Articles by Allan Adamson
DSTART Designing Evolving Starship Made From Hollowed-Out Asteroid
The DSTART team is designing a starship that can keep generations of crew alive as they travel through deep space for an extended period. Why should the interstellar spacecraft use an asteroid?
Telomerase Structure Discovery May Lead To Drugs That Combat Aging And Cancer
Researchers revealed a more detailed structure of the enzyme telomerase linked to cellular aging. Why is it important in the development of drugs that fight cancer and delay aging?
Fruit's Pungent Smell Causes Gas Leak Scare At Australian University
The smell of a rotting fruit left on a cupboard was mistaken as a potentially dangerous gas leak. The incident prompted the evacuation of more than 500 people in a university in Melbourne.
Toxic Aquarium Coral That Releases Airborne Poison Nearly Kills Texas Family
A woman and her family were hospitalized after the palythoa coral in their fish tank released an airborne toxin called palytoxin. What causes these colorful creatures to release the poison?
Australia Commits $500 Million To Save Great Barrier Reef From Climate Change
The federal government of Australia is allocating half a billion dollars to save the Great Barrier Reef from climate change and other threats. Here's how this funding will be used to save the world's largest coral reef system.
Disease-Free Population Of Tasmanian Devils In Australia May Save Marsupial Species From Extinction
A new population of Tasmanian devils was found untouched by the Devil Facial Tumour Disease that has brought the marsupial species to the brink of extinction. How did this newly found devils evade the disease?
Taking Vitamin B6 May Help You Remember Your Dreams
People who take 240 mg of vitamin B6 supplements before going to bed improved their ability to recall their dreams. What is the potential benefit of being able to recall dreams on a regular basis?
Different Ways Of Preparing Garlic Yield Different Sulfur Compounds Linked To Health Benefits Of Spice
Different ways of preparing garlic yield different sulfur compounds that alter gaseous signaling molecules that can influence inflammation, cardiovascular system, and neurological function. Is there a right or wrong way to prepare the spice?
Increasing Amount Of Carbon Dioxide In Atmosphere May Lead To Drier Amazon, Wetter Africa And Indonesia
Increasing amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere can alter the way plants absorb carbon dioxide and release water vapor. How can this process result in a drier Amazon rainforest and wetter woodlands in Indonesia and Africa?
DNA At Crime Scenes Led To Capture Of 'Golden State Killer'
The Golden State Killer committed numerous crimes including murder and rape in the 1970s and 1980s but evaded justice for many years. How did investigators pin him down using DNA left at crime scenes?
Personalized Music Can Activate Brain Of Dementia Patients
Researchers investigated how listening to music affects dementia patients. They found that personalized music can serve as alternative route to communicate with patients who are suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Blue Light From Smartphones And Tablets Linked To Increased Cancer Risk
Exposure to artificial light at night, particularly blue light generated by smartphone and tablet screens, has been linked to increased prostate cancer and breast cancer risks. Researchers cited the importance of knowing the health risk posed by artificial light.
Dark Chocolate Is Good For Your Memory And Creativity: How To Choose The Healthiest Chocolate
Dark chocolate can be beneficial to the brain, particularly treats made of 70 percent cocoa, but which of the available brands in the market is the healthiest? Here are some tips.
Certain Medications Including Antidepressants May Increase Dementia Risk By Up To 30 Percent
Researchers identified the classes of drugs that carry high risk for dementia. These medications include those used for treating depression, urinary incontinence, and Parkinson’s disease.
Alcohol May Increase Strains Of Bad Mouth Bacteria: Here Are Long-Term Effects Of Alcohol On The Body
Heavy drinkers tend to have an overabundance of bad mouth bacteria linked to increased risk for gum disease and cancer. Drinking alcohol may also cause permanent damage to the brain and body.
People With Allergies At Higher Risk For Psychiatric Disorders
Findings of a study conducted in Taiwan showed that Individuals with allergic diseases such as asthma, eczema, and hay fever are at higher risk for depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders. Why?
HTLV-1: Incurable Sexually Transmitted Virus Threatens Aboriginal Communities
The HTLV-1 is a blood-borne and sexually transmitted virus linked to AIDS-causing HIV. It does not have any cure and causes deadly complications like leukemia and a severe lung disease called bronchiectasis.
Gut Bacteria Linked To Osteoarthritis Risk But Prebiotics Could Be Key To Healthier Joints
Prebiotics appear to help reduce inflammation linked to the development of osteoarthritis. The findings provide evidence that gut bacteria could influence risk for the so-called wear-and-tear arthritis.
Climate Change Causes Bird Chicks To Hatch Late Leaving Them Starving
Climate change causes warmer springs that lead birds such as the great tits, the blue tits, and pied flycatcher hatching too late to catch their main food source. Global warming also affects the food supply of other species.
Can Electric Cars Cause Defibrillators And Pacemakers To Malfunction?
Strong electromagnetic fields may pose danger to patients using implanted heart devices. Do electric cars generate fields strong enough to cause defibrillators and pacemakers to malfunction?
Zero-Calorie Sweeteners Can Still Increase Risk For Diabetes And Obesity
Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and acesulfame potassium may also lead to body changes linked to diabetes and obesity. How do these zero-calories sugar replacements cause unwanted health impacts?
Pokémon GO Helps Find Missing Man With Dementia
A Navy veteran who plays 'Pokémon GO' found an elderly man while visiting a Pokestop. The 83-year-old man has dementia and has been missing from his home a state away.
Rare River Shark Species Not Seen In A Decade Found On Sale In A Fish Market
The Ganges river shark is one of the top 20 most threatened shark species, and it is in the IUCN Red List. Someone took a picture of the elusive creature on sale at the Sassoon Dock fish market in India.
Yellowstone Hotspot: Scientists Find Source Of Supervolcano’s Heat
Researchers used seismic tomography to find Yellowstone's hotspot suspected to be part of a mantle plume originating from Earth's mantle and core boundary. “Stealing” the supervolcano’s heat may prevent the next Yellowstone eruption.
Dark Matter Could Be Primordial Black Holes That Were Formed Right After The Universe Was Born
Is dark matter composed of ancient black holes nearly as old as the universe? Researchers ran computer simulations in the hope of finding evidence of primordial black holes in dwarf galaxies halos, where much of dark matter is located
Saturn May Have Helped Create Planet Jupiter's Galilean Moons
Computer simulations showed how Jupiter's largest moons were formed. Researchers found that the gas giant's neighboring planet, Saturn, had a key role in the formation of the Galilean satellites.
27.5-Million-Year-Old Species Of Baleen Whale Found In New Zealand Is One Of Oldest
The ancient species of baleen whale named Toipahautea waitaki lived in New Zealand when the region was an island archipelago. How is this creature different from its modern-day cetacean kins?
Mailman Faces Criminal Charges For Hoarding 17,000 Undelivered Letters
A mailman hoarded 17,000 letters in his car, work locker, and apartment. He said he was overwhelmed by the number of mails and made sure the important letters were delivered.
Bajau Sea Nomads Evolved Bigger Spleen To Dive Deeper, Longer: Other Proof That Humans Are Evolving
The diving ability of the Bajaus is a genetic adaptation, having larger spleens allows them to hold their breath longer underwater. Here are other groups of people who evolved to adapt to their surroundings and lifestyle.
Microscope Captures 3D Views Of Cells Moving Within Living Organisms
Researchers developed a microscope that can produce 3D videos of living cells as they carry out their function. The technology used adaptive optics and lattice light sheet microscopy.
