Articles by Katherine Derla
If This Smartphone 'Pancreas' Works, Then Type 1 Diabetes Patients Can Say Goodbye To Needles
American researchers created a 'smartphone pancreas' that monitors blood sugar levels automatically and sends reports to an accompanying app. The new system comes with a wearable insulin pump that routinely injects insulin using tiny needles.
Water From 900-Year-Old Well Below Basement Of Australia House In London Still Fit To Drink
A hidden well under the Australia House in London has safe, drinkable water according to lab tests. The 'holy well' is believed to be around 900-years-old and to have come from River Fleet, London's largest subterranean river.
Sleep Deprived? Some Tips To Help You Recover
Researchers found single parents, particularly single moms, are the most sleep-deprived people in the United States. Here are tips on how to recover from sleep deprivation to get you through the day until you can make up for lost sleep.
Google’s Weather Card Interface Is Getting A Cute, Cartoonish Makeover
Ex-Googler Peter Isemann discovered a new design overhaul for Google's weather card. The new design seems to be a small trial run to gauge the reactions of users to the more cartoonish look and weather-sensitive background of the card.
Fashion Icon Iris Apfel, 94, Designs Fashionable Wearable Tech For WiseWear
Fashion icon Iris Apfel is the new face of WiseWear, a brand of wearable technology that measures health-related data and sends distress signals and location to emergency contacts by tapping the bracelet three times. WiseWear provides a fashionable way for people to wear fitness trackers worthy of Valentino and Versace gowns.
Waterless Toilet Uses Nanotechnology To Turn Human Waste Into Power
UK scientists developed an odorless and waterless toilet that produces sanitized water and energy to power low voltage items such as mobile phones. The Nano Membrane Toilet is designed to help billions of people around the world without access to clean and sanitized lavatory facilities.
Fitbit Faces Lawsuit Over Faulty Heart Rate Data
Smartwatch company Fitbit faces a class-action lawsuit from users who claimed the products' heart rate data are faulty. Inaccurate heart rata data could be dangerous in certain cases. Fitbit denied the charges and plans a vigorous defense.
Researchers Develop Device To Harness Energy From Small Bending Motions
MIT researchers developed a system that harnesses the energy created by small human movements like running and walking. The technology creates a voltage and an electric current that can power devices.
Blocking Brain Inflammation May Help Treat Alzheimer's Disease
Researchers found that blocking immune cells in the brain can stop the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Their findings add to the growing body of evidence that brain inflammation is a hallmark of the disease.
Saliva Test Can Detect Fake Alcohol, Date Rape Drug GHB
Scientists developed a new spit test that can quickly detect the presence of fake alcohol and date rape drug GHB in human saliva. The new test can quickly be taken and offers results within minutes.
Vietnam Officials Seize Mysterious Metal Balls That Fell From Space
Vietnamese military seized three bizarre metal objects that fell from the sky for military investigation. Initial findings showed they are made from Russia and could be part of a failed satellite launch. Similar objects were also found in Turkey and Spain in November 2015.
Roman Sanitation Systems Did Not Improve Public Health: Study Finds Roman Toilets Spread Parasites
Despite the Romans' popular culture of regular bathing, modern research found that Roman toilets helped spread parasites across the Empire. Their widespread use of human feces as fertilizers could have re-infected the population through surviving parasite eggs in the grown crops.
Alaska’s Alexander Archipelago Wolves Are Not Endangered: USFWS
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Alaska's Alexander Archipelago wolves are not endangered, despite experiencing a 75-percent decline in population. This means the species can’t receive protection under the Endangered Species Act.
Researchers Train Australian Monitor Lizards To Avoid Eating Toxic Cane Toads
Australia has a cane toad problem and its monitor lizards are dying from it. To address the problem, researchers developed a simple but innovative approach of letting the monitor lizards learn from their mistakes.
African Boy Mauled By Chimps To Undergo Reconstructive Surgery In US
The face of an eight-year-old boy from Congo was severely damaged when chimpanzees attacked him two years ago. U.S. doctors helped bring the boy to the country for a rare facial reconstructive surgery.
