Articles by Katrina Pascual
13-Million-Year-Old Crocodile Reveals Evolution Of Telescoping Eyes
A 13-million-year-old Miocene crocodile fossil offered a look at how South American and Indian gavialoids - a group of mostly extinct crocodile species - evolved separately to have telescoped eyes.
Twins Conceived At The Same Time Born Two Years Apart
Twins born two years apart are virtually unheard of, but they are a living miracle. They were conceived at the same time through in vitro fertilization and from the same batch of embryos in a successful fertility treatment.
Newly Discovered Gene Sheds Light On Evolution Of Darwin's Finches
Darwin’s finches appeared on the Galapagos Islands around two million years ago and evolved into 18 different species. Now scientists identified a gene that explains the evolution of beaks in these birds.
More Than 90 Percent Of Great Barrier Reef Now Bleached: This Is How Some Corals May Survive Bleaching Events
For the first time, researchers showed that some survivors of coral bleaching can obtain and host new kinds of microalgae from their environment, making them more heat-tolerant and better armed for recovery.
Strong Solar Flare From Sun's Heart-Shaped Sunspot Temporarily Disrupts Radio Communications
While providing stunning images to astronomers, solar flares could also disturb the atmospheric layer where GPS and communications signals travel. This could lead to radio blackouts during the solar event, which affect high and low frequency radio communications.
Viral Video Captures Six Bulldozers Fight On Streets Of China
A footage of a bulldozer fight is making its rounds online and has joined the roster of viral videos from China. The argument that escalated into a battle of machines, however, is also indicative of the country's economic growth slowdown.
Rising Carbon Dioxide Levels May Boost Growth Potential, Drought Resistance Of Some Crops
While climate change is generally believed to hit food crops hard due to extreme heat and water shortages, rising CO2 levels could somehow mitigate the effect and help boost plant growth potential and reduce water use, according to a new international study. Still, carbon dioxide effects on plants remain complicated.
Loneliness, Isolation Linked To Increased Risk For Stroke, Heart Attack
Loneliness and social isolation can lead to greater stroke or heart attack risk, according to a new British review. Their effects were deemed comparable to other recognized heart disease and stroke risk factors such as anxiety and job strain.
Microbes Are Everywhere But Unique Bacterial Signature In Cities May Help Build Healthier Homes
Cities having their unique microbial signatures - tiny organisms like bacteria and fungi crawling in rooms, buildings, and nearly all places possible - is deemed helpful in building and designing healthier homes and structures for humans.
Too Late For Genetic Rescue To Save Nearly Extinct Michigan Wolves: Researchers
Scientists who conducted the world's longest-running predator-prey study revealed that it could be too late to save the nearly extinct Isle Royale wolves. For them, genetic rescue did not work for the endangered wolves because of underlying genetic processes.
Claim Of Rats The Size Of Cats In South London Is A Hoax
Recent news of 'monster rats' in the United Kingdom could be a hoax, according to a keen Internet user. Pest controller Lord Dean Burr claimed he snared six giant rats in Tooting in south London - but his photo seemed to have already been published two years ago.
MIT's New AI May Help Prevent Cyberattacks
Researchers from MIT and machine learning startup PatternEx combined machine learning algorithms-based systems and human expertise in new cybersecurity AI platform AI2. This innovation is said to detect cyberattacks 85 percent of the time.
Here's Why Asian Americans Are More At Risk For Type 2 Diabetes
Compared to other people, Asians are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes due to genetics. Asian Americans get the disease at lower weights and at younger ages.
Transplant Of Insulin-Making Pancreas Cells May Correct Type 1 Diabetes
Transplanting pancreatic islets – clusters containing insulin-making cells – showed effective for type 1 diabetes patients undergoing severe hypoglycemia. These new findings fuel hope for regulatory approval of islet transplantation in the United States.
Researchers Identify Genes That Influence Early Sexual Activity
New research uncovered 38 gene variants linked to age when one will first engage in sex, as well as age at first birth or how many children one will end up having. The study revealed not just genes for early sex, but also other surprising genetic influences on behavior.
