Articles by Katherine Derla
Humans Accumulated Harmful Mutations During Migration Out Of Africa
Scientists theorized that modern humans who originated from Africa 150,000 years ago and migrated as small bands accumulated harmful genetic mutations along the way. A study found that the farther an individual is from Southern Africa, the higher number of slightly harmful genetic mutations he or she possesses.
Blueprint Of Protein Linked To Pain, Heat Perception May Lead To Better Chronic Pain Treatment
Researchers have created a blueprint of protein associated with heat detection and pain. Findings can lead to better designed drugs, which target these receptors that could treat chronic pain in people.
Traditional Chinese Acupuncture No Better Than Sham Treatment For Menopause Symptoms
Traditional Chinese acupuncture and sham acupuncture were found to offer the same effect when treating hot flushes among menopausal women. However, women can still benefit from the known placebo effect if they have exhausted all other options.
Low-Income Women Twice As Likely To Have Stillbirth
Stillbirth figures remain excessively high and unchanged since 2011, but a study series on global stillbirth rates showed most of the 2.6 million cases in 2015 could have been prevented. Moreover, findings showed women in low- and middle- income countries are more likely to have a stillbirth.
Cleaning Up Plastic Waste Threatening Marine Life More Effective Near Coasts Than In Open Ocean
Researchers found dispersing plastic collectors near the coasts is more effective than targeting the cleanup of the Great Pacific garbage patch in the North Pacific open sea. Clearing the plastic waste near the coasts will prevent them from doing any harm compared to the ones already in the ocean garbage patch.
Coca-Cola, Pepsi Helped Fund Research Touting Benefits Of Diet Drinks On Weight Loss
A 2015 research from Bristol University suggested that diet drinks are better for weight loss than water. Now, reports have found that the research was funded by industry bodies, including PepsiCo and Coca-Cola.
Age Of Parents May Affect Lifespan Of Offspring
A study found parental age can affect children's lifespan, with offspring of older parents having higher rates of telomere loss. Telomeres are the proteins that "cap off" the end of chromosomes, protecting the DNA from loss during cell division.
Diverse Weather Conditions Make Lizards More Tolerant to Effects Of Climate Change
Australian researchers found lizards that thrive in diverse weather conditions can tolerate climate change effects better. The findings support the Climatic Variability Hypothesis (CVH) which is a key statement in the controversial Rapoport's rule.
Ants On The Move Not Distracted By Social Information
Researchers found that ants fully respond to social information only when at rest and are not distracted by it when on the move. Findings suggest that the intermittent responsivity to social information can benefit the colony as a whole.
Flavored E-Cigarette Ads Can Attract Children To Vaping: Study
Researchers found children exposed to advertisements showing candy-flavored e-cigarettes can be enticed into vaping and eventually tobacco smoking. Findings support the need for stricter regulations on e-cigarette ads targeted towards children and teenagers.
Being Sociable Helps Spread Beneficial Gut Bacteria, Chimp Poop Reveals
Researchers found chimps who socialized shared similar microbiomes. The animals' increased social activities led to a greater diversity of gut bacteria based on fecal analysis. Social activity could be a way wherein animals transmit gut bacteria around and down to younger generations.
Stand-Up Desks In School May Improve Students' Brain Function: Study
American researchers found students who used standing desks in school had increased brain function. Anecdotal evidence also showed students performed and focused better when using standing desks compared to sitting desks.
Couples Should Ideally Conceive Three Months After Miscarriage: Study
Researchers found there is no physiologic indication affecting the postponing of pregnancy post-miscarriage. Women who tried conceiving again after an early loss had higher chances of pregnancies, leading to live birth compared to those who waited longer.
What You Eat Can Affect Your Sleep: Less Fiber, More Sugar Linked To Disrupted Night Rest
Researchers found a diet that comprises less fiber, more sugar and saturated fat leads to disrupted sleep. Eating more fiber helps people sleep faster and get more hours of deep, slow wave sleep.
Super Metallic Glue Offers High-Tech, Low Temperature Alternative To Welding And Soldering
Researchers created a new super metallic glue that can bond two metal surfaces at room temperature. MesoGlue's solidified bond is as strong as that of conventional welding and soldering but without the high costs and the potential damage from heat.
