Evolution
Rotting Fish Spoil Ideas about Early Life-Forms' Simplicity
Squashed fossils of the first boneless vertebrates suggest basal creatures, but real-time decay patterns hint they might have been less primitive than we thought
News9962 articles archived since 1845
Environment
U.S. Commits to Greenhouse Gas Cuts under Copenhagen Climate Accord
U.S. plans to cut emissions 4 percent below 1990 levels by 2020--other countries such as China, India will submit plans, as well
Environment
Is Water Vapor in the Stratosphere Slowing Global Warming?
A mysterious drop in water vapor in the lower stratosphere might be slowing climate change
Environment
Freeloading Flap: Mediterranean Seabirds That Scrounge Off Fishing Boats Have a Smaller Foraging Range
Shearwater birds around Spain's Balearic Islands fly shorter distances in their search for a meal during times they have access to fishery throwaways
Biology
Colorizing Dinosaurs: Feather Pigments Reveal Appearance of Extinct Animals
Long the range of the imagination, the coloration--and origin--of feathered dinosaurs and ancient birds has begun to be revealed through fossilized organelles
Environment
Bacteria Transformed into Biofuel Refineries
Synthetic biology has allowed scientists to tweak E. coli to produce fuels from sugar and, more sustainably, cellulose
Space & Physics
Early Cometary Bombardment May Explain the Divergent Paths of Jupiter's Biggest Moons
Ganymede and Callisto, the two largest Jovian satellites, appear to have similar origins but have led very different lives
Space & Physics
Unfree Spirit: NASA's Mars Rover Appears Stuck for Good
Now designated a stationary science platform, Spirit's next order of business is bracing for a long, harsh winter
Space & Physics
A Flare for Forecasting: Sun Seismology Points to Better Solar Weather Predictions
Twisting plasma flows beneath the sun's surface provide a way to predict potentially dangerous solar outbursts
Technology
Historical Development: Could a Frozen Camera Dethrone Hillary and Norgay as the First to Summit Everest?
Photo detective work could solve an enigma nearly nine decades old. But will it vindicate Hillary's historic climb or rewrite the record books?
The Sciences
Homing In on Mammalian Echolocation
From 3-D scanning to genetic sequencing, researchers are using new tools to uncover information about this ability possessed by flying and swimming mammals alike
Technology
Video Game Expands the Concept of Dark Energy for Mass Effect
Mass Effect 2, the new sequel of the popular video game, lets players battle enemies by channeling something akin to the unknown force that causes the universe to continue expanding
Space & Physics
Gettin' Down: Planned Record-Breaking Skydive This Year Will Include First Supersonic Free Fall
The Red Bull Stratos mission endeavors to shatter many long-held records in parachuting and balloon aviation
Health
Brain Scan Offers First Biological Test in Diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Researchers use a brain-scanning technique to find differences in the neural connections of PTSD patients that could help researchers understand and treat the disorder
Environment
Scrutinizing Swamp Gas: Model Helps Predict Global Wetland Greenhouse Emissions
Researchers develop a new model to describe the correlation between wetland water levels and temperature, and methane production
Health
Sequencing Staph: New Genetic Analysis Tracks MRSA Mutations
As drug-resistant strains of staph sicken people around the globe, high-power genome sequencing promises to trace the spread of this infection
Evolution
Endangered Species: Humans Might Have Faced Extinction 1 Million Years Ago
A new approach to probe ancient regions of the genome suggests early human populations were scarce
Space & Physics
Asteroids Get a Surface Makeover When They Pass Near Earth
Earth's gravitational pull shakes up weathered surfaces on asteroids that venture into the planet's surprisingly large sphere of influence
Technology
Electric Icarus: NASA Designs a One-Man Stealth Plane
Could the Puffin, an electric-powered flying suit, change the way we use the sky in war and peace?
Technology
Receive Between the Lines: FCC Mulls Signal "White Space" as Part of National Broadband Plan
Unused "white spaces" between occupied radio frequencies would help more wireless users find access to the Internet, but could also create greater interference
