Articles by Tabitha Laffernis
Engineers find the answer to a curly question
In studying the behavior of steel tubing, scientists unwittingly uncovered a way of quantifying the bounciness and depth of curly hair.
Ovary removal by age 35 reduces cancer risk by 80 percent in susceptible women
A large study conducted by researchers from Canada, Italy, Australia, Norway, Poland, and the United States, suggests that women genetically predisposed to breast and ovarian cancers could reduce the risk of developing the disease by up to 80 percent, should they have their ovaries removed prior to the age of 35.
National Governors Association meeting ends in squabble
President Barack Obama has met with the National Governor's Association, speaking with the bipartisan group in a bid to work towards bettering the national political climate.
Failing health becomes Greek tragedy
On the heels of the Greek Health Ministry shuttering the country’s outpatient clinic network for a month, researchers from the University of Cambridge have revealed evidence that the country’s flailing economy is negatively impacting the health of its citizens.
Selfiecity reads between the duckfaces for a fresh take on cultural analysis
What can we learn from selfies? As it turns out, quite a lot. What started as a vanity project, another excuse for a hashtag, or perhaps just a natural progression of the social sharing trajectory is now much more - it's a rich mine of data, perhaps best illustrated by the Selfiecity project.
Dream recall could depend on sleeping habits
If you've ever woken up from a dream only to have it instantly wiped from your memory, you're not alone. French scientists have been looking into the phenomenon, uncovering vital information that could explain why some people remember their dreams more vividly - and more readily - than others.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) may be detected by antibody marker
People suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) may harbor a specific antibody in their blood, possibly allowing for early detection prior to the appearance of symptoms.
Plan to divide California into six states makes headway
The Californian Secretary of State's office has confirmed that a plan to divide California into six states is gaining momentum, with Silicon Valley venture capitalist Tim Draper receiving permission to start collating signatures for his campaign, SixCalifornias.
The U.S. Army edges closer to making pizza with a three-year shelf life
The U.S. army is currently collaborating with food scientists to incorporate pizza into the hallowed ranks of the meals ready to eat (MREs) - packaged, soldier-ready foodstuffs that need to last as long as possible without refrigeration of any kind. While the finished product hasn't yet been perfected, scientists are edging closer to an ideal product by inhibiting the production of moisture in the pizza.
Study finds obese women exercise for one hour per year
New research suggests that obese women only complete the equivalent of one hour of exercise per year, emphasizing the need for greater education and encouragement around the virtues of exercise and a balanced diet.
Gene mutations may reveal risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer
Scientists say DNA testing could reveal which men are genetically predisposed to aggressive prostate cancers, after a study identified a possible 13 gene defects - present in eight genes - common to several prostate cancer patients.
Flu rates spike in young adults
As flu season finds its stride, it's the youngsters that are being hit hardest this year, with a staggering 61 percent of total hospitalizations occurring in those aged 18 - 64. While influenza hospitalizations typically skew towards the over-65s, this year's icy winter has seen an upswing from a previous average of 35 percent in 18 - 64 year olds.
North Dakota is top dog in Gallup wellbeing poll
Hawaii, the much-romanticized land of sweeping sunsets, breathtaking beaches and a relaxed approach to life that too often seems to elude mainlanders, is an entirely predictable contender for the top spot on Gallup's annual wellbeing poll. And rightly so - the island paradise claimed the title for the past five years. However, with 2013's results unveiled, the Aloha State's dream run has come to end, with the state conceding defeat - and eight places - to none other than North Dakota.
Barking up the right tree: Dogs and humans use same brain area to process sounds
Brain scans of both humans and dogs reveal that we process vocal sounds in the same way - whether it's talking, giggling, or barking. Based on the results of the study, the voice processing areas in dog brains appear to be located in the same region as the voice processing area in human brains, and results suggest that the vocal processing center evolved just once, over 100 million years ago, when humans and canines are last believed to have shared an ancestor.
Stroke of genius: Iron deficiency linked to higher chance of stroke
Researchers from Imperial College London have connected the dots between iron deficiencies and the risk of stroke. By analyzing platelets and iron absorption, research supports the notion that low iron levels foster a more hospitable environment for 'sticky' blood clots, thus leading to strokes.
Apple takes a bite out of SXSW with first stateside iTunes Festival
As talk and anticipation heat up around Austin's annual cultural bonanza, South by Southwest (SXSW), Apple has fanned the flames even more. This year, for the first time, the Cupertino company is bringing its trademark iTunes Festival with it - the first time the show has crossed the pond from the United Kingdom.
E-cigarettes to vanish from Beverly Hills in a puff of smoke
In a preliminary ruling, the Beverly Hills City Council has determined that e-cigarettes will have the same legal stature as their battery-free counterparts; resulting in the e-cigarettes being banned from outdoor dining areas, parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities. Additionally, as part of the new legislation, e-cigarettes will no longer be sold from vending machines, and will be prohibited from sale to minors.
Sleepless nights could lead to chronic pain
They say sleep is for the weak, but as the results of a recent study get the look-over, it appears that the reality is the polar opposite. Erratic sleeping habits have now been tied to chronic pain and fibromyalgia in adults over the age of 50 - meaning that tossing and turning can leave its mark for longer than previously thought.
Get up, stand up: Study shows that sitting is linked to disability
For adults over 60, sitting down may not be the innocent rest one might think. Sitting down frequently and for extended periods of time, sometimes called sitting disease, may cause disability as a direct result of sedentary habits.
Lilly offers a glimmer of hope for lung cancer patients
A lung cancer drug (ramucirumab) currently being tested by Eli Lilly and Co., has been raking in positive results from a late-phase patient trial. The announcement has led to an initial 3 percent bump in Lilly's pre-market share prices, as well as renewed hope for cancer patients.
Nun, 84, gets three years in the clink for nuclear facility break-in
Three activists, including 84-year-old nun Sister Megan Rice, were yesterday handed prison sentences for breaking into a secure nuclear weapons complex on June 28 2012. The Y-12 National Security Complex, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, is a vital processing and storage area for bomb-grade uranium in the United States.
FDA gives green light to low blood pressure drug Northera
The Food and Drug Administration has given low blood pressure drug Northera the stamp of approval. Northera, which treats low blood pressure resulting from neurological conditions, has been approved on an 'accelerated' basis, allowing the drug to be prescribed as testing of its long-term efficacy persists.
Xenodiagnosis could mean tick tick boom for post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome
Non-infected ticks may be able to detect Lyme disease bacteria in human patients. A recent study shows that ticks can be used for xenodiagnosis to detect traces of Lyme disease bacteria after patients have completed a course of antibiotics.
Saliva test: Breakthrough research finds depression biomarkers in teenage boys
British researchers have isolated biomarkers that provide a clear indication of susceptibility to depression in teenage boys. Researchers tested a total of 1858 teenagers for the stress hormone, cortisol, and evaluated reported symptoms of depression in order to identify at-risk teenagers.
