Amazing Images: The Best Science Photos of the Week

Here are the stories behind the most amazing images in the world of science this week. A recap of the coolest photos featured on Live Science.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/1dD6fox

8 Things We Learned About Human Nature in 2016

This year, researchers have explored these questions and more, delivering fascinating insights into human nature. Here are eight of the most intriguing stories on human nature from this year.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hUAJF6

Universe May Have Lost 'Unstable' Dark Matter

How much dark matter has gone missing since the Big Bang? New research suggests anywhere from 2 to 5 percent.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2iq7eOW

'New Year's Eve Comet' and More: Three Flybys Will Kick Off 2017 New Year

The "New Years' Eve Comet" that's been streaking across the sky this December isn't the only otherworldly visitor ringing in the New Year in Earth's neighborhood.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2iqhIxZ

Low Iron Levels May Be Linked to Hearing Loss

When people have low levels of iron in their blood, they may develop a condition called iron deficiency anemia, which is known to have wide-ranging effects throughout the body.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2iNPu0J

NASA's Curiosity Rover Spots Purple Rocks on Mars

Mars may appear red when viewed from Earth, but NASA's Curiosity rover has captured an up-close photo of the planet's mountainous landscape, and there are purple-colored rocks littered across the foreground.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hCI3ZZ

Magnetic-Field 'Avalanches' May Explain 'Alien Megastructure' Star

The darkening of a mysterious star, which might be due to "alien megastructures," according to some researchers' theories, might instead be due to avalanche-like magnetic activity within the star, a new study finds.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hAk5wP

Why Does the Sun Have Spots?

Explaining the source of sunspots is a pretty tough nut to crack.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2ifKeBO

Earth Scientists Are Freaking Out. NASA Urges Calm.

Amid rumors and what-if scenarios, NASA tells researchers to "be a source of signal, not a source of noise."

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2iNqaI8

'Leap Second' Will Make New Year's Eve Just a Little Bit Longer

Time will tack hang for a second at the stroke of midnight tonight as an extra leap second is added to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hwRsNQ

Magnetic Supersense Could Inspire Ultrasensitive Prosthetic Limbs

A hairy electronic skin filled with teeny magnetic microwires could be used to give people with prosthetic limbs a sense of touch, or could even be used in robots to help them "feel" their surroundings.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2iloDG6

What Does 2017 Hold for Climate Change Policy?

The incoming Trump administration has signaled hostility toward climate science and policy.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hTPSGO

How's How 7 New Year's Eve Traditions Got Started

From smooching with a sweetie to blowing things up, here are the roots for six New Year’s Traditions.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hyUJiN

One Breath Into This Breathalyzer Can Diagnose 17 Diseases

A single breath into a newfangled breathalyzer is all doctors need to diagnose 17 different diseases, including lung cancer, irritable bowel syndrome and multiple sclerosis, a new study found.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2ikvRtY

Health by the Numbers: 6 Key Findings from 2016

Are there more or fewer doctors than ever before? How many people are really smoking weed? Are people opting for the flu vaccine in greater numbers?

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2iv7k57

Why Do We Celebrate New Year's on Jan. 1?

Though most people now celebrate the new year on Jan. 1, it wasn't always this way.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2imGzmk

Zika to Weed: 8 Huge Health Stories from 2016

From the elimination of measles in the U.S. to the advance of potential new treatments for Alzheimer's disease, 2016 was a jam-packed year for health news.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2iJy8C1

CRISPR 'Kill' Switch Could Make Human Gene Editing Safer

A new viral protein could be used as an "off switch" for one of the most powerful and promising gene editing tools, potentially making it safer for human applications.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2iJsGiw

Why It Pays to Be Vague When Negotiating Prices

In negotiating, is a more precise opening offer always better?

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2iJghem

Debbie Reynolds' Death: Can You Die of a Broken Heart?

Did Debbie Reynolds die of a broken heart?

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2iJbTfL

Climate Change Could Kill the World's Oldest Trees

The ancient bristlecone pine trees of California, the world's oldest trees, are in danger of becoming extinct thanks to climate change.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hQUOMP

Animal Sex: How Nine-Banded Armadillos Do It

Though nine-banded armadillos are solitary creatures, they do occasionally get together for some genital sniffing, tail wagging and clucking in order to have sex.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2ilvB0d

Weird Clouds Linger on Saturn's Moon Titan

Mysterious, thin, wispy clouds hide under the hazy upper atmosphere of Saturn's largest moon, Titan. Interestingly, the elusive clouds are not visible in all images captured by the cameras aboard NASA's Cassini spacecraft.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hw3uue

China's Lofty Space Ambitions Include 2018 Landing on Moon's Far Side

China's Information Office of the State Council on December 27 released an expansive white paper on that country's space activities in 2016, and projected looks at its space agenda in coming years.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2itLBdM

WWII-Era Spy Tech Could Make Ultra Secure Bank Cards

The Enigma machine's cipher technology featured in the Imitation Game movie will be used to generate codes more secure than those on the back of credit cards.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hz1qmM

Ancient Stone Bowl Unearthed in Jerusalem Perplexes Experts

It's unclear whether a mysterious 2,100-year-old stone bowl fragment recently unearthed in Jerusalem belonged to royalty or a commoner, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced late last week.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2iiJ4G3

Northern Lights' Festive Show Captured in Stunning NASA Image

The night after the winter solstice, the skies over northern Canada were alight with the aurora borealis.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2i8ulgz

Harbor Near Ancient Corinth Turned It Into a Trading Hotspot

When nautical visitors sailed into the ancient Grecian city of Lechaion, they would have first encountered a monumental entrance leading to several inland canals, all of which were connected to no fewer than four harbor basins, archaeologists said.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2htOdKj

Nice Try: Top 5 Retracted Science Studies of 2016

Our annual countdown of significant or otherwise humorous scientific retractions.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2ieu1Lb

Surreal Science: 9 Strange Health Findings from 2016

Science is weird – and a number of new findings during 2016 proved it.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2iEF3Z7

Coral Reefs Threatened By Climate Change, Studied From High Above | Video

"As much as one quarter of ocean species depend on coral reefs for food or shelter," according to NASA. Rising sea levels and temperatures threaten these important ecosystems, which also play an important role economically around the world.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2iqQG6N

The Biggest Solved and Unsolved Mysteries of 2016

Hobbits were established to NOT be human, we learned what killed off an ancient, giant ape, but we still don't know what caused the "Wow!" signal nor what happened to Malaysian Flight 370.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2idXcy7

Long-Sought 'Attack' Signal in Type 1 Diabetes Identified

Type 1 diabetes may be triggered by distress signals sent out with cells from the pancreas, new research suggests.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2ih0gMd

Photos: Incredible New Species Discovered in 2016

Would you like to cross paths with a hairy tarantula from Colombia or a Thai newt that looks like a "Star Trek" Klingon? If the answer is yes, you're in good company.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2i760I5

Cheetahs Are Racing Toward Extinction

Only about 7,100 cheetahs remain in the world, and their numbers are declining quickly.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hlKNpB

100 Best Science Photos of the Year

From stunning animals like a dancing peacock spider, to ancient history, including a striking Etruscan sarcophagus in the shape of a woman’s face, to the plain bizarre, such as an ancient tattoo on a mummy’s neck, 2016 was full of great science images.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hlBTZ6

The 7 Most Intriguing Diet and Weight-Loss Findings of 2016

Researchers who study diet and weight loss learned many things during 2016. Here are some of their most intriguing findings.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2iex48u

Carrie Fisher's Death: What Happens When the Heart Stops Beating?

