Tools Could Be the Topic for First Ever Conversations

Medicine & Technology Jan 21, 2015

What were the first words uttered by the early ancestors of modern humans? According to a new study, one of the first possible sentences could have been, "Tool bad," and likely occurred between 2.5 and 1.8 million years ago.

The Pope's Forward-thinking Climate Stance Faces Conservative Opposition

Jan 20, 2015

Pope Francis has been finding himself in warm―not holy―waters with conservatives ever since he recently announced the Catholic Church's stance on climate change. He's gone on to publicly state that our planet's altering landscape and atmosphere composition is not just a political issue, but a "human" one as well. The currently appointed pontiff is in the midst of drafting an encyclical, a papal letter to be sent to the bishops of the Roman Catholic Church, which will highlight how the church can catalyze positive climate change. But those within the church are questioning whether or not the leader of the faith should be getting involved.

New Study Reveals Prospective Planets Just Beyond Pluto—And There May Be More Than One

Jan 17, 2015

Though Pluto may have been demoted from the title of planet to “dwarf planet”, NASA’s newest mission New Horizons which plans a flyby next summer has sparked new interest in the farthest depths of our very own solar system. And it appears that we may not just stop there. According to a new study published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, researchers believe that even closer than our Oort cloud we may find at least two more planets circling our Sun far beyond Pluto’s vast expanses.

Pushed to the Brink—Humans Put Earth in 'The Danger Zone'

Jan 17, 2015

With unprecedented levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, widespread species extinction, habit destruction, and increased levels of nitrogen and phosphorous in the oceans courtesy of polluting fertilizers, the Earth is being pushed to the brink and could one day make it unsafe for the continuation of life. The rate at which humans are destroying the environment is entirely unprecedented, and with such a devastating effect unseen in the last 11,700 years, life is facing an uncertain future ahead.

Quantum Computing Laser The Size of A Grain of Rice―Coming To A Screen Near You

Jan 16, 2015

A sole grain of rice is anything but filling; it is, however, small. Now, imagine a laser producing electrode that size. It's like something straight out of a low-budget Sci-Fi film. But now it's a reality―a laser of equal size has been created by a few researchers at Princeton University, representing a "quantum" leap in future technology.

Criminal Behavior in Old Age Could Be the First Sign of Dementia

Jan 09, 2015

Doctors have discovered for the first time a link between criminal behavior in older adults and dementia. According to a new study, criminal activities including theft, traffic violations, trespassing, sexual advances, and public urination are common early signs of the disease, especially in older adults who are first time offenders. Older adults who begin engaging in criminal behavior or exhibit changes in their personalities could very well be doing so because of damage to the brain, as a result of dementia.

NASA—How Tropical Rainforests May Help End the Climate Change Issue

Jan 07, 2015

If 2014 made anything evident on the global stage, it’s that climate change is a serious issue and one that must be dealt with urgently. Many hope that the United Nations Summit in 2015 will bring some sort of international change, but with new research from the US space agency NASA, researchers are now saying that we may have some added help on our side—tropical rainforests.

New Drug to Treat Obesity Approved

Jan 06, 2015

If your New Year's resolution is to lose weight this year, you could soon take a pill to help you in your quest to drop those pounds and live a healthier life. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved a new drug designed to help people lose weight and fight the obesity epidemic. And while it started as a treatment for another ailment, this new drug could spell millions of dollars for the company and thousands of pounds off of consumers, as well.

Technology Drives Productivity in the Office

Jan 06, 2015

The evolution of digital technology continues to revolutionize business, and is increasing productivity and employee flexibility, while also increasing the length of the average workday.

Blue Hole of Belize—The Fall of Maya Civilization Found in the Sand

Jan 03, 2015

Over the past Millenia, civilizations even before the age of written history, have fallen when faced with famine, disease and even war. But when the most advanced civilization in the world disappears without a reason, the mystery creates some unique speculations. For years now, researchers and archaeologists have sought out an answer to what happened to the Mesoamerican Mayan civilization, and while theories have run the gamut from mass suicide to disease and famine, researchers now believe that they have found the answer entombed in an underwater lagoon.

How Many Times Did the International Space Station Crew Ring in the New Year? Can You Guess?

Jan 02, 2015

While their families and colleagues must undoubtedly think about them 24 hours a day, it seems that most residents of Earth never find themselves pondering what life must be like for the elite six astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) just outside our atmosphere. Orbiting the Earth in a giant space-bound laboratory, life can get pretty interesting. And something even as innocuous as the ball drop of a new year can turn into something entirely note-worthy.

Large Hadron Collider Upgrades Are Complete as Researchers Gear Up for 2015

Jan 01, 2015

Two years of maintenance has been completed on the Large Hadron Collider, and scientists at CERN now hope to begin use the LHC to discover the secrets of dark matter, to expand their knowledge of physics and the universe around us.

Monarch Butterflies Could Soon Be Deemed “Endangered”

Dec 31, 2014

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced earlier this week that it is considering placing the monarch butterfly under the federal protection of the Endangered Species Act. And now, for the next sixty days, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will hear comments from the public on the idea of listing the butterfly.

Lava Flow Stalls 700 Yards away from Shopping Center

Dec 24, 2014

Officials at the Hawaii County Civil Defense expected to see the lava reach the Pahoa Shopping Center on or around Christmas. Fortunately, the flow seems to have come up short. According to the Associated Press, civil defense administrator Darryl Oliveira said on Tuesday that the lava appears to have stalled and hardened just 700 yards away from the island's biggest shopping center.

VIDEO: NASA Captures Spectacular Solar Flare Light Display

Dec 24, 2014

The best place to check out Christmas lights this year is up in the sky. Late Friday afternoon an extremely active area of the sun, known as Active Region2242, erupted in a gigantic solar flare.