Articles by Jim Algar
Tuesday solar eclipse will be amazing but not everybody will get to enjoy
Dramatic solar eclipse creating a "ring of fire" early Tuesday morning. You'll get a great view only if you're a penguin; Antarctica is the only place this can be seen.
Lab-grown artificial human skin may replace animals in drug and cosmetic tests
Scientists use stem cells to create artificial skin in the laboratory. The skin could replace animals used in lab tests, also lead to treatments for human skin diseases.
China finally wakes up to growing pollution problem and changes laws to allow fines, lawsuits
China makes first changes to its environmental laws in 25 years. Public participation and more severe fines for polluters are included.
Y chromosome study suggests men aren't going to become extinct anytime soon
Evolution has stripped large numbers of genes off the Y male sex chromosome. But that doesn't mean men will become an endangered species.
Want to get your creative juices flowing? Go, take a walk
Walking can increase your creative output, scientists say. And it doesn't matter where; indoor or out, you'll be more creative.
Endangered California condor will fly to live another day, thanks to Yurok tribe
California Indian tribe joins effort to reintroduce endangered California condor to part of its historic habitat. The Yurok tribe of Northern California holds the giant bird to be sacred.
NASA telescopes spy Sun's frosty neighbor: The coldest 'brown dwarf' seen to date
Brown dwarf found as cold as Earth's North Pole. A close neighbor, the cosmic object is just 7.2 light years away.
Scientists doubt that the blood in gourd came from beheaded French King Louis XVI
Bloodstains on bloody relic of the French Revolution not those of King Louis XVI, DNA shows. Scientists suspect relic was faked to make money.
Commercial weight loss plan Jenny Craig diet found effective in helping type 2 diabetes patients
New diet formulated by weight-loss firm Jenny Craig shows promise in managing type 2 diabetes. Some patients on plan were able to stop taking insulin.
X-class solar flare hits Earth, causes major disruption of communications
Strong solar flare temporarily knocks out some radio communications on Earth. Flare was an X-class event, strongest category.
Elon Musk sees red as SpaceX vows to break Lockheed-Boeing monopoly over US military satellite launches
SpaceX founder to sue for chance to compete for Pentagon satellite launches. Elon Musk says his company can save the government on launch costs.
Rubik's Cube still puzzling as ever after 40 years
Anniversary celebrated of famous puzzle cube that has both delighted and frustrated millions. Exhibition in New Jersey includes a solid gold version of Rubik's Cube.
Kryptodrakon fossil discovery in China may hold clues to origin of Pterodactyl
Earliest known example of flying reptile found in China, dubbed "hidden dragon." Find pushed back the age of the flying creatures millions of years.
NASA, littleBits partner to launch Lego-like space kits for kids
Kit of snap-together modules helps kids learn space science in fun way. NASA scientists and engineers helped in the design.
Asimo surprises Obama with its soccer skills
At a Tokyo science expo, the president exchanged greetings with a Japanese humanoid robot. Then a little soccer practice took place between the two.
Celiac disease risk, high in children with irritable bowel syndrome
Children with irritable bowel syndrome is more likely to develop celiac disease. A disease that affects one percent of Americans.
Nuclear explosion-level asteroid impacts more common than previously thought: Is Earth in danger?
Earth may face greater threat of catastrophic asteroid impact than previously believed. Video visualization shows many latest impacts.
Congo rainforest browning at an alarming rate: Culprit? Climate change
Satellite shows Congo rainforest changing from green to brown at worrying rate. Drought, climate change suspected as cause.
Your money is dirtier than it looks: 3,000 different bacteria thrive on the bills
'Dirty money' becomes more than just a phrase; bacteria are lurking in your wallet or purse. And some are not so benign.
Lyrid meteor shower: Last chance to watch it this year
Lyrid meteor shower passes its peak, but skywatchers might still get a glimpse, experts say. Bright moon might make it a bit harder, though.
Pelican with throat slashed rescued in Long Beach, hunt on for culprit
Pelican had throat pouch slashed in attack, leaving it unable to eat. Animal rescue group is offering reward in search for perpetrator.
Antarctic once had climate like the coast of California, study shows
Antarctic climate millions of years ago was more like California, scientists say. And its surrounding ocean waters were as warm as those around Florida today.
Scientists want to capture Earth sound on Earth Day
Scientists enlist help of smartphone owners to record "soundscapes" around the world. Free recording app offered for iOS and Android devices.
Graphene and carbon nanotube ultracapacitors boast high performance and low cost
Two different carbon nanostructures when combined make for efficient energy-storage devices, researchers say. Result could be smaller, more powerful electronic devices.
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Neil deGrasse Tyson Cosmos Episode 7 'The Clean Room' recap: Clair Patterson, Earth age and danger of lead
The story of the search for the age of the earth features prominently in latest "Cosmos" episode. As does some dangers lying within.
9-year-old boy finds 'pretty cool' 10,000-year-old tooth of mastadon
Boy dubbed 'Huckleberry' by friends makes barefoot discovery of mastodon tooth in Michigan. Wooly creatures roamed North America 10,000 years ago.
Murmansk meteor strikes fear in Russians, reminds of Chelyabinsk incident
Meteor exploding over Russian city troubles people, keenly reminded of damage and injuries caused by similar event last year. Thankfully, this one did not have same result.
Genesis: Over half of Americans doubt Big Bang theory, poll suggests
Generally accepted scientific facts are not so cut-and-dried for many Americans, poll finds. From the Big Bang to evolution, many express doubts.
Scientists use Krypton to date ancient Antarctic ice...ummm, Superman?
Krypton -- relax, Superman, not kryptonite -- was used to identify oldest ice in Antarctica. Analysis could help fill gaps in knowledge of Earth's ancient climate.
Exercise regularly to reverse skin aging and stay young
For a younger skin, forget beauty products or cosmetic procedures, study suggests. Instead, think about getting off the couch and doing some exercises.