Carrie Fisher passed away today (Dec. 27) after suffering a heart attack while on a flight from London to Los Angeles on Dec. 23, People Magazine reports.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2iAUzJF

Giant Dinosaur Discoveries of 2016

A fossilized dinosaur brain, a pregnant T. rex and a bloody preserved dino tail, among other finds, make 2016 one of the best years for paleontology buffs.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2iB4n2c

The 16 Strangest Medical Cases of 2016

Here are Live Science's picks for the 16 strangest medical cases of 2016.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2ib1x5c

Incredible Earth Pics Snapped From Space Station In 2016 | Video

The Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit at NASA’s Johnson Space Center sifted through thousands of photos to deliver their top 16 of 2016. Astronauts aboard the International Space Station captured all of the breathtaking images.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hkMJP9

10 Crazy New Skills That Robots Picked Up in 2016

Here's a roundup of some of the coolest (or scariest, depending on how you feel) abilities machines added to their repertoire in the last year.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2izfKMc

The Year in Climate Change: 2016's Most Depressing Stories

2016 had some very depressing headlines regarding global warming and the planet's overall environmental health.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2icVDmu

Ancient Underwater Potato Garden Uncovered in Canada

Archaeologists discovered hundreds of Indian potatoes at a once-waterlogged prehistoric garden in British Columbia.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hjDJdn

Building 'Fantastic Beasts': How Artists Model Magical Creatures

Living animals provided 3D artists with inspiration for the magical creatures in "Fantastic Beasts."

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2iaIGcA

In Photos: A Bevy of Magical 'Fantastic Beasts'

The film "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" revisits the wizarding world of Harry Potter and spotlights the magical creatures that inhabit it.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2ike3ig

The 9 Biggest Archaeology Findings of 2016

From new Dead Sea Scrolls to the youngest mummy ever found in Egypt, to a 1,500-year-old stone complex the size of 200 American football fields to the tomb of Jesus, here's a look at the biggest archaeology stories of 2016.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2iwrUkS

How to Jump-Start Your Exercise Routine in 2017

Live Science has pulled together the best studies and expert advice about exercise.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hmX8gC

How to Eat Healthy in 2017 (and Cut Sugar, Salt and Fat)

Want to eat healthier in the New Year? We can help. Live Science’s resolution is to make a healthier you in 2017. February’s goal is eating better.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hH3Sn4

How to Lose Weight in 2017 (and Keep It Off for Good)

Want to lose weight in the New Year? We can help. Live Science’s resolution is to make a healthier you in 2017. January’s goal is weight loss.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hqL6o4

Why Is Santa Always White?

As the cultural diversity in the U.S. increases, scholars are exploring how to discuss with children issues of importance, like race and religion, through stories.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hizPEz

Biggest Natural Disasters of 2016: Year of the Earthquake

Here are some of the headline-grabbing natural disasters that occurred this year.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2ine7gy

The 10 Strangest Science Stories of 2016

From glowworm mucous to the strange quantum behavior of light, here's the weird science of 2016.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hykqh4

5,000-Year-Old Nativity Scene Found in Egypt

Ancient cave art in the Egyptian Sahara desert depicts two parents, a baby and a star in the east.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hPv6Lb

Facts About Red Pandas

Red pandas are small mammals with long, fluffy tails and red and white markings. They are not related to giant pandas.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h8b1ff

Jamestown: Facts & History

Jamestown, founded in 1607, was the first successful permanent English settlement in what would become the United States.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/1Gfn1Ei

7 Tips for Moving Toward a More Plant-Based Diet

Whether you want to go full vegetarian, or simply include more plant-based foods in your diet, here are some tips that can help.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hwm4jk

UN Will Take on 'Killer Robots' in 2017

International pressure mounts for a preemptive ban on lethal autonomous weapons systems.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2i6vgeZ

Ammonia Detected in Earth's Atmosphere for First Time

In an unexpected first, researchers have discovered ammonia in the troposphere, Earth's lowest atmospheric layer, a new study finds.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hhpk6g

Why Do My Eyes Close When I Sneeze?

Is it a foregone conclusion that we can't help closing our eyes during a sneeze? Not quite, researchers say.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hhtR8K

Time of Death? Check the Body's 'Necrobiome'

It's a line you'll hear in almost any crime show after someone finds the body — the detective turns to the medical examiner and asks, "Time of death?"

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hZHbOH

Bizarre Fish Are Deadly Deep-Sea Predators (And Twitter Stars)

Strangely shaped deep-sea fish have found an unexpected but appreciative audience on land.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2ikub2p

Weird Dinosaur Species Had Teeth Only in Youth

By the time they were 3 years old, ostrich-like dinosaurs called Limusaurus inextricabilis had lost all of their pointy teeth, and lived the rest of their lives as toothless beasts, a new study finds.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hgRQF7

First Gorilla Born in Captivity Turns 60 | Video

Meet Colo, the oldest gorilla in the world. The western lowland gorilla has lived all her life in Ohio's Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2ifsVBE

What in the Whirled? Starfish Larvae Stir Up Algae Dinner

Starfish larvae churn water with food in mind.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2huYfso

Colo, World's Oldest Gorilla, Turns 60 (Photos)

Born in 1956 at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Colo, the oldest gorilla in the world, celebrates her 60th birthday on December 22, 2016.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2ijqlXs

Happy Birthday, Colo! World's Oldest Gorilla Celebrates 60th

The first gorilla born in human care turned 60 years old on Dec. 22 at her home in the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2ijp6rd

Baby 'Spiders' on Mars Expand Across Sand Dunes (Photos)

New images captured by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter show small, erosion-carved cracks in Red Planet sand dunes. The features may be infant versions of similar-looking but larger Martian channel-networks that have been dubbed spiders.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2i50Z0b

In Photos: 1.5-Ton Humanoid 'Robot'

Photos on Facebook and Instagram purport to show a humanoid robot 13 feet (4 meters) tall, weighing 1.5 tons, being developed in South Korea. Live Science could not confirm the veracity of the images.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2huITno

Viral Video Hoax: Towering Humanoid Robot Raises Questions

A video of a giant humanoid robot is exciting, but there are questions about its origins.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hfUQ4C

What Are Biofilms?

Biofilms are slimy layers of microorganisms that stick to wet surfaces. They may cause up to 80 percent of infections.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2icPnvw

Baby's Feet Outside Mom's Uterus: Amazing Image Shows Rare Rupture

Just looking at this image might give the impression that this woman's baby literally kicked its feet right out of her uterus.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2ic2a17

Colorful Hawaiian Fish Named in Honor of President Obama

Next time he's vacationing in Hawaii, President Barack Obama might just bump into his new namesake: a pink, yellow and blue coral-reef fish that researchers have named in the president's honor.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2ibytx6

Mystery of 'Alien Megastructure' Star Testing Astronomers' Creativity

Astronomers may have to think a little harder to solve the mystery of Boyajian's star, whose strange dimming events over the past seven years have spawned talk of a possible "alien megastructure."

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2haNhKR

Failed 'Blood Miracle' Forecasts Disaster in 2017

The blood of a martyred bishop failed to turn from solid to liquid after being shaken. Are we doomed?

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2haEDM8

Lavish Carpet Fragments Recovered from 17th-Century Dutch Shipwreck

Divers have recovered fragments of a lavish silk-and-wool carpet at a 17th-century shipwreck off the coast of the Netherlands.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hawhnS

Pot-Shop Employees Often Recommend Wrong Strain of Marijuana

The people who work at marijuana dispensaries have not know enough about marijuana to give accurate recommendations, a new survey finds.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hTxOxw

Are Wealthy People More Giving?

Wealth can generate a feeling of autonomy and self-sufficiency, which can lead people to focus on personal goals rather than the needs of others. That means rich people may be less giving than the poor.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hSR8uH

Starfish Larvae Churn Whirlpools With 100,000 Tiny Hairs

High-speed video reveals that starfish larvae create whirlpools to trap algae meals.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h1dd8r

What's Cookin'? Nothing, If You Were an Early Human

About a million years before steak tartare came into fashion, Europe's earliest humans were eating raw meat and uncooked plants. But their raw cuisine wasn't a trendy diet; rather, they had yet to use fire for cooking, a new study finds.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2i9PsA5

Obama Bans Arctic Drilling Ahead of Trump Inauguration

The Obama administration put vast swaths of the Arctic and Atlantic oceans off limits to oil and gas drilling to protect marine life, address climate change and safeguard the areas from development after President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2i9Urkc

Ups & Downs: The Evolution of Elevators

The need to move things to the next level has been recognized for thousands of years.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hTLz1y

Winter Solstice: The Science of the Shortest Day of 2016

Winter officially kicks off Wednesday (Dec. 21), which marks the December solstice — the day with the fewest hours of sunlight of 2016. Here's why.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h8rFP2

Health Quiz: Test Your Knowledge on the Biggest Stories of 2016

How well did you follow health news in 2016? Test your knowledge with our 10-question quiz.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h7NgaA

The Longest Night: Do We Sleep Better on the Solstice?

