Some of the first research to investigate the feeding habits of Australia’s Irukandji box jellyfish (Carukia barnesi) has, interestingly, found that the jellies actively hunt fish — by utilizing twitching in their extended tentacles to move their nematocyst clusters (the parts that stings people/animals) and using them as lures, according to the research. Considering that […]
Box Jellyfish Actively Hunt Fish, Research Finds Read More 👉
The good news is that NASA has just released research on how temperature and rainfall patterns worldwide may change because of the concentrations of greenhouse gas growing in Earth’s atmosphere. The space scientists have based their conclusions on historical measurements and robust scenarios of increasing carbon dioxide produced from 21 climate models: specifically, General Circulation
NASA Releases New Climate Forecasts Through 2100 Read More 👉
“Elevation in Cancer is Certain to Happen” The shale ‘boom’ in the United States since the mid-2000s has resulted in unprecedented growth for the oil and gas industry. This is largely the result of the technology known as ‘fracking’ — hydraulic fracturing. The process involves drilling thousands of feet below the Earth’s surface, then using explosives
The “Significant Public Health Risk” Of Fracking: The Data Mounts Read More 👉
The rise of industrial civilization over the last few hundred years has been accompanied by the extinction of a truly vast number of different animals (as well as plant, fungi, etc) species. While going over all such extinctions would be an impossible thing to do in a single article, it’s probably worth highlighting some of
5 Animals That Have Gone Extinct In The Past 50 Years Read More 👉
Many of those reading this now are probably aware that antibiotics are more or les ubiquitous in the environment now — owing to their ubiquitous use, and disposal. Wastewater is often filled antibiotic residues and compounds (as well prescription drugs remnants as well), leading to the rapid spread of microbial antibiotic resistance in recent years.
Common Wastewater Treatment Methods Are “Creating” New Antibiotics Read More 👉
Dinosaurs were warm-blooded, and we’re much more like mammals than reptiles in their growth and metabolism, according to a new research paper published by Stony Brook University paleontologist Michael D’Emic, PhD. The new work — which found that dinosaurs grew roughly as fast as modern mammals do — is a re-analysis of the widely reported
Droughts, lengthy hot spells, heavy downpours, floods, and other extreme weather events are occurring more frequently and intensely every year. Around the world, research teams are analyzing these trends, noting the changes in temperature, rainfall, ice mass, sea level, and many other variables recorded by weather measuring devices. The trends are undeniable: the Earth is
What Causes Global Warming? Read More 👉
Those with the bent of an inventor will probably like this one — NASA’s new “Journey to Mars Challenge” will be awarding up to $15,000 (from a total prize pot of $15,000) to contest entrants who come up with, and describe in great detail, one or more “Mars surface systems/capabilities and operations” necessary for the
The first large-scale scientific assessment of the oil and gas industry’s impact on the landscapes of the US and Canada was recently completed by researchers at the University of Montana. As anyone who’s seen a picture of what oil fields look like from the air (much less the tar sands) can probably guess, the prognosis
The Lyrids meteor shower will be reaching its peak tonight on April 22, 2015 (technically during the early morning hours of April 23, 2015). Considering that the Lyrid meteor shower is consistently one of the best of the year… Make you sure that you get out there tonight! Regardless of the exact time that you
Meteor Shower Tonight — Lyrids Peak Tonight, April 22 2015 Read More 👉
The Lyrids meteor shower will be reaching its peak this year on the night of April 22, 2015 (early morning hours of April 23, 2015). In other words — the peak is almost here. 🙂 Given that the Lyrids are consistently one of the best and most reliable meteor showers of the year, the upcoming
Lyrids Meteor Shower Peaks Wednesday April 22, 2015 (Early Morning April 23, 2015) Read More 👉
One of the most beloved meteor showers of the year, the Lyrids, is nearly here — with general activity going from around the night of April 16th through the night of April 25th. The Lyrid meteor shower will hit its peak, though, late on the night of April 22, 2015 (the early morning hours of
An aluminum ion battery developed by researchers at Stanford costs less, recharges faster, won’t burst into flames and is environmentally friendly.