Gene That Turns Bacteria Into Antibiotic-Resistant Superbugs Found In Canada
The MCR-1 gene could transform bacteria into antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Chinese scientists first reported it in November 2015 but the Canadian public health agency's investigation found the MCR-1 gene has been in Canada since 2010.`
This Pocket Molecular Sensor Scans Your Food And Reveals Its Nutritional Value
Point and scan. The handy SCiO food scanner will analyze the nutritional value of food and then send a report to its DietSensor mobile app. The scanner and the mobile app could help you keep track of calories while on the go.
Hubble And Spitzer Space Telescopes Spot Five Possible 'Twins' Of Superstar Eta Carinae
Scientists found five possible twins of Superstar Eta Carinae, the biggest and brightest stellar system in our galaxy within 10,000 light-years. A recent analysis of NASA's archival data from the Hubble and Spitzer telescopes revealed Eta Carinae isn't so unique after all.
Do You Really Need To Detox Your Body? Experts Say It's Waste Of Time And Money
Experts claimed that popular detoxing schemes such as juice cleanses are a waste of time and money. The body’s internal detoxification system, which includes the skin, kidney, lungs, liver among others, gets rid of toxins daily.
Newly Developed Antibody May Potentially Treat Type 2 Diabetes
A new antibody developed preclinically showed that it could potentially cure metabolic diseases, including Type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease. The new antibody worked by targeting the hormone aP2, which is also known as FABP4, in fat-storing tissues.
This Is How Eating In Front Of Mirror Can Help You Lose Weight
Researchers found eating unhealthy food in front of a mirror made them less appetizing. People don't want to see themselves making unhealthy food choices, it turned out.
New Blood Pressure Meds As Effective As Old Drugs: Study
Older blood pressure drug, ACE inhibitors are not better than ARBs. Both are safe and effective, although ARBs are better tolerated by patients and have fewer side effects.
Turn Off Push Notifications From Your Email: Experts Say Email Apps Can Harm Your Health
A study found push notifications reminding people of new emails has become a toxic source of stress. Health experts recommended turning off the feature and using it only when necessary.
How Travel And Sex Make US Vulnerable To Mosquito-Borne Zika That Causes Birth Defects
Zika virus was found in returning U.S. travelers who took trips to infected regions including Brazil, Puerto Rico, Colombia and El Salvador. Cases of transfusion-associated and sexually-transmitted Zika cases were also reported, making travel and sexual activities high risk activities for vacationing Americans.
Seafloor Vent System Helps Solve Mystery Of Earth Crust Heat Loss
Researchers found a new type of hydrothermal vent system that could explain the mystery of the Earth's cooling mechanism. The new system contains minerals different from those of other vent systems and is almost invisible when conventional ways of looking for hydrothermal vents are used.
Blast Fishing Causes Marine Habitat Destruction In Tanzania
Researchers found the devastating effects of blast fishing in Tanzania. Despite being outlawed in the 1970s, increased mining activity made access to dynamites easier, which results in prolific blast fishing killing more than just coral reefs.
Smaller Families More Beneficial For Children, Study Finds
Economists have found children in large families are at risk of developing lower cognitive abilities and behavioral issues. The average education of all kids in the family also dropped for every additional child born due to lower "parental investment."
Blue Bell Creameries Under Criminal Investigation Over Listeria Response
The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating ice cream company Blue Bell Creameries for its handling of a 2015 listeria outbreak. The incident resulted in 10 documented cases of listeriosis that caused three deaths.
Researchers Withhold Location Of New Species As Poachers Use Information To Collect Previously Unknown Animals
Academic groups started to withhold the locations of newly discovered species in peer-reviewed journals. Black market traders and animal poachers seem to be monitoring these journals to discover and locate new species to create market demand.
Newly Named Dinosaur Species In China Has Bow-Shaped Hip Bone
Chinese paleontologists named a new dinosaur species uncovered in the Zhucheng fossil site in Shandong province, China. The partial skeleton of the Ischioceratops zhuchengensis features a bow-shaped hip bone.
