Articles by Athena Chan
Puppies From Puerto Rico Test Positive For Leptospirosis
One of 10 puppies brought to the country from Puerto Rico after the hurricane tested positive for leptospirosis. What do you need to know about leptospirosis in pets?
Scientists Just Sent Messages To A Nearby Exoplanet: What Is METI?
A team of scientists and artists sent math tutorials and musical compositions on exoplanet GJ 273 in hopes of communicating with intelligent alien life. Are there possible repercussions to METI's interstellar communication?
11-Month-Old's Death Is First Recorded Pediatric Death From Cannabis Exposure: Report
An 11-month-old's death is the first recorded pediatric death related to cannabis exposure. Though other doctors are unsure of the results, authors hope to justify educating parents and considering cannabis exposure in pediatric myocarditis.
SpaceX Set To Launch Mysterious Zuma Mission: How To Watch
SpaceX is scheduled to launch the Falcon 9 and Zuma from Cape Canaveral after several delays. What do we know about the secretive Zuma mission?
This Fungal Parasite Turns Ants Into Zombies: Here Are Other Mind-Controlling Parasites
The zombie ant fungus evidently keeps ant brains intact so it can complete its mission for the fungi. Here are other interesting albeit creepy mind-controlling parasites.
'Bug' Causes Smart Sex Toy To Secretly Record Customers: Privacy Breach In Smart Devices
Users of a smart sex toy reported finding secret recordings of their intimate moments captured by the app. Even toys and the medical industry aren't as protected from privacy breach as we think.
About 49 Million American Adults Used Tobacco In 2015: CDC
There were 48.7 million adults in the United States who used tobacco in 2015. Although cigarette-use has been declining in the country in recent years, they remain to be the most widely used tobacco product.
More Than Half Of Medical Cannabidiol Products Sold Online Mislabeled: Study
Researchers found that nearly 70 percent of CBD products online are either over- or under-dosed. They believe that mislabeling and discrepancy is a direct result of a lack of regulation on the products.
People In Japan And Spain Live Longer, Americans Spend Most On Health Care: Report
Japan, Spain, and Switzerland have the highest life expactancy rates among OECD countries while Latvia has the lowest. Does paying more for health care lead to higher life expectancy rates?
This Startup Created A Ketone Drink To Superfuel Your Body: Will It Work?
Ketone is considered as the body's fourth fuel that is activated when other body fuels have been depleted. Will a startup's Ketone shot really work as a "superfuel"?
Ford And Ekso Bionics Pilot Exoskeleton Technology For Auto Workers
Ford workers are testing out exoskeletal technology from Ekso Bionics. The EksoVest is a lightweight, non-bulky technology that lifts and supports workers' arms during overhead tasks.
Tiangong-1 Spacecraft: Out-Of-Control Chinese Space Station May Slam Into European Countries Next Year
China's Tiangong-1 spacecraft is expected to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere in the coming months and hit several European countries. The European Space Agency will be hosting a test campaign to increase prediction accuracies for the crash.
Psychedelic Drink Used By Shamans May Help Treat Mental Illness
There is a growing body of literature suggesting the merits of psychedelic drug use in psychiatric treatments. New research finds that ayahuasca users report better general well-being compared to LSD or magic mushroom users, and non-psychedelic users.
Wolf-Sized Prehistoric Otter Could Have Been Predator With Powerful Bite
Researchers find that a wolf-sized ancient otter could have been a powerful predator. The creatures' jaw strength is six times stronger than the researchers expected for its size.
Trans Women Could Get A Uterus Transplant: Fertility Expert
An expert has reportedly stated the plausibility of pregnancy for trans women by way of a uterus transplant. Few transgender individuals get fertility preservation information prior to transitioning.
Animals Are Evolving Because Of Human Cities: Study
Research finds that urbanization has forced some creatures to evolve rapidly and adapt to their new environment. The results of the study serve as a wake-up call for more responsible urban development.
T-Rex's Short Arms Could Have Been Used For 'Vicious' Slashing
What was the real purpose for the T-Rex's distinctive short forearms? A paleontologist believes that more than just being a remnant of evolution, the forearms were likely used to viciously slash the T-Rex's victims.
Lefty Or Righty? Research Finds Bees Also Have Flight Preferences
Researchers found that bees could prefer the left or right side. When faced with equal-sized tunnels, 45 percent of the bees displayed individual preferences.
Lone Male Mammoths More Risk-Taking, Fell Into More Traps Than Females
Researchers find that 7 out of 10 woolly mammoth remains from Siberia were of males. This suggests a matriarchal social structure of mammoths, much like modern-day elephants.
Having Unwanted Thoughts? Scientists Found The Brain Chemical Responsible
Scientists found that a chemical called GABA is the neurotransmitter responsible for suppressing unwanted thoughts. Participants with low hippocampal GABA were less able to suppress unwanted thoughts.
Aliens Could Look More Like Humans Than We Think
Astrobiology researchers often make predictions about alien life with respect to Earth's composition. Using the evolutionary theory, researchers of a new study provide unique insight into what aliens might look like.
Childhood Spanking Can Lead To Mental Health Problems In Adulthood
Researchers found an association between childhood spanking and mental health problems in adulthood. Among the respondents, men and minorities were more likely to have experienced childhood spanking.
Human Use Of Brainpower Not As Unique As Previously Thought
About 25 percent of the human body's energy usage is reserved for the brain. This is often seen as a characteristic unique to humans, but new research finds that some animals also allot large amounts of energy for brainpower.
Puppy Saved After Accidental Opioid Overdose: What To Do If It Happens To Your Pet
A puppy was saved by veterinarians from accidental opioid overdose with the help of an overdose reversal drug. What are the symptoms of opioid poisoning in pets?
Look Up! It's 'International Observe The Moon Night'
Since 2010, every person on the planet has been invited to participate in International Observe the Moon Night, usually celebrated in the fall. Experts say the best views of the moon will be at the 'terminator.'
NASA Twins Study: Space Travel Alters Gene Expression 'Like Fireworks'
Preliminary results of NASA's Twins Study showed that space travel results in an explosion of alterations in gene expression. Identical twin brothers and astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly are at the forefront of this first-of-its-kind study.
Climate Change Is Causing Critically Endangered Lemurs To Starve
Researchers find that the greater bamboo lemurs of Madagascar resort to eating hard culm when the rain doesn't come and bamboo doesn't grow. Their habitats are also threatened by massive deforestation.
Eating Alone Can Be Bad For Your Health
Eating alone has been more prominent in recent years. Researchers find that the practice ups the risk for metabolic syndrome, and the effects are more prominent among men.
LOOK: This 6000-Year-Old Human Skull Belonged To Oldest Known Tsunami Victim
An ancient skull found in Papua New Guinea in 1929 is believed to be the world's oldest known tsunami victim. Where is the rest of its body?
Man With 3-Foot Penis Undergoes Life-Changing Surgery
A young man from Kenya finally got a life-changing surgery to reduce and remodel his enlarged penis and testicles. Elephantiasis does not just lead to physical deformity, but also poor mental health and social stigma.
