Articles by Katherine Derla
Deforestation Facilitates Rainforest Invasion Of Black Rats
Scientists found black rats or ship rats preferred deforested areas. The increasing deforestation practices could lead to black rat invasion and affect the small mammals and eventually, the rainforest's ecosystem. Black rat invasion could lead to the extinction of native mammals and disease spread.
Boy Who Developed Narcolepsy From Swine Flu Vaccine Wins Six Figure Damages
After a six-year legal battle, a 10-year-old boy who developed narcolepsy from swine flu vaccine won nearly $175,000 in damages. The condition causes individuals to fall asleep up to every five minutes regardless of activity such as walking, swimming and eating.
Yawning Is More Contagious Among Women, Study Finds
A secret observation of more than 100 individuals found that both men and women catch contagious yawning from someone they are close to. Italian researchers found that women are more likely to yawn because they feel more empathy than men.
Your DNA May Be To Blame Why You Are A Morning Person Or A Night Owl, 23andMe Study Reveals
Researchers found your DNA is the culprit for your preference between an early or late riser. A large genome sequencing study of almost 90,000 people found genes that play roles in waking us up early or keeping us awake into the late night.
American Red Cross Asks Blood Donors To Wait 28 Days After Visiting Zika Outbreak Zones
The American Red Cross urges potential blood donors who recently visited Zika outbreak countries to wait 28 days before giving blood. Donors who developed Zika-like symptoms within two weeks of donation are also urged to notify the agency.
BPA-Free Plastics Aren’t As Safe As You Think: BPS Alters Embryonic Growth As Soon As A Day After Exposure
Although Bisphenol S (BPS) has been touted as a better alternative to Bisphenol A, a study using zebrafish found that low exposure to both chemicals speeds up embryonic growth and alters the reproductive system. The level of chemicals used in the study was same with the chemicals' traces in polluted waters.
A Single Dose Of Blood Pressure Medicine May Improve Language, Social Skills Of People With Autism
Researchers have found that a single dose of high blood pressure drug propranolol can improve the language and social skills of people with autism. The preliminary results of a new randomized, controlled study could lead to new treatments and therapies.
3D Printed Gel Unveils Secret Of How Human Brain Folds
Scientists used a 3-D printed gel model to reveal how the brain gets its signature wrinkled look. The fetal brain starts off with a smooth surface. Wrinkling or folding is Nature's way of packing a powerful, large processor in a small skull.
Warmer US Weather, OPEC And China Economic Data Sink Crude Oil Prices By 7 Percent
The crude oil price drop is further fueled by forecasts of warmer U.S. weather, China's weak economic data and the lack of cooperation between OPEC and non-members to reduce the oil surplus. Analysts doubt the possibility of an oil rebound despite the latest Brent surge.
US Airlines Bring Back Small Perks Like Free Snacks To Economy Class Passengers
Book that flight because we're seeing the return of free snacks and other perks in economy class. Major U.S. airlines are reviving old inflight perks such as free snacks, more entertainment options and even hot meals.
Study Reveals Proteins Most Associated With Aging And Age-Related Diseases
Researchers have revealed a list of proteins most associated with aging and age-related disease including Alzheimer's. The team has found that short and highly charged proteins are most vulnerable to oxidation, which damages proteins in aging cells.
Shanghai Customs Seizes More Than 2,000 Endangered Turtles From Smugglers
The Shanghai Bureau of Customs announced that they seized over 2,000 endangered turtle species in November 2015. The turtles were found hidden in containers of imported crabs owned by a Shanghai-based international shipping company.
Gas Cloud Headed For Collision With Milky Way: When Will This Happen?
An enormous gas cloud, which was once part of the Milky Way, is plummeting towards our galaxy and will collide in about 30 million years. The collision will give birth to new stars and will provide enough gas to generate 2 million suns.
Eight-Day Old Conjoined Twins In Switzerland Become Youngest Ever Pair To Be Successfully Separated
Swiss doctors successfully separated eight-day old conjoined twins Lydia and Maya, who were born two months premature and conjoined at the chest and liver. The identical twins were the youngest pair to undergo such operation.
Cheap Water Purification Technology Developed In Switzerland May Solve Flint Water Crisis
Swiss scientists debuted a new, cheap water purification process that removes up to 99 percent of impurities using a paper-like membrane. The new filtering process can help solve the Flint, Michigan water crisis where over 100,000 residents were exposed to high levels of lead.
