How Early Man Survived at the ‘Roof of the World’—And Found the Secret to Beer Too

ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE 11.21.2014 20:27 PM

For early man, surviving and conquering niche environments, like that of the Tibetan Plateau of Asia, was a difficult task that required the perfect combination of conditions. Tribes needed to learn how to work together, to traverse harsh terrain, to find/build shelter, and above all they had to learn how to feed themselves year-round. And while the surmounting odds of surviving the domain known as the “Roof of the World” were stacked against them, with extreme altitudes, relentless winds, frigid temperatures and low-oxygen conditions complicating the living conditions they had in their new home, researchers now say that early men were able to conquer this uninhabited ecosystem thanks to a cold-hardy crop used to make beer – barley.

Wandering Northwoods Moose Suddenly Found Dead on Sleepy Eye Farm

11.21.2014 20:16 PM

It’s been a strange story from the beginning, but now it’s taken an even more tragic turn for the worse. Nearly two weeks ago reporters in Minnesota revealed that a large 7-foot-tall moose, native to the habitat of Northwoods, travelled hundreds of miles to the farmlands of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota and found a temporary new home in Verna and Leonard Wendiner’s backyard.

Milestone Birthdays Prompt Change, and A Bad Choice or Two

11.21.2014 02:30 AM

And at these strange cusps where “nine-enders” (those who have an age ending in a nine) step into the next set of ten, researchers now say that individuals may mark the milestones with a slew of good choices looking towards their future – and maybe just a bad choice or two too.

Should Mysterious Russian Satellite Be Cause for Concern?

11.20.2014 20:55 PM

Nearly 50 years ago, the world was in a similar climate as it is today. International affairs were rocky at best, and former enemies on the global stage took to space as they would a battlefield. Nations like the U.S. and Soviet Russia engaged in a war of attrition, one that luckily never led to actual battle; but rather led to a space race the United States won first.

CERN’s Large Hadron Collider Adds Two New Subatomic Particles to the List

11.20.2014 20:51 PM

There’s an art in the science of CERN’s Large Hadron Collider. It’s not simply a method for smashing atoms together, but rather it’s a uniquely painstaking process that can reveal some of the smallest hidden secrets our world has to offer. And while the particles that CERN researchers are studying may be smaller than the smallest atom, by bringing to light quantifiably distinct particles only often thought of in physical theory courses, the discovery of every new particle is a large step forward for the advancements of mankind’s science.

Most Heavy Drinkers in the U.S May Not Necessarily Be Alcoholics

11.20.2014 20:42 PM

Most heavy drinkers in the U.S. are not necessarily alcoholics, study reveals. Drinking heavily is defined as having eight or more alcoholic drinks in a week for women, and 15 or more drinks per week for men.

Humans and Mice Are Two Identical, Yet Different Creatures

11.19.2014 17:48 PM

Humans and Mice Are Two Identical Yet Different Creatures For the longest time around, in most research studies on health and medicine, mice have been the favorite "substitute" for humans in experiments or tests.

Russian ‘Satellite Killer’ May Spark International Warfare

11.19.2014 17:45 PM

Decades later, and a Russian space mission may just kick off yet another space race much closer to home. With news of fallen missiles creating craters in northern Siberia, and secret space missions being launched from the Russian side of the world, sky gazers have kept their eyes peeled in recent months for anything peculiar up in the sky. But now six months after researchers say that a Russian object was put into orbit around the Earth, astronomers fear that Russia’s spacecraft may be conducting a test run for anti-satellite warfare.

Energy Drinks Are Dangerous to Young Kids, Study Says

11.18.2014 20:15 PM

Energy Drinks Are Dangerous to Young Kids, Study Says With the fancy, colorful and attractive packaging, its sweet taste, and the term used to describe it; "energy drinks" are seen by many as a harmless beverage with no health hazards even to the young consumers.

Trans Fat Causes Poorer Memory, Study Says

11.18.2014 20:14 PM

Trans Fat is Not Only Bad for the Heart, but also Harmful to the Mind, Study Says Trans fat has never been known for its health benefits. It has been associated with cardiovascular diseases caused by high cholesterol levels.

