Articles by Katrina Pascual
11.6 Million-Year-Old Primate Fossil Found In Spain: Could This Be Human Evolution's Missing Link?
A new fossil record suggested that small and large apes may have coexisted before the evolutionary split of humans and lesser apes. This had been contrary to previous beliefs that small apes evolved from larger-bodied ones.
Teenage Girl In Oregon Contracts Bubonic Plague After Hunting Trip
The victim was reported to have contracted bubonic plague from a flea bite during an Oct. 16 hunting trip near the city of Heppner in Oregon. Widespread during medieval times, recent decades have seen the disease average seven annual human cases in the U.S.
Researcher Discovers Fossilized Feathers, Skin Of Ornithomimus Ostrich-Like Dinosaur
A University of Alberta paleontology student discovered and led the study of a fossil Ornithomimus dinosaur, featuring preserved tail feathers and soft tissue. The findings were said to strengthen the links between this dinosaur group and modern birds such as ostriches.
MIT Researchers Use Electric Charge To Control Boiling Water Process
MIT researchers recently discovered how one can control the process of boiling by simply using an electrical switch. Controlling the boiling process separate from temperature had not been previously developed despite the importance of this function in industrial processes.
Here's Why Cutting Sugar Intake Is Sweet For Your Child's Health
When a study took sugar out of the diets of the 43 children, the subjects began to heed their bodies’ satiety clues, or know when they were full or hungry. What else were the effects of sugar on children and their well-being?
Your Shampoo And Lotion May Increase Your Risks For Breast Cancer: Here's How
A class of preservatives known as parabens had been implicated in increased breast cancer risks. Found in about 85 percent of personal care products, they had been seen more potent and dangerous in lower doses.
US Mortality Rates For Leading Causes Have Dropped: How Americans Cheated Death
US mortality rates for stroke, heart disease, unintended injuries, cancer, and diabetes all declined, while those for COPD doubled. The researchers attributed the improvements to a decline in smoking, early diagnosis, and better treatment - but what about the obesity epidemic?
Russia Unveils Manned Lunar Mission To Prepare For Permanent Moon Base
The Luna 25 lunar mission, targeted to land near the moon’s south pole Aitken crater, was announced by the Russian space agency this week. The European Space Agency had also started looking to partner with Russia in this mission to have a permanent moon colony.
Mammograms Do Not Prevent Advanced Breast Cancer: Study
In an article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that advanced breast cancer rates remained stable since 1975, while the incidence for advanced prostate cancer had been slashed by half since 1988. Had the popular breast cancer screening tool not been “sensitive enough” for identifying cancer early on?
Half Of African Lions Will Be Gone In 20 Years: What Could Happen When This Apex Predator Disappears?
Another study warned about the sharp decline of lion populations in Africa and its grave consequences. Extinction, for instance, would be irreversible and African lion extinction can trigger trophic cascades and other health and food supply problems.
Parasitic Disease Drug May Help Fight Malaria: Ivermectin Kills Mosquitoes That Ingest Human Blood
A team led by medical entomologist Brian Foy of Colorado State University showed in lab studies the potential of roundworm-killing ivermectin in helping prevent malaria transmission. Their ongoing trial showed 16 percent fewer malaria cases among child subjects.
Persian Gulf Will Be Too Hot By 2070 Due To Climate Change But Heat Won’t Make Whole Region Uninhabitable
In the event of extreme warming in the Persian Gulf due to climate change, experts said that some areas in the region will likely be better off than others. Dubai, for instance, would have the means to use air conditioning and avoid the outdoors, while impoverished, war-afflicted Yemen will be far more vulnerable.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Is Not Chronic Illness And Sufferers Who Exercise, Think Positively Overcome Symptoms: Study
The follow-up to the 2011 PACE study on chronic fatigue syndrome showed that it may not be chronic after all. It was found that increased exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy continued to benefit original participants in the long term.
Cutting Sugar Without Reducing Calories Drastically Improves Health Of Overweight Children
Published Oct. 27 in the journal Obesity, a new study on sugar intake among children found that reducing sugar even without calorie reduction or weight loss made overweight kids healthier in as little as 10 days. Sugar had been implicated in metabolic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Potentially Dangerous Bacteria Thrive At The International Space Station, NASA Warns
NASA researchers sequenced genetic data from dust in an air filter and two used vacuum bags to check for bacteria at the International Space Station. Separate studies previously found that bacteria thrive better in space than on the ground.
