Articles by Dianne Depra
'Doggies for Anthony' Goes Viral to Make Teen with Leukemia Feel Better
Dogs do make everything better, even if they’re just in pictures, as Anthony Lyons would find out. The teen received thousands of dog pictures in an effort to help him in his fight against cancer.
Japanese Mochi Rice Cakes Cause Fatalities Over New Year. Officials Advise Chewing Slowly
Mochi is traditionally served for good luck in the new year but a few lucked out during the holiday, prompting officials to remind people to chew slowly.
17-Year-Old Teen from Connecticut in Fierce Legal Battle Against State. State Insists Patient Get Chemo
Should teens be allowed to make life decisions for themselves? This is the issue at the heart of a legal battle between Connecticut and a 17-year-old girl with cancer.
US Medical Worker Arrives in Omaha for Further Observation. Potential Case of Ebola?
After a high-risk exposure to the Ebola virus in Sierra Leone, a medical worker arrived in Omaha for observation and possible treatment at Nebraska Medicine.
Latest Cempra Antiobiotic Shows Positive Results Against Pneumonia
Solitaire-Oral works better than existing antibiotics. With clinical trials producing positive results, it won’t be too long now before the improved treatment against pneumonia is approved.
Teens with Mental Issues in the US have Easy Access to Guns
It’s normal for a teen to have a lot of concerns, but add in mental issues and a firearm and you end up with a deadly mix. Unfortunately, access to firearms is too easy for teens.
Galactic Drama: Scientists Debate if Objects Near Massive Black Hole are Binary Stars or Gas Clouds
Is it a binary star? Is it a gas cloud? Scientists just don't know what to make of it. An object whirling around the black hole Sagittarius A*, G2, was first spotted in 2011.
Queen Elizabeth II Knights 'Father of Viagra' Dr. Simon Campbell
The new year is off to a good start for Simon Campbell, as the 'Father of Viagra' receives knighthood for his work on the little blue pill.
Large Asteroids to Flyby Earth in January Through March. Should Humans Worry?
Massive rocks hurtling in space at speeds of thousands of miles per hour? They definitely sound dangerous, but they’re only really threatening if they hit you.
Tennessee Mother Turns to Facebook to Find Parents for Unused Embryos. Deal Comes With Unusual Terms
Serious parties only, please. Angel Watts is looking for couples to parent six embryos, but she's not interested in just anyone, as her Facebook post would show.
Cancer Cure? Researchers Discover Small Molecule that can Shrink Tumors, Kill Cancer Cells
Cells should follow all cell processes. By targeting what makes cancer cells invincible, researchers take a step closer toward finding a cure for the disease.
Rescue Dog Sniffs Out Aggressive Breast Cancer, Saves Life of Owner
It has long been established that dogs and their humans form tight bonds. In this case, the bond is so tight that the dog managed to warn his human that she has cancer.
Two Super Computers Play Tag Team to Produce Realistic Simulation of Universe
Two is better than one yet again as supercomputers team up to generate a simulation that vividly captures the formation of galaxies. The EAGLE project recreates conditions as far back as 14 billion years.
Smallest Goanna Lizard Species in the World Discovered in Australia
Australia adds the pocket-sized Dampier Peninsula goanna to its list of reptiles after scientists discovered the lizard in the country’s western region.
Robots Onboard ISS May Soon Roam Freely Using Wi-Fi
There are many things you can do with Wi-Fi. Now, NASA is looking into using the Internet access at the ISS as a means of controlling small robots called SPHERES to help the astronauts.
FDA Drug Approval Numbers Through the Roof. Big Pharma Sees New 18-Year High
The year 2014 proved to be a year of successes for pharmaceutical companies. With the drug makers' hard work on new medicines rewarded with FDA approvals, patients with rare and serious diseases also benefit.
Binge Drinking Upsets Immune System of Young Adults, Says Study
It's hard to pace yourself when you're out having fun. More than a hangover, however, you might be nursing a weaker immune system after some shots, according to a study.
Fast Food Then vs. Fast Food Now. Is There a Difference?
Burgers and fries are fast food staples. According to a study, these staples, along with other menu times have remained largely unchanged in the last 17 years.
Medical Marijuana Now Legal in Massachussetts. State Issues First License
Proponents of medical pot scored big on the last day of 2014 as Massachusetts joins the list of states offering medical marijuana legally. The state has assigned the Alternative Therapies Group as the first dispensary operator in the area.
Teen Basketball Player Lauren Hill Helps Raise $1 Million for Cancer Charity
What can a teen do for others? A lot, Lauren Hill proved, such as raising $1 million for cancer research to improve treatment options for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma.
Hospitals to Stop Announcing First Babies of the Year
People looking forward to New Year birth announcements will be experiencing a change of pace as many hospitals forego the tradition to protect patient safety and privacy.
Snowy Owl Sightings Increase Over the Holidays. New Sightings Bode Well for Snowy Owl Population
The snowy owls are here! They may not be here to stay but they’re a sight to behold, if you manage to spot one.
Japanese Scientists Develop New Hydrogel with Interesting Repulsive Properties
A new material was discovered featuring the usual form of hydrogels but with unusual repulsive properties. The discovery opens up possible new applications ranging in function, from mechanical to biological.
Ebola Curfew in Liberia Suspended for New Year's Celebration
Liberia will be welcoming 2015 still with the problem of Ebola on its shoulder. The country is going to celebrate just the same, lifting the imposed curfew to accommodate New Year's Eve church services.
Boeing Reaches Second Milestone for NASA Space Taxi
The Space Shuttle Program may have ended but NASA has not lost sight of the seriousness of space travel. The agency is adamant about following standards, which Boeing has successfully met to reach its second milestone.
Study Shows Link Between Suicidal Behavior in Parents and Children
Parents and their children have a natural bond, a connection that extends even to suicidal behavior as researchers discovered in a study published in JAMA Psychiatry.
Seven Conservationist Groups to Sue Government for Neglecting Endangered Flowers
Graham’s and White River beardtongues are only found in the Uinta Basin. With oil development speeding up in the area, these rare desert flowers are in danger, prompting conservationist groups to take action.
UK Nurse Diagnosed with Ebola Moved to London
Ebola still doesn't look like it has run its course. A volunteer nurse, who contracted the virus while aiding patients in West Africa, has been transferred to London for treatment.
FDA Gives Thumbs Up to Hospira's New Injectable Painkiller
Non-opioid analgesic injectable Dyloject has received FDA approval, adding to the list of NSAID options available to patients for safe, effective and non-addicting pain relief.
Mars Rover Opportunity Still Dealing with Flash Memory Issues
Having amnesia is never easy but the Opportunity rover is hanging on, attempting to complete its tasks despite the memory gaps. Problems were bound to arise given the rover has been working overtime for 10 years.