Aluminum-Ion Battery Breakthrough At Stanford Read More 👉
A solar eclipse will be visible tomorrow morning — the morning of March 20, 2015 — to those in Europe, North Africa, West Asia, and eastern Greenland. While totality will ‘only’ be visible from the Faroe Islands and the island of Svalbard (north of mainland Norway), the show will still be quite good for everyone
Solar Eclipse Tomorrow Morning, March 20, 2015 Read More 👉
One of the best solar eclipses of recent years for Europe — and the best in the UK in 16 years — is set to occur on Friday, March 20, 2015. While totality will only be visible from Svalbard, Norway, and the Faroe Islands, the rest of Europe (as well as North Africa, Greenland, and
Solar Eclipse On Friday — March 20, 2015 Eclipse Best In Years For Europe Read More 👉
An entire family or Amur Siberian tigers was recently captured on film via a camera trap set up by the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Russia Program — in partnership with the Sikhote-Alin Biosphere Reserve and Udegeiskaya Legenda National Park. The images mark the first time that an adult male, an adult female, and cubs (in this
Siberian Tiger Family Caught On Film — Adult Female, Adult Male, & Three Cubs Read More 👉
Overfishing of South Africa’s already overexpoited marine fish stocks is greatly worsened by government corruption in the region, according to new research. The findings aren’t going to surprise anyone, but perhaps having it spelled out so clearly and succinctly in an official report will have some effect? “When I interviewed inspectors they are surprisingly open
Overfishing In South Africa Greatly Worsened By Government Corruption, Research Finds Read More 👉
The first X-class solar flare in quite some time — and the first of year — was released from the Sun on March 11, 2015. The giant solar flare was actually directed exactly at the Earth, and is known to have caused an hour-long high-frequency radio communications blackout in many areas — according to researchers
A total solar eclipse will be taking place on the morning of March 20, 2015 — with totality being visible only from the Faroe Islands and the island of Svalbard, Norway. That said, an excellent show is still in store for those in the UK, most of Europe, Greenland, northern Africa, Western Asia, and Newfoundland
Solar Eclipse On March 20, 2015 — Deepest Eclipse In UK In Last 16 Years Read More 👉
The use of animals in experimental research in the US has surged over recent years, according to a new analysis based on previously unpublished data collected by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). The new analysis makes the trend pretty clear — the use of animals in laboratory research rose by 73% between the
Experimental Animal Research Has Surged In The US Over Recent Years, Research Finds Read More 👉
Tropical deforestation rates have actually soared over recent years, rather than decreased as was previously estimated in a prominant report from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization’s Forest Resource Assessment, according to new research. The reason for this disparity is a simple one, the UN estimate was based on what people said they did, the
An ‘extinct’ animal known as the Jerdon’s babbler (Chrysomma altirostre) has been found to not actually be extinct after all, after being ‘rediscovered’ by researchers working in Myanmar. I guess this means that even if you’re declared extinct, that perhaps you’re not necessarily actually extinct…. Well if you’re lucky anyways… And being a small, easy
Extinct Animal Not Extinct — Bird Last Seen In 1941 ‘Rediscovered’ Read More 👉
Licorice root (liquorice root) extract protects skin against the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, according to new research published in the journal Experimental Dermatology. Interestingly, the licorice root extract works by strengthening the skin’s own protective defense subsystems, rather than any specific direct action. Given the rising levels of sun-damage-induced skin damage in many
Two new species of peacock spiders — which have been dubbed “Skeletorus” and”Sparklemuffin” — have been discovered (and scientifically described) in Australia, according to recent reports. The two new species of peacock spider were discovered in southeast Queensland by a graduate student at UC Berkeley by the name of Madeline Girard — with help from
2 New Species Of Peacock Spiders Discovered — Skeletorus & Sparklemuffin Read More 👉
It’s been noted for a number of years now that urbanization has an effect on various animal and plant species — driving changes in various qualities or traits. Spiders in cities are known to generally be larger than their compatriots in rural areas, for instance (possibly due to reduced predation and higher temperatures, etc); salmon
The Dance of the Planets is here yet again, with a conjunction of the planets Venus, Mars, Uranus, and the crescent Moon, all visible together tonight in the evening sky. Venus and the Moon will of course be the brightest of these, but the reddish body of Mars should be fairly visible as well, of
Plants are apparently affected far less by mass extinctions than animals are, according to new research from the University of Gothenberg. Despite their ubiquity in the terrestrial environments of the last 400 or so million years, plants just don’t seem to be as affected by mass extinction events as animals are, according to the new
Plants Much Less Affected By Mass Extinctions Than Animals, Research Finds Read More 👉
An estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic ends up in the oceans every year, according to new research from the University of Georgia and the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis. To be exact, the research found that between 4.8 and 12.7 million metric tons of plastic found its way into the ocean
8 Million Metric Tons Of Plastic Go Into The Oceans Every Year, Research Finds Read More 👉
Milk thistle extract (silbinin) works effectively to alleviate symptoms of Cushing Disease (caused by a tumor in the pituitary gland in the brain), according to new comprehensive research from the Max Planck Institute. The research included work done using cell cultures, animal models, and also human tumor tissue. The treatment appears to be so effective
Milk Thistle Extract Fights Cushing Disease Brain Tumor, Research Finds Read More 👉
Warm ocean temperatures in the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans could be bringing major coral bleaching events to reefs around the world in 2015, according to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) latest forecast. Coming fresh on the heels of 2014’s severe coral bleaching events, this prediction doesn’t bode well for one of the