Philae Lander Reveals Organic Molecules on Comet 67P

11.18.2014 20:12 PM

For ten years, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Rosetta Mission has been on a path towards Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in hopes of finding answers to the origins of our solar system. And when the Rosetta Mission’s Philae Lander landed Nov. 12, researchers thought they’d find their answers. But with a myriad of errors and strange complications added to the mixture, the Philae Lander had a tough, short time to collect all of its data. Yet, even in spite of all the difficulties thrown into the mix, researchers at the ESA announced today that an analysis of Philae’s data reveals “organic” molecules on Comet 67P, much like those found here on Earth.

Can U.S. Supercomputers Regain Top Title?

11.18.2014 12:16 PM

It’s a sad day when the U.S. realizes it’s no longer the leader of the pack. But the title is something that the government will pay well to regain.

Should Mysterious Craters in Siberia Be Cause for Concern?

11.18.2014 12:16 PM

Earlier this past summer when a mysterious giant crater was discovered in northern Siberia’s Yamal Peninsula, many believed the phenomenon to be far too strange to be a natural occurrence. Ironically named “Yamal” which means “the end of the world”, much skepticism surrounded early news of the phenomenon. And when images hit the web a myriad of theories abounded, leading viewers to throw reason to the wind claiming that the crater was either a man-made hoax, a site for a meteorite crash, or even the workings of an alien UFO.

China’s Supercomputer Tianhe-2 Reigns Supreme

11.18.2014 04:01 AM

While the U.S. and the E.U may lead the pack in many sectors of technological advancements, and the concept of smart cities, it’s China’s supercomputers that continue to reign supreme. Commemorating the opening day of the SC14 Supercomputing Show in New Orleans, Monday Nov. 17, a team of researchers from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee and German tech company Prometeus issued the 2014 list of the top 500 most powerful computing systems in the world. And though the race was close this year, China’s massive Tianhe-2 supercomputer topped the list at No.1, for the fourth time in a row.

Emotional Stress Has More Dangerous Effects on a Woman's Heart

11.18.2014 01:37 AM

Emotional stress has more dangerous effects on a woman's heart. New research finds that young women with heart diseases are more likely than men to have reduced blood flow to their heart, if they are under emotional stress.

A 10-second Kiss May Transfer up to 80 Million Bacteria

11.18.2014 01:36 AM

A 10-second kiss may transfer up to 80 million bacteria, a new study says. The sweetest and most passionate kiss could turn into a fatal kiss of death, depending on what kind of microbes you share and transfer in the process.

Massive Crater in Siberia Sparks Conversations of UFOs and Bermuda Triangle

11.17.2014 17:09 PM

For those who have ventured to Siberia in their lifetime, you know that there is a mysterious air about the desolate arctic tundra plains. But earlier this summer when a giant sinkhole was discovered in northern Siberia’s Yamal Peninsula, researchers realized just how strange it may be.

In Chimpanzee Sexual Selection, Nice Guys Finish Last

11.15.2014 19:19 PM

Behavioral studies of our close relatives the chimpanzee often reveal origins of what we believe to be distinctly “human” interactions. Grooming behavior, child rearing and even gang formation have all been identified in chimpanzee populations, but in a recent study conducted in Tanzania, researchers from Arizona State University say that they may have found the origins or far more disturbing behavior—bullying and male-on-female violence.

A Fisherman’s Tale—5,000 Year Old Footprints Found in Denmark “Fjord”

11.15.2014 19:08 PM

Those who have fishermen in the family know that the tales of fishing trips are often folkloric at their best. But would you be surprised to hear that ancient tales of a fishing trip, and perhaps some footprints to document the trip, may be one of the most important archaeological finds of the decade? Well it turns out neither did the pair of fishermen whose ever move was recorded below them in a shifting seabed, 5,000 years ago in the frigid waters of the southern Baltic Sea.

Climate Change May Spark A Wildfire Or Two in Our Future

11.14.2014 16:59 PM

In a year with news full of UN summits and celebrity spokespersons speaking out against climate change, further complicated by the emissions we as humans put out, new research says that the incremental changes over the next century may spark some more conversations as well as lightning strikes across the continental United States.

Wildfires May Fill our Future as Climate Change Sparks Lightning

11.13.2014 21:42 PM

Anthropogenic climate change, caused by the actions and emissions put forth by humans, has been a major conversation starter in recent months. But new research released today in the journal Science says that we may be looking at a future filled with a few more sparks rather than just warmer summers and rising seas.