Articles by Jim Algar
Black hole 'doughnut theory' being doubted: What are they really?
Theory of why black holes show themselves differently to astronomers may have holes in it. "Doughnut" theory of gas and dust obscuring them doesn't match new observations.
PAD patients may benefit from home-based walking program: Study
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) sufferers can find relief with a structured program of walking. Study finds they're more likely to stick with it at home rather than having to visit a hospital or clinic.
Comb jelly study helps scientists understand evolution of neural systems
Creature that evolved a nervous system unlike any other species intrigues scientists. Study of comb jellies could yield new insights into human neurological diseases.
Cankerworm carnage may affect more cities due to lack of plant diversity: Research
Plants in urban environments at greater risk of defoliation by voracious caterpillars, study finds. Less plant diversity that what if found in natural environments is a factor, researchers say.
E. coli scare in Oregon prompts Portland officials to issue 'boil water' order
Testing of drinking water in Portland shows E. coli contamination. Residents urged to boil water before drinking or cooking with it.
Children with type 1 diabetes are at risk of temporary change to brain matter and memory loss
Children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes are at risk of a complication that could have effect on memory and attention, researchers warn. The changes are seen for six months after diagnosis but they could have long-lasting effect.
Budget cut may force NASA to axe Spitzer and turn down MaxWISE proposal
Independent review of NASA missions and their funding brings some tough alternatives for the space agency. Some may have to be abandoned to save others.
Modern day diminutive Kiwi and extinct giant Madagascar elephant bird are cousins: DNA study shocks paleontologists
Smallest of the world's flightless birds, the kiwi, and the largest -- the extinct elephant bird of Madagascar -- are evolutionary birds of a feather, scientists say. DNA study links them even though thousands of miles separate their habitats.
Humpback whales show up in hordes off Massachusetts, delight whale watchers
Humpback whales return to Massachusetts water to take advantage of abundant food, scientists say. The number of sightings is up over previous years.
More whales dying after getting hit by ships along East Coast, warns NOAA
More whales are being hit and killed by ships, possibly due to increased food supplies bringing the ocean giants closer to shorelines, officials say. Conservationists are concerned about the rising number of such incidents.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy drug Translarna gets approved by EU regulators
Drug to treat a particular form of muscular dystrophy approved in Europe. Approval granted under a special measure that allows drugs to be offered when there is no other treatment option for a life-threatening illness.
Roombots: Check out the house robot that can transform itself into any furniture
Need 'smart' furniture that knows where you want it and at what height? Say hello to furniture-creating Roombots
Novel malaria vaccine made from blood of Tanzanian children immune to the disease hailed as breakthrough
An experimental malaria vaccine based on antibodies naturally created in the bodies of Tanzanian children is being tested in animals. A successful result could soon lead to human trials.
Beautiful meteor shower Camelopardalids will light up night sky this weekend: How and when to watch
Skywatchers await chance to see meteor shower as Earth passes through dust trail of comet. North American will get best view of shower.
NASA Global Selfie is mother of all selfies: 36,422 Earth Day photos show one big, beautiful world
Selfie snaps from every continent on Earth stitched together to create giant Global Selfie. Selfies flooded in following Earth Day request by NASA.
NASA Spitzer telescope spies densest, darkest spot in the galaxy
Dark cosmic shadows allow astronomers to probe giant cloud of dust and gas where stars will form. The high-mass stars will have short lives and a violent end.
Madagascar elephant bird DNA linked to New Zealand kiwi: Scientists rethink how flightless birds evolved
New Zealand's iconic kiwi linked to closest relative, a giant bird that once lived 7,000 miles away in Madagascar. Study also suggests kiwis haven't always been flightless.
Termites did not cause mysterious fairy circles in Namibian grasslands. Then what did?
Researchers say they doubt termites are responsible for mystery circles found in African grasslands. An explanation is still elusive, they say.
Make your home bedbugs bite-free using trap made from $1 worth of household items: Watch how (Video)
Simple trap you can make yourself could save you from a bedbug infestation. Materials are cheap and can be found in most households.
Climate change drawing big yawn from the public, warn scientists
Those on both sides of the climate change debate are growing weary of the issue and its media coverage, researchers say. It is reflected in Internet searches on the issue.
Florida scuba diver fends off great white shark with just a spear
Close encounter of the great white shark kind ends well for scuba diver off Florida. The encounter is captured by the diver on a helmet cam.
Urine is not sterile as previously thought...ummm, so what?
Bacteria found in so-called "sterile" urine could help identify urinary tract problems, researchers say. Women with overactive bladders could especially benefit, they say.
Does mobile phone use impact brain development of children? Huge study launched in the UK
Study will track British schoolchildren to see if cellphone use impacts mental development and will follow them for 2 years.
Mars rover Curiosity may have unwittingly transported microbes to Red Planet
Analysis results of "scrubbing" of Curiosity rover before its launch suggests some germs may have hitchhiked to the Red Planet. Test shows many of them could survive the harsh condition of the cosmic trip.
World's smallest and fastest nanomotor created by UT-Austin scientists will blow you away
A newly developed nanomotor can spin as fast as a jet engine and can run for 15 hours. The technology could be used to deliver drugs directly to human cells, researchers say.
E. coli contamination fear prompts recall of 1.8 million pounds of ground beef
Ground beef destined for restaurants and retail sale nationwide has been recalled over possible E. coli contamination. Recall by Detroit company totals 1.8 million pounds.
Titanosaur towered over Tyrannosaurus rex: Is the Argentinian sauropod really the world's largest?
Fossil dinosaur thighbone taller than a man may have belonged to the biggest dinosaur to ever roam the earth. Massive beast may have weighed 80 tons, more than 14 elephants.
Longitude Prize is back: Win £10 million by solving the biggest problem facing science today
The public will choose which of the world's most pressing problems will be addressed by a multi-million-dollar science prize. Award echoes a similar prize of 300 years ago.
13000 year old skeleton of Naia will be recovered from its watery grave in Mexico
Skeleton of young girl that yielded proof of first American origins in Asia to be recovered from Mexico cave. Teenager is thought to have died from fall into cavern.
Underwater volcano discovery in Hawaii challenges notion of O'ahu origin
The two volcanoes thought to have formed O'ahu may have stood on the shoulder of a third, underwater one, researches say. Discovery solves some puzzles of Hawaiian Islands formation.
