Articles by Dianne Depra
Why humans should eat cane toads, according to Australian expert
There are a lot of cane toads in Australia and they’re growing in number every year. One professor has a solution to the population explosion: Eat them.
Cigars less harmful than cigarettes? New study proves this notion wrong
The verdict is in: there’s no better way to smoke. Smoking is smoking, whether you’re using cigars or cigarettes, according to a study.
Three ISS crew members return home to Earth
It’s good to be back. After completing their mission at the International Space Station, Expedition 41 crew members arrived home safely last Sunday.
School lunches vs. home-packed lunches: Which is more nutritious?
A packed lunch from mom definitely warms the heart, but does it provide nutrients the rest of the body needs? A study weighs in.
Robotic microscallops can swim through the bloodstream, eyeball fluid to deliver vital medicine
Targeted treatment is essential to getting better. Microscallops may go where no man has gone before--deep inside the body and even into a cell to deliver medication.
Siberian tribe unearths mummified bison: Specimen may provide clues to extinction of species
It's rare for bison mummies to be intact. A necropsy of one recently discovered provides a closer look and unlocks clues about the bison's extinction.
White House mulls using robots to fight Ebola outbreak
Now, more than ever, efforts against Ebola have to be strengthened. Robots can turn the tide, when the right ones are designed and developed.
Scientists make mouse transparent. Why is this important for humans?
Transparent mice provide a clearer method of observing the inner workings of the body. By improving how the body may be studied, transparent mice pave the way for medical advancements.
Allergic to penicillin? 94 percent who think they're allergic are actually not
Unless you got yourself tested, your adverse reaction to penicillin may just be a side effect and not an official allergy, according to studies.
Climate change distracts bees. Why the buzz? Food
Bees aren’t big on hot weather, emerging earlier than usual when spring is warm. This disrupts the pollination process, which in turn can affect food crops.
Innovative dog harness will allow humans to effectively communicate with their pooches
Dogs are relied upon for many things. They will become even more reliable as researchers create a harness that facilitates communication between dogs and humans.
Driving in NYC? Speed limit now at 25 mph
Speeding kills. New York City implements new speed limit to reduce casualties on the road, starts setting up 3,000 signs around its boroughs to inform drivers.
Women possess superior sense of smell, more olfactory cells than men
Women not only like things that smell good but they can also smell better than men because their brains are made that way, says a new study.
Orphaned baby otter finds new home in Chicago aquarium
A baby otter may have been abandoned, but it has found a new family in Chicago's Shedd Aquarium. Round-the-clock care is being provided through the aquarium’s Sea Otter Program.
Blood thinner drug Dabigatran (Pradaxa) may up risk of bleeding
Compared to warfarin, dabigatran has been shown to increase risks of bleeding in patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. It’s more inconvenient but this makes warfarin safer to use.
NASA releases amazing images of Titan's specular point and Saturn
The Cassini orbiter is doing a great job of documenting Saturn’s system. It's capturing images of Titan, the planet’s largest moon, for everyone on Earth to learn from.
Seniors who live purposely tend to live longer: Study
Want to live longer than your peers? Be happier! Study shows a sense of purpose and well-being can extend life in seniors by improving physical health.
8 million rats in New York City? No, says new study
There is comfort in knowing that there aren't as many rats in New York as the city’s residents. A new study clarifies more realistic number for rodent population.
Atoms can do disappearing act in ultra-cold conditions, scientists find out
Researchers have discovered that atoms behave differently from what is expected when subjected to ultra-cold environments. Certain collisions had solitons approaching each other but maintaining a gap between them before bouncing away.
Australians spot extraordinary cloud formation. UFO or just... clouds?
What a way to start the week! Weird cloud formation sends Twitter abuzz, causes panic in a small seaside town in Australia. Are the aliens coming?
Women at higher risk of alcohol-related injuries: Study
Had too much to drink? Stumbling is understandable. A study, however, shows that women are likelier to injure themselves as more alcoholic beverages are consumed.
Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo crash due to pilot error: NTSB
No one was more surprised than Virgin Galactic when the SpaceShipTwo crashed. Now according to the NTSB, pilot error may have caused the problem that brought the aircraft down.
U.S. slaps Hyundai, Kia with $100 million fine for inflated fuel mileage claims
It really does pay to be true to your word. For not doing that, Hyundai and Kia had to settle with the EPA and pay $100 million in penalties.
Largest sunspot in 24 years continues to baffle scientists
It’s equal parts amazing and confusing. AR 12192 is remarkable for its size but it’s not behaving like a typical sunspot, according to NASA.
Bird population in Europe may decline by 421 million due to modern farming methods
European birds see a drastic drop in population, with common bird species experiencing the most cut in their numbers. Study blames unsustainable methods and urbanization.
Dark energy is swallowing up dark matter. Is the universe in trouble?
Dark energy is consuming dark matter, meaning there’s less and less of what the universe needs to create galaxies, according to a study.
30 minutes of vigorous exercise per day lowers breast cancer risk: Study
Regular exercise is one of the pillars of good health. Make sure to do 30 minutes of vigorous exercise a day and breast cancer risk is lowered.
Policy imposing penalties on hospitals readmitting COPD patients may impact health care for poor
New Medicare policy penalizes hospitals with high re-admission rates for chronic conditions like COPD, doesn’t care if re-admission is beyond the hospital’s control.
FCC's Wheeler may become ISPs' worst nightmare with hybrid approach: Here's why
The FCC is hard at work ironing out the kinks of net neutrality. While a hybrid plan looks like a compromise between consumer concerns and corporate interests, the move will weigh more heavily on Internet service providers.
Danish court convicts Pirate Bay founder of hacking CSC servers: Defense team cries foul
It’s just one charge after another. Not complete out yet as a free man and Gottfrid Svartholm Warg is facing time again behind bars for hacking CSC servers.