Major Global Coral Reef Bleaching Events Predicted For 2015 Read More 👉
[Updated/corrected, April 22, 2015] The world’s most powerful particle accelerator — the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) — is scheduled to restart in March of 2015, after a two year hiatus for repairs and upgrades (and data analysis). The machine is located at CERN (in Switzerland) the largest and most prestigious high energy physics laboratory in
World’s Most Powerful Particle Collider to Restart in March 2015 – What Can We Expect? Read More 👉
While it’s long been known that antibiotic use can cause problems for patients owing to the killing off of beneficial microbes throughout the body, notable further effects on human health have otherwise been sparsely recorded by the health/science establishment. New research supported by Oregon State University, the Medical Research Foundation of Oregon, and the National
Like many who live in the US Southwest, I’ve made my peace with the seemingly ever-present drought conditions here, and it’s somewhat like a sick joke to imagine that these desert lands could be any more arid, but if the predictions from a newly released study prove out, it could get a whole lot drier
Worst Drought In 1000 Years Coming To US Southwest & Great Plains Read More 👉
The Costa Rican coral snake has finally given up some the secrets behind the lethality of its venom, — after more than a decade of research — thanks to new work from an international group of scientists. Until this work, the mechanisms behind the lethality of the venom of reclusive coral snake species Micrurus mipartitus
The various Centaurid meteor showers (Alpha, Beta, Theta) will begin reaching their peak over the next few nights. The night of February 8, 2015, was actually when the peak for the Alpha Centaurids was reached, but the peak for the Beta Centaurids and the Theta Centaurids is now nearly here. It should be noted up
An enormous swarm of over 300 quite large manatees all decided to bear down together a few days ago on the Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River, Florida, forcing the closure of the springs to the public. The manatee swarm isn’t particularly unusual as manatees are known to spend significant amounts of time near springs
Manatee Swarm At Three Sisters Springs In Florida Shuts The Place Down Read More 👉
Some images of what appears to be a very large dead snake hanging on a electric fence have been making their way around the net lately. Given the profusion of utter crap, lies, and just plain nonsense, on the internet it can sometimes be hard to tell exactly what’s real and what’s not. And this
Snake On A Fence — Hanging Dead Snake Photo, Real Or Fake? Read More 👉
Is there a deadly type of snake known as a “snow snake” killing people in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania? Is there even such a thing as a snow snake? Can someone actually read the viral clipping below without laughing? I have a hard time believing that someone could actually believe this, but, there you go,
Mercury levels in Hawaiian Yellowfin Tuna have been rising fairly rapidly over the last few decades, according to new research from the University of Michigan and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. The work — which was done by compiling and re-analyzing three previously published reports on yellowfin tuna caught near Hawaii — found that, in
Mercury-Levels Rising Fast In Hawaiian Yellowfin Tuna, Research Finds Read More 👉
A significant proportion — 20-25% — of all well-known marine species are headed rapidly towards extinction, new research from the University of Sheffield’s Department of Animal and Plant Sciences has found. The new work — which made use of the most comprehensive conservation data available for both marine and non-marine organisms — demonstrates that marine
20-25% Of All Well-Known Marine Species Headed Towards Extinction, Research Finds Read More 👉
One of the most endangered primates, and the most endangered chimpanzee subspecies in the world — the Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti) — is likely to see its numbers plummet over the coming years, according to new research published in BMC Evolutionary Biology. As it stands currently, there are around ~6,000 individuals of this subspecies
The ongoing ‘gold rush’ occurring in the tropical forests of South America has led to extensive deforestation over the last few years, new research from the University of Puerto Rico has found. Gold-mining in the region has been increasing rapidly in recent years — with a huge spike in such activity being seen since the
New research from the University of Arizona has shown us yet another example of the many ways in which GMO-crops (genetically modified organisms) fail to live up to the hype. In this case, the research found that the efficacy of pest control via GMO-use has been notably exaggerated — and that many assumptions about the
GMO-Crops Don’t Live Up To The Hype With Regards To Pest Control, Research Shows Read More 👉
Believe it or not, the carnivorous-plants known as pitcher plants actually use a relatively complex strategy to maximize the number of ants that they catch, new research has shown. The plants actually use what is probably one of the oldest tricks in the book as far as strategy goes — randomization, makes yourself one way
An incredible tug-of-war between the two stars in the binary pulsar system J1906 actually warps space-time itself owing to the powerful effects of each on the other. Owing to its spin, the pulsar emits a sort-of lighthouse-like beam of radio-waves roughly every 144 milliseconds. New research from the University of British Columbia has now resulted
Pulsar Tug-Of-War Warps Space-Time Itself, Research Finds Read More 👉
If you were to find an incredibly rare and quite striking looking butterfly, what would be your first reaction? What would you do? Appreciate the experience perhaps? Wonder about the turns of fate that led you there? Committed the experience to memory? Or… kill it, preserve it, and put it on display in a museum
More than 28,000 endangered lemurs (across a variety of different species) are currently illegally kept as pets in the only country that they exist in, Madagascar, according to a recent study. Even important public figures, and also those who are supposed to enforce the ban, were apparently found by the study to keep them as
Comet LoveJoy — officially known as C/2014 Q2 — will be reaching its closest approach to the Earth tonight (~43.5 million miles), as well as its brightest-appearance as seen from the Earth. The comet is expected to reach a peak of about ~4.5 magnitude tonight — which means that it will be fairly visible (even