Articles by Athena Chan
Critically Endangered Mountain Gorilla Population Reaches 1,000, Largest Population To Date
Mountain gorillas are among the world's largest primates, and their population is under serious threat. The latest census shows that the species is beginning to recover.
Teen Hospitalized With Life-Threatening Illness After 'Too Much' Workout: What Is Rhabdomyolysis?
Rhabdomyolysis is a condition that occurs with serious skeletal muscle injury. It can be caused by excessive exercise, lightning strike, extreme body temperatures, and even infections.
World's Most Sensitive Detector Establishes Limit On Effective Size Of Dark Matter Particles
Dark matter is believed to be one of the most basic elements of the universe, but it remains a mystery. Scientists now believe that its particles are likely smaller than previously expected.
Woman Being Treated For Rabies After Touching Rabid Bat With Bare Hands
Minnesota authorities warn the public of potential encounters with rabid bats, saying bats should be avoided at all costs. Pets should also be vaccinated with anti-rabies as a precaution.
Toxic Chemicals From Recycled E-Waste Leech Into Our Food Packaging
There's a high demand for black plastics because of its color and durability, but it's a material that's rarely recycled properly. What's the danger of recycling black plastic from e-waste?
Study Traces Genetic Ancestry Of Inca Emperors, Sheds Light On Origin Legends
Where did the Inca empire's royals really come from? There are two legends that relate to their origin, and a new study may have confirmed both.
Three Victims Sue Ex-Gambian President Over Fake AIDS Treatment
The ex-president of Gambia is being sued for his fake AIDS treatment program that forced people to stop taking anti-retroviral drugs. The country is slowly making significant progress in response to HIV/AIDS.
TLC Launches Show About Family With Over 80 Pets
TLC's controversial new show 'Our Wild Life' shows what it’s like to live with over 80 animals at home. The show has since gotten reactions that vary from amused to critical.
Cockroach Milk Has More Protein And Nutrients Than Regular Milk: The Next Superfood Trend?
Cockroach milk may still need some time before becoming the next superfood trend despite it being supposedly nutritious and protein-rich. What are superfoods and why are they trendy?
Wildlife Sanctuary Owner Mourns Death Of Four Big Cats Poisoned By Poachers
A wildlife sanctuary owner found that four of his big cats, including a very rare tiger cub, were poisoned by poachers. Poaching remains to be a big problem for the wildlife of Africa.
Ebola Outbreak Persists In DRC: How Ebola Vaccine Can Help Deal With The Threat
Can the Ebola vaccine really help stop the outbreak? The vaccine is yet to be approved, but it has so far proven to be 100 percent effective in preventing Ebola.
Brain-Damaging Virus Kills At Least 11 In India: What Is Nipah Virus?
Nipah virus is a fairly new disease that is pretty lethal with a 30 to 70 percent mortality rate. Small outbreaks across Asia and Bangladesh have been recorded since its discovery in 1998.
FDA Warns Of So-Called 'Sunscreen Pills': What Are They?
Can so-called 'sunscreen pills' really protect the skin from harmful UV rays? FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb says no pills can replace topical sunscreens.
Measles Patient May Have Exposed Virus To People At Dulles International Airport And Other Areas
A measles patient may have exposed Dullus International Airport and Montgomery County individuals to the virus in mid-May. Most cases of measles in the United States originate from unvaccinated international travelers.
DNA Evidence Helps Solve 31-Year-Old Double Murder Case: How Does Genetic Sleuthing Work?
A cold case was finally solved when investigators used a public genealogy database to track down the person responsible for double murder in 1987. Could this method also result in privacy breaches?
Egg Farm Files Petition To FDA Over 'Healthy' Food Labeling
A company filed a petition to the FDA to allow eggs have a 'healthy' label despite exceeding cholesterol limits. To the company’s knowledge, they are the only egg company that has filed a similar petition to the FDA.
Banned Ozone-Depleting Chemical Possibly Still Being Produced: What Are Chlorofluorocarbons?
Why is it important to keep chlorofluorocarbon emissions down? The chemicals actively destroy the ozone, which could potentially lead to our exposure to harmful radiation.
Paper Suggests Octopuses Came From Space: Here's Why Octopuses Are So Fascinating
Is it possible that octopuses really originated from outer space? Many scientists disagree, but the creatures are so unique, intelligent, and complex that they're really out of this world.
Research Finds How Long-Term Social Isolation Changes The Brain
Socially isolated mice were found to be more aggressive, persistently fearful, and hypersensitive to threat stimuli. Researchers found specific brain chemistry changes associated with social isolation-related behavior, but they also found a potential treatment.
Surgeon General Attends To Medical Emergency On Delta Flight
Surgeon General Jerome Adams responded to a medical emergency when a co-passenger on a Delta flight lost consciousness. Adams said he was 'glad to be able to assist.'
Ozone-Depleting Chemical Emissions On The Rise, Possible Violation Of International Protocol Suspected
Is the ozone layer healing or is there a new threat on the rise? A possible violation of the Montreal Protocol may be causing the increase in emissions of an ozone-depleting chemical that has already been banned.
Opioid Overdose Deaths Boost Number Of Transplantable Organs
Organ donations from donors who died of a drug-overdose has increased over 10-fold in the United States since the year 2000. Is this related to the opioid epidemic?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Linked To Hormone Imbalance Before Birth, Possible Treatment Developed: Study
Researchers found the specific hormone that may be responsible for the development of PCOS. Fortunately, they were also able to find a potential treatment for it.
Rare Dinosaur Skeleton Goes On Display At A Cincinnati Brewery
For the first time, the rare Galeamopus skeleton discovered in 2000 will be displayed for the public. The event at a brewery is in support of the Cincinnati Museum Center where the dinosaur will be housed in November.
Salmonella Outbreak Linked To Eggs: Food Safety Tips Amid Food Recalls And Outbreaks
How does one keep the family safe from infection when there's a salmonella outbreak? Cleaning the refrigerator thoroughly and following basic food safety tips are key steps.
New Jersey Authorities Confirm Travel-Related Measles Cases: What's The Threat?
Measles complications can go from diarrhea to pneumonia and brain swelling. Though children below five years old and adults older than 20 years old are most at risk of such complications, measles can be severe for all ages.
Lyme Disease Cases Rise: Protect The Home From Tick Populations To Avoid Tick Bites
How can homes be protected from being infested with tick populations? Wise landscaping and cleaning can help prevent tick populations from wreaking havoc at home.
Very Low-Carbohydrate Diet Could Help Diabetics Manage Blood Sugar: What To Know About The Diet
Could a very low-carbohydrate diet really help Type 1 diabetics to manage blood sugar levels? Here are some things you might want to know before starting a new diet.
Lone Tree Frog Climbs Utility Pole, Causes Power Outage To Over 800 In Florida City
A Cuban tree frog did not survive when it made contact with high voltage electrical equipment, but it did cause power outage to over 800 customers. These voracious eaters occasionally wander onto utility poles when they forage for prey.
Four People Treated For Rabies After Being Bitten By Raccoon
Authorities have yet to capture the potentially rabid raccoon that bit four individuals in Georgetown. All four bitten individuals have been given treatments, but they have to return for the next doses to complete the treatment.
