Articles by Diane Samson
Scientists Test New Energy Efficient Cooling Method Using Thermodynamic Trickery
In an experiment, physicists cooled down a piece of copper from 100 degrees Celsius to 2 degrees Celsius below room temperature. They were able to achieve this without using an external power supply.
CDC Links Recent Listeria Outbreak With Deli Meat And Cheese
The CDC released a report confirming that deli products have caused eight people to be hospitalized due to Listeria infection. The public health agency is warning people who are at high risk of infection, including pregnant women and older adults.
Video Footage Of Elusive River Dolphin Species Shows Botos Are Surprisingly Talkative Creatures
Araguaian river dolphins of Brazil can make hundreds of sounds in order to communicate, contradicting the assumption that the creatures have little social structure that allows interaction. Researchers said the study could help understand how communication evolved among marine mammals.
Scientists Say Climate Change Led To Extreme Hurricane Maria Rainfall Levels
Scientists attributed the extreme precipitation of Hurricane Maria, which caused flooding and landslides in Puerto Rico, to climate change. The study adds to the evidence that human-induced warming is causing extreme weather events to become more common.
Pilot Legend And First Female Astronaut Candidate Jerrie Cobb Passes Away At 88
Jerrie Cobb, a gifted pilot who made history by becoming the first female astronaut candidate, passed away last month. She was one of the Mercury 13 women who passed the astronaut screening process but never made it to space.
China Opens Desert Facility For Teens To Simulate Living In Mars
A simulated Mars base camp welcomed 100 students on Wednesday, April 17, for the first time. The facility allows visitors to experience what it would be like to live on the surface of the Red Planet.
New Type Of Antibody Can Hold HIV Virus At Bay For 4 Months
A clinical trial of an experimental injectable drug was proven effective in suppressing the HIV virus among patients diagnosed with it. Researchers reported that it is as effective as taking a cocktail of pills every day.
Programs Aimed At Improving Employee Wellness Yield Little Benefits, Says Study
New research found that employees exercised more regularly and had better weight management after enrolling in a wellness program. However, it does not result in a significant reduction on employee absenteeism nor healthcare cost in the short term.
Antares Rocket Blasts Off To Deliver Cygnus Cargo Ship To The ISS
Northrop Grumman's Cygnus spacecraft successfully lifted off on top of the Antares rocket for its 11th resupply mission to the ISS. The spacecraft will deliver scientific equipment and supplies that will support ongoing experiments onboard the orbiting laboratory.
Arsenic Could Be Next Big Thing In Broad-Spectrum Antibiotic Drugs
A team of researchers believes that arsenic-based antibiotic could combat the threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that affects 2 million people in the United States every year. The new antibiotic has been tested effective against multiple types of bacteria.
Great White Sharks Often Fear Killer Whales, Says Study
A new study found that great white sharks, no matter how tough they seem, cower in the presence of killer whales. Researchers revealed that whenever a killer whale shows up, great white sharks leave hunting grounds.
April's Full Pink Moon To Rise On Friday
April's full moon earned the moniker 'Pink Moon' not because it causes a rosy hue in the sky, but because it signals the appearance of pink spring flowers. The best time to catch the full moon will be at dawn.
Astronaut Pioneer Owen Garriott Passes Away At 88
Owen Garriott, a spaceflight pioneer who spent a total of 70 days in outer space, passed away in his home in Huntsville, Alabama this week. Fellow astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Scott Kelly, and Pat Forrester paid tribute to the American hero.
Biomedical Engineers Want To Create 'Hairpins' To Improve Accuracy Of CRISPR
Researchers developed a new method in which the guide RNA is extended to it folds onto itself and create an unbreakable lock. Only the correct DNA sequence can unlock the guide RNA, reducing the risk of off-target activity.
Scientists Say Numerical Weather Forecasting Is Nearing Its Limits
Today, the weather forecast provides prediction to up to nine or 10 days. However, researchers proved that there is a limit to numerical weather prediction and it is almost within grasp.
Many People Hold Unfounded Beliefs Regarding Sleep, Says Study
Researchers found that many Americans believe in sleep myths that might be detrimental to one's overall health. In a new study, they identified these common myths about sleep in order to debunk them.
SpaceX Falcon Booster Lost At Sea After Bout With Bad Weather
SpaceX confirmed that its recovery team failed to retrieve the Falcon Heavy's central core booster used in last week's flight. The company blamed bad weather and rough ocean conditions for the loss.
Large Parts Of Europe Could Be At Risk From Diseases Spread By Insects
Scientists warned that climate change will bring mosquitos that carry diseases like dengue and chikungunya to Europe. The authorities should begin preparing for outbreaks of tropical diseases transmitted through insect bites.
Parental Behavior Important To Helping Kids With Anxiety Cope
A psychologist said that parents who accommodate their children's anxiety might be doing more harm than good. Instead of comforting them, parents should allow their children to cope with anxiety on their own.
Scientists May Have Found A New 'Super-Earth' In Star System Nearest To Our Own
Proxima c was detected while scientists were reviewing data sets that revealed Proxima b in 2016. Scientists said that the super-Earth completes an orbit around its star Proxima Centauri within 1,900 days.
Nobel Laureate Paul Greengard Who Made Breakthroughs In Neuroscience Passed Away At 93
Dr. Paul Greengard was awarded the Nobel Prize for his study that led to the understanding of how brain cells communicate with each other. His research also led to the advancement of treatment for neurological disorders.
How To Protect Yourself And Your Family This Tick Season
The beginning of spring also means the start of tick season. This year, experts warned that there will likely be high tick activity after a wet winter and warm weather.
Microbes Living In Different Parts Of Human Body Can Still Swap Genes
Researchers found that 60 percent of the horizontal gene transfer in the human body take place between microbes that are far apart. The process can help understand the evolution of microbes and address the emergence of superbugs.
Lockheed Martin Has A Plan To Bring Astronauts Back To The Moon By 2024
Lockheed Martin has unveiled the reimagined lunar lander that will carry astronauts to the surface of the Moon. The new design was in response to NASA's accelerated timeline to return to the lunar surface by 2024.
Scientists Need Help Naming The Largest Unnamed Minor Planet In The Solar System
Scientists announced a campaign to give 2007 OR10, a dwarf planet, a proper name. The public can vote between three preselected names associated with mythological figures from April 9 to May 10, 2019.
Farmers And Weedkiller Companies Losing Battle Against Weeds
The growing resistance of pigweed to every herbicide currently available in the market is causing serious concern among scientists and farmers. Last summer, scientists found pigweed that can survive 2,4-D and dicamba.
ER Visits For Kids Swallowing Small Objects Has More Than Doubled Says Study
Researchers found that more than 759,000 children ended up in the emergency room for ingesting a foreign object. Coins and small toys or toy parts were identified as the most common objects swallowed accidentally by children younger than 6 years old.
Cats Know Their Names, But They Just Love To Ignore You
Researchers from Japan performed experiments to once and for all find out whether cats can discern their names from other human words. The study confirmed that some cats respond when they hear their owners call their names.
NYC, Los Angeles Among Cities With Highest Rate Of Childhood Asthma Cases Due To Traffic Pollution
New York and Los Angeles landed in the top 10 cities with the highest new cases of childhood asthma linked to exposure to traffic pollution around the world. The study examined childhood asthma incidence across 125 major cities.
OTC Teeth Whitening Products May Do More Harm Than Good: Here's The Real Score
Researchers found that teeth whitening strips not only damage the enamel, it can also penetrate the dentin. An experiment showed that hydrogen peroxide found in these products reduce collagen and other proteins from the two upper layers of the teeth.
