Health Experts Defend E-Cigarettes Amidst Concerns

Medicine & Technology Mar 21, 2015

Health experts at an Abu Dhabi anti-tobacco conference defended e-cigarettes, in spite of the increasing concerns that the devices are not safe and could lure adolescents into nicotine addiction.

‘Water Man of India’ Takes Prize for Bringing Hope to A Dry Future

Mar 21, 2015

While the Nobel Peace Prize may applaud many great acts of human kindness and perseverance, not every year’s winners are designated as those that feed the masses or even bring essential components of life, such as water, to those in need. In order to applaud these efforts, the Stockholm Water Prize was created as the unofficial “Nobel Prize for water”, and each year it recognizes those fighting in the most impoverished nations for potable water to be brought to masses. This year’s laureate, however, is one for the record books as he alone has brought water to 1,000 villages across northern India.

Molecular Nitrogen on Comet 67P Reveals a Frigid Start to Our Solar System

Mar 20, 2015

For the past several months the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Rosetta spacecraft mission has been tailing the famous Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko with many answers at the core of its research. While in orbit the mission has been able to gather an immense amount of data, creating a never-before-seen view of comets as the first spacecraft to ever successfully orbit one in our history. Yet, many molecular ingredients that are thought to have given rise to comets have not been found.

Ancient Croc Ruled North America Before Dinosaurs

Mar 20, 2015

Scientists have unearthed fossils in North Carolina of a large land-dwelling crocodile that lived about 231 million years ago, walked on its hind legs and was the top land predator before dinosaurs even appeared.

Tesla Motors Set to Launch Self Driving Cars This Summer

Mar 20, 2015

If you have been waiting for the likes of Google and Apple to create a self driving car and thought you might have to wait a few years before grabbing one, think again. Tesla motors has announced that its Model S will receive a software update within the next 90 days that will allow it to steer itself on the highway and promised much more automation in the future.

Total Solar Eclipse 2015—Were You Underwhelmed?

Mar 20, 2015

It’s the start to the spring today, and with the vernal equinox came a celestial event unlike those in common occurrence. But while flocks of sky-watchers and astronomers ventured north into the Arctic, where a total solar eclipse would be visible for the last time until 2026 in continental Europe, many were left disappointed at the less than “thrilling” display.

Scientists Believe Ceres Might Have A Volcano

Mar 19, 2015

Since the arrival of the Dawn spacecraft, scientists have been hard at work beginning their studies of the planet that was never meant to be. When it first started its approach, the scientific community was abuzz as the first pictures showed bright spots on the surface. Now, scientists believe that these bright spots could possibly be volcanoes of ice.

After Hopeful Solar Power News, Al Gore May Just Find Another Place in Office

Mar 17, 2015

For years now former Vice President of the United States, Al Gore has been the the man professing the end of the world as we know it. In fact, while his predictions and commentary on the matter of global climate change may have sent scientists and the rest of the American public into a frenzy, they also happened to win him an Academy Award for his film “An Inconvenient Truth”. But with a changing industry and a change in the global conversation, Gore’s recent tone has been a lot more hopeful than it once was. And with news this weekend of an even greater shift towards green energy, with a discovery made by researchers at Brown University, some are hopeful that Gore will once again reclaim an office in the White House with election campaigns starting right around the corner.

Researchers Fly Kites on Earth to Study Mars

Mar 17, 2015

Using an unconventional research method, scientists are seeking to learn more about about Mars by flying a kite here on Earth. The method allows researchers to get a new look at geological features here at home that learn what they could reveal with the hopes of being able to identity similarities with what they see when examining the surface of Mars and potentially other planets and moons as well.

Intricate Organic Molecules—Yeah, We Can 3D Print That

Mar 16, 2015

Perhaps you’re a neurobiologist looking to isolate endocanibinoids from human brains. Any volunteers to offer their brains up for study? You’re not likely to find any takers, but now thanks to some researchers at the University of Illinois, you may just be able to print your own. That’s right, print. In what the researchers are calling the next step in 3D-printing, with a version specifically designed to tailor to researchers, University of Illinois chemists led by lead researcher Martin Burke have develop a machine that can systematically synthesize thousands of different molecules basically from scratch.

Scientists Shed Light on Beaming Solar Power from Space

Mar 15, 2015

While there might be limits to the amount of solar power we can collect here on Earth, scientists have long been studying the notion of harnessing solar power from the endless supply that can be found in space. Now, what was once just a notion in the mind of researchers has taken a huge step towards becoming a reality.

Giant Tortoise Babies Born in the Wild for the First Time in 100 Years

Mar 15, 2015

The Pinzon giant tortoises in the Galapagos Islands are breeding again. For the first time in a century, scientists have found baby giant tortoises that have been born in the wild.

Facts You Should Remember This Pi Day

Mar 14, 2015

This year's Pi Day is something special because it is the first date in a century that represents the first five digits of P or 3.1415. To celebrate this perfect day, grab yourself a piece of pie and check out these fun Pi facts.

Scientists Designate 1610 As the Beginning of a New Human Epoch

Mar 13, 2015

When did humans rise to become the dominant species on the planet? It might not be as long ago as you might think. Scientists now believe that humans didn't truly rise to become the dominant species on the planet with the ability to drastically impact the planet until 1610.

Fluctuations in the Orbit of the Earth Can Impact Global Warming

Mar 13, 2015

A new study from Denmark has found that fluctuations in the orbit of the Earth has been causing periods of dramatic, short-term global warming for at least 1.4 billion years. These fluctuations, known as Milankovitch cycles, are even responsible for some long-term global warming of today’s climate.