Organic Carbon From Thawing Permafrost Quickly Turns Into Carbon Dioxide, Study Reveals
Two new studies warned that organic carbon from thawing permafrost was being quickly converted into more carbon dioxide into the air and water. Increased CO2 levels in the atmosphere had led to further warming of the planet and had triggered more thawing of permafrost.
Amphibian Fossils Suggest Ancient Four-Legged Vertebrates Can Regrow Their Limbs
Salamanders had been the only modern tetrapods or four-legged vertebrates that can regenerate their limbs, tails, and internal organs lost or injured in their lifetime. A large sample of fossils offered evolutionary clues into their regenative capacity.
Fisherman Accidentally Catches Critically Endangered Porbeagle Shark
Jan Davey was fishing off the Dorset coastline when he caught the porbeagle shark. Apart from scarce food supply, other factors that contributed to the porbeagles' decline are accidental catching and commercial hunting.
Warming Could Be Limited To 2°C If Major Economy Takes Lead In Climate Change Fight: Study
A new study published Oct. 26 in the journal Nature recommended that the European Union or the United States roughly double its ongoing 2030 emissions reduction goal. The leadership of major economies was deemed critical in the results of the upcoming Paris climate change conference.
Experts Warn Spread Of Treatment-Resistant Super Lice: What Parents Should Know
Lice had become resistant to typical over-the-counter treatments. Experts identified three genetic mutations affecting the nervous system of the parasites that are now resistant to pyrethroids.
Campaign To Stop Killer Robots Group Calls For Ban On Fully Autonomous Weapons
Through international treaty, global NGO coalition Campaign to Stop Killer Robots has been lobbying to preemptively ban autonomous weapons systems. The U.S. likely took the lead in developing these weapons, with the defense department making new and existing technology investments on it.
Fillings Can Increase Risks For Tooth Decay, Dentists Warn
A new study highlighted the potential dangers of dental fillings. It also showed that current methods lead some dentists to have more patients with new decay post-filling, calling for more up-to-date techniques to avoid them.
Large European Hornets Attack, Sting Man 37 Times
David Williams-Jones, a 42-year-old from Newport, said he accidentally stood on a nest and was attacked by large European hornets while visiting Kenfig National Nature Reserve. He was with Harvey, his 10-year-old son, during the incident.
Nigeria Wins Fight Against Polio But Stepped-Up Efforts Needed to Eliminate Crippling Disease
Since July last year, Nigeria had not recorded a new case of polio, when only three years ago its polio incidence accounted for over half of the cases worldwide. The campaign now steered toward greater vaccination in remaining polio-endemic countries and to avoid reinfection in polio-free areas.
Lifting Weights Twice A Week May Slow Brain Aging
Researchers from the University of British Columbia analyzed 155 women ages 65 to 75. They discovered how the elderly female subjects gained important resistance training benefits.
US Prescription Drug Prices Should Reflect Value They Bring To Patients, Says Expert Panel
Experts in a recent medical panel said that Americans are being “tremendously ripped off with drugs." In September, the price of HIV drug Daraprim increased from $13.50 to $750 per tablet.
Vitamin B3 Found In Beer And Vegemite Cuts Risks For Skin Cancer
In an Australian study, a year of treatment using nicotinamide significantly reduced the risk of common, non-melanoma skin cancer among high-risk patients. Nicotinamide is a form of vitamin B3 found in products such as Vegemite and beer.
NASA Closer To Asteroid Hunt As Lockheed Martin Readies To Test OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft
Aerospace company Lockheed Martin announced the completed assembly of the spacecraft OSIRIS-REx, which will travel to asteroid Bennu to get samples back to Earth. The samples from the $800 million mission will give scientists a peek into the solar system's origin and help study potential asteroid impacts.
NOAA Scientists Use Drone To Study Endangered Killer Whales
The drone flown near San Juan Islands in Washington captured photos of the killer whales and the 81-member orca population spending some time in Canadian waters. The rich images also offered clues into the species' social bonding.
Altering Chemistry In The Brain Can Make Patients More Resistant To Pain, Study Finds
UK researchers found that the more opiate receptors the brain had, the higher the body’s ability to hurdle the pain. The findings opened possibilities in developing more natural solutions for arthritis treatment and against long-term severe pain.
