Articles by Athena Yenko
Anti-Stress Vaccine Could Soon Make Brains Resilient To Depression
Researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder said that immunization for stress might be on the horizon. The team created a possible vaccine from natural bacteria that could buffer the negative effects of stress on the brain.
Devonian Fossils Found In South Africa Suggest Tetrapods Evolved In Antarctica
South African fossils of prehistoric tetrapods offered new insight on how life started on land. The discovery of the fossils revealed that four-legged vertebrates evolved anywhere in the world and not exclusively in tropical regions as what was previously thought.
Antarctica Already Polluted With Plastic And Hazardous Chemicals
An expedition to Antarctica, which was supposedly aimed at observing the amazing wildlife in the region, revealed the extent of human pollution. Sadly, the region was found to be contaminated with microplastics and hazardous chemicals.
Recovered Moon Landing Data From Apollo Missions Solve 40-Year-Old Mystery
The Apollo 15 and 17 missions in 1971 and 1972 had created a mystery that baffled scientists for almost 40 years. Finally, the analysis of the recovered tapes from the mission had the answer.
Russia May Lack Funds To Compete With SpaceX
Anonymous sources revealed that Roscosmos, the agency responsible for cosmonautics program for Russia, might undergo budget cuts within the next three years. The looming shortage may happen amid SpaceX’s continued advancement in its future Mars mission.
‘Half-Human Half-Robot’ US Army Becomes Reality With Mechanical Third Arm And Exoskeleton Technology
Two robotic technologies could give US soldiers the lethality similar to fictional cyborg characters. The futuristic devices would make soldiers capable of carrying heavy weaponry almost effortlessly as they run and fight during combats.
Largest Iceberg Ever Recorded In Antarctica Is Dying
A NASA photo revealed that an iceberg in Antarctica is nearing its final voyage after drifting apart for 18 years now. The iceberg was one among the four major fragments of the largest iceberg ever recorded in Antarctica.
Paleontologists Oppose Sale Of Mystery Dinosaur Skeleton: Here's Why
The auction of the 150-million-year-old dinosaur skeleton for $2.3 million on June 4 stirred discussions among experts within the scientific community. In fact, a group of international vertebrate paleontologists had tried to stop Aguttes weeks ahead of the controversial auction.
KFC To Test Vegetarian Alternative To Famous Original Chicken Recipe
KFC announced its plans of offering vegetarian chicken recipe as a healthy alternative to its original chicken recipe. The company said the new recipe will be tested on customers this year and if successful, it will be introduced by 2019.
Artificial Human Prion Responsible For Fatal Brain Disorders Grown In The Lab
Researchers created an artificial human prion through a laboratory experiment with proteins from E. coli bacteria. The synthetic human prion offered experts more understanding on how to combat infectious and fatal brain disorders.
Physicists Stare At Atomic Clocks For 14 Years To Test Albert Einstein’s Theory Of General Relativity
A team of physicists from the National Institute of Standards and Technology watched 12 atomic clocks from November 1999 until October 2014. The experiment became the most accurate test performed to confirm Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity.
Regenerated Tooth Enamel Promises Treatment To Tooth Decay
A team of material scientists in London invented a substance that could regenerate dental enamel as if it was real. The material was made possible through mimicking the process of mineralization of apatite nanocrystals.
Scientists Locate Spiritual Part Of Brain Not Necessarily Activated By Religion
A team of scientists identified the portion of the brain that is activated when people undergo spiritual experiences. The researchers said the study could help understand the importance of spiritual experience to mental health.
North Americans Have Similar DNA Ancestry With Indigenous Canadians, Genetic Study Reveals
A sweeping genetic study of the North American lineage revealed that there were two separated ancient populations that reconverged to give rise to the first Americans. The analysis was based on ancient genetic samples acquired from Ontario and California.
‘Holy Grail’ Blood Test Could Detect Cancer Years Ahead Before Tumors Even Develop
American scientists presented their findings on liquid biopsy at the conference of the American Society of Clinical Oncologists in Chicago. Experts in the United Kingdom expressed their optimism about the method and hoped to make it a universal cancer-detecting tool.
