Articles by Katrina Pascual
Diabetes Drug Metformin May Help Body Rebuild After Heart Attack
A new study highlighted the potential benefit of key diabetes treatment metformin in helping diabetic patients recover from a heart attack. Heart disease remains the leading illness in this patient group, accounting for more than half of fatalities.
Geologic Event Identified As Cause Of Strong Earthquakes: Diking Linked To Tremors With Magnitude Between 6 And 7
Diking occurs when Earth's tectonic plates move apart and cause magma to rise and form dikes. It was pinpointed as a cause of strong earthquakes after researchers studied a 2002 volcanic eruption in Congo and a strong earthquake that followed.
Sighing Not Just An Emotional Response: Ability To Sigh Helps Preserve Lung Function
Sighing proves important to the functioning of one's lungs, according to a new study from UCLA and Stanford researchers. The emotional roots of the act, however, remain a mystery.
Hugh Jackman Urges Fans To Use Sunscreen After Getting Skin Cancer On Nose Removed
Hugh Jackman posted a selfie on Instagram shortly after his treatment for basal cell carcinoma, urging his followers to wear sunscreen. This is the actor's fourth procedure on his nose and his third post-op photo online within three years.
Ancient Fish Rhinconichthys Used Big Mouth To Swallow Planktons In Cretaceous Period Oceans
Scientists have lately discovered two plankton-munching Rhinconichthys species, each with their own ancient skull. This now brings the genus to a total of three distinct species from three separate regions in the world.
Effects Of Man-Made Climate Change Will Be Felt For 10,000 Years: Study
At current carbon emission rates, the Earth will suffer irreparable damage for tens of thousands of years, a new study warned. The authors urged policy makers to consider the longer-term effects of global warming.
Death From Space: Indian Man Believed To Have Been Struck By Meteorite
Indian officials confirmed a human death from a mysterious explosion Saturday, which is speculated to be a meteorite strike. Scientists are currently studying the retrieved specimen, which can verify if it is indeed the first official human fatality from a falling space rock.
Controversial New Technology Gene Drive Could Be Used To Extinguish Zika Virus
The hotly debated gene drive, which uses the gene splicing technology CRISPR, is looking to wipe out the Zika-causing Aedes aegypti mosquito population. However, there could be unforeseen consequences as well, warned ecologists and other experts.
Newly Discovered Fluorescent Creatures Glow Bright Green At The Bottom Of The Red Sea
Researchers found a new species of polyps illuminating the Red Sea and creating colonies of the shells of sea snails. The mysterious green glow around the polyps' mouths raised questions on fluorescence among sea creatures.
New York Will Turn Off The Niagara Falls: Here’s Why
The New York State Office of Parks plans to dewater the American side of Niagara Falls for a number of months. The reason: the replacement of 115-year-old bridges in the iconic landmark.
Scientists Eye Grand Prize In Preserving Human Brain For 100 Years
A foundation offers a growing prize purse for the first scientist or team to rigorously exhibit a surgical method for “inexpensively and completely preserving an entire human brain” for 100 years. Two esteemed neuroscientists are currently competing in the brain preservation challenge.
Wearable Device With 3D Camera May Guide The Visually Impaired
A low-power chip for processing 3D camera data is hoped to serve as a potential virtual "guide dog" for the visually impaired. MIT researchers developed the recently unveiled chip and the prototype navigation system.
Battery Technology Could Transform Seawater To Freshwater
The technology that charges batteries could be key in turning salt water to fresh water. Sodium-ion battery technology, while still in its early phases, emerges as a potential key in cost-effective energy solutions.
NASA's Juno Spacecraft Makes Trajectory Adjustment For July 4 Jupiter Rendezvous
The first of the two trajectory adjustments of the Juno spacecraft was executed to adjust its flight plan and set the stage for its arrival in Jupiter this July. What will the much-awaited Jupiter flyby reveal about the gas giant?
Japan's Sakurajima Volcano Erupts With Wrath 30 Miles From Nuclear Plant
Sakurajima in southern Japan erupted in a spectacular fashion last week, shooting ash about a mile into the dark sky and sending lava down its slopes. It is located 30 miles from a nuclear plant but has not been reported to cause any damage to the power station and its operations.
