Articles by Allan Adamson
James Webb Space Telescope To Help Reveal Potential Life On TRAPPIST-1 Exoplanets
The James Webb Space Telescope, which will be launched next year, can help reveal the presence of alien life on the exoplanets of the TRAPPIST-1 star system. The space observatory will gather clues from the components of the planets' atmospheres.
EM-1 Could Be Next Apollo 8 As NASA Mulls Sending Astronauts Around Moon On Untested Rocket
NASA's Exploration Mission 1 could involve two astronauts flying in an Orion capsule around the moon similar to the 1968 Apollo 8 flight. A safety panel, however, said compelling reasons should justify the risk to human life.
Pregnant Women With Genital Herpes Twice As Likely To Have Child With Autism
Pregnant women with genital herpes are at higher risk of having a child with autism spectrum disorder. The study shows that inflammation during pregnancy may have effect on the developing brain of the fetus.
Sleepy Teens 4.5 Times More Likely To Commit Criminal Offenses As Adults
A study has found that teenage boys who feel drowsy in the afternoon tend to be antisocial. They also have higher odds of committing crime by the time they become adults.
Salmonella May Have Contributed To Collapse Of Aztec Empire
A strain of salmonella could be behind the cocoliztli epidemic that killed the natives of the New World, essentially contributing to the collapse of the Aztec empire.
Astronomers May Soon Capture First Actual Image Of A Black Hole
Using the Event Horizon Telescope, astronomers may soon capture an actual image of the Sagittarius A*, the black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. What does a black hole look like?
Discovery Of 7 Earth-Like Planets Near Dwarf Star Boosts Search For Alien Life
The characteristics and proximity of the seven exoplanets to their host star TRAPPIST-1 raise possibility for finding extraterrestrial life. What could hint the presence of life in these newly discovered planets?
Salmonella Food Poisoning May Permanently Damage The DNA
Food scientists found that some salmonella serotypes that cause foodborne illnesses can damage the DNA. What are the potential consequences of DNA damage from salmonella infection?
Clinical Trial To Test Mosquito Saliva Vaccine For Malaria, Zika And Dengue Viruses
A Phase 1 clinical trial of an experimental vaccine designed to provide protection against mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, Zika and dengue will involve up to 60 adult participants. How does this AGS-v vaccine work?
US To Have Lowest Life Expectancy Among High-Income Countries By 2030
The life expectancy of American men and women by the year 2030 will be comparable to those of middle-income countries like Mexico and Croatia. What are the factors behind low life expectancy in the U.S.?
H7N9 Mutation Makes Bird Flu Virus Drug-Resistant And More Infectious
Analysis revealed mutations of the bird flu virus H7N9 make it more infectious in poultry and resistant to a class of antiviral drugs. Does this mean the virus could spread more easily between humans?
Bird Flu Virus Hits French Foie Gras Industry As France Plans To Cull 600,000 Ducks
The H5N8 bird flu virus that hit France and other countries in Europe and the Middle East is set to hit the French foie gras industry. Authorities are planning to cull thousands of ducks, a preventative measure that is estimated to cost foie gras producers 270 million euros.
Spaceflight Bill To Allow UK Scientists To Develop Vaccines And Medicines Through Zero-Gravity Medical Studies
The Spaceflight Bill could allow British scientists to conduct medical experiments in space. The proposed law could lead to the development of new drugs and vaccines through studies in a zero-gravity environment.
Climate Change Can Supercharge Atmospheric Rivers That Bring Drought-Ending Floods In California
Climate change can influence the atmospheric rivers that brought record breaking rains in California. How does a warming world affect the intensity of the so-called rivers in the sky?
Fasting Mimicking Diet Reduces Risk Factors For Aging And Age-Related Diseases: Study
The fasting-mimicking diet tricks the body into thinking it is fasting and was found effective at reducing risk factors for aging and age-related diseases. FMD, however, is not recommended for everyone.
Chicago Teen With Pulmonary Fibrosis Gets Rare Heart And Lung Transplant
Spencer Kolman underwent a heart-lung transplant after he was diagnosed of pulmonary fibrosis. Doctors are optimistic that the 15-year-old teen's life would improve substantially after his surgery.
US Soldiers Dive With Sharks To Manage PTSD
Soldiers suffering from PTSD dive with sharks as a form of therapy. How does the experience emotionally and physically benefit soldiers suffering from pain and depression?
Hibernation May Help Cure Terminal Cancer Patients: Expert
Putting cancer patients into hibernation may give oncologists more time to aggressively treat the tumors without killing the patient. The approach may help thousands of patients with advanced cancer.
Resurrecting Extinct Woolly Mammoth May Help Mitigate Climate Change: Scientists
Creating a hybrid of the woolly mammoth is possible in as little as within two years. Scientists say that resurrecting the extinct Ice Age animal can help mitigate climate change. How?
Building Blocks Of Life Discovered On Dwarf Planet Ceres
NASA's Dawn spacecraft detected carbon-containing materials on Ceres similar to what may have been the building blocks for life on Earth. The organic molecules also appear to be native to this dwarf planet.
Computer Algorithm Can Predict Babies Likely To Develop Autism
An algorithm that takes into account measurements from brain scans of babies as young as 6 months old can predict who among the infants will develop autism. The research could pave way for early diagnosis and early intervention.
60 New Planets Found Orbiting Stars Near Solar System
Scientists discovered 60 new exoplanets including a super-Earth orbiting stars near the solar system. How does this challenge conventional ideas about planets?
Fossil Of Pregnant Dinocephalosaurus Offers Evidence Of Live Birth In Dinosaur Relative
The fossil of a pregnant Dinocephalosaurus, a member of a now extinct reptilian group, showed the creature gave birth to live youngs and did not lay eggs. What does this tell about viviparity and adaptation to aquatic life?
Nearly Half Of Americans To Have Some Form Of Heart Disease-Related Health Problem By 2035
A new American Heart Association report estimates that 45 percent of the U.S. population will have some form of health problem linked to heart disease by 2035. Costs associated with cardiovascular conditions would also rise to $1.1 trillion.
Premature Babies Face Higher Risk For Mental Health Problems Later In Life
Babies born with low birth weight such as those who were born prematurely have increased odds of suffering from mental health problems as children, teenagers and adults. What are the risk factors for giving birth to low birth weight babies?
High Levels Of Toxic Chemicals Contaminate Marine Animals In Deepest Ocean Trenches
PCB, a toxic chemical banned in the 1970s, was found in crustaceans living in the Mariana Trench. The level of contamination in these marine animals is 50 times higher compared with that of crabs in one of China's most polluted rivers.
Harvard Researchers Develop Liquid Battery That Can Last For 10 Years
Unlike currently available lithium-ion batteries that could become useless after a few years of heavy use, the new flow battery Harvard researchers developed can last for more than 10 years. What's behind the battery's long cycle life?
Algae That Survived Nearly Two Years Outside Space Station Could Be Key To Growing Food On Mars
An algae belonging to the Sphaerocystis species survived 16 months of extreme condition outside of the International Space Station. What makes it a good candidate as a food source for the manned Mars mission?
Deep-Sea Squid Has Mismatched Eyes To Help It Survive In The Twilight Zone Of The Ocean
The mismatched eyes of the deep sea 'cockeyed' squid Histioteuthis heteropsis evolved so the creature can better survive in the twilight zone of the ocean. What is its bigger eye for?
Shoveling Snow Can Increase Heart Attack Risk In Men
Increased incidence of heart attack and heart-related deaths in men after snowfalls could be due to shoveling snow. How does shoveling snow up heart attack risks?
