Articles by Jim Algar
Sighting Of Sixth Newborn Orca Calf In Puget Sound Delights Conservationists
Newborn orca brought the population of orcas living around Puget Sound in Washington to a healthy 83, researchers say. Newest calf spotted swimming with its mother by whale researchers.
New Horizons Spacecraft Sends Back Image Of Pluto's Tiniest Moon, Heads For New Target
Kerberos, the dwarf planet's tiniest moon, is even smaller than predicted, new images show. Researchers study it as the New Horizons spacecraft makes course adjustments heading for new target.
Group Of Great White Sharks Off California Raises Concern For Safety Of Swimmers, Surfers
A group of 20 great white sharks, some as long as 18 feet,have been seen swimming close to shore in Northern California. Although attacks on humans are rare, some urge caution for locals heading for the water.
Plague Afflicted Humankind Thousands Of Years Earlier Than Thought, DNA Study Shows
The Black Death of the 14th century wasn't the first time plague infected humans, researchers say. DNA evidence shows people were dying of plague almost 5,000 years ago.
Hiker In Norway Finds A Sword By The Side Of A Trail - And It's 1,200 Years Old!
A Viking-era sword in exceptional condition was found alongside an ancient route across Norway. Such a weapon would have been a symbol of high status for a Viking, archaeologists say.
Antibiotics Are Causing Weight Gain In Children, Research Shows
Repeated treatment with antibiotics in childhood can lead to weight gain, a study finds. Effect can be cumulative, progressive and continue into adulthood.
Study Finds US Marijuana Use Doubled In Just 12 Years, Abuse Also On The Rise
As attitudes and laws about marijuana change in the U.S., usage is on the rise, a study finds. In 2013, twice as many people reported they used marijuana than was recorded in 2001.
Showers Of Comets And Asteroids May Be Linked To Many Of Earth's Mass Extinction Events
The asteroid impact that killed off the dinosaurs was not a one-off event, researchers suggest. Similar extinctions triggered by cosmic bombardments may have happened a number of times in the past, they say.
New Tortoise Species In The Galapagos Islands Went Unidentified For More Than A Century
Giant tortoises on the Galapagos island of Santa Cruz, long thought to all be the same species, are in fact two separate ones, researchers find. Although visually almost identical, genetic studies show one group is a new, previously-unidentified species.
Two Closely Orbiting Stars Heading For A 'Kiss Of Death'
Two stars in a binary system are so close, they're sharing material as they spin about each other, scientists say. The end result is likely to be a cosmic cataclysm, they say.
Scientists Fear Drug-Resistant Form Of Malaria Could Invade Africa
Parasites carrying a drug-resistant variant of malaria can infect mosquito species that are the main disease carrier in Africa, researchers find. Scientists worry the drug-resistant form spreading in Southeast Asia could threaten Africa's vulnerable populations.
Chemicals In Sunscreens Bad For Coral, Pose Threat To Global Reef Systems: Study
While sunscreen may be good for you - no one wants skin cancer - it is having a serious impact on the health of the globe's coral reef systems, researchers say. A chemical common in many sunscreens, oxybenzone, is the culprit, they say.
Many More Earth-Like Worlds Are Waiting To Be Born, Study Suggests
Earth evolved early in the history of the universe, so the universe is likely to create billions more Earth-like planets throughout its existence, a study suggests. More than 90 percent of such worlds are waiting to come into existence, researchers suggest.
Gene Study Suggests Domestication Of Dogs Began In Asia
Genetic markers in DNA of modern dogs suggest Central Asia as the site of domestication of dogs. Despite that, a debate of when wolves were first domesticated to become today's dogs is not likely to end soon, experts say.
Distant 'Hot Jupiter' Exoplanet Is Actually Two Planets, Astronomers Find
Scientists use Kepler space telescope data to discover two giant planets closely orbiting a distant star. The finding of 'hot Jupiter' planets could give clues to how planets form and move, they say.
