Articles by Dianne Depra
Oakland Zoo Art Show Underway, Auctions Works By Animal Artists For A Cause
Who better to participate in a fundraiser for animal conservation than animals themselves! Resident animals at the Oakland Zoo let their creative juices flow, painting works for the benefit of their counterparts in the wild.
Researchers Identify Molecular 'Switch' That Can Alter Brain Cells
All cells have their own function. In the brain, however, certain neurons have the ability to switch properties depending on neural network activity, researchers have found.
Feds Conducting Study On Drought in Six States
The U.S. Geological Survey will be studying six states under drought conditions to help determine how water resources could be better managed in the future.
Super Mario Maker Patch Removes Nine-Day Unlock Wait
Nine days is a long time to wait to fully enjoy a game. With Nintendo listening, however, the wait was dramatically reduced for Super Mario Maker players with the game’s first patch.
Siri Interrupts White House Press Briefing With Cheek [Video]
Siri’s cheekiness knows no bounds, as the personal assistant promptly interrupts a press briefing at the White House after being accidentally triggered.
Blue Cross Blue Sheild Hack May Affect 10 Million Health Records
In yet another cyberattack targeting health insurers, hackers may have compromised personal information from 10 million members part of the Excellus BlueCross BlueShield network.
Tea, Cocoa And Fruit Good For Cardiovascular Health: Study
Like your daily cup of tea? You may be on the right path to ensuring good cardiovascular health, according to a study, thanks to flavanols.
SpaceX Rockets May Carry Human Passengers In Two Or Three Years Says Elon Musk
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk projected that his company’s rocks may be carrying humans to space in two or three years, helping further exploration efforts.
New Type Of Drug Could Eliminate Dormant HIV To Cure Patients For Good
Antiretrovirals can keep HIV at bay but, once dormant, the virus can reawaken and reactivate the disease. Researchers have found a drug class that has the potential to eliminate even dormant HIV, giving the disease no chance of coming back.
Fossils Of Newly Discovered Human Relative Homo naledi Found In South Africa
Scientists have shown that people are not alone, after all, in exhibiting certain behaviors as they discovered that human-relative Homo naledi also had burial practices similar to what humans have.
Hummingbirds Use Hawks As Security Guards For Nests
It may be small but it’s smart. Researchers discover that a hummingbird will build its nest close to a hawk’s to safeguard its eggs and take advantage of the predator’s presence.
Homeopathy Conference Goes Awry As Attendees Get High On Hallucinogens
Homeopaths in Germany suffered hallucinations after taking an illegal drug during a conference, marring the image of alternative medicine. The drug was 2C-E, which is also known as Aquarust.
Universities And Colleges To Boost Meningitis B Vaccination efforts
Meningitis may be rare but it is fatal so universities and colleges are not taking risks, boosting efforts to promote meningitis B vaccines in their campuses.
New Evidence Suggests Oxygen-Producing Life Forms Appeared Much Earlier Than Previous Estimates
According to a study, oxygen producers like cyanobacteria were already present in early Earth some millions of years earlier than previously estimated by scientists.
Folding Case For Tiny Satellites Wins CubeSat Challange
A folding frame designed by Paolo Minetola that reduces material waste and cuts manufacturing time won first place at the CubeSat Challenge, offering a glimpse at the future of small satellites.
Scientists Reveal Dirtiest Areas in Planes And Airports
It’s not what you think! Sending a microbiologist to test airplanes and airports yielded some interesting results, but still highlighted the need for operators to focus on hygiene.
Rhode Island HPV Vaccine Mandate Met With Opposition By Concerned Parents
Rhode Island is gearing up to give seventh-graders HPV vaccines when they go back to school but parents voice opposition, citing concern over the move.
ESA Image Of Magellanic Cloud Looks Like Van Gogh Painting
It truly is a starry night. ESA captured the Orion Molecular Cloud and the resulting image looks a lot like Van Gogh’s famous painting.
'Steve Jobs' Review Roundup: Did Boyle, Sorkin And Fassbender Deliver?
Does the biopic really show Steve Jobs as he's never been seen before? A few critics weighed in after getting an early look before 'Steve Jobs' officially hits cinemas in October.
An Official Hello Kitty 3DS Exists, Goes On Sale November
Hello Kitty on a 3DS? Yes, please! Hello Kitty will be coming to the 3DS this November, as Nintendo and Sanrio collaborate on a faceplate design for the Japanese market.
Cats Don't Think They Need Humans For Safety And Security: Study
Researchers found that cats don’t need their owners to feel safe and secure, highlighting individualistic nature in felines and affirming what many cat owners have suspected for years.
FDA Gives AstraZeneca Brilinta Nod Of Approval For Longer-Term Use
Heart attack patients remain at risk beyond a year after the incident. FDA’s approval makes BRILINTA available as another treatment option to reduce rates of cardiovascular death.
Soyuz Spacecraft Arrives At ISS With Three Astronauts
A Soyuz spacecraft carrying crew members from Russia, Denmark, and Kazakhstan has docked at the International Space Station, bringing bikes, milk, and cheese to the space facility.
Novartis Anticancer Drug Farydak Gets EU Thumbs Up
Farydak made history by being the first histone deacetylase inhibitor with epigenetic activity to be approved in the European Union, offering another treatment option for those with multiple myeloma.
Beijing Air Pollution Levels Skyrocket After Massive Military Parade
Beijing is no stranger to air pollution but a spike in particulate content in the air was reported shortly after the city ended Victory Day festivities.
FDA Gives Nod Of Approval To Roche Hemophilia Drug
Roche’s hemophilia drug is being expedited in development after receiving breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA, addressing an unmet need for patients of the genetic disorder.
Sadness Can Literally Make The World Seem Duller: Study
Think the world lacks color when you’re feeling down? It’s not just you! Researchers found that emotions literally affect how people see the world by influencing color perception.
Scientists See 'Cosmic Recycling' At Work In Prawn Nebula Images
Prawn Nebula is a massive stellar nursery home to both new, budding stars and the remnants of older star generations supporting the growth of the new stars.
NASA's New Soil Moisture Satellite Loses Important Instrument
After exhausting all possible solutions, NASA determined that one of its instruments aboard the SMAP satellite has been compromised, rendering it useless for the remainder of the mission.
Babies Born Prematurely May Earn Less In Adulthood: Study
According to research, babies born before 37 weeks are more likely to earn less as adults, in spite of growing up healthy. Latest study hints at connections between premature birth and cognitive ability.
