Articles by Dianne Depra
Thousands of Orphans in Africa Severely Affected by Ebola Crisis
When Ebola tore through West Africa, it claimed the lives of people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. At the same time, thousands of children in these countries became orphans, with futures unsure as the virus continues to spread.
Elephant Seals Travel Far When Not on Land, Says Study
Elephant seals spend most of their life in the water. When they are out at sea, they not only feed extensively but also travel farther, according to a study.
Pope Francis Sets Off Bomb with Climate Change Encyclical: Conservatives Running for Cover
A lot of people still believe that climate change is nothing more than a green agenda. Pope Francis thinks otherwise. The Pontiff is getting ready to release an official papal document on pressing environmental issues.
Study Incriminates Manicured Lawns as Significant Contributor to Greenhouse Gases
Wasn't going green supposed to be the answer to global warming? If your efforts involve maintaining a lawn -- sorry to say -- you're actually doing more harm than good to the environment.
New Type of Biosensor Can Give Machines Ability to Smell
Researchers add one more thing to what machines can do, creating a new kind of biosensor that imparts the ability to smell like humans can.
Officials Looking to Boat Inspections to Slow the Advance of Invasive Species
South Dakota has a growing mussel problem. It's turning to boat inspections to stop the spread of the invasive species in state waters.
Doctors in China Unveil Groundbreaking Spinal Cord Surgery
Years of research come together to support a groundbreaking procedure, the first attempt at spinal cord surgery that also aimed to take advantage of stem cell therapy.
Nick Clegg Supports New Strategy to Reduce Suicide Rates
If Detroit can do it, the United Kingdom should be able to do the same. Nick Clegg is a firm believer that suicide is preventable, needing just the right approach to accomplish.
Galaxy Formation May Be Linked to Galactic 'Hailstorm' in Early Universe
A lot remains unknown about quasars but researchers have managed to pinpoint its role in the formation of galaxies, signifying its contribution to the early universe.
Beagle 2 Mars Probe Might Still be Alive, Hold Clues to Life on Mars
Scientists are ecstatic that the Beagle 2 was actually a success, but they are even more excited about the possibility that it contains a wealth of data on the Red Planet.
If Schools Want Kids to Eat Vegetables, Recess Should Come Before Lunch
There's no fighting it: children really do like playing during recess. This is why a study suggests having recess first, allowing children to have their playtime without sacrificing the healthy meal they could be having for lunch.
Florida Police Face Criticism for Using Mug Shots of Black Men for Target Practice
Is it racism? Or a simple lapse of judgment? Either way, the North Miami Beach Police Department is in hot water over its choice of targets for practice.
Erupting Since August, Lava Field of Bardarbunga Volcano in Iceland Now Bigger than Manhattan
Iceland has its fair share of volcanic activity. The most recent of which, Bardarbunga's five-month eruption, has resulted in a lava field bigger than Manhattan.
NASA Astronaut, Russian Cosmonaut to Spend One Year Living at International Space Station: Here's Why
One year is a long time to stay anywhere but Scott Kelly and Mikhail Kornienko will be doing just that in space. Their mission is an important step toward figuring out how to bring humans to Mars.
Planting More Trees Still Best Solution to Climate Change
Efforts at addressing climate change are primarily aimed at reducing carbon emissions. For small contributors, planting more trees is the most feasible solution.
New App May Help Solve Long Waiting Times for Hospital Emergency Rooms
Visits to the hospital are mostly urgent, but patients still have to wait because of inefficient booking methods. Apps are here to change all that by digitizing appointments for the patients' convenience.
Wendy's Takes Soda Out Of Children's Meals
Taking a cue from child-health advocates, Wendy’s removes soda as a default drink in its children’s meals and makes it easier for parents to make healthier food choices for their kids.
FDA Begins Investigation on Contaminated Saline Solutions
Saline solutions are supposed to support health, not worsen it. The FDA is investigating how the misuse of the saline solutions for training purposes could have happened.
Vitamin D May Help Prevent Colon Cancer by Beefing Up Immune System
Need a reason to step out and soak up the sun? It turns out simple sun exposure can lead to lower risks of developing colorectal cancer.
British Singer Sarah Brightman to Visit Space Station
Sarah Brightman is set to become the eighth space tourist to visit the ISS, flying aboard the Russian Soyuz capsule. Her trip as a spaceflight participant will last 10 days.
CDC Releases Report on Hospital-Acquired Infections: Declining Numbers Bode Well for Hospitals
Infections from hospitals are still out there but the number of cases is dropping, according to a report released by the CDC. Extra effort on the part of healthcare providers account for the improvement.
Thresher Shark Giving Birth to Shark Pup Caught on Camera
Sharks are rarely caught giving birth, so it was with incredible luck that a thresher shark's birth is captured on camera. The image appears to be the first photograph documenting a thresher shark giving birth.
SpaceX Headed to Seattle: Washington State Expects Handsome Gains
SpaceX adds to Seattle's growing aerospace industry and takes to Washington to grow its satellite business -- a crucial step in realizing Elon Musk's dream of bringing humans to Mars.
40 Patients Accidentally Given Non-Sterile IV Fluid: One Death Confirmed
Intravenous saline solutions intended for training purposes were accidentally administered to patients, resulting in at least one death. The FDA is investigating the incident, advising medical staff to be more thorough in the meantime.
Overdoing Hepatitis C Screenings May Be Bad for your Health
Widespread screening is a good way to detect disease, but is it necessary? In hepatitis C, some scientists believe it is not. They also call into question the treatments being offered.
Ted Cruz Reminds NASA of Core Mission: Calls for End to Russian Dependence on Space Travel
Now at a position to oversee NASA, Ted Cruz is bent on bringing focus back to the agency’s core mission, pushing the U.S. back into the forefront of space travel.
'Defeating Disease' Exhibit Opens at the American Museum of Natural History
Defeating disease is a cause for celebration. One exhibit spotlights decades of efforts and successes, beating diseases bit by bit through innovation and working together.
100 Million Americans Live with Chronic Pain: How are Clinicians Dealing with It?
To alleviate the condition of millions of Americans, a panel was convened to assess current treatment practices. Their recommendations will hopefully give way to better methods for easing chronic pain.
Silencing Single Gene may Prevent Miscarriages, Infertility in Females: Study
Different couples have trouble conceiving for different reasons. Those affected by stress, however, need only worry about one gene, the manipulation of which make all their infertility issues go away.
Asteroid 2004 BL86: Big Space Rock Passing Very Close to Earth on Jan. 26
It's big and it's coming. Asteroid 2004 BL86 will be flying by the planet, visible in many parts of the world on Jan. 26.
