Infotainment

Dozens of gray whales have been found dead along the U.S. West Coast in recent weeks and some scientists believe the cause lies far to the north, in the heated-up Arctic waters off Alaska.Fifty-eight gray whales have been found stranded and dead so far this year in sites stretching from California to Alaska, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).The latest … [Read more...] about Gray whale deaths on West Coast may be linked to Arctic warmth

International scientists criticised on Friday a Russian plan to release 10 captive killer whales into the Sea of Japan rather than return them to their original habitat, saying it could endanger the mammals' lives.The plight of the orcas, which are being held with 87 beluga whales in cramped conditions in a bay near the port of Nakhodka, triggered an international outcry, with celebrities such … [Read more...] about Russian plan to free whales risks their survival, say scientists

NASA just inched closer to having robots take care of spacecraft. The agency recently completed its first hardware checkouts for Bumble (above), one of three Astrobee robots that will research automated caretaking aboard the International Space Station. The bot won't float on its own until later in the spring, but it should be good to go -- including for automated recharging at its docking … [Read more...] about NASA’s Astrobee cube robot completes first hardware tests in space

Spain and France held talks Friday on how to respond after a brown bear recently introduced in the French Pyrenees killed several sheep, alarming shepherds cross the border.Claverina, one of two Slovenian bears which France released into the wild last October to revive a falling population, is believed to have killed eight sheep in Spain's Navarra region and another in the adjacent northern … [Read more...] about France, Spain hold ‘bear summit’ after attacks on sheep

A DNA mutation linked to breathing problems in popular dog breeds has been discovered by scientists.Breathing difficulties are often associated with flat-faced breeds, but experts have found that the mutation is also carried by a breed that has proportional noses.Scientists believe the finding could raise the prospect of genetic tests to identify at-risk animals and help breeders avoid … [Read more...] about DNA find helps explain breathing problems in dogs

Children and teens who are bullied are more than twice as likely as peers who are not victimized to take painkillers, a study of school kids in Iceland suggests."We found a high frequency of pain medication use among both non-bullied and bullied students," said lead study author Pernilla Garmy of Kristianstad University in Sweden."However, the use of analgesics was significantly higher … [Read more...] about Bullied kids more likely to use painkillers

A little birdie has displaced soccer players in New Jersey. The Record reports that a killdeer laid its eggs about two weeks ago on a patch of synthetic grass near the south goal in Teaneck's Votee Park. Public works employees have cordoned off the nest with cones and yellow tape. It could take one to two months for the eggs to hatch and the chicks to leave the nest. Soccer teams are using … [Read more...] about Bird lays eggs on fake turf, displacing soccer teams for now

Brainwaves produced during sleep helps us store new information in our memory, according to a study that explains how bedtime helps boost our learning. Researchers have known about the close relationship between sleep and memory for decades. The study shows how learned information turns into reliable memories during sleep.Researchers from Concordia University in Canada and University of Liege … [Read more...] about Brainwaves during sleep strengthen memories: Study