A Blood Test That Can Reveal Onset Of Alzheimer's Is A Step Closer, Researchers Say
A blood test could reveal the beginnings of Alzheimer's disease long before the first symptoms appear, researchers say. That would allow a chance for lifestyle changes to slow the progression and create an opportunity for early treatment, they say.
Discovery Suggests Life On Earth Began Millions Of Years Earlier Than Previously Assumed
Carbon in early Earth rocks may be clue to origin of life on our planet, researchers say. And that evidence suggests it may have arisen hundreds of millions of years earlier than we thought, they say.
Russian, European Space Agencies Mull Permanent Moon Bases
Officlals in Russian, European space programs say a series of cooperative missions to the moon could eventually see a permanent human settlement there. First in a series of lunar exploratory missions could launch in 5 years, they say.
Meet Scott Kelly: This U.S. Astronaut Has Spent Most Time Living In Space (Video)
Scott Kelly has spent a full year on the International Space Station. Kelly, who has accumulated 383 days on Oct. 16, has set a new record for the most numbers of days an American has spent in space.
Novartis Cancer Drug Beneficial To Parkinson's Disease Patients, Reveals Early Stage Trial
Drug meant to treat leukemia shows promise of halting or even reversing the symptoms of Parkinson's, researchers find. Finding of small trial spurs scientists to plan larger trials to test drug with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's.
Thomas Jefferson's Secret Chemistry Lab In UVA Rotunda Is 'Oldest Intact Example Of Early Chemical Education'
Renovations at University of Virginia uncover part of a chemistry classroom from Thomas Jefferson's time. Jefferson took part in the design, equipping of the room, historians say.
Pluto's Patterns And Pits Captured By NASA LORRI Puzzle Scientists
Puzzling surface features on the dwarf planet suggest the tiny, distant world is still active, researchers say. It is just one of the many intriguing discoveries being sent back by the New Horizons’ spacecraft.
Strange Geological Feature On Our Moon Unlike Anything Ever Seen Before
Scientists try to solve the puzzle of a giant mound at the moon's south pole, different from anything else seen on the lunar surface. A combination of a giant impact and resulting volcanism may have created it, they suspect.
Caramel Apples, Traditional Halloween Treat, Could Be Listeria Risk
Caramel apples may harbor dangerous Listeria bacteria, researchers find. When pierced with dipping sticks then left unrefrigerated, bacteria can grow, they say.
Bees Are Caffeine Addicts, And Some Flowers Are Happy to Oblige
Some flowers attract bees to lower-quality nectar by spiking it with caffeine, researchers find. Bees will ignore flowers with better nectar in favor of getting a caffeine buzz, they say.
Fossil of 125-Million-Year-Old Mammal So Exquisitely Preserved It Shows Evidence Of Hair
A fossilized mammal shows evolution of sophisticated hair and organ systems even in the age of the dinosaurs. The small, rat-sized mammal was probably a ground-dwelling insectivore, researchers say.
Don't Blame Modern Life For Lack Of Sleep, Our Ancient Ancestors Didn't Sleep Any Better
Hunter-geatherer societies, whether modern or ancient, sleep less than people in industrialized societies do, a study finds. The study challenges the common assumption that stress and activity of modern life has ruined sleep.
Federal Report Urges End To 'Conversion Therapy' Attempts To Alter Sexuality Of LGBT Youth
There is 'no evidence' of the efficacy of such therapy, an expert panel says in a report. Rather, conversion therapy can put young people at risk of serious harm, report authors say.
Dietary Supplements Have Thousands Ending Up In Emergency Rooms Every Year
Side effects of vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements are the cause of a significant number of ER visits annually, a study finds. Many people end up admitted to hospitals for treatment, researchers say.
California To Require Vaccinations For Workers, Volunteers At Daycare Centers
Daycare facilities will be required to maintain records proving measles, flu and whooping cough vaccinations for staff and volunteers. California now has some of the nation's toughest mandatory vaccination laws.
