Articles by Athena Chan
Newborn Surrounded By IVF Needles In Viral Photo
The photo of a newborn surrounded by IVF syringes is going viral for its unique and inspiring concept. The syringes symbolize the four years, seven attempts, three miscarriages, and over 1,600 shots it took just to have her.
North Carolina Couple Finds Megalodon Tooth While Strolling On The Beach
The megalodon was one of the largest predators that ever lived. Before the many incredible discoveries of megalodon teeth, including the one recently found by a North Carolina couple, people thought they were dragon tongue or moon rocks.
FDA Approves Device For OCD Treatment
Transcranial magnetic stimulation was previously approved by the FDA as a means to treat depression and headaches. Now, the FDA just approved a TMS device to help patients with OCD.
Low- And High- Carbohydrate Diets Linked To Greater Death Risk: 25-Year Study
How does a low-calorie diet fare when it comes to mortality risk? Not too well, but it may depend on the type of protein and fat one consumes.
CDC Releases Graphic Novel About Variant Flu And Disease Detective Work
What could a CDC- and USDA-released graphic novel possibly be about? Naturally, it's about a mystery illness and the meticulous disease detective work that happens during outbreaks.
'Cursed' Cheese Found In Egyptian Tomb Might Be The World's Oldest
Researchers reveal that the strange mass they found in an Egyptian tomb was likely a 3,000-year-old cheese. It is, however, 'cursed' with a harmful bacteria infestation.
FDA Warns Veterinarians Of Pet Owners Potentially Using Animals To Get Opioid Prescription
The FDA is fighting on all fronts when it comes to the opioid epidemic. Veterinarians are called to partner with the agency in fighting the public health crisis.
Surgeon Sued For Wrongfully Removing Woman's Kidney In Botched Surgery
A surgeon allegedly removed a woman's healthy kidney during a surgery to remove her adrenal gland. She now suffers from kidney disease and is said to have depression and mental distress.
Man Donates Kidney To Wife Of Almost 30 Years: What Is Polycystic Kidney Disease?
What is polycystic kidney disease? A woman required a kidney transplant for her condition and her husband of nearly three decades gladly donated his kidney just months before their 30th anniversary.
Pet Owners May Be Harming Pets On Purpose For Opioid Prescriptions: Study
Are people bringing their pets to veterinarians in hopes of opioid prescriptions? A new study finds that even veterinary clinics are not immune from the opioid epidemic.
Toy Whistle Stuck In Airway Causes 4-Year-Old's 'Whistling Cough'
A 4-year-old child's whistling cough was found to be caused by a toy whistle that was lodged in his airway. Doctors say foreign objects in airways are common, but the whistling made his case rare.
Number Of Pregnant Women With Opioid Use Disorder Quadrupled In 15 Years
More and more pregnant women are being affected by the ongoing opioid epidemic in the country. Even the infants are affected, and some of them even experiencing withdrawal symptoms after birth.
Woman Dies From Rare Infection Days After Dog Bite
Two cases of a rare infection were reported just miles apart and days apart last June. One caused a man to lose four limbs, while the other cost a woman her life.
Man Fights Off And Kills Rabid Beaver That Attacked Him And Daughter While Kayaking
An afternoon of kayaking turned into a nightmare when a beaver attacked a father and daughter. Local authorities eventually confirmed that the beaver was indeed rabid.
Eating Crickets Good For Gut Health: Study
Edible insects are slowly becoming more maianstream in the United States and Europe. A new study shows just how beneficial edible insects can be, apart from their healthy nutritional content.
Opioid Prescriptions Drop After Doctors Get Notified Of Own Patients' Fatal Overdoses
Can sending letters help reduce the number of opioid overdose deaths? Hundreds of doctors were sent notifications of the overdose deaths of their patients, leading to a reduction in opioid prescriptions.
Citizen Scientist Finds Ancient Mega Shark Teeth At Australia Beach
A citizen scientist's find in an Australia beach is not just rare but significant as well. While other shark teeth fossil finds are of just one shark tooth, this one pulled over 40 teeth from a boulder.
Human Swine Flu Cases Linked To Pigs At Family Fair
Human swine flu cases have been confirmed in relation to a recently concluded family fair in Michigan. The CDC recommends both exhibitors and attendees to be extra careful when dealing with pigs, especially ones suspected to be ill.
Pot Breathalyzer: California Company Creates THC-Detecting Breathalyzer For Safer Roads
The "world's first marijuana and alcohol breathalyzer" was developed by a California company. Several police departments are expected to test the device by this fall.
Ebola Outbreak Declared In Congo War Zone
A new Ebola outbreak has just been declared in a Congo war zone. This outbreak is much harder to combat because of the large refugee population and the higher chances of encountering militant groups in the region.
Unapproved Antidepressant Is Causing Opioid-Like Symptoms, Raises Drug Abuse And Misuse Concerns
Tianeptine is considered an effective antidepressant drug that can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. However, its toxicity and opioid-mimicking characteristics make it a potential public health risk.
Woman Sues California Hospital That Allegedly Performed C-Section On Her Without Anesthesia
What happens when a C-section is performed without anesthesia? A California mom was left screaming, pleading for help, and begging the doctors to stop cutting her.
Snapchat Dysmorphia Alert: Doctors Concerned About Patients Getting Plastic Surgery Based On Snapchat Filters
Today, over 50 percent of people who go to plastic surgeons do so in order to look better in selfies. Doctors are concerned that social media filters and photo editing has caused many to experience Snapchat dymorphia.
Both Alcohol Abstinence And Heavy Drinking Linked To Raised Dementia Risk: Study
Researchers of a two-decade study found that both heavy drinking and abstaining from alcohol are linked to increased dementia risk. The study also highlights the importance of safe alcohol consumption to overall health.
Man's Limbs Amputated Due Rare Blood Infection Caught From Dog Licks: What Is Capnocytophaga?
A man remains positive even after losing four limbs to a blood infection that he got from dog saliva. The bacteria that infected him are not often harmful to humans but may cause severe illness in people with compromised health.
Bacteria Increasing Tolerance Of Hand Sanitizers In Hospitals: Study
A common gut bacteria that's responsible for many healthcare-related infections has become more tolerant to hand sanitizers in hospitals. What does this mean for our everyday use of hand sanitizers?
Boston Officials Warn Of Possible Measles Exposure In Restaurant And Airport
People who passed Logan Airport and went to a restaurant in Boston in mid-July may have been exposed to the measles virus. The United States technically eradicated measles in 2000, but the virus still gets into the country.
Parents Sue School District Over Teacher Who Allegedly Strapped Their Autistic Daughter To Chair
An 8-year-old girl with autism was allegedly strapped to a chair by her teacher. It is prohibited to use any kind of physical restraint on a child unless there is imminent danger of harm to self or others.
Backyard Chickens Linked To Multistate Salmonella Outbreak: CDC
Since the year 2000, over 4,700 people have been infected with salmonella because of contact with backyard chickens. The current outbreak has so far affected 44 states.
New Whale-Dolphin Hybrid Discovered By Scientists In Hawaii
What makes the scientists' August 2017 observation in Hawaii so unique? They discovered a new hybrid species that's a mix of the rough-toothed dolphin and the melon-headed whale.
