Articles by Athena Chan
SpaceX Successfully Launches Crew Dragon With Test Dummy
SpaceX finally launched the Crew Dragon capsule for the first time, and it is heading for the ISS. On board is a sensor-equipped dummy named Ripley, after the 'Alien' movies.
Increasing Methane Levels In The Atmosphere Threaten Efforts To Fight Climate Change
Methane levels in the atmosphere stabilized in the beginning of the 21st century but started rising again in 2007. Such increases may make it more difficult to fight climate change.
Ultrastrong Spider Silk May Be Used As Robotic Muscles
Spider silk is already known for being one of the strongest materials, and now researchers found a use for it in robotics. It can be used to make artificial muscles.
Israel's Beresheet Lunar Lander Back On Course For The Moon After Computer Glitch
Israel's Beresheet experienced a computer glitch while on its way to the moon. The issue was resolved, and Israel's bet to the space race is back on track.
Weekend 'Catch-Up' Sleep Not Effective, May Increase Waistline
Are 'catch-up' sleeps during the weekend effective for people who did not sleep enough during the week? A new study says it may not be a healthy habit.
Earth's Fish Population Falling Due To Warming Oceans
The planet's fish stocks are also in trouble when it comes to climate change. A new analysis shows significant decreases in fisheries' productivity as a result of warming oceans.
LOOK: Amazon Spiders And Centipedes Prey On Opossum, Snakes
Researchers of a new study released footage of spiders in the Amazon preying on forest vertebrates. They were preying on snakes, opossum, frogs, lizards, and tadpoles.
Controversial Hippo Culling In Zambia To Commence In May
A controversial hippo culling is scheduled to happen in Zalbie this May. Activists and animal rights groups are protesting the plan, asking the government to immediately stop it.
PETA Under Fire For Criticizing Steve Irwin Google Doodle
PETA is taking a lot of heat online after the organization criticized Steve Irwin in a tweet. The controversial tweet came after Google honored Irwin on what would have been his 57th birthday.
Curiosity Rover Operating Normally After Sudden Boot-Up Issue
NASA's Curiosity rover is back to operating normally after suffering reboot issues. The reboot problem occurred just days after the permanent shut down of Opportunity.
Earth Could Hit Carbon Dioxide Levels Not Seen In 56 Million Years Within The Next Two Centuries
How close are we to an extinction-level global warming event? According to a new study, it may just be as little as 140 years, at the rate that we are emitting carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Scientists Solve Mystery Of Mary The Stickleback Fish That Had 'Virgin Birth'
Scientists may have solved the mystery of the so-called virgin birth of Mary the stickleback fish. Evidently, the rare phenomenon may actually be just accidental.
Squid Teeth-Inspired Proteins May Provide Eco-Friendly Plastic Alternative
Researchers found that the proteins in squid teeth may be used to create useful items from plastic alternatives to smart clothes and self-healing fabrics. Fortunately, these proteins can be created in a laboratory without harming squid.
New Horizons Team Shares Most Detailed Images Of Ultima Thule
The New Horizons team shared the most detailed images of Ultima Thule during the historic Jan. 1 flyby. It showcases many surface details that were not very apparent in earlier images.
Pinterest Blocks Search Results For Vaccinations To Prevent Spread Of Misinformation
Pinterest will no longer return search results about vaccinations, whether for or against them. This is in line with the social network's policies to prevent the spread of misinformation.
World's Biggest Bee Believed To Be Extinct Found Alive In Indonesia
The world's biggest bee was thought to be extinct for the last 38 years. Scientists found them alive in the wild at an island in Indonesia.
Fossil Of 4-Foot T. Rex Relative Discovered In Utah
The fossil of a diminutive Tyranossaurus rex relative was discovered in Utah. The discovery reveals new information on how and when the T. rex eventually came to rule North America.
Volcanic Eruptions Contributed To Mass Dinosaur Extinction, Studies Find
Was the asteroid that hit Earth solely responsible for the demise of dinosaurs? New studies find that a series of volcanic eruptions may have contributed to the mass extinction.
California Hospital Facing Penalties For Leaving Surgical Sponge In Patient's Abdomen
Several California hospitals are facing penalties for noncompliance with licensing requirements that caused injuries to patients. One of them was fined for leaving a surgical sponge inside a patient, contributing to the patient's death.
Indiana Parents Speaking Out After Daughter's Earache Turns Out To Be Meningitis
An Indiana couple is speaking out after their 10-year-old daughter died from complications of meningitis. They want others to know what symptoms to look out for.
Authorities Confirm Mumps Cases In Houston ICE Facility
Several people were confirmed to have had mumps while at the ICE facility in Houston, Texas. Despite this, authorities say they do not think this poses a threat to the community.
New Image Of Ultima Thule Shows Object's Pancake-Like Shape
New Ultima Thule images reveal that the Kuiper Belt object is likely flatter in shape rather than spherical. It is one of the major discoveries from the historic flyby.
Tennessee Mom Krysta Davis Chooses To Carry Dying Baby To Term To Donate The Organs
A Tennessee mother decided to carry her dying baby to term even if doctors told her the baby would only live for about 30 minutes. She made the decision so she could donate her baby's organs.
Milky Way And Andromeda Will Collide In 4.5 Billion Years, Study Finds
How long before Milky Way collides with Andromeda galaxy? A new research suggests it may take significantly longer than the previously believed 3.9 billion years.
Diet Drugs Make Mosquitoes Stop Biting, Study Finds
Is there a way to stop mosquitoes from biting humans? A team of researchers found that human diet drugs also worked to suppress the apetites of mosquitoes.
Scientists Create Fabric That Cools When It's Hot And Warms When It's Cold
Scientists created a new kind of fabric that cools and warms depending on the conditions. There has never before been a material that changes its insulating properties depending on the environment until now.
Los Angeles City Hall Planning To Remove Carpets Amid Typhus Outbreak
Amid a rat infestation, the Los Angeles city hall might remove all its carpets and replace it with different floorings. The City Council president has submitted a motion to conduct an investigation on the vermin problem.
Europe's ExoMars Rover Officially Named After DNA Pioneer Rosalind Franklin
Officials announced the name of the ESA's ExoMars rover to be Rosalind Franklin, in honor of the DNA pioneer. The name was chosen by a panel of experts, from a list submitted by members of the public.
LOOK: NASA Snaps Photo Of Chinese Lander On Far Side Of The Moon
NASA released a new image of the far side of the moon showing China's Chang'e 4 inside the Von Kármán crater. The lander is just two pixels across, while the rover cannot be seen in the image.
China's Chang'e Rover And Lander Survive First Frigid Night On Far Side Of The Moon
China's Chang'e rover and lander survived the first night on the dark side of the moon, and it's apparently colder than expected. Scientists noted temperatures of -310 degrees Fahrenheit (-190 degrees Celsius).
