Articles by Rina Marie Doctor
Migration Of Southern Right Whales 'Etched' In DNA
A new study found that genetics and migratory culture of southern right whales have a significant link. By studying the DNA etched in the whales' skin, experts were able to reveal new insights about the species' migration.
Nearly Half Of Pregnant Women In The US Gain Too Much Weight
Women are expected to gain weight during pregnancy but only to a certain extent based on their pre-pregnancy body mass index. In a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost half of American pregnant women exhibited excessive weight gain.
Intensive Lowering Of Blood Pressure Cuts Death, Heart Failure But Comes With Risks
The intensive lowering of blood pressure may be the key to reducing heart failure and cardiovascular deaths, but it comes with risks. A new study now raises questions about possible changes in current treatment guidelines.
Breakthrough Prize Awards Millions To Outstanding Scientists
Breakthrough Prize awarded seven scientists with $21 million for their contributions to the fields of life sciences, math and physics. Founder Yuri Milner said he wants scientists to be celebrated just like how young people praise movies and television shows.
Mars, Jupiter, Venus And Crescent Moon Line Up In The Sky [Video]
Mars, Jupiter and Venus, together with crescent moon, all lined up to form a spectacular celestial show. While planetary alignments are not so rare, three planets and the moon residing in one area of the sky is not typical.
Scientists Recommend Cooking With Lard, Butter: Frying With Vegetable Oil Releases Toxic, Cancer-Causing Chemicals
Experts and common knowledge have always regarded butter and lard as unhealthy choices for cooking food. Now, researchers found that these may be better options because vegetable oils produce cancer-causing agents when heated at high temperatures.
Talk Therapy Better Than Light Treatment For Seasonal Affective Disorder
Experts usually prescribe light therapy to patients suffering from seasonal affective disorder. Now, researchers found that talk therapy or cognitive behavioral interventions may produce better clinical outcomes for patients diagnosed with the disorder.
Doctors Remove Hair Pin Piercing Kidney Of Four-Year-Old Boy
X-ray results of a 4-year-old boy who had been complaining of abdominal pain revealed a hair pin piercing through his kidney. The child said he swallowed the foreign object one month before his signs and symptoms developed.
Cellectis 'Designer' Immune Cells Reverse Baby's Incurable Leukemia: How Therapy Differs From Current Treatments
A baby diagnosed with incurable leukemia is now free of the disease after receiving an experimental designer immune cells therapy. Should the long-term outcomes of the treatment turn positive, this could turn around the entire field of cancer treatment.
The Francis Effect: The Pope Influences Climate Change Views Of Americans
Pope Francis is shaping Americans' view of climate change, new research shows. The so-called 'Francis Effect' has led more people to view global warming as a major hazard to America and the whole world.
Relapsing Infections Pose Challenge to Malaria Eradication
Malaria eradication has long been challenging. Researchers found that malaria cases may not always be new infections, but relapses of once dormant parasites.
Astronomers In India Discover Dying Giant Radio Galaxy 9 Billion Light Years Away
A giant radio galaxy nine billion light years away was discovered by Indian astronomers. The galaxy is said to be in its dying phase, providing more information about such galaxies.
1,300-Year-Old Tree Discovered In Central China
A 1,300-year-old tree called Taxus Chinensis was found by a group of local census officers in China. Also called Chinese Yew, the ancient tree is known to have anti-cancer properties, which has caused its population decline in the recent years.
West Antarctic Ice Sheet Headed For Irreversible Collapse: How This Could Impact Global Populations
Researchers found that sea level rise in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet may reach up to three meters if current instability trends persist. Effects of irreversible ice melts would soon transpire in the entire world for centuries to come.
Vitamin A-Related Enzyme Gives Fish, Amphibians X-Ray Vision
Researchers have long been puzzled as to how fish and amphibians are able to have optimal vision both in marine and freshwater bodies. It turns out these animals have the ability to turn on a Vitamin A-like enzyme which gives the species 'x-ray vision.'
New York Investigating ExxonMobil For Alleged Climate Change Cover-Up
The office of New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman sent a subpoena to oil company ExxonMobil about its alleged cover-up of climate change risks to the public and its investors. The investigation will focus on whether the company's statements regarding climate change were consistent with its 40-year scientific research.
Scientists Use Genetics To Breed Honeybees Resistant To Disease, Harsh Winters
Scientists were awarded $7.3 million to come up with a way to breed disease-resistant honeybees that could also survive harsh winters. The researchers would apply the principles of genetics and use genomics and protein markers as part of the project.
Hangover Gets Worse As You Age: Experts Explain Why
Aging entails multiple bodily changes, one of them being decreased tolerance to alcohol. Experts explain why hangovers become worse as people grow older.
Swimming Trick Of Jellyfish And Lampreys Holds Key To Better Underwater Robots
Jellyfish and lampreys were found to pull themselves in the water as their unique swimming trick. Experts said the new discovery could help improve the way scientists develop underwater robots.
Scientists Identify New Simple Recipe For Making Diamonds
Researchers found that diamonds are not as rare as previously believed. A simple recipe of diamond formation was discovered through a natural chemical model.
Global Warming May Affect Birth Rates: People Less Likely To Have Sex In Hotter Temperatures
Climate change could never run out of effects on the environment and humanity. A working paper suggests that global warming may result in people having less sex, resulting in decreased birth rates and social stresses due to impaired population makeup.
Diet Soda May Not Be Healthier Option: Beverages With Artificial Sweeteners Linked To Heart Failure
Diet sodas may not be as healthy as people think they are. In a new study, researchers found drinks that use artificial sweeteners, including fizzy 'diet' beverages may increase the risk of heart failure.
Almost 40 Percent Of Americans Not Worried About Global Warming: Survey
A new poll found that nearly 40 percent of Americans are not worried about global warming at all. Experts said this notion may be caused by the distant time projections for associated environmental changes.
Overall US Death Rates Decline But Middle-Aged White Americans See Spike In Mortality Rate: Why?
The mortality rates of middle-aged Americans have increased drastically. Researchers say the causes of deaths may be attributed to stress and other non-biological factors, among many others.
Scientists Discover Protein That Can Improve Mapping Of Brain Tumor [Video]
Mapping out the entirety of a brain tumor has long been challenging for doctors. Now, researchers have developed a special dye that could help detect a brain protein indicating the edges of a tumor and where it could possibly spread.
Eating Habits Of Dinosaurs Influenced By How Wide They Can Open Their Jaws, Study Finds
The eating habits of dinosaurs may largely depend on how wide they can open their jaws. Dinosaurs with meat diets such as the Tyrannosaurus rex were found to have a wider jaw gape than their plant-eating counterparts.
Experts Dispute NASA Study Claiming Ice Gains In Antarctica
The results of the recent NASA study saying that ice gains have outweighed ice loss in Antarctica have caused expert disputes. An author of the study under question said the research team used a model that has not been used before, probably explaining why they came out with different findings.
No More Fish Bladders: Guinness To Change Centuries-Old Brewing Process To Cater To Vegans
Irish brewery Guinness will rid off the fish bladder by-product in its beer starting 2016. The company said it intends to improve its manufacturing process and one way to do that is to make it vegan-friendly.
ISS Crew Celebrates 15 Years Of Human Habitation In Space
The International Space Station celebrated 15 years of supporting human life in space. Since 2000, the orbiting complex has been home for astronauts from different countries.
Fortingall Yew: Britain’s Oldest Tree Undergoes Sex Change After 5000 Years
The Fortingall Yew has long been regarded as a male tree. Now, experts discovered that Britain's oldest tree is undergoing sex change.
