Articles by Katrina Pascual
NIAID Dengue Vaccine To Be Tested In 17,000 Volunteers In Brazil
Researchers launched a large-scale clinical trial participated by 17,000 individuals to test a dengue vaccine. The Phase 3 trial will be conducted in Brazil, which saw more than 1.5 million dengue cases in 2015 alone.
New Bird Flu Strain H7N8 Hits Turkey Farm In Indiana
The USDA reported on Friday that a new strain of bird flu virus hit its commercial flock of turkeys and shut down a poultry farm in Dubois County in Indiana. This is the latest outbreak following the spate of multi-state bird flu cases last year.
Japanese Researchers Regrow Functional Joints In Frogs: Breakthrough Could Lead To Regeneration Of Amputated Limbs
For the first time, Japanese scientists regenerated functional joints in frogs through exploring the reintegration mechanism. This is hoped to someday pave the way for functional regeneration of amputated limbs in humans and other mammals.
Friendships Between Chimps Are Based On Trust: Study
A new study that experimented with a modified 'trust rope' game found that chimp pals also have trust as an integral element of their friendship. The researchers discovered that trust is not really unique in human friendships after all.
CDC Warns Pregnant Women To Delay Travel To 14 Countries Amid Zika Virus Fears
The CDC has issued a health advisory for pregnant women against traveling to 14 countries in the Americas to avoid the Zika virus. Learn about the health agency's recommendations to avoid being infected with this mosquito-borne virus.
French Drug Trial Leaves 1 Brain-Dead, Hospitalizes 5 Others
A Phase 1 drug trial in France left one person brain-dead and five others hospitalized. The experimental medication, developed by Portuguese company Bial, was taken by healthy male individuals and was intended for mood and motor coordination issues.
US Women Delaying Pregnancy: Average Age Of First Time Moms Steadily Increases
According to a new CDC report, the age of first-time moms in the United States increased 1.4 years from 2000 to 2014. Two key trends are the drop in teen births as well as increasing number of women delaying pregnancy.
Lawsuit Alleges EOS Lip Balm Causes Blisters, Rashes
A class-action lawsuit against EOS lip balm claimed that the product caused reactions such as rashes and blisters around the mouths. EOS is a heavily advertised product endorsed by Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus and a number of beauty experts.
Sleep Apnea, Asthma Linked To Higher Risk For Keratoconus Eye Disease
Sleep apnea, asthma, Down syndrome, and certain ethnicities emerged as risk factors for keratoconus eye disease. On the other hand, there is a prevalent disease that may have "protective" benefits against this eye disorder.
Low Resistance To Stress At Age 18 Ups Risk For Type 2 Diabetes: Study
In a new study, 18-year-old Swedish men with low stress resistance emerged with up to 50 percent greater risk for type 2 diabetes during adulthood. The research is yet another warning on how stress even in early life can take its toll on one's health.
Psychiatric Disorder Common Among Patients Seeking Bariatric Surgery: Study
A study found that 23 percent of those undergoing bariatric surgery reported having a current mood disorder, mostly depression, and binge eating disorder. Does this mean patients stand to gain certain mental benefits aside from the weight loss effects of bariatric surgery?
Ultra-Weak Magnetic Fields Detected In Metallic-Line Stars Beta Ursae Majoris And Theta Leonis
A team of astronomers at the Paris Observatory discovered ultra-weak magnetic fields in Am stars Beta Ursae Majoris and Theta Leonis. Although limited, research on the weak magnetism of these metallic-line stars continues to excite scientists.
World's Largest Canyon Hides Beneath Antarctic Ice Sheet
Latest satellite data analysis indicates that a canyon and lake system may be hiding beneath the Antarctic ice sheet. The massive undiscovered gem – now being confirmed by an airborne survey – is believed to be bigger than the Grand Canyon.
Obama's State Of The Union Address Announces 'Moon Shot' Effort To Cure Cancer
President Barack Obama pitched a nationwide "moon shot" effort to cure cancer during his 2016 State of the Union address. The initiative, the brainchild of VP Joe Biden, aims to initiate clinical trials in over 20,000 patients in the next three years.
Self-Adaptive Material That Heals Itself While Staying Tough May Be Useful For Tissue Engineering
Self-adaptive composite or SAC combines self-healing and reversible self-stiffening properties. It is touted to be useful in tissue engineering as well as in creating lightweight, defect-proof structural components.
