Articles by Katherine Derla
Sleeping Sickness Parasites That Infected Humans For 10,000 Years Descended By Asexual Cloning
Researchers found parasites that cause African sleeping sickness have been cloning itself over and over in the past 10,000 years. The species’ nonsexual reproduction could lead to its eventual demise, not in the near future but in about several thousand more years.
CIA Releases Hundreds Of Secret UFO 'X-Files'
The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency uploaded hundreds of UFO 'X-Files' on their website. The declassified files include never-before-seen top secret files detailing the agency's work on UFO investigations from the late 1940s to the 1950s.
Federal Regulators Find Deficiencies At Theranos Lab
Federal regulators from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) found deficiencies at Theranos' lab in Newark California. The Silicon Valley startup is facing another major hurdle that could hurt its deal with main retail partner Walgreens.
Galapagos Experimental Bowel Disease Drug Fails In Medical Trial
Galapagos' experimental bowel disease drug GLPG1205 failed to perform better than the placebo drug used in the medical trial. The Belgian pharmaceutical company is discontinuing the drug program for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
Hip Replacement Patients Suffered From Crippling Pain Because Of Wrong Size Implants
DePuy Synthes admitted a manufacturing error that left thousands of people with crippling pain and inflammation due to having the wrong size of hip implants. Parts of the company's Pinnacle design were measured while hot, making the size slightly off when in room temperature.
Nearly 2 Percent Of 16-Year-Olds Suffer From Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
A study found that nearly 2 percent of 16-year-olds are suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome lasting more than six months Children from families suffering adversity were also more likely to suffer from CFS.
Here's How Brazil Plans To Protect Olympic Venues From Zika Virus Mosquitoes
Brazil's Olympics and Paralympics venues will undergo daily inspections to help prevent Zika transmission during the Rio 2016 games. A vaccine is the best way to stop the virus from spreading but it could take three years before one arrives.
Not Eating Breakfast May Increase Risk For Stroke
A Japanese study found a link between skipping breakfast and increased risk for strokes, especially that of the brain hemorrhagic type. The findings suggest that eating breakfast regularly can aid in stroke prevention.
Humidity Sensors Can Help Counter Proliferation Of Bacteria
Engineers developed biocompatible humidity sensors to prevent bacteria proliferation in highly humid environments. The new humidity sensors can prevent biological fueling and improve performance and service lifetime.
Driving Car Regularly Cuts Dementia Risk, Study Shows
Researchers found that regular driving among seniors can decrease risk for dementia. As physical and cognitive functions further decline in old age, pensioners should come up with ways to keep social functions and mobility.
Engineers Work On Cheap Antenna That Can Make Global Internet Access Possible
Engineers developed a new thin and flat antenna using metamaterial that can catch signals from satellites and refocus them as a concentrated beam. The design can soon replace bulky satellite dishes and pave the way for global Internet access.
Britax Child Safety Recalls More Than 71,000 Infant Seats
Over 71,000 Britax infant seats are being recalled due to safety and choking hazards. The carry handle grip can crack and break, causing the seat to fall unexpectedly. In another recall case, the foam padding on the arm bar can crumble into small fragments when bitten.
Listeria-Contaminated Dole Salad Sickens 12, Kills One
A current, multi-state listeria outbreak sickened 12 people and killed one. Test results linked the outbreak to Dole packaged salads produced by the Springfield facility in Ohio. Dole announced they ceased the operations in the said facility. The company is currently pulling out said products from the shelves.
Zebra Stripes Do Not Camouflage Them From Predators: Study
Scientists from University of California, Davis found zebra stripes are not for camouflage. By taking the perspective of top zebra predators, such as lions and spotted hyenas, researchers from the U.S. and Canada have estimated the distances where the stripe pattern is visible through feline eyes.
Garlic Extract Can Help Prevent Heart Disease: Taking Supplement Daily Reverses Plaque Buildup In Arteries
Researchers found that taking Aged Garlic Extract daily can significantly reduce lower plaque buildup in arteries and prevent heart disease. After one year of taking Aged Garlic Extract, the patients notably reduced their total plaque by 80 percent.
