Articles by Robin Burks
Google Gets Girls To Program White House Christmas Tree Lights
During this year's holiday season, the many lights on the White House's Christmas tree will come courtesy of thousands of girls programming them, thanks to Google's Made With Code program.
Successful Test Flight of NASA's Orion Ushers In New Era Of Space Exploration
Although Orion's first test flight got off to a rocky start after delays yesterday, the spacecraft launched early this morning and performed its tests successfully before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.
5 Flu Shot Myths That Simply Aren't True
Every year, during fall and winter, myths start circulating about the flu vaccine, most of which aren't true. Here are the most popular flu vaccine myths that experts have debunked.
Want To Be Happier? Study Finds That Going To Bed Earlier Results In Less Negative Thoughts
A new study suggests that those people who go to bed earlier tend to have less negative internalizing anxiety thoughts than those who stay up late and get less sleep.
The Future Of The Hubble Space Telescope Is Looking Bleak
As Hubble grows older, it degrades. This means that at some point the telescope may shake out of Earth's orbit and come plunging back to the planet in a fiery descent.
Astronaut Chris Hadfield Has Doubts About The Mars One Mission
Canadian Space Agency astronaut and one-time commander of the International Space Station Chris Hadfield recently stated doubts about the feasibility of the Mars One Mission to set up a human colony on Mars.
Is Red Wine Good For You? Two New Studies Say Yes
Although studies on the health effects of red wine vary, two new studies suggest that a substance in red wine, resveratrol, does pack some health benefits, including better cardiovascular health and cancer prevention.
Many Potentially Habitable Exoplanets Are Probably Not Habitable At All
Exoplanets that exist in the habitable zones around their stars may seem prime for having water on their surfaces, but those orbiting M dwarf stars probably have no water at all.
NASA Postpones Launch Of Orion Spacecraft Until Tomorrow
After a series of incidents, including high winds and problems with valves on the rocket, NASA scrubbed today's Orion launch. The next launch window begins tomorrow morning at 7:05 a.m. EST.
Scientists Discover That Space Travel Is A Lot Safer Than We Thought
In an experiment aboard the ISS, scientists discovered data that they found surprising: the levels of cosmic radiation experienced by astronauts both on the station and outside of it is lower than expected.
NASA Gets A Brand New Countdown Clock For Orion's Launch
In anticipation of Orion's first test launch tomorrow, NASA recently replaced its old analog countdown clock, once used for the Apollo and space shuttle missions, with a new high-tech digital display version.
Case of 100 Missing Human Brains From University of Texas Solved
The University of Texas lost 100 brains. the brains, once thought stolen, possibly include the brain of Charles Whitman, an ex-marine sniper who went on a shooting spree at the university. Now, those brains have been found.
Family Plays Large Part In Why Kids Decide On Careers In Science
New research by George Mason University suggests that family plays the most important role, even over education, in getting children interested in future careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Can You Inherit Grit? Study Suggests That Stress Gets Passed On Through Generations
Although early childhood trauma can have negative effects once that child becomes an adult, it can also have positive effects once that child becomes an adult. But can those positive effects be inherited from parent to child?
Scientists Solve Mystery Of What Destroyed Earth's Primordial Atmosphere
Earth's atmosphere was once different than it is now, but something destroyed that primordial atmosphere. But what destroyed it? Scientists now believe they have an answer: a constant barrage of space rocks.
Turns Out NYC Insects Are Awesome Cleaning Crews
Research shows that ants, as well as other insects, are useful garbage waste disposal units, at least when it comes to getting rid of large amounts of food waste in cities such as New York.
How NASA's Orion Flight Test Thursday Will Lead Us To Mars
On Thursday, NASA will launch its first flight test of Orion, the agency's first new spacecraft since the space shuttle. Orion will eventually get humans to deep space, including Mars.
One Ring To Rule Them All: Eye of Sauron Galaxy Unlocks New Measurement Technique
Using the aptly named 'Eye of Sauron' galaxy, a team of astronomers learn how to more accurately measure galaxies' distances from Earth, by using a ring of dust around the black holes at their centers.
Here's What Happens When A Man Drinks 10 Cans Of Coke A Day For A Month
In an experiment to find out just how bad sugar is for you, specifically sugar found in Coke, an L.A. man drank 10 cans of soda a day for a month. And although his Coke diet sounds extreme, Prior's average sugar intake for any given day was about the same as 50 percent of all Americans.
The Science Of 'Harry Potter': What Happens In The Brain When We Read?
In a new study, a group scientists gave volunteers a chapter of 'Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone' to scan various regions of the brain for what happens there when reading.
Comet 67P Shows Off Its True Colors In New Rosetta Photo
Although you might think that Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko's colors are nothing but a lot of gray, a new true color photo shows that the comet, is in fact, a reddish brown.
James Watson Is Auctioning Off His Nobel Prize
James Watson, one of the people responsible for discovering the double helix in DNA, the basic building block of life, is auctioning off his Nobel prize this week through Christie's.
Look At This Stunning Photo Of The 'Wishing Well' Star Cluster
A telescope at the La Silla Observatory in Chile recently captured a gorgeous full-color photo of a star cluster in the Milky Way's Carina constellation, just 1,300 light-years from Earth.
The Physics Behind Jackson Pollock's Paintings
Jackson Pollock was a man before his time: not only did he create an entirely new form of abstract expressionism with his paintings, but his work also shows a strange and innate understanding of physics.
Rare Shakespeare First Folio Found In France
A copy of one of the rarest books in the world, William Shakespeare's First Folio, was recently discovered in France. The First Folio is a first edition full collection of Shakespeare's plays.
Pardoned Turkeys Get VIP Treatment While Pardoned Tofurkeys Get Eaten
It's that time of year when the U.S. President pardons turkeys from becoming Thanksgiving dinner, with those turkeys getting VIP status. The mayor of Seattle pardons a tofurkey, which ends up eaten.
Here's Why You're Really Sleepy After Thanksgiving Dinner
Although many cite that the reason for their sleepiness after a big Thanksgiving dinner is due to tryptophan in turkey, science argues that this isn't correct. The real cause of your nap attack? Carbs.
This Pressed Flower Tells A Story Of The American Civil War
A plant specimen collected by a Union captain during the Civil War is part of a herbarium in Wisconsin. The pages pressing the flower together read: 'stained with the blood of heroes.'
How Does Virtual Reality Affect The Brain? The Answer May Surprise You
New research on mice shows that virtual reality affects the neurons in the brain's hippocampus completely different from real world scenarios. Further study could help those with illnesses affecting memory.
What Will ISS Astronauts Have For Thanksgiving Dinner?
Astronauts aboard the ISS are thankful for a lot this Thanksgiving, but their holiday dinner probably won't make that list. This year, astronauts will dine on freeze-dried favorites, like turkey and dressing.