Egyptian ‘Hawk Mummy’ Turns Out To Be A Baby With Severely Malformed Skull
Micro-CT scans of a relic labeled as ‘mummified hawk’ in a museum revealed that a baby was inside after all. The boy suffered anencephaly, a condition where the brain and part of the skull failed to develop properly.
Ancient Humans May Have Traveled To North America From Asia Through This 17,000-year-old Coastal Route
New evidence suggested that early humans migrated to America through a 17,000-year-old coastal route found along Alaska’s Pacific Border. This current conclusion clashed with previous theory stating that early humans passed through Siberia to the Americas.
‘Second Brain’ Found In The Gut Might Be Smarter Than Brain In The Head
Scientists described for the first time how the ‘second brain’ in the gut perform its specific functions. The team found that this ‘second brain’ work autonomously from the central nervous system.
Skeleton Of 'Unluckiest Man In History' Found In Pompeii
The Pompeii Archeological Park announced the discovery of the first victim of the Mount Vesuvius eruption found from the unexplored archeological site called Regio V. The bones were found under a large rock shaped like a doorjamb.
Drinking Water Actually Comes In Two Forms: Ortho-Water And Para-Water
A team of scientists from Switzerland introduced the less-known forms of water: the ortho-water and para-water. The team became the first group to successfully differentiate the two H2O types from each other.
Supercomputer In Japan Predicts New Exotic Particle That May Explain The Big Bang And Neutron Stars
By using a supercomputer in Japan called 'K computer,' a team of scientists predicts a new strange particle called the 'di-Omega' particle. More understanding of the new particle may give deeper insights into neutron stars and the Big Bang.
Placenta Linked To Greater Risk Of Schizophrenia, ADHD, Autism, And Tourettes Syndrome
A new study pointed to placenta as the link between higher risk of hereditary schizophrenia for individuals whose mothers experienced complicated pregnancies. The findings might also be applicable for other neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, autism, and Tourettes syndrome.
Captive Dolphins Enjoy Playing With Humans According To ‘Measurement’ Of Their Happiness
A group of French scientists tried to ‘measure’ the happiness felt by captive dolphins when they interact with humans. Their study suggested that dolphins confined in recreational activities are motivated and eager to play with humans.
Great Barrier Reef Has Died 5 Times But May Not Survive A Sixth Death
A study found that the Great Barrier Reef previously died for five times but was resilient enough to resurrect itself. With its current form, however, the reef may be incapable of doing the same if it encounters another death.
Metal Pieces In Hormel’s Spam May Cause Oral Injuries: More Than 228,000 Pounds Of Products Recalled
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recalled Spam Classic, Hormel Foods Black-Label Luncheon Loaf, and other canned pork and chicken products due to possible contamination of metal pieces. There were reports linked to minor oral injuries after consuming the products.
Former US President George HW Bush Hospitalized Due To Low Blood Pressure And Fatigue
George HW Bush, the country’s 41st president was hospitalized on Sunday for low blood pressure and fatigue. He attended a pre-Memorial Day event where he spent a day with military veterans before he was admitted to a hospital in Maine.
Donald Trump Signs Directive To Modernize US Commercial Space Travel Policy
President Donald Trump signed the Space Policy Directive-2 to allow flexibility for private companies that are developing technologies for future commercial space travels. The White House said Trump wants American companies to be globally competitive in the industry.
Scientists To Clone Entire Northern White Rhino Population From Frozen Cells
A team of scientists plans to use the frozen cells of the almost-extinct Northern White Rhino to recover the animals’ population. The last male white rhino died in March, and only two female counterparts were left in captivity.
Graphic Cigarette-style Packaging For Sugary Drinks Deter Young Adults From Purchase
A new research found that young adults were more likely to avoid sugary drinks with graphic warnings about tooth decay, obesity, and type-2 diabetes. The study was presented at the 2018 European Congress on Obesity.
Modern Apes Posses Human Muscles Supposedly Unique To People After Evolution
Rui Diogo, an associate professor in the Department of Anatomy at Howard University in Washington, dissected bonobos and found at least seven muscles that should supposedly be found only in humans. His finding could challenge humans’ theoretically unique evolutionary traits.