YouTube Videos May Encourage Teen Girls To Drink Alcohol And Smoke
Researchers found teenagers, especially girls, are highly exposed to alcohol and tobacco content in YouTube music videos. Finding showed teens who are highly exposed to tobacco and alcohol content are more likely to start smoking and drinking habits.
Moon Village Is International Space Station Successor, Stepping Stone To Mars: ESA Head
ESA chief Jan Woerner announced plans for Moon Village, the proposed successor for the International Space Station, which is set to be decommissioned in 2024. The Moon Village project could be a collaboration among countries and space exploration groups.
Drinking Coffee May Help You Achieve Your Fitness Goals
Coffee can help lazy people stick with their fitness plans and reach their fitness goals. According to a study, caffeine can help coax people into choosing healthy choices such as taking a walk instead of watching TV during their leisure time.
FDA Rejects BioMarin Pharmaceutical's Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Drug
The FDA denied BioMarin's Duchenne muscular dystrophy drug drisapersen, branded as Kyndrisa. DMD is a genetic disease characterized by gradual muscle deterioration and weakness. The disease affects one in every 3,500 to 5,000 male children.
Iceman Otzi's Maternal Genetic Line Is Now Extinct
Mystery solved. Researchers finally concluded that Iceman Ötzi's maternal lineage is now extinct. The Ötzi iceman lived over 5,300 years ago in the Eastern Alps.
Motorized Sperm Cells May Help Couples Trying To Conceive: Watch How Spermbots Work
German scientists created motorized "spermbots" that can help poor swimmers reach an egg effectively using the micromotor technology. The tiny metal helices attach to the sperm's tail and detaches upon contact with the egg.
Babies Born With Hyperactive Immune System Likely To Develop Food Allergy
An Australian study found babies born with hyperactive immune cells have higher chances of developing common food allergies by their first year. Australia has seen an increase in childhood food allergies in recent decades, especially among children under the age of 5.
Investing Less Than $1 For Each Person A Year Could Make World More Resilient To Pandemics: Report
A 17-member group was tasked to analyze and plot ways to help the world prepare for the impending Ebola pandemic. The group found a $4.5 billion annual investment is needed to improve public health system and speed up vaccines and drugs aimed to prevent the endemic.
New Study Reveals How Blasts From Explosives Damage Brains Of Combat Veterans
Mild traumatic brain injury is called the “signature injury” of former soldiers who served in the recent Afghanistan and Iraq wars caused by repeated explosive blasts. For the first time, researchers have found where and how it happens in the brain.
Scientists In UK Could Create Genetically-Modified Embryos By March
UK scientists are set to create the first genetically-modified human embryo by March. The proposal to edit "spare" IVF embryos for research purposes is currently awaiting approval from fertility watchdog Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. The team aims to analyze the fundamental cause of infertility in women.
Gene Editing Technique Crispr May Treat Inherited Blindness Retinitis Pigmentosa
Researchers used the gene editing technique CRISPR/Cas9 to treat eye disease retinitis pigmentosa in mice and showed promising results. The degenerative eye disease has no known cure and eventually leads to blindness.
Here Are The Top US Cities With Worst Bed Bug Infestations
Pest control company Terminix released the ranking of top 15 bed bug-infested cities in the United States. How did your state fare?
Light Recycling Boosts Energy Efficiency Of Incandescent Light Bulbs
MIT researchers created a new incandescent light bulb with 21st century technology. The new light bulb prevents thermal energy from escaping by redirecting the heat and converting it back to light.
Doctors Want To Use Pills With Fecal Matter As Obesity Treatment
Past research have found gut microbes in fecal matter can influence weight management and obesity. Doctors are getting ready to test 'freeze-dried' capsules containing fecal matter from slim donors. The goal is to replace the gut microbes of obese participants with healthy ones.
Experts Collar Moose In New Hampshire And Maine To Study Winter Ticks, Population Of Herds And More
Wildlife researchers collared moose in New Hampshire and Maine to analyze the animal's declining population due to winter tick infestation. Researchers also aim to determine the effects of climate change and smaller herds on the winter tick.