The winter solstice is the longest night of the year. But will that extra time of darkness help you sleep better?

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h7DiFO

Seafloor Robot Breaks World Record While Collecting Climate Data

The robot is the only of its kind, and the record it broke was its own.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hX3gKJ

Photos: The Freakiest-Looking Fish

Some of the stranger finned creatures of the deep.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/1nJjir4

Mysterious 'Ghost Shark' Found for 1st Time in Northern Hemisphere

An elusive "ghost shark" has come out of hiding, as video has captured footage of the fish — whose face looks as if it were stitched together in a Frankenstein-like manner — for the first time in the Northern Hemisphere.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gYYKcR

Mouthwash May Kill Gonorrhea Bacteria

The bacteria that cause gonorrhea can be found in a person's mouth — but killing them may be as simple as gargling with mouthwash, a new study from Australia finds.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h8GP8F

Bizarre Antimatter Emits Same Light As Regular Matter

For the first time, physicists have shown that atoms of antimatter appear to give off the same kind of light that atoms of regular matter do when illuminated with lasers, a new study finds.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hQegwi

Anne Frank Wasn't Betrayed? New Research Could Rewrite History

Anne Frank and her family may have been discovered by accident.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gXmzBZ

'Klingon Newt' and 'Ziggy Stardust' Snake: New Species Found in Asia

A "Klingon newt" and a "Ziggy Stardust" snake are two of 163 new species recently discovered in Southeast Asia.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hDiJSm

In Photos: Bizarre New Species Discoveries Include 'Klingon Newt'

The Greater Mekong region in Southeast Asia holds an incredible range of biodiversity, and new species found in 2015 include a "Ziggy Stardust" snake and a newt that resembles a Star Trek Klingon.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hPdHk0

Deaths from Fentanyl Overdoses Double in a Single Year

The number of people in the U.S. who died from an overdose of the opioid painkiller fentanyl more than doubled in just a single year, according to a new report.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hObuoN

Facts About Echidnas

Echidnas are walking contradictions. They are mammals, but they lay eggs. They are described as long-beaked and short-beaked, but they don't have beaks in the traditional sense.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2i9zgut

Amazon: Earth's Mightiest River

The Amazon River is a massive, intricate water system. It is by far the mightiest river on Earth in terms of volume and width.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hOJEew

Are Mars' Dark Streaks Really Evidence of Liquid Water?

The detection of hydrated salts within Mars’ intriguing, seasonally appearing dark streaks aren’t necessarily proof of liquid water, according to a new study.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hO7YNB

Space Junk Solution? Japan Would Use a Tether to Nab Debris & Destroy It

A new technology that would use a roughly half-mile-long tether to grab large pieces of space debris and dispose of them is being tested in space.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hSYoGu

Patients Treated by Female Docs Have Lower Risk of Death

f you're In the hospital, the gender of your doctor may matter.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2i2ClQP

Dozens Dead in Siberia from Drinking Bath Oil: How Methanol Kills

Nearly 50 people died recently in a Siberian city after they drank bath oil as a substitute for alcohol. But why was the substance so deadly?

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hMWWG6

Why Do Kids Believe in Santa Claus?

Most children are not likely to believe that fish live on the moon. What makes children accept some stories and be skeptical about others?

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hk2cje

Molten 'Jet Stream' Discovered Deep Inside Earth

A band of molten iron is churning slowly deep inside Earth, much in the same way as a jet stream, a new study finds.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hMSI11

If an Asteroid Hits the Ocean, Does It Make a Tsunami? (Probably Not)

A complex computer simulation has modeled the impact of an asteroid in the ocean and the results may surprise you.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hSrpSA

Marijuana Use on the Rise Among Pregnant Women

Marijuana use among pregnant women in the U.S. increased by 62 percent from 2002 to 2014, a new study finds.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hMDqvy

8 Ways Animal Flight Inspires Drone Designs

How do scientists build better flying robots? They look to the natural world for inspiration.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hAaS8b

Your Giving Brain: Are Humans 'Hard-Wired' for Generosity?

Neuroscience suggests that people are predisposed to be more like Santa than Scrooge.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2i6X2Hy

Anxiety May Give Dogs Gray Hair

Just like human hair, dogs' fur can go gray if they're going through tough times, a new study finds.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2i62QAS

How to Search for Life on Mars

To aid in the search for life on Mars, people should look at the way primitive life on Earth modifies the environment around it.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hZbrcA

Losing Weight - How The Human Body 'Burns' Fat | Video

The body breaks fat down after it runs out of another energy source, sugar.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hcoeEB

Last Minute Gifts Ideas For 7- to 10-Year-Olds | Video

Live Science's Laura Geggel presents two fun-filled games that encourage logical thinking and spatial reasoning - Gravity Maze and Cool Circuits. Find out where to buy them and more in our guide for Educational Toys and Games for 7- to 10-Year-Olds

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gMlj4I

Last Minute Gift Ideas For Infants And Toddlers | Video

Live Science's Laura Geggel showcases Fisher-Price Newborn-to-Toddler Play Gym, Play Dino and Busy Learner's Activity Cube. Find out where to buy them and more in our guide for Educational Toys and Games For Infant and Toddlers.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hcaBoZ

'Nightmare' Superbug May Have Spread Outside Hospitals

Six people in Colorado recently became infected with a "nightmare" superbug that until now, has mostly been limited to people in hospitals.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hXXFmG

Could an Earthquake 'Invisibility Cloak' Shield Buildings from Damage?

Earthquake cloaks, made up of thousands of precisely drilled boreholes, could potentially deflect seismic waves from expensive infrastructure.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gJVjXz

Newfound Plant Named for Music Legend Jimi Hendrix

Music icon Jimi Hendrix is famous for his many songs, including "Purple Haze" and "The Wind Cries Mary," but now he'll also be remembered for an entirely different reason: Botanists have named a newfound species of rare, flowery succulent after him.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hsOxJG

New Flying Robots Take Cues From Airborne Animals

From navigating turbulence, to sleeping midflight, to soaring without a sound, animals' flight adaptations are helping scientists design better flying robots.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gJWkPt

MEL Chemistry Experiments - Gift Guide Pick For Middle-Schoolers | Video

MEL Chemistry is a next-generation series of chemistry experiments that arrive in the mail every month. Live Science's Mindy Weisberger explains and performs an experiment from the kit.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gTED3i

Hundreds of Historic Texts Hidden in ISIS-Occupied Monastery

More than 400 ancient texts have been saved at the Mar Behnam monastery, a place that ISIS had occupied for more than two years.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gTm9Qg

IBM's Watson Turns Its Computer Brain to NASA Research

IBM's question-answering whiz, the Watson computer system, is digging into aerospace research and data to help NASA answer questions on the frontier of spaceflight science and make crucial decisions in the moment during air travel.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hWTJ5D

In Photos: Historic Texts Hidden in Christian Monastery in Iraq

A few weeks before the Islamic State group (also called ISIS) occupied the Mar Behnam monastery, a young priest hid more than 400 ancient texts behind a makeshift wall. Here's a look at the monastery and texts.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hseokW

'Very Dangerous' Powdered Gloves Banned for Doctors

At your next doctor's exam, one thing will be certain: Your physician won't be using powdered medical gloves.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hDsRsA

Winter Outlook 2017: What's the Forecast for Your Region?

