Intense tropical cyclones shifting poleward since 1980

Intense tropical cyclones shifting poleward since 1980

Researchers find that the average latitude where tropical cyclones achieve maximum intensity has been shifting poleward since 1980.Over the past 30 years, the location where tropical cyclones reach maximum intensity has been shifting toward the poles in both the norther

High-speed solar winds increase lightning strikes on Earth

High-speed solar winds increase lightning strikes on Earth

Scientists have discovered new evidence to suggest that lightning on Earth is triggered not only by cosmic rays from space, but also by energetic particles from the Sun.University of Reading researchers found a link between increased thunderstorm activity on Earth and s

Whales hear us more than we realize

Whales hear us more than we realize

Killer whales and other marine mammals likely hear sonar signals more than we've known. That's because commercially available sonar systems, which are designed to create signals beyond the range of hearing of such animals, also emit signals known to be with

Sprites form at plasma irregularities in the lower ionosphere

Sprites form at plasma irregularities in the lower ionosphere

Atmospheric sprites have been known for nearly a century, but their origins were a mystery. Now, a team of researchers has evidence that sprites form at plasma irregularities and may be useful in remote sensing of the lower ionosphere."We are trying to understand t

The best observed X-class flare

The best observed X-class flare

On March 29, 2014 the sun released an X-class flare. It was observed by NASA's Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS; NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, or SDO; NASA's Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager, or RHESSI; the Japanese Aer

Steve Crothers on failures of Big Bang cosmology

Steve Crothers on failures of Big Bang cosmology

Scientists using the BICEP2 telescope recently pronounced that they had discovered direct evidence of Einstein gravitational waves and cosmic inflation. The team describes having detected polarizations in the so-called Cosmic Microwave Background, which is described as

Are we ready for contact with extraterrestrial intelligence?

Are we ready for contact with extraterrestrial intelligence?

The SETI project scientists are known for tracking possible extraterrestrial signals, but now they are also considering sending messages from Earth telling of our position. A researcher from the University of Cádiz (Spain) questions this idea in view of the resul

Distinct avian influenza viruses found in Antarctic penguins

Distinct avian influenza viruses found in Antarctic penguins

An international team of researchers has, for the first time, identified an avian influenza virus in a group of Adélie penguins from Antarctica. The virus, found to be unlike any other circulating avian flu, is described in a study published this week in mBi