2016 Will Be A Busy Year Of Launches, Landings: Space Missions To Watch This Year
This year is expected to have its share of spectacular milestones in spaceflight. Here is a rundown of space missions in 2016 involving NASA, ESA, private firms like SpaceX, and other key figures in space exploration.
Marijuana Effect On The Brain: Pot May Cause Schizophrenia-Like Changes In Teenagers
A Canadian study showed that THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana, led to schizophrenia-like effects in young rats. The study authors warned of increasing THC content in newer cannabis strains.
Albert Einstein's Mass Energy Equation Inadequate, Says Indian Researcher
Indian scientist Ajay Sharma claimed that Albert Einstein’s mass-energy equation E=mc2 is inadequate and valid only under certain conditions. He further argued that Einstein's celebrated work was not peer-reviewed before publication, and was a mere ripoff of earlier works.
Philae Lander Probably Dead: ESA's Comet Probe Not Responding To Calls From Earth
Philae comet lander's silence is feared to be for good, as it has not responded to any attempts of contact from Earth. On Sunday, the German Aerospace Center's attempt to activate its flywheel failed and received no feedback. This is considered one of the last tries at reviving the lander.
New App Hints At Microsoft’s MVNO Plans, But Is There A Market For It?
How are mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) services faring today and in the past? Apple, for instance, quashed reports of going MVNO last year, while Google's Project Fi is currently making waves for Nexus 6 owneres.
Midlife Crisis Is A Myth: New Study Shows Happiness Increases With Age
A team of researchers from New University of Alberta believes it's time to debunk the concept of the midlife crisis. According to them and other psychologists previously, it may not exist at all - and life crises are hardly age-related.
Exercise May Cut Heart Disease Risk In Depressed People: How Exercising Can Make You Happier
People with depression symptoms may have a higher risk of heart disease, but exercise or physical activity may help reduce or manage such symptoms. Here are various ways that exercise makes someone lighten up.
Popular Acid Reflux Drugs Linked To Increased Risk For Kidney Disease
Proton pump inhibitors, used as heartburn or acid reflux drugs, have been linked to a 20 to 50 percent higher risk of chronic kidney disease. Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid are some drugs that fall under this type.
Xbox One Sales Hit 18 Million: Report
Microsoft analyst Mary Jo Foley revealed 18 million Xbox One units have been sold, an unofficial figure given Microsoft's silence on sales records. The figure is nothing to sneeze at, but will Microsoft's gaming console be able to further shrink the sales gap with Sony's PS4?
New Method May Help Hunt For Dark Matter
The new field of galactoseismology investigates galaxy quakes or ripples that could be key in finally finding dark matter. Thousands of satellite galaxies producing seismic-like waves possibly buzz through or around the Milky Way.
San Francisco Couple Tweets Story Of How They Gave Birth To Their First Child At Home
San Francisco-based couple Marco Rogers and Aniyia Williams delivered their own child at home last Jan. 2. They shared the amazing tale and rare occurrence of safe home birth on Twitter.
DNA Sequencing Firm Illumina Wants To Fight Cancer With Grail, A 'Liquid Biopsy' To Detect Cancer
San Diego-based DNA sequencing company Illumina plans to build startup Grail to offer liquid biopsy to the market. This cancer blood test is promoted by CEO Jay Flatley as the "turning point" in the war on cancer.
Good Bacteria May Inhibit Growth Of Pathogen Causing Ear Infection And Pneumonia: Examples Of Food High In Good Bacteria
The harmless bacteria C. accolens was found to negatively affect the growth of the infection-causing S. pneumoniae. One can get a head start on getting good bacteria such as C. accolens by including probiotic food in one's diet.
Natalie Cole's Family Reveals Cause Of Singer's Death
In an official statement, Natalie Cole's family disclosed the cause of her death. The 'Unforgettable' singer, and daughter of Nat King Cole struggled with drugs and health problems while rising to fame with her numerous chart-topping hits.
Selfish Genes Tell You To Stay Home And Rest When You Are Sick
Sickness behavior is an evolutionary adaptation to keep a sick person isolated and prevent transfer of disease to others. Experts think there is a strong case for letting these "selfish genes" kick in.
