ScienceDaily: Top Science News

Fast-moving unbound star has broken the galactic speed record Posted: 10 Mar 2015 05:56 PM PDT Astronomers have discovered the fastest ever unbound star in our galaxy. The unbound star, named US708, is traveling at 1,200 kilometers per second -- the fastest speed ever recorded for such an object in our galaxy -- meaning it is not held back by gravity and will eventually leave the Milky Way.

Autism risk genes also linked to higher intelligence Posted: 10 Mar 2015 07:52 AM PDT Genes linked with a greater risk of developing autism may also be associated with higher intelligence, a study suggests.

High levels of vitamin D is suspected of increasing mortality rates Posted: 10 Mar 2015 07:52 AM PDT The level of vitamin D in our blood should neither be too high nor to low. Scientists have now shown that there is a connection between high levels of vitamin D and cardiovascular deaths.

Committing 'gamblers fallacy' may be in the cards, new research shows Posted: 10 Mar 2015 06:15 AM PDT It's called the gambler's fallacy: After a long streak of losses, you feel you are going to win. But in reality, your odds of winning are no different than they were before. For years, the gambler's fallacy has been thought to be a prime example of human irrationality, but a new study suggests that our brains naturally soak up the strange statistics of random sequences.

Welcome to the neighborhood: New dwarf galaxies discovered in orbit around the Milky Way Posted: 10 Mar 2015 06:13 AM PDT Astronomers have discovered a 'treasure trove' of rare dwarf satellite galaxies orbiting our own Milky Way. The discoveries could hold the key to understanding dark matter, the mysterious substance which holds our galaxy together.

Cosmic dust discs withstand hellfire beside massive young stars in center of Milky Way Posted: 10 Mar 2015 04:41 AM PDT Astronomers have discovered an unusual phenomenon in the center of the Milky Way: They detected about 20 rotating dust and gas discs in each cluster hosting exceptionally large and hot stars. The existence of these discs in the presence of the destructive UV radiation field of their massive neighbors came as a surprise. The science team is pondering how these rotating discs are able to withstand evaporation under these extreme conditions.

Bio-inspired eye stabilizes robot's flight Posted: 10 Mar 2015 04:41 AM PDT Biorobotics researchers have developed the first aerial robot able to fly over uneven terrain that is stabilized visually without an accelerometer. Called BeeRotor, it adjusts its speed and avoids obstacles thanks to optic flow sensors inspired by insect vision. It can fly along a tunnel with uneven, moving walls without measuring either speed or altitude.