Articles by Diane Samson
NASA's New James Webb Space Telescope Survives Last Thermal Vacuum Test
The James Webb Space Telescope has successfully completed another round of testing. The powerful observatory was subjected to extreme temperature in a vacuum chamber to make sure that it will be able to endure conditions in space.
Curiosity Rover Goes Cloud Watching On Mars
The Mars Curiosity rover went skywatching with the InSight lander in May to help scientists measure the altitude of Martian clouds. The 6-year-old robotic explorer is currently exploring the clay-bearing unit of Mount Sharp.
NASA Mission To Jovian Moon Europa Facing Tough Challenges Ahead
An internal investigation found that NASA's Europa Clipper and Lander, two upcoming missions, faced several problems. The investigators found that both projects suffer from budget and schedule issues as well as a shortage of staff.
Elderly Man Bitten By Rabid Bat Hiding In iPad Case
A man was bitten by a bat inside his home in New Hampshire. Roy Syvertson reported that he was using his iPad inside his living room when he felt pain similar to a bee sting.
Curiosity Rover Finds Cache Of Clay On Mars
The Mars Curiosity rover drilled into two target rocks and found high amounts of clay minerals in the lower region of Mount Sharp. NASA said that the discovery hints at the Red Planet's watery past.
Playing Sports During Teen Years Can Help Heal Effects Of Childhood Trauma
New research linked participation in team sports to a decreased likelihood of anxiety and depression among teens who have childhood trauma. However, those who have adverse childhood experiences are less likely to have access to sports.
Some Experts Concerned Over FDA Fast-Track Cancer Treatment Approval Program
A new study evaluated new cancer treatments that received accelerated approval from the FDA. It found that out of 93 drugs in the program, only 19 were proven to extend the lives of patients who took them.
Companies Like Boeing And Blue Origin Looking Into Building Privately Owned Space Stations
NASA has released proposals from 12 private companies that will turn the Low Earth Orbit into a prime destination for research and manufacturing. Companies like Blue Origin and Axiom want to launch their own space stations.
Russia Wants To Send Crewed Mission To Lunar Surface By 2030
Dmitry Rogozin recently spoke about Roscosmos' future lunar plans, including a manned mission by 2030. Russia is only one of the many nations, including the United States, that aims to land on the surface of the Moon.
Doctors Are Still Prescribing Opioid To Large Number Of Teens And Young Adults
Majority of opioid prescription among teenagers and young adults are given to treat dental disorders, new research has found. The findings cause serious alarm because young people are at high risk of drug misuse.
NASA Is Intentionally Putting Helicopters Into Precarious Nosedives To Test New Mars Mission Hardware
NASA recently took out the Lander Vision System on a day-out for testing. The vision system will aid the Mars 2020 rover to a safe touchdown on the surface of the Red Planet in Feb. 2021.
Jupiter's Gigantic Great Red Spot Storm System May Be Starting To Unravel
Amateur astronomers reported large sections, some of which bigger than 10,000 kilometers, detach from Jupiter's Great Red Spot every week. The storm has been raging for at least 350 years is shrinking steadily.
Scientists At A Loss To Explain Rapid Spike In Atmospheric Methane Levels
In 2007, the levels of atmospheric methane suddenly and rapidly increased due to natural sources, including microbes in wetlands. The findings have serious implications about global efforts to fight climate change.
Colorado Places Bets On Medical Marijuana To Help Curb Opioid Problem
Colorado passed a new law to help slow down the ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States. Instead of giving an opioid prescription, doctors can instead recommend the use of medical marijuana to alleviate symptoms of their conditions.
Falling Meteor Breaks Up Over Australian Bay Releasing As Much Energy As 1.6 Kiloton Nuke
A meteor zipped across Australia's skies last week. According to a research center, the object entered the atmosphere with the force equal to 10 percent of the explosive yield of the Hiroshima nuclear bomb.