Is the U.S. in for a bitterly cold winter or a bearable one? It all depends on where you live, according to a three-month outlook published by the U.S. Climate Prediction Center.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gSov3i

Zap! 'Petrified Lightning' Could Reveal the Shocking Heat of the Strikes

Petrified lightning could provide insight into how much energy is produced during these shocking strikes.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gJ5iMJ

Axial Seamount Lava FLows Captured by ROV | Highlight Video

In August 2015, lava flows were captured by the Remotely Operated Vehicle Jason during the Axial Expedition 2015.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hCYfam

Mysterious Mariana Trench Noise May Be Minke Whale Call | Video

Scientists now think that a a weird sound that was recorded in the Mariana Trench in the Western Pacific Ocean may be that of a minke whale, a type of baleen whale.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h8tvgo

How to Build a Death Star

A physicist tries to figure out if it's possible to build Star Wars' Death Star, the moon-size space station with a weapon powerful enough to destroy a planet.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hCPM79

Mysterious Metallic Sound in the Mariana Trench Finally Identified

Around the deepest parts of the ocean, scientists eavesdropped on whale conversations.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hruziA

In Photos: Wild Creatures Inhabit Undersea Vent

Hairy-chested crabs and alien-looking worms festoon mineral chimneys along the seafloor, nourished by the sizzling-hot fluids gushing out from these "spires." Check out these amazing photos of the deep-sea animals.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gSkuKC

Hairy Crab and Other Bizarre Creatures Found at Deep-Sea 'Smoker'

Surprising connections emerge between the world's undersea vents, including the Jabberwocky vent.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hVM1sr

Photos: Take a Tour of the Spectacular Yosemite Valley

The Yosemite Valley's beautiful landscape of promontories, sheer walls, domes and waterfalls create some of the most scenic views anywhere in North America.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gRzIS3

Who Invented the Traffic Light?

The answer is not so simple, as several inventors came up with different designs around the same time.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hqCc8Q

How Researchers Tapped into Brain Activity to Boost People's Confidence

There may be a way to tap into people's brain activity to boost their confidence, a new study suggests.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gPoEES

Isaac Newton's Book Auctioned for Record-Setting $3.7 Million

A bound copy of Sir Isaac Newton's seminal book on mathematics and science was sold for $3.7 million, making it the most expensive printed scientific book ever sold at auction, according to Christie's.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hCnkSw

Water Ice Found On Dwarf Planet Ceres, Hidden in Permanent Shadow

Water ice exists on the surface of Ceres, new observations have confirmed. The water ice is harbored in regions on the surface of this massive asteroid that are permanently cloaked in shadow.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gGHRDL

What Does the Department of Energy Do, Really?

Assuming Rick Perry is confirmed as the new Secretary of Energy, he will face a paradox, as the DOE doesn't spend most of its resources on energy production. Here's what the department really does.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gQreZP

'Mic'd Up' Underwater Volcano Offers Unique Glimpse of Submarine Eruptions

Last year's eruption of one of the most active submarine volcanoes is offering clues about these explosive processes, which could help scientists better understand volcanoes on land, including those that pose serious threats to humans.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hzgz6J

Denying Abortion Access May Harm Women's Mental Health

Abortions don't harm women's mental health, but being denied access to one might, a new study finds.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gQmHGF

Aging May Be Reversible: Researchers Rejuvenate Older Mice

Scientists have found a way to turn back the clock on cells, and mice given the treatment looked younger and had a longer lifespan.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hC4ZF4

Glowworms Spit Out Urine Ingredient to Make Webs Sticky

Glowworms create dazzling threads to trap unsuspecting insects. And now, researchers think they may have found the secret ingredient in the worms' traps: urea from their guts.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h5a0Wd

Earth's Biggest Diamonds May Form in Strange 'Metal Pools'

The world's largest, most valuable diamonds may be born in pockets of liquid metal located deep within the Earth, a new study finds.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hBteTP

Imaging Advance May Soon Show Unborn Babies in 3D

Someday, a mother-to-be may be able to put on a virtual reality headset and get a clear, 360-degree look at her own fetus in the womb.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gNUzp3

Here's What Caused the New York City 'Zombie' Outbreak

An uncommon drug caused a "zombie" outbreak in a New York City neighborhood this past summer, and now a new report identifies the exact compound that the affected people took.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hKgo9o

For Goodness' Sake? Santa Delivers for Both Naughty and Nice Kids, Study Finds

It turns out that it's not whether kids are naughty or nice that determines if Santa pays them a visit on Christmas. Nor is it the distance that Santa needs to travel from the North Pole.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hJFlRY

Polar Vortex 2017 - What It Is and How Long It Will Last

A swirling mass of cold air usually stays parked at the poles, but sometimes that system can weaken, sending an Arctic blast southward into the U.S.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gMWIl3

Do Hair and Nails Keep Growing After a Person Dies?

It's all just one morbid optical illusion.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/1ykYOXP

Atacama Desert May Have Been Marshland When First Settlers Arrived

The Atacama Desert, the world's driest place outside of the poles, may have once harbored wetlands and lakes that allowed America's first settlers to colonize the continent.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hoo9k6

New Sea-Level Rise Projection Raises Threat to World's Coasts

About one-quarter of the world's population lives in coastal areas that will be unlivable by the year 2100 because of rising sea levels, researchers say.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hotLuW

Cold War-Era Satellites Spy on Himalayan Glaciers

The Cold War may have ended decades ago, but spy satellites' data from that era are now being used for a new mission: tracking environmental change in the Himalayas.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hmLOkY

Alan Thicke's Death: How Do Heart Attacks Kill So Fast?

Why do some people survive heart attacks, while others don't?

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h1HKDz

Is Climate Change Shrinking Glaciers? Likelihood Is 99 Percent

How likely is it that mountain glaciers' retreat is caused by climate change? About 99 percent likely, according to a new study.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gK9KQc

Real, Fake or Natural? Why Sweetener Type May Not Matter For Diet

The sweetener in your beverage makes little difference in terms of the overall calories you consume in a day, a new study suggests.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hwZ5oS

Jingle Bytes? Artificial Intelligence Writes a Christmas Song

You might find yourself wishing for a silent night after you hear the first Christmas song written by artificial intelligence.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h15rfu

62-Foot Wave Off Iceland Smashes World Record

A monstrous swell in the North Atlantic that rose up as high as a six-story building is now the world's tallest wave measured by a buoy, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gBhkHL

Tiny Starfish Larva Mesmerizes in Award-Winning Video

A video showing whorls of water swirling around a tiny starfish larva earned the top prize in a Nikon competition.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h0OnWV

Tiny Predators Win Video Microscopy Contest | Video

A diverse range of miniscule organisms were big winners in the annual Nikon Small World in Motion Photomicrography Competition.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hw4XhZ

'Slow Motion' Earthquake Put New Zealand at Risk for Another Temblor

The capital of New Zealand is primed for a major earthquake, thanks to the massive restructuring of stress on faults beneath the country.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hO0Ltl

2016 ‘Arctic Report Card’ Gives Grim Evaluation

The global warming signal in the Arctic was stronger and more pronounced during 2016 than any other year.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hlBc60

Boron Found On Mars For First Time By Curiosity Rover | Video

If its similar to boron found on Earth, it could potentially mean that there was habitable groundwater on ancient Mars. Patrick Gasda, a postdoctoral researcher from the Los Alamos National Laboratory explains the find.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h0cDbw

Antarctica Photos: Meltwater Lake Hidden Beneath the Ice

A meltwater lake under the ice on the Roi Baudouin ice sheet in East Antarctica suggests the area is more vulnerable to warming than previously expected.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hEtqVz

Mysterious 'Crater' in Antarctica Has Ominous Cause

A crater in Antarctica isn't from a meteorite but from melt.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gAaLpa

Giant Megalodon Shark Teeth May Have Inspired Mayan Monster Myths

Giant fossilized teeth from extinct megalodon sharks may have inspired portrayals of a primordial sea monster in Mesoamerican creation myths.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hsI81A

In Photos: How Ancient Sharks and 'Sea Monsters' Inspired Mayan Myths

Sharks, both real and imagined, had an important place in the mythology of the ancient Maya.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2huSKKo

