Articles by Katherine Derla
First In 4 Million Years: CO2 Rates In Antarctica Hit 400 PPM
On May 23, the planet reached a new climate change milestone. For the first time in 4 million years, Earth's carbon dioxide concentrations at the South Pole hit 400 parts per million.
Start School Later To Reduce Rates Of Sleep-Deprived Teens, Doctors Agree
Let the young ones sleep. The American Medical Association backs recommendations that classes in middle and high school should not start earlier than 8:30 a.m. to reduce sleep deprivation among teenagers.
Traffic Light Colors Could Help Fight Obesity, Make People Opt For Healthier Food Choices
Stop, look and order. A study finds food items that have calorie contents designated with traffic light colors can help people choose lower calorie meals compared with food menus without any calorie labels.
Maine Teen With Autism Gets More Than 10,000 Birthday Cards After Online Request
Faith in humanity, restored. A Maine teen suffering from autism receives over 10,000 birthday cards from people all over the world after her cousin posted an online request on Facebook.
Six Babies, Fetuses In US Suffer Birth Defects Linked To Zika Virus
Birth defects of six babies and fetuses in the U.S. are linked to the Zika virus. Three infants were born with either microcephaly or brain damage, while three women lost their babies due to stillbirth, miscarriage or pregnancy termination.
Viagra Boosts Blood Flow, Reduces Heart Attack Risk In Men
Viagra not only improves sex life by treating erectile dysfunction, but also boosts the flow of blood and helps prevent heart failure. A new study found that the 'little blue pill' can help prevent heart attacks among male diabetic patients.
Animated Characters Done Right: Top 10 Pixar Movie Characters
Disney and Pixar's 'Finding Dory,' the sequel to the much-loved 'Finding Nemo,' will swim into theaters this weekend. Before that, let’s walk down memory lane and take a look at Pixar's top 10 animated movie characters.
Can Charlie Sheen-Endorsed LELO HEX Condoms Be A Game Changer In STD Prevention?
The 'condom of the future' is here and Charlie Sheen is endorsing it. Will the innovative LELO HEX condom be a game changer in sexual health and help prevent HIV?
Walmart Cuts Back-Office Work Across US, Thousands Lose Their Jobs
Walmart is laying off invoicing and accounting workers in 500 U.S. stores in an attempt to become more efficient. The retailer says the affected employees will be given jobs in customer service but will not earn the same wage.
Kellogg's Voluntarily Recalls Keebler, Famous Amos Cookies For Possible Undeclared Peanut Residue
Where have all the cookies - and snacks - gone? Kellogg Company announced the voluntary recall of several products due to possible undeclared peanut residue, following the wheat flour recall of its supplier Grain Craft.
Antibiotics Can Reduce Breastfeeding Benefits In Babies: Study
Breastfeeding is good for babies but not when taken in conjunction with antibiotics. Prescribing antibiotics to infants reduces the health benefits they can get from their mother's milk, which carries lifelong consequences.
Beyoncé Supports Flint Water Crisis Relief Efforts, Helps Raise More Than $82,000 For Victims
Beyoncé helps raise over $82,000 for the Flint residents who are still suffering from the city's lead-contaminated water supply. Parkwood Entertainment also presented 'college gifts' to several high school students in Detroit where the check presentation was held.
This New FDA-Approved Weight Loss Device Pumps Food Out Of Your Tummy [Video]
A new surgical weight loss device can help obese patients lose 30 percent of the consumed calories 30 minutes after every meal. The AspireAssist device is designed for obese patients who have failed to lose weight despite various methods except surgery.
Adequate Intake Of Folic Acid During Pregnancy Can Prevent Childhood Obesity
Proper folate levels during pregnancy can prevent childhood obesity, especially among the children born to obese mothers. Adequate intake of folic acid can provide long-term protection to the unborn child.
Can UAE Space Agency Help NASA Succeed In Sending Manned Mission To Mars?
