Articles by Katrina Pascual
China Sees Surge In Condom, Sportswear Sale Online Amid Heavy Smog
Chinese media and leading online shopping platform Taobao.com reported an unexpected surge in online sales of condom and sportswear in Beijing and northern cities hard hit by heavy smog. Beijing pollution also prompted the first ever red alert in the city.
Adults Who Eat Pears Less Likely To Be Obese
Adults who eat pears have a lower body weight than non-pear eaters, and are 35 percent less likely to turn obese. New research also notes the rich fiber content, nutritional value and health benefits of pears.
Biological Markers For Psychotic Disorders May Lead To Improved Treatment For Mental Illness
Researchers identified biological markers for mental health conditions such as psychosis, for which no objective tests exist. These biomarkers are deemed potentially more effective in classifying mental disorders than mere symptoms.
Cancer Breakthrough: New Oxygen Test Can Spot Most Dangerous Tumors Before They Spread
UK researchers developed oxygen-enhanced MRI to determine oxygen deprivation sites in tumors. Better imaging is estimated to help lead to more planned and effective cancer treatments such as radiotherapy.
Chinese-Backed Electric Car Company To Build $1B Factory In Nevada
Chinese billionaire Jia Yueting expressed his intentions of building a $1 billion manufacturing facility for electric cars in North Las Vegas. It is his company Faraday Future's bid to be one of the Tesla competitors in the U.S.
US, Japan Conduct Second Test Of Missile Interceptor Off Southern California Coast
The U.S. Navy successfully conducted a missile interceptor test off the coast of Southern California last Tuesday, Dec. 8. The tested SM-3 Block IIA missile boasts of a more able kill vehicle and bigger rocket motors for better protection against ballistic missile threats.
Chipotle Closes Boston Restaurant After E.Coli Sickens Eight Basketball Players
Several Boston College students reported gastrointestinal symptoms, with all of them dining at Chipotle over the weekend. The students being investigated as potential E.coli contamination victims included eight BC basketball players.
India To Set Up Eight Observatories To Monitor Climate Change
India announced at the Paris climate change conference the opening of eight long-term observatories to monitor climate change effects. The country has been identified as particularly vulnerable and urgently needs a climate change mitigation plan.
Once-Weekly Type 2 Diabetes Drugs Similar In Safety, Effectiveness
A meta-analysis found no significant differences in once-a-week glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) in treating type 2 diabetes. The research covered 34 clinical trials that involved more than 20,000 patients.
Laser-Armed Spy Camera Can See Around Corners In Nearly Real Time
A laser spy camera can now locate moving objects hidden around corners. In the future, this laser camera is expected to assist drivers in working their way around bends to avoid collisions.
New Vaccine Strategy Protects Cancer Patients From Flu
Scientists presented a novel vaccine strategy to lower influenza infection risks among cancer patients who are most at risk. The flu vaccine technique reduced infection to 6 percent instead of the projected 20 percent.
Mosquito-Borne Zika Virus Causes Birth Defects In Babies In Latin America
The Pan American Health Organization alerted the public about the Zika virus making rounds in Brazil and eight other surrounding countries. The virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes had been implicated in a sharp rise in microcephaly cases.
CMA CGM Makes $2.4 Billion Cash Offer To Acquire Neptune Orient Lines
French shipping firm CMA CGM, the third largest in the world, offered to buy Singapore’s Neptune Orient Lines for US$2.43 billion. The CMA CGM acquisition of NOL is a bid to boost its trans-Pacific route presence.
Pepperidge Farm Files Suit Against Trader Joe's Over Milano-Looking Cookies
Pepperidge Farm said Trader Joe’s is damaging its goodwill by selling Trader Joe’s Crispy Cookies. This Milano cookies trademark infringement complaint seeks to halt the sale of the Trader Joe's product and compensatory damages.
Smartphone Market Seen To Cool Down: Research Firm Predicts First Single-Digit Growth For 2015
According to market research firm IDC, global smartphone shipments will grow only 9.8 percent this year. However, even with sluggish smartphone market growth, big players like Apple are not about to slow down in sales like low-cost ones likely will.