'Lucy' Species May Have Been Polygynous

The ancient relative of humanity dubbed "Lucy" may have been one of a harem of gals who mated with a single male, according to research that suggests her species was polygynous.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hsz8cE

Hundreds of Scientists Rally to Protect Climate Science

Hundreds of scientists rallied in support of science at the American Geophysical Union meeting here in San Francisco.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gJfQie

Facts About Pangolins

Pangolins, also called scaly anteaters, are covered in hard, armor-like scales. These mammals are one of the most trafficked mammals in Asia and Africa, and are endangered.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hsWrQN

Asparagus Pee? Why Only Some People Smell It

A new study reveals more than 800 new reasons why some people can't smell the characteristic scent of asparagus compounds in urine.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2huyHwj

'Pokémon Go' Got Players Moving for 6 Weeks…Then Fizzled

Playing "Pokémon Go" really does get people to walk more, but the effects appear to be short-lived, a new study suggests.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gynDfm

Ice Watch: Glacier Survey Reveals How Glaciers Creep and Crawl

Though they appear to be frozen giants, glaciers and ice sheets can move and change in unexpected ways over time.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hujKdo

Teen Use of Many Drugs Drops to Record Lows

Teen use of many illegal and legal drugs — including ecstasy, cocaine, alcohol and tobacco — is now at record lows.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hChynk

Sounding the Alarm: Comets Pose Threat to Earth, Too

If your death-from-above musings focus solely on asteroids, you need to broaden your mind. Comets pose a serious risk as well, researchers say.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hsgnU0

Rick Perry Tapped to Run Energy Agency He Vowed to Kill

President-elect Trump has tapped former Texas Gov. Rick Perry to run the U.S. Department of Energy.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hqcIc9

Syrian Refugees Flee from War...and Into Risky Earthquake Areas

Syrian refugees have fled across the border into Turkey, but they may face a new risk from earthquakes, research suggests.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hs7Osk

Excavations of Greek 'Village' Reveal Ancient Metropolis

Greek ruins turn out to conceal an ancient urban area.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hs1m4L

Fact: Burning Fossil Fuels Creates Heat-Trapping Gas - Now Watch It Move | Video

Human activities on Earth, such as burning fossil fuels to create energy to run cars, power plants and more, have contributed greatly to the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gIgcW6

Older But Wiser: Why Risky Behavior Declines with Age

Researchers find that a decrease in gray matter in aging brains could explain why older people take fewer risks than younger people.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2htWpZe

Leading Causes of Death in US Vary Greatly by Region

The rates at which people in the U.S die from different factors vary significantly among the regions of the country, according to a new study.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gWEAB8

What Is Consciousness? Physicists Look for Answers

Renowned physicist Edward Witten recently suggested that consciousness might forever remain a mystery. But his words haven't discouraged other physicists from trying to unravel it.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gWFwp6

Forget Selfie Sticks: This Drone Captures Photos and Videos in Midair

Instead of extending your arm or using a selfie stick to snap shots of you and your crew, you could use a new pocket-size drone — dubbed the "AirSelfie" — to help you remotely capture aerial photos and videos.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gx0GJB

Rudolph Is Shrinking: Climate Change Is Starving Santa's Reindeer

Reindeer are shrinking, and it's not because they're on a diet for the holidays. Rather, climate change is making it difficult for them — and their gestating fetuses — to survive extreme winters, new research shows.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2httSmM

Could a Limestone Sunshade Cool the Planet?

Injecting calcite particles into the stratosphere could repair the ozone hole and slow climate change, but experts say carbon cuts and new tech are needed instead.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gwutBY

Hat-Shaped Spider Named for Magical Character in 'Harry Potter'

A new leaf-mimicking spider species resembles the Sorting Hat from the Harry Potter books.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gGOKs3

Underwater Hebrew Tablet Reveals Biblical-Era Ruler of Judea

A huge slab discovered offshore in Israel has revealed the name of the ancient prefect who ruled Judea just before the Bar Kokhba revolt.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hIBb8U

Santa's Reindeer Feel the Heat as Numbers Shrink Worldwide

Reindeer, mountain lions, deer and polar bears may all be feeling the pinch as the planet warms, new research suggests.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hx7FXH

New Test Could Improve Diagnosis of Rare, Fatal Brain Disorder

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a rare brain disorder that is challenging to diagnosis, but a new test could help.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hwXy5v

Extinction-Level Superflares May Blast Earth's Nearest Exoplanet Proxima b

The recent discovery of a planet around the star closest to the sun has raised hopes that life might exist there, but researchers now find that this world might frequently experience extinction-level "superflares" from its star.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gSxXje

World's Oldest Wild Breeding Bird Is Expecting Her 41st Chick

Forget about the stork — it's the albatross that should be in charge of baby delivery. The world's oldest wild breeding bird mother, a 66-year-old albatross named Wisdom, is incubating another egg, likely her 41st one, experts say.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gyGiwl

What Doomed Franklin's Polar Expedition? Thumbnail Holds Clue

Zinc deficiency, not lead poisoning, may have been a major factor in the declining health of the crew on the deadly 19th-century Arctic voyage.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gSkdVG

No Need to Delay Getting Pregnant After Miscarriage, Study Suggests

Conception within six months of a miscarriage appears no riskier than waiting longer to get pregnant.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hwrBKr

That's No Supernova! It's A Black Hole Shredding A Star | Video

In 2015, the All Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN) detected what was characterized as a "superluminous supernova," the brightest ever detected. After further review, a supermassive black hole swallowing a star may be the culprit.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hmUSDR

ISIS May Face War-Crime Charges for Destruction of Historic Sites

Some ISIS fighters are surrendering, reports suggest, and they may be tried for charges of war crimes, legal experts say.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hqcxLj

In Photos: The Destruction of Iraq Heritage Sites by ISIS

Images reveal the destruction that ISIS members have wreaked on Iraqi sites, including the Assyrian city of Nimrud and Hatra. Those fighters may face war crime charges for their actions.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gxls0l

Benefits of 'Kangaroo Mother Care': Do They Last?

Parents are often told to hold their newborns close to them, in contact with their skin, for as much time as they can. But does this "kangaroo care" really help babies?

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gElzG0

1 in 6 Americans Takes a Psychiatric Drug

One in six adults reported taking a psychiatric drug, such as an antidepressant or a sedative, in 2013, a new study finds.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gEuAP9

Ancient Marsupial Relative May Have Eaten Little Dinosaurs

An ancient mammal the size of a badger may have used its bone-crushing canines and powerful bite to take down little dinosaurs, researchers have found. In fact, the little guy could chomp with more force, pound for pound, than any other mammal on record.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hESYxR

Age-Old Problem: River in Jordan Polluted by Copper 7,000 Years Ago

The first river polluted by humanity may have been discovered in Jordan, contaminated by copper about 7,000 years ago, a new study finds.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hveedw

Flexible Film Captures Energy from Motion

The material generates a voltage when it's pressed or squeezed and each time it's folded, the voltage increases exponentially.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gvTzWL

Why Don't Monkeys Talk Like Us?

