Articles by Dianne Depra
Biggest pharmaceutical firms join hands to fast track Ebola vaccine
When the situation calls for it, even the biggest competitors can set aside differences. Pharmaceutical firms fast-track Ebola vaccine development, in talks about collaborating.
Researchers retract claims on effectiveness of Dr. Oz-endorsed green coffee bean weight loss diet
Green coffee bean extract was thought of as a miracle solution. However, the science behind it is gone, retracted because claims can’t be supported.
King Tutankhamun virtual autopsy reveals various physical defects. Pharaoh was product of incest
If you needed proof incest is a bad idea, just look at King Tutankhamun. His parents' incestuous relationship compromised the boy pharaoh's health, leading to his early death.
Do you find masculine men, feminine women more attractive? That's urban habit, says study
Who you are attracted to is apparently influenced by where you live. City-dwellers, it appears, like masculine men and feminine women, neutral faces not so much.
Discovery of peculiar information strings puts humans closer to creating artificial living systems
Artificial living systems offer a number of applications, all of which are now a step closer to being realized thanks to the discovery of unusual information strings.
Is Renee Zellweger's new look a case of plastic surgery disaster?
Hollywood is abuzz about her new look, claiming plastic surgery disaster. For Zellweger, it's simply the effect of being happier and healthier.
Binge drinking ups risk of hypertension in young men
Too much of anything is bad. For young men in particular, binge drinking is a cause for concern as it increases risks of hypertension.
Death of northern white rhino in Kenya puts species on brink of extinction
One down, six left. With just a little more than a handful of them left, northern white rhinos are dangerously close to being extinct.
Michael Brown shot at close range, official autopsy reveals
Official autopsy results for Michael Brown are out and they match the contents of the report from the private autopsy his family requested.
ITPR2 is not R2-D2's cousin. It's the gene responsible for the inability to sweat
Anhidrosis is the inability to sweat. According to a study, the condition is caused by a gene mutation known as ITPR2. No ITPR2, no sweat.
Stink bugs invade Southwest Michigan, endanger fields and orchards
They’re small and incredibly terrible. Their stench alone makes stink bugs unbearable but they can do more damage than hurt your nose, wiping out fields and orchards when given the chance.
Expensive Sovaldi drug for hepatitis C still most cost-effective choice for U.S. prisons: Study
Hepatitis C will cost thousands a week to treat, but costs will still be lower than what it would take to cover complications arising from the infection later on.
Gene variant in Latina women protects them from breast cancer: Study
It’s in their DNA. Latina women are naturally more adept than women from other ethnicities in keeping breast cancer risks at bay, thanks to a gene variant.
$750 million: Amount approved by U.S. legislators to boost fight against Ebola
An additional $750 million will be allocated by the U.S. in the fight against the deadly Ebola virus in West Africa. Humanitarian efforts include running mobile medical labs to assist local health workers in diagnosing possible cases.
Experts form space detective agency to use satellite, drone imagery as evidence in lawsuits
Going to court is never easy, but with the right evidence, it can end in your favor. The first space detective agency in the world helps ensure justice is served with satellite imagery.
Memories can be deleted with light. Who says 'Men in Black' is fiction?
Sure, you've got a few things you'd rather forget, and UC Davis researchers will show you how. One study reveals memory can be manipulated, even deleted, with light.
Tachiraptor admirabilis: New dinosaur species discovered in Venezuela is far from being admirable
Being called ‘Thief of Táchira’ doesn’t exactly inspire warm, fuzzy feelings. Rightly so, because given its size, the Tachiraptor admirabilis preyed upon anything smaller than it was.
New 'good fat' in humans can help prevent, treat diabetes
In the United States alone, millions are afflicted with diabetes. Discovery of new ‘good fat’ puts scientists a step closer towards improving diabetes treatment and prevention.
Stem cell breakthrough is sweet news for people with Type 1 diabetes. Here's why
Diabetes doesn’t have a cure but breakthrough in type 1 diabetes treatment with stem cells brings hope to those affected by the condition.
Childhood eating disorders may be clue of psychological issues
Attention, parents! You may have more than just a difficult child on your hands. Fussy eating or changes in eating behavior could signify issues your child is going through.
U.S. restaurants cut down 60 calories on average in menu options
Old habits die hard, so instead of forcing customers to change their lifestyle, restaurants are changing their menu. By reducing the calories of their food and beverage, fast food chains are pushing for healthier options without asking customers to do anything.
Meet P13, a very hungry black hole that can chomp 100 billion hotdogs a minute
It's always impressive when small things do big things. It's enlightening even, as P13, a very hungry black hole, would show.
Sandwiches: 'Light' food America loves is heavy on sodium
Your 'light' sandwich isn't as light as it seems. Without carefully choosing ingredients, sandwiches can account for a significant portion of your daily sodium intake, according to a study.
Wonder how dinosaurs co-existed during difficult times 150 millions years ago? Here's the answer
Dinosaurs needed to eat -- and eat a lot they did. How did they co-exist? Researchers find the answer by recreating how they ate.
168 million: Number of child laborers across the world in 2013
U.S. Labor Department releases annual report on child labor, estimates 168 million children are affected and urges countries around the world to take action.
Near-death, out-of-body experience study may have evidence that there is life after death
It’s not just a spiritual experience. Study shows near-death and out-of-body experiences are real; objectively explores the phenomena for proof and attains it.
Ebola burial teams in Sierra Leone on strike, corpses left in the streets
It’s only natural to ask for what you are due. Burial teams in Sierra Leone stopped collecting corpses, demanding for hazard pay they are owed.
Life expectancy among Americans at record high. Women still live longer than men.
Women may still edge out men in terms of living longer but the people of the United States are generally experiencing longer years, says a report.
World's first gigapixel camera can help spot skin cancer early
Early detection is essential to effective cancer treatment. First gigapixel camera in the world from Duke University may hold the key to catching skin cancer early.
Say hello to Asteroid 2014 OL339, Earth's quasi-moon
Newly discovered asteroid 2014 OL339 joins three others as the Earth's group of quasi-moons. The asteroid accompanies the planet as it orbits around the Sun.