Scientists Observe Mysterious Fluorescent 'Glow' In Forests That Signals Coming Of Spring
Researchers found a way to use satellites to more accurately predict how much carbon dioxide is being stored by evergreen forests. The findings could help scientists monitor how forests around the world respond to climate change.
SpaceX Is Flying Pieces Of Human Organs To The International Space Station: Here's Why
Scientists sent four tissue chips, a technology that mimics the structure and function of human organs, to the International Space Station. Each chip will be used to observe the effects of microgravity on the body.
Health Officials Proposing 'No-Fly' Measures To Prevent Spread Of Measles
Eight individuals who might be infected with measles have been warned that they might be placed on the CDC's Do Not Board List. The measure was adopted to prevent people who are contagious from traveling on a plane.
New Wood Processing Technique Produces Material Stronger Than Aluminum And Can Passively Shed Heat
Researchers removed a component of the wood that absorbs heat from the sun, cooling a building passively and providing a sustainable material for construction. They estimated that the processed wood can save up to 20 percent on cooling cost.
Chinese Space Program Suffers From Launch Failure
The Thursday launch of China's Long March 4C rocket ended in failure. The mission was meant to place a Yaogan satellite, which analysts believe is used for military reconnaissance purposes, into orbit.
Formation Of Volcano Under The Indian Ocean Causes Strange Hum Heard All Over The Planet
French researchers found a massive volcano sitting on the floor of the Indian Ocean. They made the discovery after investigating what is causing the swarms of earthquakes that have been rocking the island of Mayotte since May 2018.
FDA Gives Thumbs Up To 2 New Extragenital Tests For Gonorrhea And Chlamydia
Two new devices that detect chlamydia and gonorrhea in the throat and rectum have received the approval of the FDA. These are the first devices to test for sexually transmitted infections using extragenital specimens.
Ground Penetrating Radar Hints At Massive Amount Of Water Beneath Polar Region On Mars
Researchers just discovered a large reservoir of water ice underneath the surface of Mars. They believe that the slabs of ice sandwiched between alternating sand layers are remnants of ancient polar ice caps.
Scientists Junk Previous Genome Sequence Of Widely Researched Worm In Favor Of Newer And More Accurate One
Researchers found that the genome of the C. elegans, a worm used in many studies, is flawed. In a study, they described a single genetically clean strain where every individual is identical.
Study Shows Tiny Short-Lived Fish Bolster Reef Ecosystems
The small cryptobenthic fishes are the cornerstones of a thriving coral reef system. In a new study, researchers found that the creatures provide a steady stream of new generations to be eaten by larger reef animals.
Over 200 People Die From Snakebites Every Day
Public health officials have called snakebites a 'hidden health crisis' affecting thousands every year. The Wellcome Trust UK and the World Health Organization have stepped up to address the problem and prevent thousands from dying from snakebites around the world.
CRISPR-Modified Viruses Could Be Next Potent Weapon Against Drug-Resistant Bacteria
Scientists are looking at CRISPR gene-editing technology to develop a treatment to antibiotic-resistant bacteria or superbugs. A company called Locus Biosciences claimed that it has a 'living antibiotic' made up of viruses that only attack harmful pathogens.
Rare Union Between Nitrogen Ice And Carbon Monoxide Ice Observed Neptunian Moon Triton
Neptune's largest moon Triton has a rare mix of carbon monoxide and nitrogen ice on its surface. Researchers used the Gemini Observatory's telescope in Chile to study the distant object.
Scientists Find 18 New Earth-Like Exoplanets From Old Kepler Data Using New Search Algorithm
Scientists used a more sensitive algorithm to reanalyze the data collected by the now-retired Kepler Space Telescope. They found 18 additional exoplanets, one of which is in the habitable zone.
New Model Shows Inner Workings Of Cell Division
The Integrated Mitotic Stem Cell provides researchers a three-dimensional look at cell division in every stage. The Allen Institute for Cell Division hopes that the tool can unlock new insight about cell division and what happens when it goes awry.
