Science Scanner: Curiosity’s Mars Selfie, Jurassic Caterpillar & an X-ray of Dark Matter?
Odd X-ray Signal Might be Sign of Dark Matter Strange X-ray emissions from galaxy clusters– hundreds of galaxies connected to each other by gravity–are providing clues about mysterious dark matter. Dark matter–if it really does exist–is thought to be invisible, doesn’t produce or attract light, and makes up a majority, 84.5 percent, of the matter […]
Weekly Science Scanner
A bizarre hybrid star has been discovered by American, British and Chilean astronomers. Using the Magellan Clay telescope at the Las Campanas Observatory in Chile, the researchers were able to confirm the existence of what, until now, has only been part of a theoretical class of stars. Called a Thorne-Zytkow object (TZO), this celestial oddity […]
Researchers Test Real ‘Thinking Cap’
Teachers often urge their students to put on their “thinking caps” as a way of encouraging serious thought. However, a real thinking cap could someday become a reality. New research shows it’s possible to control the ability to learn by applying mild electrical current to the brain. Writing in the Journal of Neuroscience, the Vanderbilt […]
Survey Reveals American’s Attitudes About Science and Technology
Americans like scientists. They’re really interested in learning all about the latest scientific breakthroughs too. But, unfortunately, it appears that a number of them can also use some tutoring to learn and better understand science. This bit of insight into the American public’s perception and understanding of science was determined by a survey of more […]
Can Power of the Mind Control Chronic Pain?
Utah researchers say they’ve developed a technique that allows patients to use the power of their minds to help treat chronic pain. One in five people worldwide suffers from daily chronic pain, according to a 2004 report. A 2011 paper from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) showed that one in three U.S. adults is affected […]
New Canadian Study Analyzes Nightmares and Bad Dreams
Waking up in the morning after having a bad dream at night might not be the best way to start the day, but, a terrifying nightmare can rock you awake from a sound sleep, leaving you scared and confused. A new study released by psychology researchers Geneviève Robert and Antonio Zadra at the University of […]
Have Researchers Debunked Idea of “Sixth Sense” ?
There are people who claim to have a sixth sense or extrasensory perception (ESP), the ability to acquire or “see” information about the future through means other than normal human senses. Researchers at the University of Melbourne have looked into the matter and say their findings help debunk the belief that a sixth sense actually […]
Moving to the Beat Could Improve Your Reading Skills
People who’ve got rhythm might have an edge when it comes to language and reading skills. A new study in “The Journal of Neuroscience” shows the brains of people who can move to a musical beat react to speech on a more consistent basis than those who don’t, a finding that implies musical training could […]
Scientists Track Happiness with Cell Phones
Every day it seems that people are coming up with new and innovative ways to use mobile devices like cell phones and smartphones. Researchers at Princeton University are looking for new ways to measure a person’s sense of well-being with mobile devices. To gain a better understanding of how cellphones and other mobile device can […]
Warmer Climate Linked to Increased Human Violence
As global temperatures rise, so do our levels of hostility and violence, according to a new study. Scientists from the University of California, Berkeley and Princeton University discovered a strong link between shifts in climate to human violence around the world. The study found that even minor climate deviations, such as slight changes in normal […]