L.A. Times - Science

Northern California quake is a curiosity for seismologists

By Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:33:00 PDT

The 5.7 temblor northeast of Sacramento, in a part of the state that hasn't been studied much, didn't do a lot of damage but was felt 'along an unusual distance.'

A magnitude 5.7 temblor Thursday night was the largest earthquake to shake California since 2008 and has generated curiosity from seismologists.

NOAA predicts above-average hurricane season

Stephen Ceasar, Los Angeles Times — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:32:00 PDT

NOAA predicts a busy Atlantic tropical storm season, with a likelihood of seven to 11 hurricanes, three to six of them major.

Unusually warm ocean waters and favorable atmospheric conditions are expected to create an above-average number of tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic and Caribbean this season, national weather forecasters predicted.

Scientists uncover a secret to cockroaches' adaptability

By Amina Khan, Los Angeles Times — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:00:00 PDT

Research shows that cockroaches have evolved so that glucose-sweetened bait tastes bitter, helping them avoid once-infallible traps.

In the war against pests, the lowly cockroach makes for a fearsome adversary. It can go weeks without water, survive decapitation for a time — and, like any proper super-villain, can send humans screaming from a room.

Feet welcome multitude of fungi

By Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:53:00 PDT

A genetic analysis of fungi on the human body finds that our feet have the most – more than 100 types, many of which ward off the unhealthy fungi that cause infections like athlete's foot.

Here's a scientific finding that may knock you off your feet: At least 80 types of fungi reside on a typical person's heel, along with 60 between the toes and 40 on the toenail.

Heinrich Rohrer dies at 79; a father of nanotechnology

By Thomas H. Maugh II, Special to The Times — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:40:00 PDT

With IBM colleague Gerd Binnig, Rohrer invented the scanning tunneling microscope, which can show individual atoms on a surface and move them around.

The electron microscope revolutionized biology in the 1930s by providing magnifications thousands of times higher than that of light microscopes, allowing scientists to discern the inner workings of cells for the first time.

Weather conditions were ideal for tornado that slammed Oklahoma

By Eryn Brown, Los Angeles Times — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:11:00 PDT

The powerful twister that hit Moore was a result of the right atmospheric conditions, as well as bad luck: It was the third time since 1999 that the town has been struck by a powerful tornado.

The city of Moore, Okla., was struck by a devastating tornado Monday because all the familiar ingredients were in place to spawn such a massive storm.

Invasive frogs carry amphibian-killing fungus

By Geoffrey Mohan, Los Angeles Times — Sun, 19 May 2013 21:56:00 PDT

A study links African clawed frogs, which were brought to California decades ago for use in pregnancy tests, with a deadly pathogen.

African clawed frogs were first brought to California decades ago to help doctors figure out whether their patients were pregnant. After new technology made those pregnancy tests obsolete, the creatures were let loose, and thrived for decades in the state's drainage ditches and ponds.

How to buy happiness

By Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 PDT

The new science of spending points to a surprising conclusion: How we use our money may matter as much or more than how much of it we've got.

Imagine that you woke up tomorrow morning to discover $1 million under your mattress. Leaving aside the obvious lumpiness issue, take a moment to think: What would you do with that cash?

Harlequin ladybird can be a pest in disguise

By Amina Khan, Los Angeles Times — Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 PDT

The eastern Asia native has an astonishing ability to eat aphids, but spreads rapidly and harbors a parasite that kills other species.

The harlequin ladybird was once a stalwart ally of greenhouse growers around the world. Native to Japan, Korea and other parts of eastern Asia, the bright red ladybugs were prized for their aphid-eating abilities — until they caused serious declines in other ladybug populations.

USC made its offer to neuroscientists a no-brainer

By Larry Gordon and Eryn Brown, Los Angeles Times — Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 PDT

The school's 'all hands on deck' effort to lure Arthur Toga and Paul Thompson from UCLA included money and the prospect of new collaborations, as well as less tangible personal perks.

The courtship that has riveted the neuroscience world blossomed at a Saturday night dinner in a tony Brentwood restaurant.