Articles by Diane Samson
Seasonal Affective Disorder Study Might Explain Why Some People Are Resistant To Depression
A new research found that people who are likely to have seasonal affective disorder but are resilient to the condition can regulate their cerebral serotonin transporter. Researchers hope that this would lead to the treatment of the mental health issue.
Draconid Meteor Shower Lights Up The Skies This October
Once again, the Draconid meteor shower brightened the October night sky. This phenomenon happens when the Earth passes through the orbit of the comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner.
New Horizons Spacecraft To Do A New Year's Flyby Of Kuiper Belt Object Ultima Thule
New Horizons will flyby object 2014 MU69, also referred to as Ultima Thule, on Jan. 1, 2019 at 12:33 a.m. It will be the first time that a spacecraft has explored the region which is made up of trillions of celestial objects.
Vitamin D Supplements Give Little To No Improvement To Bone Health Says Study
According to researchers, vitamin D supplements do not give special health benefits to people who are not deficient. In a review of previous trials, they found that supplements do not improve bone health nor prevent fractures and falls.
Voyager 2 On The Verge Of Entering Interstellar Space Says NASA
NASA revealed that the instruments onboard Voyager 2 have picked up an increase of cosmic rays. The spacecraft is 11 billion miles away from Earth and about to reach the edge of the Solar System.
FDA Expands Usage Of HPV Vaccine To Adults Aged 27 To 45
The FDA has approved the HPV vaccine Gardasil to be administered to men and women aged 27 to 45. The vaccine can protect individuals from nine types of HPV that cause certain cancers such as cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and anal.
Mostly Sunny With A Chance Of Sonic Booms: USAF Warns California Residents To Expect SpaceX Rocket Landing
The U.S. Air Force issued an advisory to warn the public about the launch and landing of the SpaceX Falcon 9 at the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Residents might hear sonic booms which are completely normal and safe.
Scientists Want To Create 'Noah's Ark' For Beneficial Microbes
Scientists proposed a frozen bank that will keep microbiota from all over the world for future generations. Those who are involved in the project will have to collect microbiota from even the most isolated communities.
Study Warns Of Marijuana Effects On Teen Brains
Researchers found a link between marijuana use and poor cognitive skills in teenagers. A new study warned that using the recreational drug might cause teenagers, whose brains are still growing, to perform badly in school.
Fallen Cassini's Data Still Showering Scientists With Stunning Findings About Saturnian Rings
Scientists have released 11 new papers that present the analysis of the final data sent by Cassini. Before it self-destructed, the spacecraft gave scientists one last rare look at the gas giant and its rings.
Lockheed Martin Unveils New Lunar Lander Concept
The lunar lander designed by Lockheed Martin can carry up to four astronauts to the surface of the moon in one trip. If not in use, it will be on the Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway.
Want To Lower Your Risk Of Breast Cancer? Avoid Processed Meat, Says Study
Researchers reviewed previous studies linking processed and red meat to cancer. They confirmed that eating bacon, ham, sausages, and other similar types of food increase the risk of breast cancer.
Sexual Assault And Harassment Can Have Long-Term Adverse Effects On Women's Health
A study found a link between a woman's experience of sexual harassment and sexual assault to the risk of hypertension, depression, and anxiety. The report came in the wake of the #MeToo movement that rocked Hollywood in the past year.
New Computer Architecture Inspired By The Human Brain Can Help Advance AI Tech
Researchers from IBM unveiled a new computing system architecture that is far more efficient than conventional von Neumann designs. The architecture is reportedly better equipped to handle loads of data from artificial intelligence.
A Third Of All Males And Half Of All Females Will Suffer From A Stroke, Parkinson's, Or Dementia: Study
A new study found that women have a higher risk of being diagnosed with stroke, dementia, or Parkinson's in their lifetime. Researchers observed more than 12,000 people over the course of 26 years to examine their risk of neurological diseases.
Researchers Identity Areas Of The Universe Where Dark Matter Might Be Found
Researchers from Japan, Taiwan, and the United States created a cosmic map of dark matter using the Hyper Suprime-Cam. The map was inferred from the distortion of galaxies created by gravitational lensing.
NASA Funded Study Says Prolonged Space Travel Could Destroy Astronauts' Guts
Astronauts who will be traveling toward the surface of Mars are at risk of developing stomach or colon cancer. Scientists found that long-term exposure to cosmic radiation can significantly damage a person's gastrointestinal tissues.
'Goblin' Planet In Outer Edge Of Solar System Could Point To Something Bigger
Scientists found a dwarf planet at the outer edge of the Solar System, far beyond Pluto. They believe that it might lead to the discovery of the mysterious Planet X.
Artificial Sweeteners Can Kill Good Bacteria In Your Gut, Says Study
A new study claimed that artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, and saccharine can disrupt the good bacteria in the gut. After exposing to concentrated artificial sweetener, bioluminescent bacteria used in the study turned toxic.
Number Of Yemen Cholera Cases Increasing At Alarming Pace, According To WHO Report
The World Health Organization reported that the cholera outbreak in war-torn Yemen continues to worsen. In September, an average of 10,000 new suspected cases of cholera was recorded every week.
Risky Behavior In Teens May Be Caused By Lack Of Sleep
Researchers found a correlation between not getting enough sleep and the odds of risky behavior in a new study focused on teenagers. Adolescents need eight to 10 hours of sleep every night, according to experts.
Scientists Want To Use Gene Editing To Turn Wild 'Groundcherry' Into The Next Strawberry
Researchers published a study proposing the use of CRISPR gene-editing tool to make ground cherries, an orphan plant, ready for the supermarket. Breeding plants for large-scale farming usually take a decade to thousands of years.
Doggie Smarts Are 'Not Exceptional' According To New Research
Researchers who reviewed existing studies on dog cognition were not impressed. They found that other animals (including domestic animals, social animals, and carnivorans) have proven to be as smart or even smarter than dogs.
NASA Unveils '60 Years In 60 Seconds' Video To Celebrate Its 60th Anniversary
On Monday, NASA celebrated its 60th anniversary with a video highlighting milestones such as the first man on the moon. Jim Bridenstine also addressed the future of the space agency.
Surfer Dies After Ingesting 'Brain-eating Amoeba' In Texas Resort
Fabrizio Stabile died after dipping in a wave pool in Waco, Texas. He tested for Naegleria fowleri, a rare and dangerous amoeba typically found in freshwaters such as lakes and rivers.
Scientists Are Making And Selling Artificial Martian Dirt For $20 Per Kilogram
The University of Central Florida created dirt that closely resembles the one on the surface of Mars using data collected by NASA's Curiosity rover. Moon and asteroid dirt are also available.
Spooky Skull-Shaped Dead Comet To Zip Past Earth This Halloween
The comet shaped like a human skull will once again make a close flyby to Earth this coming November. Its first observed near encounter with Earth happened in 2015 on Halloween day.
WHO Says Ebola May Spread From Congo To Neighboring Uganda
Because of internal conflicts, WHO reassessed the alert level for the risk of Ebola outbreak in Congo as "very high." Health workers fear that the disease might also spill into Uganda and other neighboring countries.
UN Leaders Pledge To End TB For Good
The United Nations announced the effort to eliminate tuberculosis, which kills over 1 million people, worldwide. The UN General Assembly committed to provide 40 million people with the care they need within five years.
NASA Releases Roadmap For New And Sustainable Lunar Missions
NASA published a 21-page roadmap that details the space agency's space exploration plans for the next two decades. The report is in line with U.S. President Trump's directive to return to the moon.