You just can't unhear new recordings showing what monkey speech would sound like if a human brain were in control.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gzFtSl

Trump Chooses Climate Denier for Secretary of Interior

U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for Secretary of Interior.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gztx3d

Smallpox Found in Lithuanian Mummy Could Rewrite Virus' History

The mummy of a child discovered in a crypt beneath a Lithuanian church harbors the oldest sample found to date of the virus that causes smallpox, a new report said.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gmhyrm

Dying Star Offers Glimpse of Earth's Doomsday in 5B Years

L2 Puppis is a dying star that once resembled our sun and it is showing us the stellar inferno that lies in store for our planet.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gmoZ1s

Rare Elizabethkingia Infections: Report Suggests More Than 1 Source

Exactly how 10 people in Illinois became infected with Elizabethkingia is still a mystery, but a new report finds that there were likely multiple sources for the infections.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hv9Qad

Photos: Ancient Inscriptions Tell of Assyrian King Ashurnasirpal II

Here's a look at a number of artifacts with inscriptions that have survived the destruction of the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud by the terrorist group ISIL.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hfMFSt

Inscription About Ancient 'Monkey Colony' Survives ISIL Attacks

Several artifacts with inscriptions survived in the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud, after the terrorist group ISIL destroyed the site. One inscription tells of King Ashurnasirpal II's monkey colony.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2glU4T3

Spoiler Alert: Artificial Intelligence Can Predict How Scenes Will Play Out

A new artificial intelligence system can take still images and generate short videos that simulate what happens next similar to how humans can visually imagine how a scene will evolve, according to a new study.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2glEu9S

Mystery Solved! Cause of London's 1952 'Killer Fog' Revealed

Despite the death of thousands, the killer fog has largely remained a mystery for decades.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2htVRl4

Having Family for Dinner: 'Cannibalism' Author Dishes

"Perfectly natural?" The author of a new book about cannibalism talks about this fascinating topic.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h5PU0N

'Star in a Jar' Fusion Reactor Works and Promises Infinite Energy

New tests verify that Germany's Wendelstein 7-X fusion energy device is on track to safely suspend plasma in magnetic fields.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hbQkjT

Early Marsupial Relative’s Powerful Bite Could Kill Little Dinosaurs | Video

A tough, extinct critter that lived during the dinosaur age had the most powerful bite force ever recorded in a mammal. Its bite force was so strong, it likely had no problem eating little dinosaurs.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2giETFq

Saturn's Weird Hexagon Seen Through Multiple Filters, Set To Techno | Video

NASA's Cassini mission has captured new imagery of the the unusual cloud pattern in the northern hemisphere. The camera filters used by the spacecraft are "sensitive to violet , red , near-infrared and infrared.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2giB2Io

Watch John Glenn's Historic Friendship 7 Launch | Video

On February 20, 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the planet Earth. He went on to become a United States senator and flew to space again on the Space Shuttle STS-95 mission.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hcYbAB

Ancient Space Dust Washes Up in Rooftop Gutters

Microscopic particles from space have been collecting in the gutters of Paris, Oslo and Berlin, revealing incredible insights to the mysteries of our solar system.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gkbgZc

Why Do We Fall for Fake News?

People fall for fake news because they don't value journalistic sources and consider themselves and their friends as credible news sources, says one researcher.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h4Lojc

Culprit of Deadly Tibet Avalanche: Climate Change

An avalanche of ice that killed nine in western Tibet may be a sign that climate change has come to the region, a new study finds.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hmLiEv

ChooseMyPlate: Tools & Resources for Healthier Diet

The U.S. government's Dietary Guidelines for Americans offers recommendations on food and nutrition. ChooseMyPlate.gov provides tools to help set dietary goals.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hlIN5q

Does Marijuana Use Affect a Person's Vision?

Regular marijuana use may affect how well certain cells in the eye work, a small new study finds.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gqb6h7

Conjoined Twin Girls Successfully Separated

Conjoined twin girls who shared much of their lower body were successfully separated after a surgery that took 17 hours.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hb4u7H

John Glenn, First American to Orbit the Earth, Dies at 95

John Glenn, one of NASA's first seven astronauts and the first American to orbit the Earth, has died. He was 95.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h1Y8qT

Fungal Infection Causes Swirling, 'Maze-Like' Rash

Fungal infections can show up in some pretty unusual ways, and a neat, "maze-like" pattern of concentric rings on the skin is one of them

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h1wF8t

Mars' Mawrth Vallis - Fly Over Where Water Once Flowed | Video

The outflow channel is ~373 miles long (600 km) and about 1.2 miles deep 2 km). The indicators of liquid water in the past have made this area a landing site candidate for the ExoMars 2020 mission.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hbkfZY

Plague Strikes 6 Cats in Idaho

Half a dozen pet cats in Idaho were infected with plague this year, according to a new report of the cases.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2ggNnl0

Photos: Amber Trap Nabs Feathered Dinosaur Tail

The feathered tail of a small dinosaur is preserved in amber in astonishing detail.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hbhQ1i

Feathered Dinosaur Lost Its Tail in Sticky Trap 99 Million Years Ago

About 99 million years ago, an unlucky juvenile dinosaur wandered into a sticky trap and sacrificed a chunk of its tail.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2ggI1q2

How to Give Better Gifts, According to Science

Researchers have investigated exactly what makes a bad gift and the reasons why people buy such presents in the first place.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gGnx6h

Giraffes Are Threatened with Extinction

Giraffe populations have taken a nose dive, leading to their new designation as "threatened with extinction," by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h0IOdJ

255-Million-Year-Old Tumor Discovered in Ancient Mammal Relative | Video

The fossilized jawbone of a gorgonopsid, a distant and ancient modern mammal relative, contains a 255-million-year-old tumor.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h7mxsB

255-Million-Year-Old Tumor is Oldest of its Kind

A tiny tumor likely caused a big toothache 255 million years ago for an animal called a gorgonopsian.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h0gNDt

Forget About the Road. Why Are Chickens So Bad at Flying?

Chickens may have wings and fluffy feathers, but they're fairly dismal fliers, often going airborne for only a few yards before landing.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2geXimx

Trump Picks Strident Foe of EPA to Lead the EPA

Oklahoma's attorney general and a champion of the oil and gas industry will run the the Environmental Protection Agency — the federal office that enforces nearly all laws that protect America's air and water.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2haeZps

Rump Recognition: Chimps Remember Butts Same as Faces

Are chimps experts at recognizing butts?

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h6IZlB

Historic Iraq Sites Reclaimed in Mosul Offensive

A military offensive to take back the city of Mosul, Iraq, from the terrorist group ISIL has also resulted in the retaking of several historic sites that ISIL destroyed and looted.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hnVXdZ

Will Artificial Intelligence Be the Next Einstein?

Artificial Intelligence could soon be used to help scientists form hypothesis and direct which experiments they perform.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h9UPMg

What Is the MIND Diet?

The MIND diet is designed to lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease by promoting a diet consisting of brain-healthy foods.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hiy8IA

Facts About Plutonium

Properties, sources and uses of the element plutonium.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/24WW2IX

Unfrozen: Greenland Was Once Ice-Free for 280,000 Years

Greenland's ice shrank dramatically in the past — and could disappear again.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gclQBb

The Universe Is Flat — Now What?

Spoiler alert: the universe is flat.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gWDtV7

Optimistic Outlook May Lower Women's Risk of Dying

Women with an optimistic outlook on life may live longer, a new study finds.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gcgQHV

Can a Chemotherapy Drug 'Turn Back the Clock' in Women's Ovaries?

Women undergoing a particular chemotherapy had a much greater number of eggs in their ovaries than expected, a finding that surprised researchers.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h4niSY

California's Long Drought Has Killed 100 Million Trees

California’s trees are dying at an alarming rate.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gVHx80

Secret Spies, Sunken Ships: 9 Pearl Harbor Mysteries Explained

Although decades have passed since the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, many details of the event remain shrouded in mystery and debate.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h745k1

What Is a 'Self'? Here Are All the Possibilities

At one extreme, the self is a made-up construct arising from our complex brains. At the other, the self is a soul or spirit that can survive death.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gbx9d9

Lady Gaga and PTSD: 5 Misconceptions About the Disorder

Lady Gaga recently revealed on the "Today" show that she has post-traumatic stress disorder.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h7c94e

Legal Pot Farmers Hope to Grow a Green Energy Revolution

Electricity-intensive cannabis production has a big carbon footprint, but with legalization, some eco-conscious growers want to make pot a shining model of sustainability.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gD02ea

Does Your Doctor Need to Show More Empathy?

