Articles by Robin Burks
Study finds yet another gene mutation may increase breast cancer risk
Although researchers have previously discovered that mutations in genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 increase a woman's risk of breast cancer, a mutation in a third gene, PALB2, might also increase risk.
Don't miss the year's largest supermoon this weekend
Don't forget to look up at the night sky Sunday night just after sunset when the biggest and brightest supermoon of the year will rise and take position at center stage.
Museum finds misplaced 6,500-year-old skeleton in a basement
A mysterious human skeleton sat in a wooden box in the basement of the Penn Museum in Philadelphia for 85 years before a museum curator finally identified it as a previously-reported missing item.
Smart robots might be coming for our jobs
Robots are slowly integrating themselves into modern society and keep getting smarter with new advances in technology. Unfortunately, the bad news is that these robots my take future jobs away from humans.
Google Maps takes you to Mars, the moon and Tardis
Google celebrates the second anniversary of the Curiosity rover's landing on the red planet with a clever way to explore both Mars and the moon through a new Google Maps feature.
How to identify a narcissist with one simple question
If you want to know if someone is a narcissist, just ask them. Researchers at Ohio State University discover that asking this one single question is just as accurate as longer diagnostic tests.
Rosetta makes history by becoming first spacecraft to orbit a comet
The European Space Agency's Rosetta spacecraft has finally met with its comet and entered its orbit. The comet may tell us about the origins of life on Earth and other planets.
N.Y.U. offers bachelor's degree in video game design
N.Y.U. recently announced that its Game Center, part of the Tisch School of the Arts, will begin accepting applications for students wishing to pursue a bachelor of fine arts degree in game design.
2,100-year-old mausoleum discovered in China
Archaeologists dig up ancient mausoleum built for Chinese King Liu Fei. Although previously looted, the site still contained over 10,000 treasures, including chariots, weapons and a rare jade coffin.
Your new Facebook friend might be out to steal your data
Be careful who you friend on social media: a new study shows how easy it is to mine data from your social media profile simply by getting a friend request approved.
Elon Musk warns that artificial intelligence might be our downfall
Tesla Motors and SpaceX founder Elon Musk warns us of the rise of artificial superintelligence within the next few decades, which he says is "potentially more dangerous than nukes" to humanity.
Doctors say patient treated in New York probably doesn't have Ebola
A man recently treated for several symptoms associated with Ebola at New York's Mount Sinai Hospital is 'unlikely' to have the virus, at least according to city health department officials.
'Star Trek' and 'Doctor Who' invade Sesame Street
Sesame Street unveils trailer for its San Diego Comic Con parody, 'Numeric Con' that features Sesame Street characters cosplaying comic book and science fiction characters, including characters from 'Doctor Who' and 'Star Trek.'
Are video games good for kids?
A new study shows that children who play video games for an hour or less a day are more well-adjusted than children who play more than that or do not play at all.
Marvel Studios head discusses lack of female superheroes in movies
Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, responds to criticism that there aren't enough female superheroes in his studio's films.
New Google doodle pays homage to the Venn diagram
Google celebrates the 180th birthday of John Venn, the English philosopher responsible for giving us the Venn diagram, with a fun interactive game-like doodle that lets you create your own Venn diagrams.
Original BioShock game is coming to iOS devices
Remember that BioShock teaser from 2K games? That image, which suggests that players 'come bite the apple' is actually a teaser for the original version of the game coming to iOS devices in summer 2014.
Scientists use brain waves to predict the popularity of TV shows
A team of scientists use EEG for monitoring brain waves and activity of television viewers watching 'The Walking Dead' and Super Bowl ads, teaching us how engaged the brain is during TV viewing.
Vision-correcting displays may someday replace your glasses
MIT and University of California Berkeley researchers develop vision-correcting display technology that allows people with vision problems to see their phones and other electronic devices clearly, no glasses or contacts required.
The Margaret Thatcher gene: Why some people need less sleep
After studying twins, a group of scientists discovered a gene mutation that allows some people to have better cognitive functioning after sleep deprivation than their peers.
NASA acknowledges 'impossible' fuel-less drive may actually work
Although many scientists balk at the idea of a propellant-less space thruster, NASA recently tested such a drive, which uses electricity and microwaves, no fuel required. If confirmed, this system could revolutionize space travel.
Mars 2020 rover will pump out oxygen while scanning for alien life
NASA announces new equipment for its Mars 2020 rover mission, including alien-scanning instruments, high-resolution cameras and a machine that sucks in carbon dioxide from the planet's atmosphere and spits out oxygen.
Samsung Galaxy Mega saves man's life by stopping a bullet
Samsung is about to add a new feature to its Galaxy Mega list: bulletproof. The phone recently saved the life of a Chinese man from a violent altercation by stopping a bullet from entering his heart.
Now you can fly your pet's ashes to the moon
Want to properly memorialize a deceased pet but don't know how? This Texas-based company will put Fluffy's ashes into a capsule and blast it off into space or to the moon.
Want to increase your lifespan? Send your kids to college
Want to live a few years longer? The answer is simple: send your kids to college. Sociologists recently discovered that parents with college graduates outlive parents whose children don't finish high school.
How did a ship end up under the ruins of the World Trade Center?
In 2010, construction workers digging through the debris at the World Trade Center discovered an 18th-century ship. But how did it get there? Scientists now believe they have the answer.
Why our moon is shaped like a lemon
Scientists discover that the moon is not spherical, but shaped like a lemon, thanks to a gravitational effect and Earth's tidal forces that stretched its core as it was forming.
Game transfer phenomena: When gamers hear sounds in their head
The sensation of hearing sounds in our brains from video games long after playing is not a new one to seasoned gamers. However, now scientists have recognized and named this phenomenon.
This ice cream changes color as you lick it
A Spanish physicist-turned-cook has successfully developed a new variety of ice cream that changes its color while you lick it. More importantly, he only used natural ingredients in his top-secret recipe.
Can blood tests accurately predict the risk of suicide?
Scientists discover that a deviation in a specific gene could accurately predict a patient's risk for suicide and that a simple blood test could be used to find that variation.
