Articles by Dianne Depra
What is it Like to be in Vegetative State for 12 Years? Martin Pistorius 'Awakens' to Share it All
Martin Pistorius' life is an inspirational story about not giving up. He was trapped inside his own body for 12 years, but he conquered the odds and got his life back, even finding love.
Greenland Ice Study Shows Meltwater Significant Contributor to Rising Sea Levels
To say the Greenland ice sheet is big is an understatement. With its size proportional to its potential as a contributor to meltwater, it's natural for the ice sheet to be a cause for concern.
What's Wrong with Being Workaholic? You've the Tendency to be Alcoholic, Says Study
Coping with alcohol is never a good thing. But if you’re stretched, working overtime everyday, it’s likely what's keeping you together.
Older Diabetes Patients May Be Suffering from Overtreatment
Too much of anything is bad. Unfortunately, a one-size-fits-all approach to taking care of diabetes is putting older patients at risk of overtreatment, highlighting the importance of individualized care.
Napping Often May Help Babies Learn Better Says Study
Babies already sleep a lot but a study is saying let them sleep some more as it helps them learn better. Napping is more than just about replenishing energy now.
Mastodon Fossils Unearthed by Contractor While Excavating Backyard
You find the most surprising thing when you least expect it. For a contractor, a day at work turned up the discovery of a lifetime as he unearthed mastodon bones in his neighbor's backyard.
Six Sharks to Make Michigan Aquarium New Home in Preparation for Jan. 29 Opening
Well ahead of time for the aquarium’s opening, six sharks arrive at Sea Life Michigan, adding to the facility’s extensive marine life collection. The aquarium’s grand opening is set for Jan. 29.
Eagles Spotted in California Lakes: Volunteers Needed for Eagle Count
It’s natural for bald eagles to fly south during winter but a count is necessary because the bird’s population is being closely watched. U.S. Forest Service calls on volunteers for assistance.
Small Volcanic Eruptions Culprit Behind 'Warming Hiatus' Says Study
Small volcanic eruptions might be modest in magnitude but they can affect the climate just as well as bigger eruptions, collectively cooling down the planet to somewhat pause global warming.
Computer Algorithm May Be the Next Big thing for Texas Hold'em
Artificial intelligence is steadily making its rounds and it’s now found its way to the poker table. Computer algorithm finds perfect strategy, becomes unbeatable in two-player poker game.
Gilead Sciences Purchases the Next Potential 'Blockbuster Drug'
It’s not a billion-dollar acquisition but it could very well turn out to be a billion-dollar payout if Gilead Sciences plays its cards right and releases a treatment for NASH swiftly.
Whale Rescuers Faced Difficulties While Rescuing Beached Pygmy Sperm Whale in California
Though they wanted to help so bad, rescuers had to put off helping a beached pygmy sperm whale because of conditions in the area. The young whale appeared to be injured and bloodied.
Birds Aware of Climate Change, According to Study
Birds are highly in tune with nature so they are well aware of the effects of climate change, changing habits to adapt to their environment.
Strange Half-Male Half-Female Butterfly Baffles Scientists
Is it male? Is it female? Is it actually both? Unusual butterfly appears in exhibit, manifesting a rare condition that imparts both male and female characteristics.
Salmon River Fish Suffering from Vitamin Deficiency: Death Toll Rising
It's not yet clear what's causing the steelhead trout population in Salmon River to be vitamin-deficient. Whatever it is, it’s a cause for concern, most especially to the sport fishing community.
What Killed Mammoths? Not a Big Cosmic Impact, New Study Suggests
It has long been held that impact from a meteorite or comet caused an ice age. A new study smashes that idea though, saying it's possibly not as grand as you think.
Researchers Repair Spinal Injuries in Rats with Flexible Implants
Researchers developed a silicon implant that perfectly mimics natural tissue and releases needed substances for recovery, taking another step for treating paralysis due to injury.
Japanese Whale Poachers Head to Antarctica -- to Count Whales
Japanese whaling ships are out and about but they’re not hunting--they’re counting. It’s research whaling, they say, but is it?
Novartis Seeks FDA Approval for New COPD Drugs Following Successful Clinical Trials
The pharmaceutical company’s New Drug Applications are timely because there is an urgent need for new COPD treatments that will better address symptoms in patients.
Forget Magic 8 Ball: Brain Imaging may Predict the Future
The brain holds many secrets and one of them, it turns out, is a way to predict future behavior, according to a review of studies on brain imaging.
ESO Spots Dark Nebula: Stars are Not Missing, They're Actually Being Born
A lot of things are not what they appear. In this case, a dark nebula that looks like it is making stars disappear is actually fostering their birth and development.
Dry January Getting More Popular. People Swear Off Booze for a Month
Most people don’t think they can swear off alcohol for a month. Last the entirety of Dry January though and you may think twice about drinking booze again.
Brave Rock Climbers Attempt to Scale 3,000 Foot Rock Face
Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson are making good time on their attempt to scale El Capitan. If they succeed, they will hold the record for the first free-climb on the Dawn Wall.
Seabird Deaths Pique Scientists' Curiosity. Investigation Regarding Die-Off Ongoing
Dying is a natural part of the cycle of life. When too many are dying, however, it's a cause for concern. Scientists are baffled why seabirds are dying off, investigating the matter to figure out the cause.
Elon Musk and SpaceX Serious About Sending Humans to Mars
People make plans all the time, but there’s nothing like telling others about it to create accountability. Elon Musk has done just that so all that’s left now is to see how his plans pan out.
Severely Obese Adults May Get New Lease on Life with Bariatric Surgery
When all else fails, bariatric surgery is there to offer weight loss. A study showed that bariatric procedures improve health and ultimately lengthen life.
New Bill to Target E-Cigarettes. Lawmakers Concerned Over Possible Effects on Youths
E-cigarettes are still cigarettes -- they just look and taste different. A new bill in Indiana is looking to increase regulation on the battery-powered devices, hoping to protect the youth from addiction.
Exelis, NASA to Use Lasers to Study Interaction Between Forests, Greenhouse Gases
Exelis and NASA have a history of working together. Their latest collaboration will involve the use of lasers for determining levels of carbon dioxide in forests and other locations.
Novartis Version of Neupogen Gets Favorable Review from FDA
Several months after accepting Novartis’ application, the FDA reviewed the drugmaker’s version of Amgen’s Neupogen, finding the two are not distinctly different.
Climate Hacking Doable, Say Experts -- But Long-Term Effects Uncertain
Climate hacking, also known as geoengineering, involves direct intervention with natural environments to mitigate the effects of climate change. The methods, however, pose a different set of risks altogether.