Instead of being urged to simply "be more compassionate," doctors should learn specific empathy skills during their training, one doctor argues.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h3j8uJ

Brain Gain: Aerobic Exercise Pumps Up Gray Matter

Exercising aerobically may lead to changes in the size of certain parts of your brain, a new study finds.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gUicLJ

Background Checks May Lower School Shootings: Study

Requiring background checks does indeed make school shootings less likely, a new study finds.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gavqET

Decrypting the Japanese Cipher Couldn't Prevent Pearl Harbor

Purple, Magic failed to give enough warning.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gSEpK7

Monks Buried Brethren Beneath Britain's Earliest Monastery

More than 1,400 years ago, monks buried their male brethren — as well as one woman who was likely a nun — beneath what is the earliest known monastery on record in the British Isles, new research shows.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2h2gVQi

Slowing of Earth's Spin Revealed in Ancient Astronomers' Tablets

Records dating back to clay tablets from 720 B.C. reveal that the slowing of the Earth's rotation isn't as large as expected.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gSERb5

Facts About Trans Fats

Trans fats, created by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil, are considered unhealthy. The FDA has ordered companies to remove partially hydrogenated oils from their food products by June 2018.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gAC0Ax

Mexico-Size Chunk of Ice Missing from the Arctic

Skyrocketing Arctic temperatures, which are rising twice as fast as the global average, have set off a downward spiral in sea ice levels.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gi10iy

Don't Drowse and Drive: Sleepiness as Risky as DUI

Even with holiday travel approaching, it's important to get enough sleep before getting behind the wheel: Missing 1 or 2 hours of sleep nearly doubles a person's risk for a car crash, a new report finds.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2heqGxY

Jumping Robots Mimic Adorable Big-Eyed Primates

A jumping robot — whose design was inspired by small primates known as bush babies — can spring off walls to gain height faster than any previous robot and could one day help rapidly scan urban disaster zones, researchers say.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gzWucS

2,000-Year-Old Roman Skeletons Show Signs of Malaria

Malaria afflicted the Roman Empire some 2,000 years ago, according to a new analysis of human teeth collected in Italian cemeteries.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2g6F5w0

Behemoth Antarctic Ice Rift Is 70 Miles Long

A starkly beautiful aerial image shows a 70-mile-long crack in Antarctica's Larsen C ice shelf.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gOqaWv

New Robot Can Leap In Air, Spring Off Wall | Video

The new robot, Salto (saltatorial locomotion on terrain obstacles), now "holds the record for highest robotic vertical jumping agility ever recorded," according to roboticists who created it at UC Berkeley.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hdMZ2L

Fingernails on a Chalkboard: Why This Sound Gives You the Shivers

If you're like most people, you probably can't stand the sound of fingernails scraping across a blackboard.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hdg5zz

Best & Worst States for Older Adults' Well-Being: The Full List

A new poll surveyed older Americans on several aspects of well-being.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hef0eO

Golden Years: Americans Get Happier in Older Age

There is an upside to aging: Older Americans tend to be happier, according to a new poll.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gzuKoQ

This Tiny Electronic Chip Is Just 3 Atoms Thick

A tiny electronic chip just three atoms thick could yield advanced circuits that are powerful, flexible and transparent, researchers said in a new study.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2g5SVid

Some Football Positions Linked to High Blood Pressure

It might not be obvious to those who spend Saturdays cheering on their alma mater on the gridiron, but playing college football is linked to changes that negatively affect the heart.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gMMaAX

How Humans Lost Their Tail, Twice

Humans can't seem to keep a tail, suggests new research that finds our early ancestors lost tails not just once, but twice.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2ggz26s

Humpback Whales 'Mug' Boat in South Pacific (Video)

Humpback whales engage in a behavior called mugging in new aerial footage.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hblAie

Pearl Harbor Subs: See Underwater Graves in Live-Stream Dives

The public can see an underwater live stream of two Japanese submarines resting at the bottom of the Pacific, 75 years after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gfV1L0

How Lasers and a Goggle-Wearing Parrot Could Aid Flying Robot Designs

A parrot wears tiny, red-tinted goggles and flaps through laser-lit airborne particles to test computer models that explain how animals fly — and shows that there’s room for improvement.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2hb6pVW

Pubic Hair Grooming May Raise STI Risk

People who trim "down there" may face an increased risk of infections, researchers said, although its not clear why.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2g2InAA

Photos: Ice-Age Animal Skull Unearthed During LA Subway Construction

The skull of a large Probiscidean, such as a mammoth or a mastodon, was recently unearthed while construction workers were digging a new line to the Los Angeles Metro.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gW3a5H

MDMA for PTSD? How Ecstasy Ingredient Works in the Brain

The active ingredient in the drug ecstasy will be studied in large-scale clinical trials for the treatment of PTSD.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gdr3ah

Mammoth Mammal Fossils Found at Site of LA Subway Dig

Workers with the Los Angeles Metro who were digging a new subway tunnel found fossils from a mammoth or a mastodon.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2g26Y8C

2 Million Pounds of Ready-to-Eat Chicken Recalled: Here's Why It's Risky

About 2 million pounds of ready-to-eat chicken products have been recalled. Here's why the products may be risky to consume.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gZaLRl

Black Death 'Plague Pit' with 48 Skeletons Is 'Extremely Rare' Find

A Black Death burial pit was found at 14th-century monastery hospital.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gIZuXi

Staying Well: A Guide to Flu Season When You're Pregnant

Here's what pregnant women need to know about flu season.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2g1mHVf

All Human-Made Objects on Earth Amount to 30 Trillion Tons

Pile up all of the human-made structures on the planet — from skyscrapers to cell phones — and it’d weigh in at approximately 30 million metric tons, according to a new study.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2g2ESVM

Why Do Our Feet Smell Worse in the Winter?

Do you think foot odor is a worse problem in the summer or the winter? Summer seems like the common sense answer, but the opposite is true.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gHQf9z

What Tangled Web: Galaxy's Messy 'Threads' Star in New Pic

A striking new image from the Hubble Space Telescope captures an extremely detailed view of the galaxy NGC 4696 and the tangled, thread-like filaments stretching from its bright galactic core.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gtvUls

3D-Print Your Laugh and Launch It Into Space

Are you a chortler? What about guffaws, giggles or hyena laughs? If you have the best laugh, whatever the joyful sound, it could end up getting turned into a 3D-printed sculpture sent into space.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gHkcGR

'Mythical' Sea Blob Finally Spotted a Century After Its Discovery

A mysterious giant sea blob whose very existence was questioned has been rediscovered a century after its first sighting.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2g2hpE6

SpaceShipTwo 'Unity' Flies Solo For First Time | Video

The Virgin Galactic suborbital vehicle entered its second phase of testing on Dec. 3, 2016. It was released from its WhiteKnightTwo mothership and glided back down to the Mojave Air and Space Port in California after 10 minutes of flight.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gYLYPy

In Photos: Gorgeous Sea Blob in Monterey Bay

A larvacean with a giant mucus house glides through the water, filtering out goodies to snack on.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gbxM4G

The Most Interesting Science News Articles of the Week

Here are the most interesting, amazing and unusual things that happened in the world of science this week. A recap of Live Science's best.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/1Pgf3MV

Marijuana Extract May Help Treat Severe Epilepsy, New Studies Show

A compound found in marijuana may help reduce seizures in people with some types of epilepsy, new research suggests.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gTMsUY

Amazing Images: The Best Science Photos of the Week

Here are the stories behind the most amazing images in the world of science this week. A recap of the coolest photos featured on Live Science.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/1dD6fox

Congressional Tweet About 'Disgraceful' Article Ignores Science

An article casting doubt on climate change that was promoted in a tweet from the U.S. House of Representatives' science committee is "extremely misleading" and "disgraceful," climate scientists told Live Science.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gQ8R7M

Reel Big: 112-Pound Catfish Caught in North Carolina

A man caught and released a massive catfish, just 5 lbs. shy of the state record.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gKjhmQ

Flying Robotic Ambulance Completes First Solo Test Flight

A new automated, flying ambulance completed its first solo flight, offering a potential solution for challenging search and rescue missions.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gRirFn

In Rare Disorder, Woman's Immune System Attacks Her Own Brain

A young woman's weeklong bout of "strange behavior" was caused by a rare disease in which the immune system attacks the brain, according to a new report of the woman's case.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gRb7cE

Lack of Sun in Teen Years Linked to Nearsightedness Later On

People who get less sunlight during their teenage and young adult years may face an increased risk of becoming nearsighted later on.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gJwa09

Tornado Cluster Sizes Skyrocket, and No One Knows Why

Tornados are behaving strangely: The number of tornado outbreaks per year is fairly constant, but the number of tornados per outbreak has skyrocketed. And scientists aren't entirely sure why.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2fU7EI1

Stolen Mummy Hand Makes Its Way Home

Illegally smuggled artifacts, including a mummy hand, were returned to Egyptian authorities.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2ghMHb1

Operation Mummy's Curse: Photos of Smuggled Artifacts

Five ancient artifacts that had been smuggled into the United States were returned to Egyptian authorities this week. U.S. officials recovered the cultural objects in an investigation called "Operation Mummy’s Curse."

