Why Does It Smell After it Rains? Scientists Now May Know the Answer

Medicine & Technology Mar 16, 2015

You already know that raindrops have no smell (because that is distilled water and all that). But how does that awesome smell is created? Researchers find out that there is something within those raindrops that cause it. Read more to know.

Conservatives Are Happier Than Liberals, New Study Finds

Mar 16, 2015

For years people (including psychologists) thought that politically conservative people are happier than the liberal counterparts. A recent study proves them wrong. In fact, there really is no happiness gap. Read on to know how this was found.

How One Innovation May Change the Solar Energy Game Forever

Mar 16, 2015

If you’ve ever ventured out into the middle of the desert, you’ve likely encountered a solar field of sorts. On the way to Las Vegas, for example, there exists a solar plant that leverages thousands of glass reflectors to burn hot with the power of the sun. But when it comes to more domesticate uses of the sun, researchers and consumers have been limited by the capabilities of light-absorbing perovskite films used in solar cells. Now, however, thanks to a PhD researcher at Brown University, the tides may have changed.

The Light Theory—How Researchers Are Proving Einstein Right With a Snapshot

Mar 02, 2015

As one of these few disciplines, quantum physics falls into a realm of science where well-documented and highly regarded theories take precedence. But explaining these theories requires a deep understanding of the underlying science, and devising lab experiments to illustrate them is a near impossible feat. One research team of American and Swiss physicists with the EPFL Labs in Switzerland, however, are doing just that. And equipped with some wire, a laser and quick-capturing electron microscope they’re proving what Einstein theorized was true — light can act as a particle and a wave.

The Antigastronomist—Unboiling an Egg

Feb 03, 2015

While gastronomists and foodies alike have searched for new methods of altering the chemical composition of foods, chemists at UC Irvine and the University of Western Australia have found a way to undo some of the changes. In fact, after being tasked with finding new methods for reducing the costs of pharmaceutical development, the researchers have found a way to deconstruct the problem and solved the puzzle of unboiling an egg.

VIDEO—Unboiling the Mystery: UC Irvine Researchers Discuss New Discovery of Unboiling Eggs

Feb 03, 2015

While articles this week have pointed to the potential implications of UC Irvine’s newest research, be it in the pharmaceutical or the food industry in spite of its current limitations, now lead author Gregory Weiss is stepping up and answering the question of: Why would we want to unboil an egg?

When Red Dust Settles, Only ‘Black Beauty’ Remains

Feb 02, 2015

While many may be familiar with Mars’ dusty red surface from the glow it gives, or even the dust-covered mountains traversed by Mars rovers in the past, a new study of a meteorite found in the Moroccan desert has researchers believing that a far different image of the planet lies just below the thin red dust.

The Chicks With All of the Tricks—Spatial Strategies & Number Mapping

Feb 01, 2015

When it comes to cognition, there are few answers on the origins of many behaviors. Neurobiology and social anthropology help researchers understand the development of speech, the correlation of objects or words with physical entities, and even the emergence of faiths. However, when it comes to something as simple as a number line, which is virtually a universal means of discerning small numbers from larger numbers, researchers are stumped. And looking to nature for the answer, a new study published this week in the journal Science, discovered just how universal these number lines are.

Think That Chicks Are Just Plain Cute? Well It Turns Out That They Have a Knack for Numbers Too

Jan 30, 2015

While it may take children a couple of years to learn the true values of arithmetic, a new study conducted by ethologist Dr Rosa Rugani, from the University of Padova, reveals that newborn chicks can not only recognize number patterns but also place them in ascending order from left to right. In fact, while the cognitive ability to count may seem like an acquired trait taught to us in school, Rugani’s recent experiments prove that even those with bird brains can display a knack for “number mapping”.

Clearing Up the Smoke—Editorial On E-Cigarettes Study & Public Opinion

Jan 28, 2015

In a recent article published by our writers entitled “Just a Bunch of Hot Air? The Truth About Vaping” our journalist investigated new research published by the New England Journal of Medicine regarding e-cigarettes and health implications associated with vaping. Readers have said that the article propagated fear tactics to decidedly speak against vaping, and with so many questions having recently arisen in response to the article, the editorial staff has decided that it is best to clear up the subject here.

VIDEO—Jellyfish Reveal A Knack for Global Positioning & Swimming in New Study

Jan 24, 2015

While jellyfish may seem like an innocuous marine species, most commonly known for their ability to sting, a new study published in the journal Current Biology reveals that the little gelatinous creatures are actually quite efficient in traversing waves, and can also detect the direction of ocean currents to effectively swim against them. Like a character straight out of Oz, without a heart, bones and even a brain, these little creatures may seem like their helpless in the wild but they’re proving that they can swim against the currents life brings them.

Can You Really Smell When It’s About to Rain? Scientists Now Know Why

Jan 20, 2015

Do you always know before and after it rains simply because of the smell? Now, researchers have discovered the origin of the earthy, sweet smell that lingers in the air. And though scientists have been baffled by the source of this aroma, known as Petrichor, for many years now researchers from MIT have found its origin with the help of high-speed photography.

Pizza Becomes Public Enemy Number 1 in the Fight Against Child Obesity

Jan 19, 2015

What kid doesn't love a good slice of pizza? For that matter, what adult doesn't enjoy an occasional piece too? It may be a beloved alltime snack, however, a new study now reveals that pizza definitely doesn't love children back. In fact, on days when children eat pizza, they consume an average of 408 additional calories, three additional grams of fat and 134 extra milligrams of salt, when compared to a regular diet.

People Who Work More, Drink More

Jan 19, 2015

It seems that idiom "work hard, play hard" may have some truth to it afterall. Researchers have now discovered that individuals who work more, may also drink more according to a new study which shows that 48 hours of work per week or more lead to a tendency to drink a lot, in both quantity and frequency.

How Zebra Stripes and Rising Sea Levels Have More In Common Than You Thought

Jan 16, 2015

Though the two may seem entirely unrelated at first, one being a long misunderstood mystery and the other the byproduct of climate change, a new study reveals that a zebra’s stripes may too be caused by environmental factors making our sea levels rise.