American Institute of Physics Reveals Us More Efficient Selenium Photovoltaic Cells
Did you know that many analysts would like to identify light-catching elements in order to transform more of the sun’s energy into carbon-free electricity?
Category Archives: Science
Why “Scientific Consensus” Fails to Persuade
Suppose a close friend who is trying to figure out the facts about climate change asks whether you think a scientist who has written a book on the topic is a knowledgeable and trustworthy expert. You see from the dust jacket that the author received a Ph.D. in a pertinent field from a major university, is on the faculty at another one, and is a member of the National Academy of Sciences. Would you advise your friend that the scientist seems like an “expert”? (more…)
Do Children Understand Irony?
A new study reveals 4-year-old children understand and can even use certain types of irony.
The study was published in the British Journal of Developmental Psychology by Stephanie Alexander, a PhD student at the Université de Montréal Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, under the supervision of Professor Katherine Frohlich and in collaboration with Holly Recchia of Concordia University. (more…)
‘Why Our Brains Get Tripped Up When We’re Anxious’
A new University of Colorado at Boulder study sheds light on the brain mechanisms that allow us to make choices and ultimately could be helpful in improving treatments for the millions of people who suffer from the effects of anxiety disorders. (more…)
“Stocky Dragon” Dinosaur Terrorized Late Cretaceous Europe
Paleontologists have discovered that a close relative of Velociraptor hunted the dwarfed inhabitants of Late Cretaceous Europe, an island landscape largely isolated from nearby continents.
Making Cookies that are Good for Your Heart
University of Missouri scientists create a vegetable oil from soybeans that is much healthier than others
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Years of research has proven that saturated and trans fats clog arteries, make it tough for the heart to pump and are not valuable components of any diet. Unfortunately, they are contained in many foods. Now, a University of Missouri research team has developed a soybean which produces oil that is naturally low in saturated and trans fats. (more…)
Ancient “Terror Bird” Used Powerful Beak to Jab Like Boxer
The ancient “terror bird” Andalgalornis couldn’t fly, but it used its unusually large, rigid skull–coupled with a hawk-like hooked beak–in a fighting strategy reminiscent of boxer Muhammad Ali.
UMD-Led Team Begins Imaging Comet Hartley 2 with Deep Impact Spacecraft
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Some five years after its July 4th 2005 ‘comet shot’ was seen around the world, the Deep Impact spacecraft has begun regular imaging of a second comet target, Hartley 2. The spacecraft will continue imaging Hartley 2 during and after its closest approach on November 4, providing an extended look at the comet. However, there won’t be any fireworks this time as Deep Impact’s probe craft was destroyed in its deliberate 2005 collision with comet Tempel 1. (more…)