Articles by Robin Burks
Plants may communicate to each other through their own language
Scientists discovered that plants may have their own language at a genetic level that allows parasitic plants to communicate with and hack into the plants that they're invading before sucking them dry.
Too much exercise can do more harm than good
New research suggests that overdoing it with exercise can cause more harm than good, at least in heart attack survivors. Scientists urge moderation in exercise for most of the general population.
How spies could use your phone to eavesdrop on you
Security experts find a new hole in smartphone security, creating a way that an app could use a phone's gyroscope feature, without requesting permission, to listen in on your conversations.
Harvard scientists create robot army that can self-assemble
A group of Harvard scientists create a swarm of over 1,000 small robots that can communicate and work with each other, making them capable of achieving a singular task.
A melting Antarctica could raise sea levels faster than expected
A new study reports that the melting of Antarctica's massive ice shelves may drive sea levels up faster than initially thought, and could impact coastal cities and areas around the world.
Is salt good or bad for you? A new study has some controversial theories
A new study contradicts previous research about sodium intake by suggesting that adults who do not get enough salt in their diet may have an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Are you a workaholic? You may be suffering from a real addiction
A group of Norwegian researchers has identified workaholics as people who may suffer from a legitimate addiction. Although there are workaholics all over the world, the U.S. ranks in the top five of workaholic countries.
Four reasons you should be watching WGN's 'Manhattan'
If you haven't watched WGN's 'Manhattan,' a dramatic television series based on the men and women responsible for the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos, New Mexico, you may want to tune in.
A hotel in California introduces first robot butler
Meet Botlr, your hotel robot butler who will fetch your towels, deliver your room service and cater to your needs; and unlike its human counterparts, the only tip it expects is a tweet.
Why politicians are stopping us from finding alien life
Scientists think we could find proof of alien life within our lifetimes, but there's a serious lack of funding to do that, thanks to politicians who are holding us back.
How do stars get gobbled up by black holes?
Astrophysicists learn that black holes could be more gluttonous than expected. After analyzing over 20 years of x-ray data, scientists observe three specific occasions of supermassive black holes ingesting stars.
A female mathematician wins the Fields Medal for the first time
Mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani makes history by becoming the first woman to ever win the Fields Medal, the most prestigious award given in mathematics, in honor of her contributions to understanding the symmetry of curved surfaces.
There's a new 'Goat Simulator' game and it's getting really popular
'Goat Simulator,' a strange PC game about being a trouble-making goat, has sold 1 million copies since its launch earlier this year. It is also being developed for iOS, Android and Xbox One.
Bioengineers create artificial brain that looks like a donut
Bio-engineers at Tufts University have created functional 3D artificial brain tissue. Not only can this brain tissue survive life in a lab for up to nine weeks, but its neurons also responds to stimuli.
Siri's founders develop a smarter digital assistant
The inventors of Siri are working on an artificial intelligence system that handles more complex requests and learns as it goes, making it seem more human than any other virtual assistant.
Will bee, snake and scorpion venom be the future of cancer treatments?
Scientists report that venom found in certain poisonous animals such as snakes, bees and scorpions, could provide a new way to fight cancer when combined with nanoparticles.
Climate change conundrum: Did humans cause global warming?
A new climate change conundrum stumps scientists with conflicting information: although research data suggests that the Earth was cooling before humans affected the climate, computer models say that the Earth was always warming up.
Follow the journey of the crowdfunded ISEE-3 spacecraft
After a failed effort to reboot the ISEE-3 probe, the spacecraft flew by the moon and headed back to deep space. However, ISEE-3's scientific instruments are still sending data back to Earth.
SeaWorld's first test tube penguin is born
For the first time in history, SeaWorld in San Diego has successfully bred a penguin using artificial insemination with a technique developed by its veterinarians. The new breakthrough could save endangered animals.
Your guide to watching the Perseid Meteor Shower
The 2014 Perseid meteor shower has officially started and will peak early this week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. In honor of the occasion, Google has put up a new animated Doodle.
Watch NASA's video of its first 'flying saucer' test
NASA releases amazing high-definition video of the first test flight for their Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator, an inflatable system that might one-day help with landing large spacecraft on the surface of Mars.
Antibacterial products may be dangerous for pregnant women and their fetuses
Scientists discover that the use of chemicals commonly found in antibacterial soaps may pose health risk to pregnant women and their babies, potentially causing antibiotic resistance and smaller birth size.
'Zombie star' possibly left behind after supernova
A team of astronomers, using NASA's Hubble Space telescope, discover that a supernova of a star system could have left behind a white dwarf star that came back to life after the explosion.
Curiosity's second anniversary brings evidence of life on Mars
As the Mars Curiosity rover celebrates its second year on the red planet, scientists celebrate its accomplishments, including finding evidence that Mars may once have sustained life on its surface.
Jupiter moon Io gushes 'lava fountains' into space
Jupiter's moon Io is more volcanically active than previously thought and is spewing molten lava from mile-wide cracks in its surface that reach as high as a half-mile into the air.
Origami-inspired robot folds itself and walks away
Inspired by the ancient art of origami, engineers create a small robot that starts out flat, but then quickly folds itself into a shape that allows it to eventually crawl away.
IBM's new processor works like a human brain
IBM unveils its TrueNorth superprocessor, calling it the world's first neurosynaptic chip. The chip functions much like the human brain and uses no more power than a simple hearing aid.
Why conservatives and liberals see the world differently
A new study suggests that the vast differences between conservatives and liberals may have less to do with political ideology and more to do with genetics and their 'hardwired' brains.
An aspirin a day may keep cancer away
A new UK study shows that taking a low dose of aspirin every day could cut the risk of cancer, as well as lessen chances of dying from the disease.
Who really owns the rights to this monkey's selfie?
A British photographer is in a dispute with Wikimedia over whether a photo taken by a monkey with his camera legally belongs to him or, as Wikimedia insists, belongs to the public domain.