Doctors Issue Warning Over Alarming Rise Of Super-Gonorrhea
UK doctors expressed concern over super-gonorrhea, which is spreading across the country and has been detected in gay men. Azithromycin-resistant gonorrhea has 34 confirmed cases so far.
Experts Advise Teaching 3-Year-Olds About Sex And Fertility
Children as young as age 3 can already be given fertility and sex education, according to British experts who believe reproductive health can be taught early on through YouTube, social media and other digital platforms.
Implantable Device Delivers Chemo Drugs To Shrink Pancreatic Tumors In Cancer Patients
MIT researchers announced the creation of a small, implantable device that can directly deliver chemotherapy drug for pancreatic cancer to the tumor location. The technique is deemed groundbreaking yet minimally invasive.
Astronomers Turns To Crowdfunding To Solve Mystery Of Alien Broadcasts
Astronomer Antonio Paris is closing in on the 40-year-old mystery of an unknown signal from deep space, which is believed to be an alien transmission. He turns to science crowdfunding to build the radio telescope that will prove the origins of the so-called Wow! signal.
Ice Crust In Jupiter Moon Europa Produces More Heat Than Scientists Thought
Jupiter moon Europa’s deforming ice appears as a surprising generator of heat. A better understanding of this process can lend greater insight into the thickness of Europa's shell and in turn the chemistry of its subsurface ocean, which is critical in the search for any signs of life.
Woman Loses Baby After Doctors Refused Her Caesarian To Save Costs
A coroner's report in the UK confirmed a baby's death from severe brain damage after his mother was refused C-section birth reportedly due to maternal delivery cost considerations. The case also raised the matter of women's right to their personal choices in maternity care.
Scientists Reveal Reason Why Bearcats Smell Like Buttered Popcorn
Bearcats or binturongs release urine with a buttery popcorn smell as a critical form of communication. Responsible for this is the 2-AP compound, which is the same compound giving popcorn, toasted bread, and cooked rice their tantalizing aroma.
Oklahoma Senate Passes Bill Requiring Insurance Companies To Cover Autism Treatments
The Oklahoma Senate passed legislation requiring autism insurance coverage for children younger than age 9. Washington also passed bills that will expand Delaware's autism program services in schools.
Saharan Silver Ant's Hair Help Beat Heat In Sahara Desert
The body hairs of the Saharan silver ant cause total internal light reflection and make them nearly 10 times more reflective. This assists in the ants' thermoregulation and the maintenance of their silver coat, according to Belgian scientists.
Library Of Bat Sounds May Help Conserve Species
A bat sound library created by international scientists is the world's biggest and the first to collect over 4,500 bat calls from around half of 130 species in Mexico. This audio library is hoped to assist in bat conservation efforts worldwide.
Underground Physics Lab May Unveil Secrets Of The Universe
Underground physics lab SNOLAB in Ontario, Canada is helping humans unearth the secrets of the universe, including the potential existence of dark matter. Its director and Nobel Prize winner Dr. Arthur McDonald holds a public talk to discuss their mission in the lab.
Laser Scan Provides Detailed Model Of Culloden Moor Battle Site
Archeologists in Scotland used cutting-edge laser scanning technology LiDAR to digitally scan the Battle of Culloden site for a detailed model of the landscape where the Jacobites took their final stand.
Explosive Residue Detector Uses Laser Technology To Foil Terrorist Attacks
ExDtect combines pulsed lasers and video cameras to remotely and instantaneously scan crowded areas and alert an operator once it detects traces of explosives. The explosive residue detector was developed by researchers in the UK.
Body-Scanning Mirror Captures Your Body In 3D
The Naked 3D Fitness Tracker of Silicon Valley-based Naked Labs is touted as the world's first 3D home fitness tracker. This 3D body mirror provides weight and body measurement data, calculating body fat percentage and showing whether those gym trips are truly paying off.
Artificial Pheromone Sexually Confuses Moths To Control Pest Populations
A new moth pest control program lures male moths and covers them in artificial pheromone perfume, which leads female ones to lose interest in breeding. Clothes moths damage both clothing items and furniture, particularly during mild and wet winters.
