Articles by Alyssa Navarro
Improv DARPA Program Pays Techies To Turn Household Items Into Weapons
DARPA has launched a new program called Improv to seek out proposals from techies who can turn every day household items into powerful weapons. Successful proposals will be granted generous funding.
Cleaner Air May Actually Worsen Global Warming
Two new studies revealed that aerosol actually has a significant role in the planet's climate. In fact, aerosol emissions act like a cloak that gives off a temporary cooling effect, scientists said.
US Spending On Prescription Drugs Rose 5.2 Percent In 2015
A new report revealed that the spending on prescription drugs in the United States rose to 5.2 percent in 2015, driven by higher medication use and prices. The report included the impact of rebates for the first time.
New Study Reveals Most Effective Way To Quit Smoking
Quitting cold turkey is the best way to kick the habit of smoking, a new study in the United Kingdom has revealed. Researchers compared the all-at-once approach to gradual reduction.
FDA To Review Abbott's Dissolving Heart Stent
On Tuesday, the FDA will consult and discuss with advisers the efficacy and safety of Abbott's one-of-a-kind heart stent. Unlike traditional stents, the company's medical implant dissolves after clearing fat-clogged arteries.
California Raises Smoking Age To 21: Will This Reduce Rate Of Tobacco Use?
California has passed a bill that restricts the purchasing and smoking age to 21 years old. The blanket ban stirred opposing reactions from different experts. Will the restriction be enough to reduce tobacco use among teens?
Giant Underwater Craters May Shed Light On Bermuda Triangle Mystery
Countless ships and planes have disappeared over the Bermuda Triangle, but no one knows how. New research suggests that multiple underwater craters in the Arctic may shed light on the mystery.
Scientists Develop Method To Identify Terrorists Based On V Signs
Current methods to identify terrorists are not easy or straightforward to perform. Now, scientists in Jordan have developed another method that could help recognize terrorists based on 'V for victory' signs.
Mysterious 'Sea Monster' Found On Mexican Beach Is Likely A Whale Head
Officials and beachgoers were shocked to see a mysterious gray piece of mass on the shore of a beach in Mexico. Some people speculated it was a sea monster, but an expert said it was the head of a dead whale.
Chipotle Bosses See Big Pay Cuts After Norovirus, E.coli Outbreaks
Coming on the heels of countless food-borne illness incidents, Mexican grill restaurant Chipotle has cut off the executive bonuses for its big bosses. In fact, the company’s co-CEOs saw their pays drop by half.
Social Media May Be Responsible For Drop In Teen Pregnancy
Teen pregnancy rates in England and Wales have significantly dipped over the course of seven years. The global rise of social media use in 2007 may have played a role in this, experts said.
Racial Discrimination In Workplace Leads To Stress
Racial discrimination still happens in the workplace. A new survey revealed that unfair treatment and racial discrimination is contributing to the high stress levels of adults in the United States, particularly among Hispanics and black Americans.
Trial Of Genetically Engineered Mosquitoes To Fight Zika Gets Tentative FDA Approval
Federal health regulators have approved British firm Oxitec's application to perform a field trial of its genetically-engineered mosquitoes in Florida. The mosquitoes are designed to fight against the spread of Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases.
NASA's New Horizons Finds Wide Bite Mark On Pluto's Surface
Pluto looks like a 'large, chewable malted ball.' Now, new images from New Horizons revealed a wide bite mark on the dwarf planet's surface. How did that happen?
Global Food Production Key Driver Of Greenhouse Emissions
Although global food production, animal farming and waste disposal are key drivers of greenhouse gas emissions, they are often overlooked, a new study revealed. Scientists said other greenhouse gases are more abundant than carbon dioxide.
FDA Okays Pfizer's Lung Cancer Drug Xalkori For Expanded Use
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the expanded use of Pfizer's Xalkori for the treatment of a rare mutation of lung cancer. The therapy is the first of its kind.
Singapore Is Most Expensive City In The World
For the third straight year, Singapore is still hailed as the world's most expensive city by the Economist Intelligence Unit. Meanwhile, New York City climbed the list from 22nd to seventh.
California Lawmakers Vote To Raise Smoking Age From 18 To 21
California policymakers voted Thursday to lift the purchasing and smoking age from 18 to 21 years old. State Gov. Jerry Brown must sign the legislation first before it turns into law.
Taco Bell Debuts New $1 Breakfast Menu
The fast-food industry is banking on breakfast meals to improve sales. On Thursday, food chain Taco Bell stepped up its game by unveiling its newest $1 breakfast menu items.
Over The Counter Alzheimer's Drink Stops Brain From Shrinking
A daily nutritional supplement called Souvenaid, which is manufactured by an Irish firm, is effective in reducing brain shrinkage, a clinical study revealed. The drink also improved the memory of people with symptoms of prodromal Alzheimer's disease.
Spraying To Eliminate Mosquitoes May Not Stop Spread Of Zika Virus: WHO
WHO Assistant Director-General Marie-Paule Kieny said using traditional methods to eliminate mosquitoes has had no impact in fighting off dengue. The same issues might apply to Zika virus, she said.
Study Identifies Brain Regions Behind Self-Related Facebook Posts
There is a complex network of brain regions at work whenever people share personal information on Facebook, a small-scale study revealed. This could possibly pave way to explain why some people border on oversharing.
Doctors Group Recommends Pediatricians Include Poverty Questions During Checkups
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggested that doctors take into account whether families can make ends meet or have difficulty doing so. The question should be asked during routine checkups, new guidelines said.
Swallowtail Butterfly Holds Record Number Of Vision Cells In Eyes
A species of swallowtail butterfly in Australasia now holds the record for the most number of vision cells or photoreceptors in its eye. Humans only have three types of photoreceptors and yet have normal color vision, so what are the butterfly’s vision cells for?
New Australian Spider Brian Can Swim And Catch Toads
Australian arachnid Brian is part of a new species of spiders with an affinity for surfing waves. This water spider has some amazing abilities, and luckily, poses no threat to humans.
Dust Grains From Ancient Stellar Explosions Billions Of Years Ago May Unveil Secrets Of Our Galaxy
If you could hold pieces of stars on your palm, what would you do? Scientists in Michigan are investigating dust grains believed to be from stellar explosions that occurred before the birth of the sun.
Height And Size Matter: Tall Men And Slender Women Earn More, Study Finds
Men who are taller and women who are slimmer earn more than their reverse counterparts, a new study in the United Kingdom revealed. Researchers used a model to create hypothetical situations and to calculate annual income.
Theranos Ran Faulty Tests On Patients: Report
New details have emerged about the blood test issues that Theranos Inc. is currently facing. A report by the Wall Street Journal revealed the company was aware of its tests' faulty results but still proceeded with sending it to patients.
Starbucks Voluntarily Recalls Two Products Over Allergen, Bacteria Risks
Suppliers have pulled out two Starbucks products in the past few days over potential listeria and allergen concerns. As of press time, no cases of infection have been reported.
Scientists Unveil History Of Ancient Viruses That Existed 30 Million Years Ago
Our DNA contains remnants of ancient viruses called endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) which attacked our prehistoric ancestors. But when and how did they begin to spread?
