Articles by Athena Chan
October 1918 Remembered As One Of History's Deadliest Months Because Of Spanish Flu Pandemic
October 1918 is considered as one of America's deadliest months, and it was not because of the ongoing war. The Spanish flu took over 195,000 American lives in that month alone.
Therapy Dogs Can Transmit Superbugs To Young Patients, But It Can Be Prevented: Study
Therapy dogs are there to help the patients, but evidently, they can inadvertently pass them superbugs as well. A simple antibiotic wash can help prevent the therapy dogs from spreading MRSA to young patients.
Los Angeles Hit With Flea-Borne Typhus Outbreak, Some Parts At Epidemic Levels
Los Angeles County has been hit by a series of flea-borne typhus illnesses, with cases in Pasadena reaching epidemic levels. What can be done to prevent flea-borne typhus?
Invasive Brown Widow Spider Spotted In Oregon For The First Time
A single brown widow spider was spotted in Oregon for the first time. Authorities don't believe it has been established but they are urging residents to report any possible sightings.
Rock Used As Doorstop For Decades Turns Out To Be Meteorite Worth $100,000
Analysis of a rock doorstop revealed that it was actually a meteorite worth $100,000. The owner has promised to donate 10 percent of the profits for students of CMU's earth and atmospheric sciences.
DARPA Program Aims To Protect Crops With 'Insect Allies,' Critics Warn Of Its Bioweapon Potential
Critics of DARPA's Insect Allies note how the program might be used as a bioweapon. In response, Insect Allies program manager notes that the program meets the raised standard for security and gene editing.
Modern Humans Inherited Virus Defenses From Interbreeding With Neanderthals: Study
What kind of 'gift' did the Neanderthals leave humans when they interbred thousands of years ago? According to new study, the Neanderthals shared their precious virus defenses with modern humans.
Large-Scale US Wind Power Production Could Contribute To Warming Climate: Study
A new study by Harvard researchers suggests wind power's direct contribution to climate change. In the long run, however, wind power still fares much better than coal or gas.
Boy Thought To Be 'Nonverbal' Gets To Speak After Dentist Discovers And Corrects His Tongue-Tie
A 'nonverbal' young boy's speech difficulty was initially believed to be a result of a genetic disorder. A single visit to the dentist fixed his tongue-tie and changed his life.
Disease Outbreak At Alabama Prison Leaves One Inmate Dead
One inmate has died after developing meningitis as a result of a disease outbreak at an Alabama prison. Two others had to be hospitalized, and authorities are already conducting an investigation.
First Human Case Of Rat Hepatitis E Detected In Hong Kong Man
A 56-year-old man from Hong Kong has the world's first case of rat Hepatitis E in humans. How did the man contract the rat disease?
Mediterranean Diet Good For Preventing Depression: Study
How far do the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet go? A new study finds that the diet is also beneficial in preventing depression.
Use Of Birth Control Pills Linked To Reduced Ovarian Cancer Risk: Study
A new study finds that the use of birth control pills can actually reduce ovarian cancer risks. Such pills evidently prevented 21 percent of ovarian cancers among the participants.
Banned Chemical Pollutant Threatens World's Killer Whale Populations
It was over 40 years ago when the first efforts to ban PCBs were initiated. Still, the banned chemical continues its deadly threat, especially among killer whales.
$31 Million Awarded To Boy Left Disfigured After Botched Circumcision
A young boy was just 18 days old when a botched circumcision left him with a permanent disfigurement. A jury has now awarded his family with $31 million in damages.
Mom Of Three's Ovarian Cyst Massive At 20 Pounds, Had It Finally Removed After 5 Years
A mother's ovarian cyst grew so large it made her appear as though she was pregnant. She lived in pain for five years but doctors were finally able to remove it last week.
Finger Tuberculosis: Woman's Swollen Pinky Finger A Rare Manifestation Of Tuberculosis
Why was a woman's pinky swollen, even with no apparent trauma to the finger? As it turned out, her swollen pinky finger was a rare sign of tuberculosis.
Southern California Logs 87 Consecutive Days Of Smog, The Longest In Decades
How bad has the air pollution in Southern California become? These past few months logged the longest consecutive days of smog in the last 20 years.
Alcohol Use Responsible For 3 Million Deaths Each Year: WHO Report
According to WHO's latest report, 3 million deaths worldwide can be attributed to harmful alcohol use. Apart from the health consequences, it also brings social and economic costs to both the individual and the society.
Outbreak Of Rare Eye Infection That Can Cause Blindness Found Among Contact Lens Wearers
A rare eye infection that can cause blindness has been identified in contact lens users in the United Kingdom. What is Acanthamoeba keratitis, and can it be prevented?
Fifth Grader With Diabetes Dies After Dramatic Blood Sugar Drop During Sleepover At A Friend's House
Sophia Daugherty dealt with Type 1 diabetes her entire life. Last Wednesday, she died of complications just days after her blood sugar dramatically dropped at a sleepover.
Ecstasy Makes Octopuses More Social And Touchy: Study
How do octopuses react when under the influence of MDMA or ecstasy? Evidently, they react just like humans do, in that they also become more social and touchy.
Pet Store Puppies Spread Drug-Resistant Diarrhea To Over 100 People: CDC
Did puppies cause an outbreak of antibiotic-resistant diarrhea? The illnesses began in 2016 with over a hundred people falling ill with diarrhea, 29 of whom were pet store employees.
Active Search For 3-Year-Old Orca J50 Ended But Authorities Still On Alert
Has J50 already died? Authorities are growing concerned as she has not been seen for days. The authorities are to remain alert even after the active search has already ended.
Extraordinary Case: 4 People Get Cancer From Donated Organs
Can cancer be transmitted to people through organ donation? Four people who received organs from a single donor eventually developed breast cancer long after the transplantation.
LOOK: Beluga Whale Pod Appears To Adopt Lost Narwhal
A lost narwhal was seen with a beluga whale pod in Canada's St. Lawrence River for the third year in a row. The narwhal was behaving as though he was "one of the boys."
San Diego Authorities Warn Of Fentanyl-Laced Cocaine After Three Deaths In Beach Areas
Three deaths and two overdoses were reported in San Diego this past week because of fentanyl-laced cocaine. Authorities believe more of the drug is still being sold by drug dealers in San Diego.
Researches On Voodoo Dolls And Roller Coaster For Kidney Stones Among Winners Of 2018 Ig Nobel Prize
This year's Ig Nobel Prize winners have been announced and honored at a ceremony at Harvard. The Nobel Prize parody celebrated the funniest and strangest researches of the year.
Man Severely Injured In Hunting Accident Is World's Oldest Face Transplant Recipient
A 64-year-old man is the world's oldest face transplant recipient after his successful surgery in Canada. Now four months after his surgery, the man is said to be doing well.
Mom Admits To Stealing Terminally Ill Daughter's Pain Medications, Charged With Felony
A mom admitted to stealing her own terminally ill daughter's pain medications and to having an opioid addiction. Addiction can cause people to do risky things to seek out the source of their addiction.
