio calls for increased efforts to protect the world's oceans. Ocean conference also hears from President Obama on plan to increase U.S. protected areas.
Hubble to help New Horizons probe find new celestial object after Pluto
Hubble Space Telescope has been roped in to help find a new target in the Kuiper Belt for NASA spacecraft now headed for Pluto. The mission of New Horizons will continue to a new goal after Pluto observations. What new celestial object will Hubble find?
