Articles by Athena Chan
The Amazon Rainforest Is At A Tipping Point, Research Finds
Deforestation, climate change, and the use of fire has brought the Amazon dangerously close to its tipping point. The Amazon rainforest's health is important to the overall health of the planet.
One In A Million: Rare Yellow Cardinal Spotted In Alabama Backyard
A Northern Cardinal surprised a bird watcher with its unconventional yellow plumage. Could its unique color be a result of genetic mutation, or is the bird having health issues?
What Will Happen When Humans Make Contact With Aliens? Physicist Michio Kaku Says It Depends
Michio Kaku Ph.D. believes that it's likely that the aliens might be peaceful if they had a longer time of resolving fundamental issues. However, they might not think the human race is even worth communicating with.
Oldest Known Cave Art Found To Be Of Neanderthal Origin, Shows Symbolic Behavior
Were Neanderthals really just the brutish cousins of early modern humans? A new study shows they might have been into art and symbolic behavior as well.
Drug That Can Kill Flu Virus In A Day Approved In Japan
Xofluza has just been approved by Japanese authorities as a swift and effective antiviral drug that can kill the flu in a day. It stops the virus by preventing it from taking over human cells to begin with.
2 Marijuana Legalization Myths Debunked: It Doesn't Increase Recreational Use But Also Doesn't Reduce Opioid Deaths
Can marijuana legalization really lead to more recreational users among adolescents or can it actually help combat the opioid epidemic? Two new studies found no evidence to support both myths.
LOOK: This Soft Robot With Kirigami Skin Slithers Like A Snake
Just like a snake, a newly developed soft robot has scales, which help it to move forward. The snake-inspired robot developed by researchers from Harvard SEAS was inspired by nature and constructed with art.
Heads Up, Pet Owners: FDA Warns Of Possible Euthanasia Drug Contamination In Major Dog Food Brands
J.M. Smucker called for a voluntary recall of some of their dog food brands after testing positive for a euthanasia drug. The contamination was in very low doses, but pentobarbital is never acceptable in pet food.
Trying To Conceive? Experts Share Sex Tips To Increase The Odds
Trying to conceive and start a family can be stressful for many couples, and that really does not help their cause. Experts share some simple tips to help increase the chances of conception.
Parents Are Feeding Their Kids Bleach To 'Cure' Autism, What Is MMS?
Some parents have been getting in trouble for giving their children a bleach-like 'miracle cure' for autism. What exactly is MMS and what are its potential effects?
Chemical Cleaning Product Use Linked To Lung Function Decline Among Women: Study
Women who use chemical spray cleaning products were found to have greater lung function decline comparable to smoking about 20 pack-years. Results show a need to ficus on the harmful effects of such chemicals.
Cuttlefish Unmasked: Secrets Behind The Cephalopod's 3D Camouflage Skills Revealed
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have unmasked some of the cuttlefish's camouflage secrets. Even with the researchers' new findings, there are still more to learn about the cephalopod.
Humanity Is Pretty Chill About Alien Life, Likely To React Positively To Discovery Than Panic: Study
Researchers found that humans are likely to react positively toward the discovery of alien life instead of panicking and causing mass hysteria. Perhaps humans take comfort in the knowledge of not being alone in the universe.
Mother Of 5 Dies Of TB Meningitis After Migraine Misdiagnosis
A mother of five lost her life in 2015 after her TB meningitis was misdiagnosed with a migraine. According to her husband, she could have been saved had proper diagnosis procedures been followed.
Power Of Pets: Companion Animals A Major Source Of Support For People With Mental Health Problems
Research review finds that pets actually provide valuable support to their owners with mental health problems. The pros of pet ownership evidently outweigh the cons.
Fitness Instructor 'In Good Health' Revealed To Have Died From The Flu
A fitness instructor's sudden death in early January is now known to have been caused by the influenza A (H1N1) virus. The current flu season is said to be just as bad as the 2009 swine flu pandemic.
Man's Rectum 'Fell Out' While Playing Phone Games On The Toilet: Report
After thirty minutes of playing mobile games while sitting on a toilet, a man in China felt a lump fall out of his anus. As it turns out, his rectum had fallen out of his body.
Viral Photo Reveals Gross Bacteria From Restroom Hand Dryer, But There's No Need To Panic
A student's microbiology assignment ended up becoming a viral Facebook post about the hygiene of hand dryers. The petri dish looks disturbing, but there seems to be no need to panic (or death threats).
Falcon Heavy A Hoax? Flat Earthers Imply Recent SpaceX Launch Was Faked
The Flat Earth Society does not directly say that the launch was faked, but many flat earthers are pretty peeved with the latest launch. The society warns the public to 'exercise caution' when it comes to the internet.
Hummingbird Strengths A Combination Of Skills And Inherent Traits: Study
Hummingbirds are undoubtedly talented creatures when it comes to flight. New research has found that hummingbirds maximize their strengths by combining their inherent traits and learned skills.
Murder-Suicide Case Linked To New Mother's Postpartum Depression?
A Missouri family was found dead in their home in an apparent case of murder-suicide. Could a pregnancy-related mood disorder possibly be to blame for the tragedy?
Tiny 3D Glasses On Mantis Reveal New Form of Stereo Vision
Praying mantises evidently have a unique way of utilizing their 3D vision. Instead of looking at all the details like human eyes do, praying mantises are only concerned with one thing: their moving prey.
Bird Brain Damage? Woodpecker Brains Have The Same Protein Found In People With CTE
A new research finds that woodpeckers have an accumulation of tau proteins in their brain. In humans, abnormal tau protein accumulation is a major sign of CTE.
13-Year-Old Was Led To Believe He Was Dying Of Cancer, Parents Charged With Child Abuse
A couple was charged with fraud and child abuse after allegedly convincing their young son that he was dying of cancer in order to gather money from donations. Is the father also a victim of fraud?
Can Volcanoes Help Cool The Earth? Scientists Are Preparing For The Next Big Eruption
In 1991, the eruption of Mount Pinatubo resulted in a 1 degree Fahrenheit drop in average global temperature in the following years. Could it be possible to mitigate climate change with geoengineering?
LOOK: These Twin Toddlers Battling The Flu Comfort Each Other With A Hug
Two young boys battling the flu had a moment of comfort, which was shared to the world thanks to social media. The twins are just two of the many affected by the current flu season.
Million-Dollar Lottery Winner Dies Of Stage IV Cancer Weeks After Jackpot
A New York man died of stage IV cancer just weeks after winning the jackpot in a scratch-off lottery. Before he won, he was saving to have enough money for a long overdue checkup.
A Little Alcohol Is Good For 'Cleaning' The Brain: Study
Fancy having a drink or two at the end of the day? A new study shows that low alcohol consumption could help improve the brain's waste removal process.
10-Year-Old Tourist Discovers 90-Million-Year-Old Fish Fossil In Monastery
A 10-year old boy discovered the remains of an ancient fish while on tour in a monastery in Colombia. The fossil was amazingly preserved even after being in a walkway for 15 years.
Standing Instead Of Sitting For 6 Hours A Day Could Aid In Weight Loss: Study
Sitting time in the United States reaches up to seven hours. The findings of a new research could be a potential solution to a sedentary lifestyle.
