Articles by Alyssa Navarro
Make Pluto A Planet Again: NASA's New Definition For Planets May Reinstate Pluto
A team of scientists at NASA published a new proposal that aims to change the way planetary scientists define and classify planets. If approved, it means Pluto may be deemed a planet again.
Your Altruism May Be A Result Of Guilt: Study
Perhaps you find it easy to give to others without expecting anything in return, basking in the 'warm glow' that selfless acts of kindness give. However, a new study suggests such acts of altruism may actually be driven by guilt.
Colony Of 1 Million Penguins Flock To Argentina To Feast On Fish
More than a million Magellanic penguins flocked to the shores of Argentina to feast on an abundance of small fish. Visitors who plan to visit the Punta Tombo peninsula will be treated to a spectacular sight.
CDC Temporarily Closes Biosafety Labs Over Air Hose Safety Concerns
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has temporarily shut down four of its biosafety laboratories in Atlanta due to concerns for equipment safety. Officials say air supply hoses attached on workers’ suits were not approved for use.
Engineers Develop Origami-Inspired Bulletproof Shield To Protect Police Officers
A lightweight, portable bulletproof shield inspired by origami has been developed by engineers from Brigham Young University. The lightweight shield is strong enough to deflect bullets from pistols and revolvers.
Love Eating Pizza, Burgers? Study Says High-Fat Meals Can Ruin Your Metabolism
A new study suggests eating too much meals that are high in saturated fat may destroy your liver metabolism. Researchers warn that high-fat meals can lead to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver.
Not Recluse: Scientists Devise Method To Tell Difference Between Brown Recluse Spider Bite, Skin Cancer
Think you got bitten by a brown recluse spider? A team of researchers in the United States invented a new mnemonic device to help you avoid misdiagnosis and tell the difference between a spider bite and skin cancer.
Tracking Lemurs Could Become Less Invasive, Thanks To Facial Recognition Software
Scientists have successfully developed a facial recognition software that is less invasive and more effective in tracking lemurs in the wild. Researchers hope the software could be applied in a wide range of animal conservation efforts.
Hunt For Planet Nine: NASA Wants Your Help Finding This Mysterious Planet
Ever dreamed of being an astronomer? NASA wants your help finding an elusive and mysterious planet called Planet Nine, which scientists believe is located beyond Neptune.
Deep Reefs Cannot Help Restore Destroyed Shallow Reefs
Scientists have long wondered whether deep coral reefs could become sources of new larvae to restore damaged shallow reefs. Now, a new study in Queensland has found that deep reefs cannot ultimately recover destroyed shallow reefs.
Broad Institute Wins Patent To CRISPR: Here's Why It Matters
Broad Institute retains the lucrative rights to gene-editing technique CRISPR after a U.S. patent office’s ruling found no 'interference' on the patent. On the losing side is the University of California, Berkeley, considered as the home of this particular technology.
Doctors' Frequent Opioid Prescriptions Linked To Long-Term Use In Patients: Study
A new study suggests the frequency of opioid prescriptions by doctors is linked to higher chances of long-term opioid use in patients. Researchers say much stricter guidelines on opioid prescriptions are needed.
Why Have Earth's Oceans Lost 2 Percent Of Their Oxygen?
Past studies have shown that the world's oceans continue to lose their oxygen concentration over time. Now, a new report successfully quantifies the extent to which oceans are losing their oxygen levels.
Ancient Judean Jars Offer Insights Into Earth's Magnetic Field Strength
Ancient jars that served as tax payment centuries ago have provided scientists clues to the strength of the Earth’s magnetic field. Apparently, fluctuations in the magnetic field is a norm for the planet, not a sign of the apocalypse, researchers said.
China's Space Plans: First Chinese Cargo Spacecraft Will Lift Off In April
As part of its plans to advance the country’s space programs, China will send its first cargo spacecraft into space in April this year. The spacecraft will dock with China’s space laboratory known as the Tiangong-2.
How To Heal Lower Back Pain: New Guidelines Suggest Drug-free Options
Non-drug treatments such as yoga, tai chi, or acupuncture should be the first line of defense against lower back pain, new guidelines suggested Monday, Feb. 13. Experts say some powerful painkillers are no longer effective against lower back pain.
Are First-borns Smarter Than Their Siblings? Study Says Yes
Children who were born first are generally smarter than their younger siblings, but not because of genetics, a new study suggests. Researchers said it's all because of the advantages first-borns receive from parents.
Giant Toothless Flying Reptile Dominated Ancient Romania: Study
Giant flying reptiles may have been dominant predators in an island in ancient Romania, a new study reveals. Scientists shed light on a creature called Hatzegopteryx, and studied its remains.
Arctic Temperatures Rise: Sea Ice Cover Sets Record Low For January
Arctic sea ice has set another record low for January as temperatures in the region continue to rise. A scientist says the warming event in the Arctic is a 'chicken-egg' phenomenon.
South Korea Confirms 2nd Strain Of Foot-And-Mouth Disease Outbreak
South Korea has raised its foot-and-mouth disease alert status to highest level as a second strain of the virus was confirmed Thursday. The government has begun vaccinating all its cattle and livestock.
5000-Year-Old Chinese Beer Recipe Tastes Fruity: Stanford Students
Stanford University students successfully recreated a 5,000-year-old Chinese beer recipe uncovered by scientists last year. The result was a fruity, cider-like concoction.
Proxima B Update: Planet In Red Dwarf Habitable Zone May Not Support Life
Exoplanet Proxima B, touted as the “Earth Next Door,” may not be so habitable after all. In a new planet model, NASA scientists suggest that the atmosphere of such exoplanets may be threatened by oxygen loss.
NASA's Computer Chip Can Resist Heat On Venus
It has been virtually impossible for any equipment to survive long periods on the surface of Venus, until now. NASA scientists have finally developed a computer chip that can resist extreme heat and pressure similar to that on the planet.
Intense Stair Climbing Can Improve Your Fitness: Study
Couch potatoes now have no excuse to forego exercise. A new study suggests brief but intense stair climbing, which can be done anywhere, is just as good for the heart as structured physical activities.
What Causes The Crackling Sounds Made By Meteors?
A team of scientists in New Mexico sought out to investigate what causes the crackling sounds made by meteors when they fall to Earth. Researchers suggest such a phenomenon may be created by light.
Your Spit Can Help Scientists Understand US Migration Patterns
More than 77,000 spit samples have been analyzed by a genealogy company to trace and understand migration patterns in the United States. The results can have real applications for medical research.
Incredible Photo Of Frozen Pike Fish Eating Bass Goes Viral: Is It Fake?
Two brothers who went ice fishing took an incredible snapshot of an object that went viral on Facebook: a frozen pike fish swallowing a bass. How did that happen? Is the photo real?
Dorado Catfish Holds Record For World's Longest Freshwater Fish Migration
The dorado catfish holds the record for the world's longest exclusively freshwater fish migration, an international study has proven. Researchers uncover the species' epic life cycle journey from birth to adulthood.
How Does The Brain Form Predictions? Neuroscientist Offers New Framework As Explanation
How exactly does the brain make forecasts? A neuroscientist from New York has offered a new framework that could explain how the human brain formulates predictions.
Black Hole Feeding Frenzy: Length Of Mealtime Breaks Records, Scientists Say
A massive black hole billions of light years away from Earth has gone on a feeding frenzy that has resulted in a record-breaking mealtime, a new study reveals. How could that have happened?
