Articles by Carrie Poppy
Height May Increase Cancer Risk, Says Swedish Study
Scientists believe they've discovered a correlation between height and cancer risk. Don't freak out, tall people. But you're technically more likely to get cancer than the rest of us.
Previously Miscategorized Prehistoric Primate is Probably a Type of Gorilla
A reclassification causes scientists to reconsider the date of human evolution. Turns out, humans appeared 10 million years ago, not 8 million, says new analysis by a leading paleoanthropologist.
HIV Caught Spreading on Tape
Scientists captured footage of the disease spreading in real time. This week, a team of Yale researchers published a paper showing that they had successfully videotaped HIV spreading in real time.
Ovarian Cancer Spotted By An Electronic Nose
A device developed by a team of Israeli researchers can sniff out cancer. Science can now sniff out cancer. Literally. For years, scientists have been working on technology that could use the same kind of sensors we have in our noses, to pick out tiny signs of ovarian cancer hiding in women's breath.
There May Be A Way To Starve Bacteria To Death
Merck may have cracked the code for killing bacteria. Pharmaceutical company Merck has announced that it may be on the cusp of a major breakthrough in fighting deadly bacteria like E.
Cell Phones Might Soon Run On Mushroom Power
Scientists find new power in fungi. Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, announced this week that they have created a more sustainable, less expensive and potentially tastier way to power the Lithium-ion batteries that power cell phones, electric cars and other devices.
Placebo Response Helps People Make The Most Of Antidepressants
Correlation found between strong response to placebos and reaction to drugs. People who respond to placebos benefit more from antidepressants. That's the finding of a study released this week by the University of Michigan Medical School.
Neuroscientists Fool Rats Into Thinking Old Stuff is New
Brown University scientists find a new way to fool a rat. Brown University neuroscientists published findings on Wednesday that show that you can convince rats that the boring stuff they're always looking at is actually new, exciting stuff.
Scientists Breed Freakishly Tiny Pigs
Scientist breed tea cup pigs. Science can do a lot of cool things through genetics, like study diseases, create new plants, and improve food quality and production.
Plastic-Eating Mealworms May Help Curb Our Trash Problem
Mealworms can convert plastic foam into soil. Each year, Americans throw away 25 billion Styrofoam cups. Left in a landfill, those cups will still be there, thinking about their glory days at Blockbuster's 1999 office Christmas party, for over 500 years.
New Test Can Spot Almost Any Virus Infecting You…Or Your Dog
A new test can detect virtually any virus in humans and animals alike. Scientists at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have just developed a new test that detects virtually every single virus known to infect human and nonhuman animals.
Virginia Tech Scientist Uses A Microchip To Watch Cancer At Work
Virginia Tech announces a breakthrough in breast cancer monitoring. Deborah Kelly, a biologist at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, has developed what she calls a "microchip-based toolkit" to watch the breast cancer affiliated BRCA1 gene act inside a human breast cancer cell.
Nonprofit Offers $7.5 Million To Anyone Who Can Make Excess CO2 Useful
The XPrize Foundation issues a call to harness the greenhouse gas for good. Quick question: Anyone want $7. 5 million? XPrize has got it for you. All you have to do is save the world.
'Glowing' Sea Turtle Found In South Pacific
A National Geographic crew discovers a sea turtle that glows when light hits it. A team of scientists working with National Geographic this week got a beautiful surprise when a biofluorescent sea turtle popped into view.
Geologists Discover The Color Of Prehistoric Bats
Scientists use fossilized melanin to discover the color of ancient animals. Fifty million years ago, some bats died. Today, geologists figured out what color they were.
A Robot Rembrandt Could Be Your Next Surgeon
A college sophmore's painting robot could one day be used to perform surgeries. College student Tim Lee has developed a robotic arm that can not only paint works of fine art, but may be able to remove your appendix one day.
Sponges May Be A Secret Weapon Against Leukemia
Harvard scientists isolate a sea sponge molecule that may help in the battle against cancer. Harvard researchers announced today that a sea sponge molecule might be a key tool in fighting leukemia.
