SCIENCE

Alien abductions are a popular subject in films but in real life, a person allegedly abducted by aliens is rarely believed by the public. While many do not believe in extraterrestrial life, the mystery of the unknown and the mystery of the universe itself keeps many, believers and non-believers alike, strangely attracted to stories of UFOs and alien beings.

In October 2013, it was reported that there is a probability that an asteroid will hit the Earth in 2032. Though the chances of that happening is one in 63,000, many are still fretting about it. Could it be the end of civilization? Some Perth scientists say not exactly.

The Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) has put forth its recommendations regarding how Australians as a nation consume alcohol and the findings are not good in the least.

With Independent MP Bob Such's Ending Life with Dignity bill creating such a huge discussion in parliament, it's only timely that Australia's first euthanasia clinic should also be discussed. Dr Philip Nitschke, voluntary euthanasia campaigner and Exit International director, confirmed that by November 24 the clinic and laboratory will be open.

Australia's reputation as a valuable force in developing an international climate policy has been trashed largely due to its poor ranking in the recent climate change performance index and its inability to send a representative for the United Nations' climate change talks in Warsaw, Poland. Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott has refused to support the green climate fund supported by the United Nations.

The Great Barrier Reef is featured in Hotels.com mobile app and scientists’ high resolution digital map

Indonesia has been hit by a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. No immediate reports of fatalities and damages have so far been reported on the temblor that struck off eastern Indonesia. The Indonesian Meteorology and Geophysics Agency ruled out any potential tsunami occurrence.

Super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), which battered the Philippines on Nov 8 and took more than 4,000 lives as well as destroy billions of dollars worth of properties, is the best argument being cited at the ongoing UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference in Warsaw, Poland.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) MESSENGER spacecraft has been positioned to make an up-close observation and collect data during Comet ISON and Encke’s close flyby to planet Mercury. The robotic spacecraft’s Mercury Dual Instrument System (MDIS) was able to detect and capture the first images of the comets on November 9 to November 11.

The 2013 Leonid meteor shower peak occurred over the weekend but the display is expected to still continue tonight, according to the Examiner report. The University of Texas McDonald Observatory suggests that the best time viewing the sky display will be several hours before daylight.

For some people, brilliance may come with a steep price - debilitating depression, hopelessness and gloom. But when individuals suffering from bipolar disorder are not in a depressive mood, they are penning a novel or painting or doing a number of other things that are usually just brilliant.

In a scientific research said to be the first of its kind, researchers in Sydney have discovered that Australia will experience stronger El Nino weather patterns leading to severe drought. Sydney scientists said that human activities causing global warming can cause future droughts.

Comet ISON is getting visible each day as it nears towards the sun but if you desire to set ISON on its most spectacular angle, here are some pointers you should note to the best view ever.

Oftentimes, even the best of the human race can be dumbfounded by how much we still don't know about our own bodies. In current scientific studies, discovery of a new layer in the cornea and a previously unknown ligament in the knee have been humbling reminders of how complex our anatomy is.

A sample population of Australia's young adults were part of the study to determine their drinking behavior as conducted by the RMIT University. The study aimed to identify the role of alcohol in today's society and possible alternatives to the social activity.

Australian scientists are about to develop the first bionic spinal cord controlled only by thought. This project is being funded by the Australian government and the U.S. military. The $2.5 million project aims to implant a device on a paralyzed patient to control robotic limbs using their thoughts for five years.

Japan's side of the "Ring of Fire" seems to be getting quite active these days. The country has received another 5.7 magnitude earthquake jolt on Tuesday, a week after it experienced a tremor with the same intensity.

In what could be a slap in the face to protesters of Canada's proposed pipeline project in Alberta, an economist from International Energy Agency has clarified that such projects do not exacerbate or give any supporting contribution to the world's burgeoning climate change.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) successfully launched its Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft at 1:28 p.m. EST on Nov. 18, 2013 from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, U.S. MAVEN was reportedly launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket to orbit Mars also known as the Red Planet, for 10 months. According to NASA, MAVEN will record measurements of the upper atmosphere in Mars to help in the research of the said planet's ...

China has set to open its next carbon emissions trading markets in Beijing and Shanghai before the end of November 2013.

At least 100 stores located inside Westfield Hornsby Mall remain closed on Tuesday as authorities continued to assess the damages inflicted by a mini tornado that ripped Australia's Central Business District on Monday afternoon.

Environment Canada has issued special weather forecast for Agawa, Searchmont and Sault Ste. Marie.

Another record-breaking Sydney weather in November occured this year. If you have noticed the chilly breeze Sunday, it was the coldest recorded day for this month after 7 long years as it was on a high of 17.6 degrees. According to SMH.com.us, Sydney locals felt the same cold weather way back in 2006, which was at 16.6 degrees.

A new survey has shown that Australians don't necessarily worry about issues that are most likely to have lasting effects in their lives. Sexual abuse and road safety were the foremost in citizen's mind. For instance, in terms of road safety, a large percentage was worried about driving under the influence of drugs.

Sydney has recently been hit by a "mini tornado" that has led to some serious destruction. The storm has caused the collapse of a cinema building in Hornsby, Sydney and left 15 people injured.

Fruit-flavored tobacco sheesha is the newest trend in social (non) smoking in Melbourne. While it has previously packaged as a less harmful alternative experience to actually smoking, more studies show it is almost exactly like smoking. The fruit flavor is not just an added factor, but actually masks the effects of tobacco.

Eco-activists has proven here is nothing like a common cause to unite people in making their governments to stand up and take pride.

Three factors contribute to a comet's brightness: it must be large, fairly close to both the sun and the Earth and have a good-sized dust-to-gas ratio. The comet ISON has all of these in spades, causing quite a stir with astrological experts.

Despite the rain, tens of thousands of Australians attended climate change rallies across the country to urge Prime Minister Tony Abbott to retain the carbon tax. The Australian Labour Party and Greens politicians, together with environmental groups and volunteer firefighters took turns to criticise the Coalition government at the Climate Action Day, one of the largest rallies in support of climate change action.