The U.S. and UAE signed an agreement for joint space exploration and research. Can the new partnership between NASA and the UAE Space Agency help the U.S. space agency succeed in sending a manned mission to Mars?
Air Pollution Could Increase Mental Illness Risk In Children
Researchers find a link between an increase in air pollution rates and the surge in children's mental illness. Alarmingly, the link persists even in countries with relatively low air pollution levels such as Sweden.
Greenland’s Persistent Ice Melts Improve Tourism Prospects
Greenland is experiencing rising surface temperatures that send ice melt into overdrive. But as the melting rates increase, so does Greenland's tourism prospects, with numbers of cruise and land visitors shooting up.
What Would CDC Do When Zika Virus Hits The US? Send Rapid-Response Teams
The CDC will send rapid-response teams to communities in the mainland and Hawaii when the mosquito-borne Zika virus starts transmitting locally, even if there's only one confirmed case. These teams will help monitor cases and perform lab tests, among other things.
Over Half Of Patients Prescribed With Opioid Painkillers Receive Extra, Many Share Them
Patients are getting more opioid painkillers than what they really need, a new study found. Many share their opioid medications with others and do not receive adequate information on how to properly store and dispose of them.
Is PTFO 8-8695b A Planet? How To Classify A Planet
A 2-million-year-old planetary candidate in our own galaxy is being stripped of its gaseous atmosphere by its own star due to its tight orbit. But astronomers have yet to confirm if it’s actually a planet.
How Will Tim Peake Readjust To Life On Earth After 186 Days In Space?
After six months in space, ESA astronaut Tim Peake will go home next Saturday. How will he adjust to life back in terra firma after 186 days of weightlessness on board the International Space Station?
Experimental Hodgkin's Lymphoma Drug Offers Hope For Young Cancer Patients
An experimental drug is giving hope to patients suffering from Hodgkin's Lymphoma, an aggressive type of blood cancer. In a successful phase 1 trial, the drug nivolumab delivered 'considerable' reductions in the tumors of about 66.3 percent of the patients.
Changes In Population, Climate Could Predict Diseases
A new model can predict outbreaks of zoonotic diseases such as Zika, Ebola and Lassa fever. The model uses changes in population growth, land usage and climate to determine outbreak risks.
Archaeologists Reveal Vast, New Medieval Cities In Cambodia
New medieval cities surrounding Angkor Wat in Cambodia were finally revealed in a groundbreaking discovery. Through airborne laser scanning technology lidar, archaeologists were able to map out a vast cityscape buried underneath vegetation.
'The Shield' Actor Michael Jace Gets 40 Years To Life For The Murder Of His Wife
'The Shield' actor Michael Jace receives 40 years to life for the murder of his wife in May 2014. The actor shot his wife once in the back and twice in the legs in the "heat of passion."
Jennifer Lawrence To Play Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes In A Biopic
The plot thickens, in Hollywood! Award-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence will be playing Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes in the upcoming biopic about the once revered Silicon Valley startup and its disgraced founder.
Dozens Of Customers Get Sick After Eating At California Restaurant
Ay, caramba! Dozens of customers get sick after eating at a locally famous Mexican restaurant in Fairfield, California. Health officials linked dozens of food poisoning cases to local food joint Alejandro's Taqueria.
5.2-Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Southern California, Felt In Los Angeles, San Diego
A 5.2-magnitude earthquake shakes Southern California early Friday morning and sent tremors felt all the way to Los Angeles and throughout San Diego County. The shake happened near Southern California's most active fault - San Jacinto Fault.
HIV Diagnostic Kit Wins Inventors Prize In Europe
Inventors of SAMBA, an HIV diagnostic kit, won a coveted prize in the European Inventor Award. The revolutionary device can also be used to detect hepatitis B in just 2 hours.
Doctors Stop Multiple Sclerosis With Stem Cell Transplant
A combination of chemotherapy and stem cell transplant offers new treatment and hope for patients suffering from aggressive multiple sclerosis. However, the new procedure comes with many risks and is not advisable for patients with advanced disabilities.