Obama To US: 'Threat From Terrorism Is Real, But We Will Overcome It'
In Obama's address to the nation from the Oval Office Sunday night, the president ensured Americans that they will continue to disrupt ISIS, terror groups and their planned terrorist attacks. The speech was made four days after the San Bernardino shooting that killed 14.
Stem Cell Gene Therapy Shows Promise In Treating Patients With Rare Immunodeficiency Disorder
Gene therapy appeared beneficial in X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID-X1). Typically affecting men, Bubble Boy disease is a rare genetic disorder caused by IL2RG gene mutations.
'Phantom Menace' Superbug On The Rise In US: CDC
A CDC report said a superbug belonging to the carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae family is on the rise in the US. It was deemed a tricky superbug as it is not readily detected like others, earning the title ‘Phantom Menace.’
Scientist Call For Moratorium On Human Genome Editing: The Dangers Of Using CRISPR To Create 'Designer Babies'
Gene editing biotechnology known as CRISPR-Cas9 lets scientists alter genes in animals and plants rapidly and inexpensively. Experts expressed worry about the risks and potential abuse for this human gene editing tool for creating "designer babies."
Study Reveals More Details On Matters That Make Up The Universe
Matter was found to be a mere 5 percent of the universe - about half of which is still undetected. Researchers found that a majority of the missing ordinary matter is in a really hot gas form linked to intergalactic filaments.
Pollution From Coal Burning Most Dangerous For Heart Health
Fossil fuel emissions – including from coal-fired power plants – generated the most toxic air pollution particles. Exposure to these particles was in fact linked to an increased death risk from heart disease.
Scientists Discover Network Of Genes That Delay Alzheimer's Disease By 17 Years
Researchers isolated nine genes involved in Alzheimer’s disease that could slow the condition by 17 years or accelerate its progress. The study focused on a large Colombian family afflicted with a genetic type of Alzheimer's.
New Sensor Detects Estrogen Levels In Body Fluids
A new sensor can detect low levels of E2, one of the primary estrogen hormones, in liquids. The device sends electronic signals once it finds estrogen, and is also projected to test the estrogen levels in bodily fluids like saliva or test waterways for hormone contamination.
Mysterious Fast Radio Bursts May Have Starquake Origins
Astronomers studied fast radio bursts, or the mysterious pulses that likely hailed from a highly magnetized region of space and linked to a recent supernova. The blast was recorded by the Green Bank Telescope and gave insight into this phenomenon baffling scientists for nearly a decade.
Nanostructured Material Can Clean Up Oil Spills Fast With Sponge-Like Absorption Ability
Australian researchers created a nanostructured material that potentially cleans up oil spills. This "super sponge" discovery is promoted helpful in disasters such as the 2010 Gulf Coast BP oil spill.
Oldest Peach Pits Found In China Shed Light On Evolution Of The Fruit
Scientists found eight fossilized peach pits in the southwestern part of China, dating back more than 2.5 million years. They said the peach fossils support the idea that the fruit emerged from China.
Gilead Pricing Strategy For Hepatitis C Drug Sovaldi Focused on Maximizing Profits Not Patients: Report
A U.S. Senate probe showed that Gilead Sciences planned to maximize profits for its hepatitis C drugs, with affordability and patient access as a mere “afterthought.” The investigation centered on the costs of Sovaldi and combination drug Harvoni.
Life Insurance Company To Offer Coverage For HIV Patients
Prudential Financial Inc. partnered with AEQUALIS to start offering life insurance to people living with HIV/AIDS. The announcement came on World AIDS Day.
'Clean Eating' Orthorexia Nervosa May Lead To Hair Fall, Crumbling Teeth
Orthorexia nervosa is defined as “a pathological fixation on eating proper food.” While it is yet to be officially recognized as an eating disorder, it has been happening in both men and women and causing symptoms such as hair fall, crumbling teeth, and low energy.
Japanese Scientists Create Holograms You Can Touch
Japanese researchers recently created touchable holograms through femtosecond laser technology. Their venture appeared to succeed where other laser technologies failed and burned human skin upon contact.
