Articles by Rhodi Lee
Geckos use toe hairs to cling to surfaces. Stickiness ON, Stickiness OFF
Geckos have the special ability to turn on and off the stickiness of their feet without using much force. This allows the nocturnal animal to cling to any surface and run at high speed.
Ebola update: Guinea president declares virus outbreak as national health emergency
Guinea's President Alpha Conde declared a national health emergency due to the Ebola outbreak. The president enumerated measures to contain the disease including banning individuals who had been in contact with Ebola patients from leaving their homes.
Lone star tick can make you allergic to red meat
A growing number of people were forced to give up their love for red meat after they were bitten by the lone star tick. The bite induces an allergic reaction that causes people to get hives and experience swelling after beef, venison and other red meats.
To cut salt or to add salt? Medical experts shake out truth on new study
A new study found that the amount of salt most people in the U.S. consume is just right and that consuming less than 3 grams of sodium per day could raise risks of death and heart attacks the same way as consuming too much salt.
Feds deny protection for wolverine. Call Professor X and the X-Men?
Officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided to drop the proposed measure to include the Wolverine in the Endangered Species Act after determining that global warning does not place the rare animal at risk of extinction.
Girls in cancer remission celebrate by redoing viral photo
In April, three girls who were diagnosed with cancer were photographed together. The girls gathered again this month for another photoshoot but this time to celebrate because they are now all on remission.
Chinese zoo introduces rare panda triplets to the world
A 12-year old Panda in a Guangzhou's Chimelong Safari Park gave birth to triplets last month after an artificial insemination in March. The cubs are now the longest surviving panda triplets.
Scientists try to explain evolution, extinction of rangeomorphs from 600 million years ago
Using a computer program, researchers were able to determine how the ancient organisms known as rangeomorphs managed to live and evolved. It also provided clues on what caused the organisms to be extinct during the Cambrian Explosion.
Will gene therapy be the answer to heart failure? Trial in London starts
Scientists from Britain will conduct a clinical trial to assess a gene therapy that could potentially replace the need for heart transplant in patients with advanced heart failure.
Scientists create brain tissue in lab to aid head injury, dementia research
Researchers developed a realistic 3D brain tissue using doughnut-shaped rings of silk protein and collagen-based gel injected with lab-grown rat neurons. The brain tissue could be used for research that could pave way to a better understanding and treatment of brain-related diseases and injuries.
Feds to protect two endangered butterflies from Florida
Two Florida butterflies with dwindling population, the Florida leafwing and Bartram's scrub-hairstreak, will be officially considered as endangered under federal law, which means that harming or capturing these endangered animals will become illegal.
Timeout: Punishment for toddler who breached White House security and triggered lockdown
A toddler managed to get past through the fence of the White House triggering a lockdown and causing President Barack Obama, who was about to make a statement on Iraq, and the nation to wait.
2010 Mega-quake in Chile triggered icequakes in Antarctica, reveals study
The tremor of the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Chile in 2010 reached Peru and Argentina but a new study shows the effects reached farther away in Antarctica where the mega-quake triggered icequakes.
Endangered frog species delay tree-thinning at Lake Tahoe
The Upper Echo Lakes Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project of the U.S. Forest Service is halted due to concerns it threatens the habitat and population of the endangered Sierra Nevada Mountain yellow-legged frog.
World is in trouble. We don't agree on how to properly brush our teeth
Dental associations, dental textbooks, toothbrush and toothpaste companies do not agree on one best method to brush the teeth. This poses a problem as the public may be confused on the proper way to brush because of the varying recommendations.
Ebola landed in Virginia 25 years ago, scientists recall
The U.S. has already dealt with the Ebola virus in the past with an outbreak that killed dozens of cynomolgus macaques that were imported from the Philippines.
Peanut salmonella trial reveals America's food safety honor system is shaky
Due to lack of resources to thoroughly inspect consumable products, the FDA said that it relies on an honor system from companies. The case of the salmonella outbreak traced to Peanut Corporation of America shows the weakness of this system.
What came before Big Bang? Four-dimensional black hole, theorize scientists
A group of scientists proposed that the universe that we know of may have been created from the debris of a dying star in a 4D universe that collapsed into a black hole.
Evolution gifted bioluminescent sharks with eyes perfect for deep-sea environment
Bioluminescent sharks have special eyes that allow them to cope with the dark environment in the mesopelagic twilight zone, 650 to 3,300 feet deep in the sea.
29 states call on FDA to tighten grip on multi-billion e-cigarette industry
More than two dozen state attorneys general urge the FDA to adopt tougher rules on the sale and marketing of e-cigarettes pointing out that the marketing strategy and flavors offered by e-cig companies make their products more enticing for the youth.
Ebola-infected American doctor 'growing stronger every day' in Atlanta hospital
Kent Brantly, the American doctor who contracted the Ebola virus in Liberia and is currently being treated at the Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, penned a statement from his isolation units that says he gets stronger every day.
Physical fitness in middle-school girls keeps depression at bay
Adolescents appear to benefit from being physically fit as researchers found that for children in this age group, physical fitness is associated with reduced odds to suffer from depression.
Wildlife corridors come with unwanted consequences -- invasive species
Although wildlife corridors are considered helpful in protecting animals from becoming endangered, a group of scientists found they also induce the spread of an invasive species of fire ants.
FDA warns public of infected tattoo ink, recalls contaminated tattoo kits
Tattooing carries risks of infection such as sepsis and the consequences could be more severe in individuals with diabetes and weak immune system. The FDA said that the risk persists even with sterilized needles and clean conditions.
Why global warming is the new normal and why it is on hiatus
It has been three decades since the Earth experienced a cooler than average temperature but the last 15 years were marked by a phenomenon called the global warming hiatus.
High blood pressure during midlife may lead to mental decline, dementia in later life
Middle age adults with hypertension are at risk of greater mental decline later in life compared with their peers who have normal blood pressure levels.
Rosetta meets Comet 67P for first time. Here are some closeup images
The arrival of ESA's Rosetta at comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko on Aug. 6 makes it the first spacecraft ever to rendezvous with a comet.
FDA gives green light to test Ebola virus vaccine
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa prompted U.S. health regulators to green-light Ebola vaccines that are currently being tested for fast-track approval status. A vaccine could be available by 2015.
NASA Mars Curiosity rover celebrates second anniversary on Red Planet
NASA's Mars Curiosity rover has been on the red planet for only two years but it has already unraveled crucial information on the life-sustaining ability of the planet and other data that could allow scientists to better prepare for manned exploration on Mars.
Experts board largest solar-powered boat in search of sunken Greek city
MS Turanor Planet Solar, the world's largest solar-powered boat, will take part in the TerraSubmersa expedition, which aims to find traces of Europe's first human settlement.
