Research News

The Cassini spacecraft has been taking radar images of Titan for years now. This modified image of the Ligeia Mare, a sea on Titan's north pole, is a composite of some of those.

Science

Scientists Observe Springtime Changes On One Of Saturn's Moons

2:15pm June 23, 2014

by Rae Ellen Bichell

On Titan, summer is almost three years away. But in a dark, placid ocean of natural gas, scientists have spotted something that could be the first inkling of springtime.

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6 Decades Of Research Examines Prisoners Of War

7:29am June 20, 2014

by Shankar Vedantam

The release of U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl prompted a firestorm of debate. We step away from that debate to look at what's been learned about the psychological effects of being captured in wartime

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Doctors used a rapid DNA test to identify a Wisconsin teen's unusual infection with Leptospira bacteria (yellow), which are common in the tropics.

Quick DNA Tests Crack Medical Mysteries Otherwise Missed

9:07am June 07, 2014

by Richard Harris

Scientists used high-powered DNA sequencing to diagnose infections missed by usual lab tests. The pricey method is still experimental, but might offer a way to identify tough-to-diagnose infections.

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Bursts Of Light Create Memories, Then Take Them Away

4:38pm June 03, 2014

by Jon Hamilton

Scientists seem to have answered a fundamental question about the nature of memory. They have found compelling evidence that memories are made by strengthening connections between certain brain cells.

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Malaysia Makes Public Satellite Data From Missing Jetliner

9:36am May 29, 2014

by Geoff Brumfiel

The release came in response to pressure from families, who have been mistrustful of the official investigation. What do the documents show, and where are they in the search for the missing plane?

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Science

Research: Children Of Judges May Influence Court Decisions

12:57pm May 28, 2014

by Shankar Vedantam

It's been suspected that judges are swayed by their personal beliefs and affiliations. An analysis found that judges become more likely to rule in "pro-feminist" ways if the judges have daughters.

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Current water-filtering technology is costly, but MIT scientists are testing a simpler and cheaper method that uses wood from white pine trees.

To Clean Drinking Water, All You Need Is A Stick

3:25pm May 27, 2014

by Joe Palca

Removing bacteria and other impurities from water could be done more cheaply thanks to researchers at MIT. They're taking advantage of the way trees move water to filter it.

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A minke whale photographed in Antarctica last year. The minke, smallest of the baleen whales, turned out to be the mysterious "bio-duck."

Science

Scientists Pinpoint Source Of Antarctic 'Quack'

2:51pm May 27, 2014

by Geoff Brumfiel

For decades, a mysterious quacking "bio-duck" has been heard roaming the waters of the Southern Ocean. Now scientists say the source is a whale.

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Mating Rituals: Why Certain Risky Behaviors Can Make You Look Hot

9:29am May 21, 2014

by Shankar Vedantam

Social science research suggests risky behavior such as braving heights or swimming in deep waters increases your sex appeal. Driving without a seat belt? Not so much.

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Science

Gluten Researcher Reverses His Earlier Finding

11:43am May 20, 2014

A 2011 study found gluten can cause gastrointestinal distress even in people who don't suffer from celiac disease. Peter Gibson published that study, and in a new paper he says the opposite is true.

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