Articles by Diane Samson
NASA's New Rover Gets Shiny New Set Of Wheels And Legs
NASA's Mars 2020 rover is starting to look like an actual rover. This month, engineers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California installed the vehicle's legs and wheels in preparation for the July 2020 launch.
Gaps In Congo And Uganda Border Is Making Ebola Quarantine More Difficult
People who have Ebola might be coming in and out of Uganda without going through official border posts, authorities have admitted. The first two confirmed cases of Ebola in Uganda used unguarded dirt paths between the two countries.
Researchers 3D Print Wearable Mesh That Can Function As Flexible Medical Braces
MIT engineers developed a 3D-printed mesh that can be used as an ankle or a knee brace. The material is flexible enough to allow comfort and movement, but stiff enough to prevent further injuries.
More US Women Use Marijuana During Pregnancy, Says Study
More women admitted to using medical and nonmedical marijuana during pregnancy in 2017 than in 2001, according to a new study. The drug is also more prevalent among those who are in the first trimester of their pregnancy.
Teen Suicides At All-Time High Since Turn Of The Millennium
The rate of suicide among young people has been rising alarmingly in recent years. Adolescent and young adult males made up the majority of the deaths caused by suicide in 2017.
First Female Astronaut In Space Sally Ride Made Historic Trip 36 Years Ago
On July 18, 1983, 32-year-old Ride became the first American woman to go into space as part of the Challenger's STS-7 mission. During her first flight, she operated the robotic arm that deployed satellites into low orbit.
2 Very Earthlike Exoplanets Spotted Just 12.5 Light-Years From Our Solar System
Teegarden b and Teegarden c both sit within the habitable zone of their host star. According to scientists, the newly discovered exoplanets in orbit around a nearby dwarf star might have the right conditions to support life.
Researchers Create 3D Holograms On Printed Materials Using Normal Ink
Lumii's technology does not require special films or lenses to create images that appear three-dimensional or holographic in certain angles. The company uses regular ink to create dynamic effects.
Sleeping Habits Can Have Effect On Alzheimer's Progression Later In Life
Another study linked changes in sleep pattern to the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's later in life. Researchers found that an individual's current sleeping habits can predict accumulation of tau and proteins in the brain.
Melting Of Arctic Ice Releasing Hazardous Toxins Into Atmosphere
The thawing permafrost can bring back ancient diseases, release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and dump mercury and nuclear waste that can seep into the food chain. Scientists predicted that up to 70 percent of permafrost could thaw by 2100.
Former Astronaut Michael Collins Posts Previously Unreleased Photo Of Apollo 11 Crew
Fifty years after the historic Moon landing, NASA astronaut Michael Collins shared a photo of the Apollo 11 crew that the public has never seen before. The photo showed Collins holding a replica of the moon.
NASA Finds Newly Made Impact Crater On Mars
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spotted a new crater near the equator of Mars. Scientists said that the feature might have been created when a small space rock crashed into the Red Planet.
Father's Health Choices Have Large Impact On Health Of Children, Says Study
Fathers choosing to be healthy can influence the lifelong health of their children, a study has found. For father's day, men should start eating right and exercising regularly to give their offsprings better metabolic health and avoid certain diseases, including cancer.
Atomic Clock Will Keep Mars Mission On Schedule
The Deep Space Atomic Clock will enable future spacecraft to be autonomous as they explore worlds far away from Earth. The technology will be launched into orbit next week onboard the Falcon Heavy for its first trial in space.
NASA's OSIRIS-REx Moves Closer Than Ever To Bennu Asteroid
NASA's OSIRIS-REx performed a maneuver that brought it closer to the surface of the asteroid Bennu. For the next couple of weeks, it will collect look for sites where it can safely retrieve a sample.
Electrified Droplet Of Water Could Be Key To New Types Of Air Purification And Propulsion Tech
Researchers pinned down a simple equation that can predict the electric field strength needed to burst a water droplet into electrified mists. They claimed that their findings can help engineers develop techniques like electrospraying.
New Gene-Editing Technique Can Alter Genome Without Cutting DNA
Researchers developed a CRISPR system that eliminated the need to cut the genome to insert new DNA sequences. Called CAST, the new system can enable safer and more accurate gene-editing.
Religious Exemptions For Vaccines No Longer Allowed In New York
The state of New York has passed a bill banning parents for claiming religious beliefs to opt their children out of receiving required vaccinations. The mandate was introduced as a response to the measles outbreak across the United States.
NASA Puts Out Open Call To Private Companies On Supplying Lunar Station
NASA's Lunar Gateway is part of the United States' goal to maintain a presence on the Moon. The space station will serve as an outpost for astronauts who will explore the lunar surface and other destinations across the solar system.
William Shatner Takes Playful Jab At 'Star Wars' Over 'Starfleet' Symbol Found On Mars
An old rivalry between the 'Star Trek' and 'Star Wars' fandom was ignited thanks to a photo captured by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The photo featured a mark that looks eerily like the symbol of the Starfleet.
New Mathematical Model Can Accurately Predict Decisions People Make In Card-Picking Game
A new mathematical model can predict the cards that a participant will pick in the Iowa Gambling Task. According to a researcher, this will help scientists understand the disruptions in decision-making that some people experience.
Ugandan Government Says Ebola Threat A Lot Worse Than Previous Projections
Uganda reported its first cases of Ebola this week. Two people have already died from the disease and three individuals were held in isolation after coming into contact with the infected patients.
Cassini Mission Dives Deep Into Inner Workings Of Saturn's Rings
In a new study, scientists analyzed data from Cassini's close encounters with Saturn's rings. They found textures and patterns, as well as understood the composition of the planet's famous feature.
NASA Admin Estimates New Moon Landing Mission Will Cost Up To $30 Billion
The Artemis program will place two American astronauts on the surface of the moon in 2024. It will cost up to $30 billion, which exceeds NASA's current annual budget.
Private Insurance Policy Holders Could Soon Get Free Daily HIV Prevention Drugs
PrEP, a treatment that prevents the transmission of HIV, has received an 'A' recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. This means that insurance will soon cover medicine for high-risk individuals at no cost.
NASA Now Working On Giving Recognition To Hidden Figures Who Helped Make Space History
In honor of the African American women whose calculations helped bring the first Americans into space, NASA renamed a street 'Hidden Figures Way' in Washington, D.C. On Wednesday, June 12, an event was held to make the designation official.
Researchers Introduce New Model That Could Explain Autism
Researchers genetically edited macaque monkeys to study autism in the hopes of developing new treatments for humans. During the experiment, the macaque monkeys exhibited similar behavioral patterns to humans who have the same mutations.
Home Diagnostic Kit Can Detect Drugs In Blood And Urine Using Silicon Chips And An iPhone
A new diagnostic system proposed by researchers from Vanderbilt University uses a smartphone to test for drugs, infection, or bacteria in a liquid sample. An app will handle the data processing and perform diagnosis.
NASA Takes Radiation Shielding In Spacecraft Very Seriously: Here's How They Do It
Before a spacecraft gets launched into outer space, it goes through several testing. At the Goddard Spaceflight Center in Maryland, spacecraft are subjected to levels of radiation it will encounter throughout its mission.
Scientists Find Significant Vulnerability In Major Human Viruses That Could Exploited
Researchers found a new pocket in a broad class of viruses that cause some of the common infections that afflict humans. This might lead to the development of new antiviral drugs.