Polymer Coating Turns Contact Lenses Into Tiny Computer Screens
There's already proof-of-concept research on a polymer film coating that can turn contact lenses into computer screens. The ultra-thin film coating technology is hoped to offer medical benefits, such as featuring sensors for monitoring health biomarkers.
Morocco Launches World's Largest Solar Plant To Supply Renewable Energy To More Than 1 Million People
Morocco has switched on the first phase of its ambitious solar power plant, which is the world's biggest the time it is completed by 2018. It will provide electricity to 1.1 million and will export renewable energy to Europe and other parts of the world.
Australian Dengue Experts May Have The Solution To Zika Epidemic
Wolbachia, a commonly occurring bacterial species, is injected into mosquitoes to prevent them from being infected with dengue virus. It is currently promoted by a team of Australian researchers to also potentially combat the Zika infection striking parts of the world.
NASA Needs Solid Plan To Make Manned Mars Mission Possible, Panel Tells Congress
A space subcommittee hearing criticized NASA for its lack of a concrete plan for its manned Mars mission, which could be halted by lack of funding or a space-unfriendly administration taking over in 2017. Private agencies and other countries also have their own Mars exploration plans.
Risky Human Behavior Outdoors Triggers Carnivore Attacks: Study
A new study attributes at least half of documented large carnivore attacks since the 1950s to inappropriate human behavior. Coyote and polar bear attacks are also noted to be on the rise.
Man-Made Forests Do Not Help Cool Climate: Managed Forests Contribute To Global Warming Rather Than Mitigate It
Europe's shift to coniferous forests may have stoked climate change instead of mitigating it, according to a new analysis. While expanding since 1750, the continent's forests have been found to contribute to warming.
Chick-Fil-A Diet: Fast Food Restaurant Suggests Eating Chicken Nuggets Every 3 Hours To Lose Weight
Care to try the Chick-fil-A diet? The fast food chain, through its takeout bag, recommends shedding the excess pounds and eating healthy by consuming its grilled chicken nuggets every 3 hours.
White House Announces Tech Advances To Increase US Resilience To Earthquakes
The White House announced on Tuesday its support for earthquake early warning systems as part of its greater commitment to making the U.S. more resilient to earthquakes. Learn more about the ShakeAlert system and similar measures from various fronts.
Clip-On Device Provides Protection Against Mosquitoes That Transmit Zika, Chikungunya, Dengue, And Yellow Fever
A team of researchers lauded a clip-on repellent that could actually kill or knock the Aedes aegypti mosquito down. This mosquito is the primary vector for the Zika virus, already declared by the WHO as an international emergency.
Study Reveals How Bushmen Tap Beetle Poison For Hunting Prey
The San peoples of Namibia used beetle poison to boost the lethality of their arrows for hunting. The real biological purpose of these beetle and plant poisons, however, remain unclear.
Thailand Military Government To Pressure Facebook, Line To Censor Content
Thailand's military government will try persuading media companies Facebook and Line to comply with court orders to take down content considered harmful to peace and order. Civilian arrests over related laws have already sharply increased.
Expedition Fails Attempt To Drill Hole Into Earth's Center
The JOIDES Expedition 360 returned from the ocean after two months, falling short of its mission to drill 1,300 meters (more than 4,000-feet) deep below the Indian Ocean floor. The ocean drilling project continues, however, in an attempt to reach Earth's mantle and study what lies in that part of the planet.
Sanofi Kicks Off Search For Zika Virus Vaccine
Sanofi Pasteur said it has launched a vaccine research and development project for Zika virus. This is considered the first considerable commitment from a major vaccine firm to fight the disease already declared an international emergency by WHO.
Seattle Woman Who Raised More Than $400K As Breast Cancer Survivor May Have Faked Disease
Team Tracy has been dissolved. This, after renowned Seattle breast cancer fundraiser and advocate Tracy Dart allegedly lied about her breast cancer diagnosis and spawned fundraising efforts for the likes of the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
New Vaccination Schedule Recommends HPV Vaccine For 9- And 10-Year-Olds With History Of Sexual Abuse
New CDC vaccination schedules now recommend the HPV vaccine for children ages 9 and 10 if they have a history of sexual abuse. Experts highlighted the need to protect the child victims from a higher HPV infection risk.