Do Nice Guys Really Finish Last? Not According To This Study
Great news to the average Joes! When it comes to women's search for long-term partners, altruism trumps good looks. A study found that women are more attracted to men doing acts of kindness compared to selfish men who are simply good-looking.
Men Freeze, Women Flee: New Study May Shed Light On How Sex Difference Affects How We React To Fear
A study found that male rats freeze while female rats dart in response to fear. The findings can help the scientific community better understand fear reaction in humans and pave the way for better treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Proton Beam Therapy Is Safer For Children With Cancer: Study
Researchers found that proton beam therapy appears as the safer option for treating children with brain cancer medulloblastoma. The more targeted method is less toxic to surrounding tissues and other parts of the body.
Flavored E-Cigarettes Contain A Chemical That Irritates Your Lungs: Study
A study found that 108 out of 145 flavored e-cigarettes contain the benzaldehyde, a chemical that can irritate the lungs. Tasting like almonds or cherries, benzaldehyde is a popular flavoring agent that can also be found in medicines.
Humans Drove 500-Pound Bird To Extinction By Eating Its Giant Eggs
Scientists found that early humans contributed to the eventual demise of an ancient big bird by cooking and eating their eggs. The so-called "big bird" Genyornis newtoni lived across Australia 50,000 years ago.
Clay Tablets Show How Babylonian Astronomers Tracked The Planets Using Ancient Geometry
A study found new ancient origins of modern calculus. Clay tablets from the British Museum, dating back to between 350 and 50 B.C., showed first steps from geometry to calculus. Babylonian astronomers used abstract mathematics to track Jupiter's movements across the sky.
Japan Starts Constructing The World’s Largest Floating Solar Farm To Power 5,000 Homes Every Year
Japan's Kyocera Corporation is set to build the world's largest floating solar farm by 2018 to solve the current reliance on expensive imported energy. The increased effort to build renewable energy sources is propelled by the March 2010 Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant incident.
California Residents Forced To Flee As Homes Sit Precariously On Top Of Eroding Cliff
Residents in the coastal community of Pacifica in San Francisco, California are forced to leave their homes due to increasing cliff damage caused by heavy rains and crashing waves. Despite the threats, some residents refused to leave saying they have nowhere to go and have no funds to relocate.
When It Comes To Intelligence, Brain Size Matters: Study
Researchers found that animals with large brains relative to their body size are more successful in finishing problem-solving tasks. The findings support the theory that species with relatively larger brains are more intelligent.
Sonic Boom, Not Earthquake, Caused The Tremors That Rocked South Jersey
The U.S. Navy confirmed that flight testing two of their military aircraft were likely the source of the nine, back-to-back sonic booms that caused the ground to shake in southern New Jersey. The U.S. Geological Services found no seismic activity, ruling out the possibility of an earthquake.
Americans May Be Overdosing On Aspirin: Watch Out For These Mistakes When Taking OTC Pain Meds
A study found many Americans ignore recommended dosage on the labels of OTC pain medications, which could lead to an overdose and severe health conditions. Here are some warning signs and symptoms of OTC medicine overdose.
Watch This Spanish Acro Pilot’s Breathtaking Sky Dance As He Paraglides Through The Aurora Borealis
Spanish acro-paraglider Horacio Llorens took to the skies and danced with the very elusive northen lights. The mission fulfilled Llorens' long-time dream of 'dancing with Aurora.'
Remembering The Space Shuttle Challenger 30 Years Later: Here Are Other NASA Tragedies To Never Forget
Jan. 28, 2016 marks the 30th anniversary of NASA’s failed Space Shuttle Challenger’s live launch. The Challenger lifted off on Jan. 28, 1986 and exploded 73 seconds after takeoff. The explosion killed the entire crew, including Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher-astronaut.
4D-Printed Flowers May Pave Way To Creation Of Synthetic Organs
Researchers created 4D-printed flowers that can mimic movement of natural processes. The technology can revolutionize tissue engineering for the creation of synthetic human organs.
Doomsday Clock Strikes Three Minutes Until Midnight: What Does This Mean?
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists set the 2016 Doomsday Clock at three minutes to midnight, same with 2015. The unchanged state of the Doomsday Clock is a manifestation of dismay for the world leaders who are failing to focus on the reduction of threats from climate change and nuclear weapons.
