Articles by Rhodi Lee
Plastic Clothing Inspired By Kitchen Wrap Releases Body's Infrared Radiation To Cool The Skin
Researchers modified polyethylene used in plastic wrap to develop textile that can make the skin surface cooler by 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit. What makes this new fabric different from cotton and other materials used in the clothing industry today?
Population Of African Elephants Decline By 30 Percent As Demand For Ivory Drives Poaching
The population of elephants in Africa is shrinking by 8 percent per year, the Great Elephant Census revealed. The drastic decline is primarily attributed to poaching driven by demand for ivory particularly in China.
3.7-Billion-Year-Old Fossils Discovered In Greenland Could Be Oldest Signs Of Life On Earth
Researchers found what could be the world's oldest known fossils. The 3.7-billion-year-old stromatolites may support the theory that life on Earth started immediately after the formation of the planet.
Tasmanian Devils Evolve Genetic Resistance To Contagious Cancer
The devil facial tumor disease has wiped out about 80 percent of the Tasmanian devil's population since it was discovered. Australia's iconic marsupial, however, appears to have evolved genetic resistance to the contagious cancer.
Fossil Remains Of New Species Of Jurassic Flying Reptile Pterosaur Found In Patagonia
Fossil remains of the Allkaruen koi, which include an intact braincase, were found in Argentina's Patagonia region. The new species of flying reptile lived during the early Jurassic period.
Adult Mosquitoes Can Infect Offspring In Their Eggs With Zika Virus
Adult female mosquitoes can transmit the Zika virus to their offspring in their eggs. Experts said this makes it more difficult to eliminate Zika, which is known to cause serious birth defects.
CPAP Machines Do Not Reduce Heart Attack, Stroke Risks In Sleep Apnea Sufferers
Using CPAP machines may not reduce risk of cardiovascular events such as stroke and heart attack in sleep apnea sufferers. The therapy, however, still offers some benefits for those with the sleeping disorder.
DNA Nanobot That Releases Drugs Using Mind Control May Alter Course Of Mental Health Treatment
A DNA nanobot can release drugs when it is heated using electromagnetic energy. How can it change the way mental health problems such as schizophrenia are treated?
Harvard's Soft-Bodied Robot Octobot Runs On Hydrogen Peroxide And Can Revolutionize Robotics
Harvard researchers have created a soft robot whose design is inspired by the octopus. Octobot uses hydrogen peroxide as source of power and can potentially change the course of robotics.
New Smelting Process Can Produce Metals With Less Air Pollution And Greenhouse Gas Emission
A new metal smelting process was accidentally discovered by MIT researchers. It can reduce air pollution and the emission of greenhouse gases associated with traditional metal smelting.
Dark Milky Way Twin: New Massive Galaxy Dragonfly 44 Is 99.99 Percent Dark Matter
The dark galaxy Dragonfly 44 that lies in the nearby Coma constellation is so faint astronomers only discovered it recently. The Milky Way twin is almost entirely dark matter.
Airlander 10: World's Largest Aircraft Crash-Lands During Test Flight
Airlander 10, the largest aircraft in the world, suffered damage when it crash-landed during its second test flight. Hybrid Air Vehicles said no one on board the aircraft was hurt.
Britain Calls For Worldwide Ban Of Microbeads Used In Exfoliating Soaps And Other Cosmetic Products
Members of Britain's Parliament call for ban of plastic microbeads used in many cosmetic products such as toothpaste and soaps. Here's why these tiny beads pose threat to the environment and the food chain.
Tel Aviv Scientists Make Melanoma Breakthrough That Can Block Spread Of Skin Cancer
Researchers have uncovered the mechanism of how melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, spreads to other organs in the body. They were also able to identify substances that can revolutionize treatment of this fatal disease.
Superstitious Fisherman Kept World's Biggest Natural Pearl Under Bed For 10 Years
A fisherman from Palawan, Philippines kept what could possibly be the biggest natural pearl from a giant clam in his home for 10 years without realizing its value. The gem would possibly be valued at about $100 million.
Florida Teen Becomes Fourth Person To Survive Brain-Eating Amoeba
Sebastian DeLeon, a 16-year-old boy from Florida, becomes the fourth survivor to recover from the highly deadly brain-eating amoeba infection. What did doctors do to save him?
Bagpipe Lung Death: Fungi And Mold In Wind Instruments Can Cause Fatal Illness
A British man died from a condition called bagpipe lung. Doctors said he contracted his illness by playing wind instrument that was contaminated by fungi.
Analog DNA Circuit Performs Math Calculations In A Test Tube
Researchers have developed an analog DNA circuit that can add, subtract and multiply. It is slower compared with silicon-based circuits but may have potential uses in the field of medicine.
NASA Wants To Turn Over International Space Station To A Private Company
The U.S. space agency appears to have intentions to offload the International Space Station to a private company in the next decade. Here's why the move could benefit research in low-earth orbit.
Extinct Woolly Mammoth Could Become Protected Species In Crackdown On Ivory Smuggling
The woolly mammoth could become the first long-extinct animal to be given legal protection under conservation trade rules. How can this help in the illegal trade of ivories from endangered elephants?
Signs Of Wessie? Maine Authorities Find Giant Snakeskin Near River
A resident discovered a large snakeskin near Presumpscot River. Authorities believe the sheddings likely belong to the Wessie snake that measures 10 feet long.
More Than 100 Sickened By Parasite Present In 20 Arizona Swimming Pools
The crypto parasite found in at least 20 Arizona swimming pools has sickened more than 100. Health authorities recommended measures to prevent spreading the diarrhea-causing disease.
Oldest Living Tree Growing In Europe Was A Seedling When Vikings Sailed The Seas
A Bosnian pine tree growing in Greece is at least 1,075 years old, analysis of the growth rings revealed. Europe's oldest tree has already sprouted when the Vikings were still sailing the seas.
EpiPen Price Skyrockets: What Is EpiPen, Why Is It So Expensive And Where Can We Get A Cheaper Alternative
The skyrocketing cost of the EpiPen has made it difficult for allergy sufferers to buy them. What is behind the price increase and are there cheaper alternatives to this epinephrine injector?
E-Cigarettes Have Fewer Cancer-Causing Chemicals Than Regular Cigarettes: Study
Completely switching to electronic cigarettes can reduce exposure to toxins and cancer-causing carcinogens. Smokers though would still get the same amount of nicotine as when they use regular cigarettes.
Parasite Killing Thousands Of Fish Prompts Montana Wildlife Officials To Close Yellow Stone River
Wildlife officials decided to close the Yellowstone River to prevent further spread of the parasite that has killed thousands of fishes. How long will the closure last?
Hyperspectral Imaging Reveals Images Hidden In Ancient Mexican Manuscript Codex Selden
A new high-tech imaging method has unveiled hidden pictographs in the ancient Mexican manuscript Codex Selden without damaging the pages. What do the images inked in yellow, red and orange show?
Zebra Finches Sing To Their Eggs Before Hatching To Help Baby Birds Survive Climate Change
Australia's Zebra finches sing to their birds when the weather is hot at the end of incubation period. How does this singing help the chicks survive in a warming world?
Gallstones Linked To Increased Heart Disease Risk
Researchers have found a link between a history of gallstone disease and increased risk for coronary heart disease. What could be behind this association?
Scallops From Philippines Contaminated By Hepatitis A, FDA Laboratory Tests Reveal
Health authorities embargoed scallops from De Oro Resources. Hepatitis A were found in the products suspected to be the possible source of an outbreak of the virus in Hawaii.
