과학 기사

With major earthquakes striking three continents since 2010, there is speculation about where the next big one will be. Since they all occurred along the 40,000km horeshoe-shaped area called the 'Ring of Fire', there is some speculation that it was caused by a domino effect - that is, the one in Chile triggered the one in New Zealand, which in turn, caused the one in Japan....

Researchers from the Department of experimental psychology at England's Cambridge University recently revealed that the mighty elephant is not only strong, but intelligent too. In fact, so much so, that it has been put in the elite category of the world's smartest animals, along with the chimpanzee, dolphin and common crow. Not only that, these highly social animals are very cooperative and quick to help out fellow members in distress....

When the tiny nation of Qatar, beat out the USA, Australia, Japan and South Korea, as the venue for the 2022 World Cup Soccer, there were gasps of surprise from the fans - And it was not just because of the size of the competitors, but also the fact, that the World Cup is held in June and July, which happen to be Qatar's hottest months, when temperatures can soar upto 50°C (120° F)....

When faced with natural disasters like the ones that just occurred in Japan, it brings to the forefront the question that is constantly at the back of everyone's mind. Have we tilted the equilibrium balance of our Planet so badly, that it is now rebelling, and if so, is there a way to fix things, before its too late? David Milrach, a nursery tree operator from Michigan thinks we can - by cloning the best specimens of the world's oldest and most ecologically valuable trees....

If you have ever been to Hawaii's Big Island, you may have noticed that it's beaches are covered with black volcanic sand - that's because the Island is home to some of the world's most active volcanoes....

According to scientists, the archipelago of 700 islands and 2,400 islets and cays that constitute The Bahamas, are very unique. Unlike other land formations, these were formed entirely in shallow waters from layers of sediment that compressed atop each other and gradually got converted into limestone....

It seems as though robots can do almost anything these days - They can be waiters, teachers and even astronauts. However, judging from the results of the just completed robotic marathon in Japan, neither Usain Bolt nor 95-year-old Ida Keeling, have much to worry about - Yet!...

One of the worst ailments astronauts and people who are bed-ridden for long periods of time suffer from, is loss of bone and muscle. However, bears, which are about the same size as humans, are able to snooze for seven months at a stretch and while they lose their body fat, their muscle mass remains intact....

It is a well-known fact that dolphins are amongst the most intelligent animals on the planet. Yet, we have never figured out how to really communicate with them or for that matter, any other animals either. Now, a team of scientists from Florida's Wild Dolphin project, have taken the first step towards cracking the code....

On June 3rd, 2010, six brave men left their family and friends to take part in an exciting experiment called Mars500. The brainchild of the European Space Agency (ESA), it is a test to see how humans will interact with each other, if they are forced to live in close quarters, for long periods of time - As would be the case, if we were ever to embark on a journey to Mars....

Did you know that fleas, those tiny blood-sucking parasites that make your pet's life miserable, can leap as high as 13-inches (200 times their own body weight), with an acceleration force that exceeds 100 times the force of gravity? Believe it or not, some of the world's leading scientists have not only known that, but have also pondered and debated about it, for the last 44 years....

One of the best things about going to school is the chance to chill out with friends. Therefore, you can only imagine how life has been for Lyndon Baty, who suffers from Polycystic Kidney disease, a disorder that has weakened his immune system so much, that he has to spend most of his day in isolation. However, things are finally looking up for this high-school freshman, thanks to his 'Avatar' - Vgo....

NASA's first trainee robot astronaut is all ready to head to Space when Space Shuttle Discovery launches off for its final mission on February 24th - However, its legs are not! No problem, say the scientists, for there is plenty to do even without them - The legs will just have to follow when they are ready!...

Scientists have often wondered why the seahorse, with its curvy neck and snout resembles a horse, to which it has no relationship, rather than its closest cousin, the straight bodied and rather ordinary looking - Pipefish. Now, a researcher believes he may have the answer and as is the case in any kind of evolution - It's to do with survival....

A team of scientists led by Alex Smith from Keele University in Staffordshire, UK, recently revealed the discovery of what they believe is the hottest planet in our Universe. According to the researchers, the temperature on Wasp-33b, also known as, HD15082, measured in at a scorching 3200°C (5,792° F)!...

The biggest fear most surfers and swimmers face when they head out deep into the oceans, is being attacked by a shark. Now, a new study released by Australian scientists has revealed that these fish may be color blind - A breakthrough that may not only help make the waters safer, but also, prevent these mighty animals from accidentally getting entangled inside fishing nets....

They look like wisps of smoke and are so light that they have been nicknamed 'Frozen Smoke' - But make no mistake about it, the airy looking translucent aerogels are not only the world's lightest solids, but also, amongst the strongest. Now, scientists have figured out how to make them even lighter and very very flexible!...

Are you an aspiring scientist? Do you have an idea for a product or service that you believe may be the next big thing? Are you between 13-18 years of age? Then the folks at Google are looking for you!...

A number of fortunate students at 21 elementary schools in the Southeast city of Daegu, South Korea are testing out a new kind of educator - A robot teacher. The 29 droids that have been deployed for a five-month trial, are the brainchild of The Korean Institute of Technology, which is trying to promote the integration of robots into people's daily lives....

Scientists from United Kingdom's University of Nottingham's Nanotechnology and Nanoscience Center have managed to do something quite fascinating - Fit the entire Periodic Table of Elements, including all known Actinides and Lanthanides onto a professor's single strand of curly hair!...

Thirty youngsters from Blackawaton Primary School in Devon, England have earned themselves the bragging rights of becoming the youngest scientists to get published in a prestigious science journal....

Ever wondered why some strawberries are super sweet, while others not so much or why some chocolates taste creamier than others? It's all to do with the same thing that makes each human being different - the genes. Now, scientists believe they have unlocked the code that will take them one step closer to even more delicious versions of not only these two treats, but others as well....

What if a blood cell from your body could step in and take the place of a weak muscle cell? If that was possible, cells from a different part of the heart, could be programmed to substitute for weak heart muscles, helping a person suffering from a heart attack or better still, take over diseased cells in a person with cancer....

It was first seen in 1933 and then 1948, after which it disappeared completely - Now 62 years later, one of the world's rarest creatures - the 'terrible hairy fly' is back....