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gvWVYs

Photos: Rare Diamonds Make US Debut at LA Natural History Museum

Rare and colorful gems, including an extremely rare pink diamond and the stunning Argyle Violet Diamond, are making their U.S. debut at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gvtA0b

Stellar 'Circle of Life' Captured in New NASA Photo

The life cycle of stars comes full circle in a new photo taken by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Smithsonian's Submillimeter Array (SMA), which may reveal new clues for studying star evolution.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2g1c4QG

Book Excerpt: 'Are Numbers Real?' (US 2016)

In "Are Numbers Real?," author Brian Clegg explores the way that math has become more and more detached from reality, and yet despite this is driving the development of modern physics.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2fTGKAk

Diabetes in America: Full List of State Rankings

A new U.S. survey looks at the rate of diabetes in each state.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gOXrBm

Here Are the States with the Lowest & Highest Diabetes Rates

Diabetes is on the rise in the United States, and a new poll looks at where the disease is most and least common.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2fTK4vl

Bipedal Human Ancestor 'Lucy' Was a Tree Climber, Too

CT scans of "Lucy," a human ancestor that lived 3 million years ago, reveal evidence in the structure of her bones that suggests she climbed trees as well as a walked on the ground.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gvnhJU

Doting Daddy Spiders Do the Housekeeping

South American spider males are the only known solitary spider to engage in paternal care.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gOLYBV

Fly Over Martian Chasms and Craters Through ExoMars Orbiter's Lens | Video

The first images from the European Space Agency mission's Color and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) have been stitched together to show parts of Mars' Arisa Chasmata, Noctis Labyrinthus and more.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2g17phF

Cygnus X-3 System's 'Little Friend' Is A Bok Globule - Most Distant Found Yet | Video

A gas cloud "Little Friend" that is likely forming a new star has been observed in x-rays by the Chandra X-ray Observatory. It was determined to be a small, dense, and very cold cloud, which are the features of a Bok globule.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2fP1TAt

Why Aspartame May Prevent Weight Loss

Researchers found how aspartame could be linked with a condition called metabolic syndrome.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gveOXd

Herbal Tea Error Leads to ER Visit

A woman developed life-threatening symptoms after her attempt to use an herbal remedy for insomnia went awry.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gIewtR

Facts About Oganesson (Element 118)

Properties, sources and uses of oganesson, Element 118, formerly called ununoctium.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/1aEgNPd

In Photos: Frozen Lakes in Winter

Scientists investigate icy lakes to track the growth of certain types of algae and zooplankton that thrive during the cold season, blooming under the lake's icy cover.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gNWedr

1,000-Year-Old Viking Toolbox Found at Mysterious Danish Fortress

A Viking toolbox found in Denmark has been opened for the first time in 1,000 years, revealing an extraordinary set of iron hand tools that may have been used to make Viking ships and houses, according to archaeologists.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gPA9J3

Photos: Viking-Age Tools Uncovered at Ring-Shaped Fortress in Denmark

Archaeologists have discovered a 1,000-year-old set of iron tools at the Viking fortress of Borgring, on the island of Zeeland in eastern Denmark.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gNZF3N

Facts About Iridium

Properties, sources and uses of the element iridium.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2fRlNGa

Facts About Tennessine (Element 117)

Properties, sources and uses of tennessine, element 117, formerly called ununseptium.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/1fsIpu6

Facts About Moscovium (Element 115)

Properties, sources and uses of moscovium, element 115, formerly called ununpentium.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/Ij1JeI

Facts About Nihonium (Element 113)

Properties, sources and uses of nihonium, element 113, formerly called ununtrium.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/1aK8FeY

How One Woman's UTI Remedy Put Her Life in the Balance

For women who have heard that drinking plenty of water can help prevent or treat a urinary tract infection, you may want to put down that extra glass.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2fLzjQA

Bodybuilder Injects Coconut Oil, Damages Arm Muscle

Instead of just lifting weights, a bodybuilder in the U.K. tried to plump up his arm muscles and by injecting them with coconut oil.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gREsma

Human Ancestor 'Lucy' Was A Tree-Climber, Bone Scans Reveal | Video

“Lucy” was bipedal, but scientists have long debated whether she was a part-time tree dweller. New scans of her 3.18 million year old skeleton reveal internal structures in her bones that hint she frequently used her arms to climb trees.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gLCzuX

Russian Space Cargo Ship Destroyed in Failed Launch, Debris Burns Up

A Russian Progress 65 cargo ship fell back to Earth in pieces after a catastrophic launch failure, Russian space agency officials said Dec. 1, 2016.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2grfsoK

Sun 'Heat Bombs' Its Atmosphere, Evidence Found | Video

Solar physicists have been studying how the Sun's corona, which is 200 to 500 times hotter than the surface, with NASA's Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) mission.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gcY5oC

In Photos: The Mummy of Queen Nefertari of Egypt

The mummified legs and other remains of Queen Nefertari, one of Egypt's most famous queens, have been identified. Here's a look at the royal burial.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gLdIrb

Mystery Mummy Legs Belonged to Egyptian Queen Nefertari

Though "no absolute certainty exists," some mummified leg fragments probably belonged to one of Egypt's most famous queens.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2fQmGi3

Could Dinosaurs Fly?

Some dinosaurs may not have been restricted to life on the ground and instead could have launched into the air for quick flights, researchers have found.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gNbncx

Utah's Great Salt Lake Is Shrinking

This month, the lake reached its lowest recorded level.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2fQia35

Royal 7th-Century Ship Burial Holds Rare 'Tar' Substance

A famous English ship burial contains a rare tar-like substance that comes from the Middle East.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gLglcf

US Military Develops 'Multi-Object Kill Vehicle' to Blast Enemy Nukes

The new weapon is designed to find, track and destroy multiple enemy warheads — even if they are accompanied by decoys.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gN0BTO

2.5-Billion-Year-Old Fossils Predate Earth's Oxygen

New fossils provide a peek into deep ocean life before Earth had oxygen.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2fW9bRs

4 New Superheavy Elements Have Official Names

The superheavy elements were named after regions on three continents, with one honoring a famous nuclear physicist.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gDv9Xu

Underwater Stone Age Site Was Fisherman's Paradise

The archaeological discoveries indicate a semipermanent settlement.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gZbULt

'Magic Mushrooms' Compound May Treat Depression in Cancer Patients

The hallucinogen found in "magic mushrooms" can considerably reduce the depression and anxiety felt by patients who have terminal or advanced cancer, according to new research.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gPUIUO

New American Divide: Organic Food and GMOs Spur Disagreement

Should you buy organic? Or avoid foods made with genetically modified ingredients? Americans are divided in their thinking on whether such choices are beneficial for their health, a new survey finds.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gPHNSJ

The Mysterious Sex Lives of Hawaii's Endangered Yellow-Faced Bees

Everything scientists know about these bees' mating behaviors is based on anecdotal observations.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2fPaj5Q

What's the Real Potential of Fusion Energy?

Fusion development takes time. It cannot be developed in miniature and then be simply scaled up. But we must work now, to make it possible to meet humanity's need for abundant, clean energy, one scientist says.

via Live Science http://ift.tt/2gbm4V7