Articles by Rebecca Kaplan
What’s the difference between a few drinks and alcoholism? Genetics, study says
A new study shows a genetic piece that might influence whether moderate drinkers become binge drinkers or develop alcohol use disorders. MicroRNA may be one of the factors that influences a person's susceptibility to alcoholism.
Is the cost of fighting climate change low? US, EU and UN say yes in leaked handbook
A new leaked document from the UN shows that the organization is trying to emphasize the relatively low costs of switching to energy sources with lower carbon dioxide emissions. The document is slated to be published November 2.
Is a trip to Mars a good idea? Some say no
Researchers from MIT looked at the Mars One plan to colonize Mars. The team found lots of holes in the plan, estimating that colonists would start to die 68 days in.
Ancient cult complex discovered in Israel: Ritual sacrifices for storm god?
Researchers discovered an ancient cult complex in Israel. The site may have been used to make religious sacrifices to Baal, the Canaanites' storm god.
Study contradicts CO2 plant absorption, says previous research underestimated
Plants may absorb more carbon dioxide than previously thought, a new study shows. This shows the importance of plants in fighting global warming.
Sci-Fi at Comic Con
New York Comic Con runs Oct. 9-12. Here are some cool things to check out this weekend at NYCC. New York Comic Con, haven of NYC's geek population, started off with a bang on Oct 9.
Meet the robot snake: A rattlesnake you shouldn’t fear
Researchers used studies about the unique motion of a sidewinder rattlesnake to program a robot that can move across sandy, inclined surfaces. This discovery may open new doors to where robots can go.
American fast-food is finally dropping calories
Fast food chains were offering on average about 60 calories less a year in 2013 than they were in 2012, a new study shows. There are still many high calorie options, but this is a good start at curbing the obesity epidemic, the study's authors say.
‘Death with dignity’: With numbered days, woman chooses assisted-suicide
Brittany Maynard, a 29-year-old newlywed with terminal brain cancer, has chosen to use physician-assisted suicide to avoid a prolonged and painful death. Maynard is sharing her story for Compassion & Choices, an organization that promotes the Death with Dignity Act.
Will the first humans to Mars hibernate their way there?
NASA is looking into hibernation techniques for a possible first manned mission to Mars. SpaceWorks wrote a research study about how astronauts might be able to survive six months in stasis on the way to Mars.
Tired doctors tend to overprescribe: Physicians are human, but their mistakes cost
Doctors are more likely to overprescribe antibiotics when they are tired, a new study shows. Doctors should take more frequent breaks and work shorter shifts, the author recommends.
Why was DNA from Asian carp found in a Michigan river?
A water sample from a river near Lake Michigan tested positive for DNA from silver carp. Silver carp is an invasive species, harmful to native fish in the Great Lakes.
The Pacific fisher needs protection from pot farms
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is petitioning to add the Pacific fisher to the list of endangered species. The small mammal is threatened by, among other things, poison used in pot farms.
Curious about how to boost memory? You’re doing it right: Curiosity is key
Curiosity about one subject could help you learn and remember new information, even about topics you don't find as interesting. A new study shows more about the connection between curiosity and learning.
Want a Rosetta comet for your coffee table? Revealed dimensions let you print your own
Wanted a model copy of comet 67P? You're in luck -- the ESA just made the comet's known dimensions public, so you can now print a copy with a 3D printer.
Baby born after womb transplant: A medical first
A woman in Sweden successfully gave birth to a live child following a womb transplant. The mother was born without a uterus but had functional ovaries.
Cerebellum evolved at amazing speed: Did it make us human?
The human cerebellum may be the thing that marked our evolution from monkeys, not the neocortex as previously thought. A new study shows that the human cerebellum grows at a much faster rate than that of a monkey's cerebellum.
American bullfrogs are invading and they’re so hungry they’ll eat each other
The American bullfrog is established in the Yellowstone River in Montana, a new study shows. Direct action needs to be taken to remove this voracious invasive species before it permanently damages the biodiversity in the area.
Explore the moon's intricate system of newly discovered valleys
The moon's largest crater, believed to be formed by an asteroid, may actually have formed due to a volcanic eruption. This startling insight comes from a research study based on data from NASA's Grail mission.
Titan has toxic clouds four times the size of the UK
The ESA's Cassini mission spotted a cloud of hydrogen cyanide in Titan. This means that winter is coming to Saturn's largest moon.
Neurotic women prone to Alzheimer’s? Stress and jealousy potential indicators
Jealous, moody, anxious women may be at increased risk for Alzheimer's. A new study shows that the more time women spend stressed, anxious, and withdrawn, the more likely they are to develop dementia.
Sharks are extroverts or introverts: They're more like you than you think
Sharks have individual personalities, a new study shows. Sharks display the same characteristics for introversion or extroversion in different settings.
Secret Service director resigns after security breach scandal
Julia Pierson, director of the Secret Service, resigned Wednesday, Oct. 1. Her leadership was questioned after additional details of a recent White House break-in and other security lapses were detailed by The Washington Post.
Gravity dip from ice loss? Apparently the effects of melting go beyond sea level rise
An unexpected discovery was made by scientists studying data from the ESA's GOCE satellite. So much ice has melted in West Antarctica that the gravitational fields there actually changed over three years.
Tiny zooplankton affect global currents: A story told by sea monkeys
A group of sea monkeys can have a huge effect on global currents. A new study used a simulation to prove that sea monkeys moving together produced strong currents.
Canoe lost for six centuries, wind pattern study are clues to Polynesian seafaring
A Polynesian canoe, 600 years old, was recently discovered in New Zealand. Two new research studies shed new light on early Polynesian travels.
IUDs and implants get green light from doctors as best choice for birth control
Doctors should recommend IUDs and implants, not birth control pills, to teens, says the American Academy of Pediatrics. IUDs and implants each have a much lower failure rate than other forms of birth control.
Prehistoric land and water predators weren’t strangers: Single bone reveals surprising truth
Scientists once believed that phytosaurs and rauisuchids kept mostly to themselves, divided between the sea and the land, respectively. However, a new fossil of a phytosaur tooth embedded in a rauisuchid thigh may prove otherwise.
Newly discovered poison dart frog with strange call needs conservation plan
A new poison dart frog has been discovered in Panama. The frog might need help from conservation groups to avoid extinction.
ESA sets date for Rosetta's Philae landing, still optimistic despite challenges
The Rosetta mission will attempt to land on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko on Nov. 12, the ESA says. The agency is hopeful about the mission, although there are numerous challenges in its way.