Water Births Do Not Pose Harm To Newborns: Study
Researchers found babies born using the water birth method don’t have increased chances of experiencing low Apgar scores compared to the non-water births. However, there is an 11 percent increased chance of perineal tearing in women who use the water birth method.
Animal Empathy Observed In Prairie Voles May Help Autism Research
Researchers found that prairie voles console each other by increasing social contact through activities like grooming. Brain chemical oxytocin activated the same brain regions in prairie voles and humans, offering insight on how autism patients can improve socially.
HPV Ups Head And Neck Cancer Risk By At Least Sevenfold
Researchers found that oral HPV increased the risk for developing neck and head cancers. Findings showed that looking at the presence of HPV-16 in mouthwash samples can help determine a person's risk of developing neck or head cancer.
Are You At Risk Of Prediabetes? CDC, Other Health Orgs Want You To Find Out
U.S. health groups launched an awareness campaign about prediabetes, a severe health condition that affects 86 million people in the country and often leads to type 2 diabetes and other serious illnesses. A simple, 1-minute test can calculate your risk of developing the condition.
How Will You Die? Visual Chart Shows Likely Cause Of Your Death
Data expert from UCLA created a visual chart that simulates likely causes of death based on sex, race and age. The visual chart has 15 pre-determined causes of death based on the data from the death certificates of Americans between 1999 and 2014.
This Website Offers Support To People With Hair-Pulling Condition Trichotillomania
A website was launched to help people with trichotillomania, an impulse disorder that makes people pull hair out of their own body. DearTrich.com is an online community where people can support each other while raising awareness about the little-known condition.
Physical Therapy Does Not Help Patients With Parkinson's Disease: Study
University of Birmingham researchers found that physiotherapy and occupational therapy don't help patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease. However, the Mayo Clinic argued that patients should still be referred to physical therapy if it appears to benefit them somehow.
Increased Exposure To Airborne Ultrasound From Loudspeakers, Door Sensors May Cause Health Problems
Research found people are being exposed to very high frequencies of ultrasound in public areas. Continuous high exposure can lead to health problems such as migraine, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vertigo and tinnitus.
Arizona Republicans Propose Tougher Measures To Medical Marijuana
Republican lawmakers are trying to alter the voter-approved Arizona's Medical Marijuana Act, and pushing for tougher measures for access to medical marijuana. In Illinois, supporters for medical cannabis launched a social media campaign called "Approve the A8" to push for the approval of additional eight illnesses to qualify for medical cannabis.
Nano-Engineered Window That Cleans Itself May Cut Heating Bills By Almost Half
Researchers developed a smart window built with nanostructures that deliver self-cleaning and heat loss-preventing abilities. This could cut heating bills by 40 percent.
Prairie Voles Less Stressed Out When Living In Close Quarters: Crowding Makes Mouse-like Creatures More Comfortable
Researchers found that prairie voles are less stressed and more comfortable living in congestion with family and friends. These mouse-like creatures are monogamous forming lifetime bonds with mates and sharing similar social traits with humans.
NASA's New Horizons Marks 10th Year Launch Anniversary
NASA's Pluto spacecraft New Horizons celebrates the 10th year anniversary of its launch. On July 14, 2015, the spacecraft completed its 9.5-year journey to Pluto and its moons and covered over 3 billion miles.
FDA Urges Medical Device Manufacturers To Tighten Cybersecurity
The U.S. FDA released guidance that urged medical device makers to strengthen their cybersecurity efforts. Medical devices such as pumps and heart pacemakers can be hacked, compromising patient security and affecting the device's effectiveness.
This Is How Astronauts Make Coffee On The Space Station [Video]
Java fix in space? ESA astronaut Tim Peake showed the people of Earth how the folks in space make coffee aboard the ISS through a YouTube video.
Slow Heart Rate Does Not Mean Increased Risk For Heart Disease, Early Death
American researchers found people with slow heart rate don't have higher risks of developing cardiovascular disease. Bradycardia or slow heart rate is clinically defined as having less than 50 beats per minute.
