New Research

A map of earthquake activity around the U.S. from 2009 to 2012. Black dots are earthquakes above magnitude 3.0, with bigger circles for bigger earthquakes.

Government Says Oil and Gas Development Have Raised Risk of Earthquakes in Oklahoma

Oklahoma's recent surge in earthquake activity due in part to wastewater injection

Dinosaurs came in all shapes and sizes, but only the small, feathered variety survived.

Ancient Birds Avoided Mass Extinction By Shrinking

The shrinkage process was well underway before an asteroid brought doom to the dinosaurs 66 million years ago

An overly alluring research subject.

Biologists Are Biased Toward Penises

Researchers interested in the evolution of animal genitalia tend to focus on the male side of that equation, often unjustifiably ignoring the female

Environment Matters As Much As Genes for Kids Who Develop Autism Spectrum Disorders

A new study found that environmental and genetic factors were equally important in assessing kids' risk of developing an autism spectrum disorder

Scientists Transformed Men's Skin Cells Into Immature Sperm Cells

When inserted in mice testes, men’s skin cells were coaxed into becoming immature sperm cells

What’s Killing the Sea Stars?

Scientists inch closer to the cause of the mysterious "sea star wasting syndrome"

Two contestants compete in the 2006 International World Rock Paper Scissors Championships in Toronto.

The Ultimate Rock, Paper, Scissor Strategy

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKiSPUc2Jck&feature=youtu.be&t=31s">60 percent of the time, it works every time</a>

Lone Bacteria Are More Likely to Become Drug Resistant Than Big Colonies

This finding could help design ways to prevent antibiotic resistance

This is the face of deception.

This Bird Tricks Other Animals Into Handing Over Their Meals

The African drongo mimics warning calls of other animals to scare them away from food, but mixes true warnings with lies to keep those animals guessing

The Great Sphinx and the pyramids of Giza (Egypt). Ca. 1845. Lithography by David Roberts.

A Simple Trick May Have Helped the Egyptians Build the Pyramids

No ancient aliens needed: A little bit of water reduces friction when dragging a sled over sand

For 100 Years, Female Students Have Gotten Better Grades in Every Subject

Yes, that includes math and science

Computers Can Tell If You're Really in Pain—Even Better Than People Can

As computers become better at reading people's expressions, their potential as lie detectors and diagnostic aids increases

In a More Rational World, 4.1 Percent of People Sentenced to Death Would Be Exonerated

People whose sentences are downgraded to life in prison are less likely to be exonerated than those on death row

A Scientist's Gender Biases Mouse Research

Mice are scared of male researchers, but not female researchers, which could affect a huge chunk of biological research

Long-Haul Space Flights Might Damage Astronauts' Brains

This warning is based on a study involving rats, but researchers think it could apply to humans as well

Cougars Survived the Pleistocene Extinction Because They’ll Eat Just About Anything Meaty

Eating everything that's in front of you is key to eking by when times are tough

Facebook Users Most Often Unfriend People They Knew From High School

And how does that make the victim of the unfriending feel? Surprised, usually

"Fellow hermit crab? I'll eat you up!"

Cannibalistic Hermit Crabs Salivate at the Smell of Their Dead

Instead of responding to the smell of a relative’s death as the sign that a predator could be about, hermit crabs interpret this cue as fresh dinner

Antarctica Was Once As Warm As Sunny California

Nearby polar regions got up to Florida-level temperatures

Scientists Confirm That Cats a) Are Pretty Smart, b) Don't Really Care What You Want

Cats' impressive individuality makes it hard to study their smarts

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