Articles by Tina Shah
Ultrasound prevents stars from lying about their age to scientists
Researchers developed a method of distinguishing infant stars from adolescent stars and accurately determining their ages, previously a feat quite difficult to accomplish.
Meditation may help relieve stress and other psychological problems
Researchers studied the physiological and mental effects of subjects that underwent mindfulness meditation or cognitive stress-management training during stressful tasks. The subjects that meditated felt significantly less stressed during tasks.
Nature journal retracts papers on 'breakthrough' stem cell discovery after discovering 'critical errors'
Nature retracted two papers published in January describing a simple method of producing stem cells from adult human cells. Failure to replicate the work, errors in image descriptions, and accusations of plagiarism led the renowned scientific journal to formally retract the studies.
Tatooine-like frozen planet found in binary star system 3.000 light years away
Researchers at Ohio State University, along with amateur astronomers from around the globe, discovered an Earth-like exoplanet in a binary star system. Astronomers previously believed Earth-like, or rocky, planets could not exist in binary systems.
Rare Arctic snowy owl and super cute chicks star in live HD camera show
Explore.org is hosting a live-stream footage of a rare Arctic snowy owl, near Barrow, Alaska. The camera gives researchers the ability to document the behavior of the bird and its chicks 24/7.
Gliese 581-d aka Goldilocks planet may not be habitable - the exoplanet may even be non-existent!
Scientists at Pennsylvania State University found evidence disproving the existence of Goldilocks planets Gliese 581-d and Gliese 581-g. What were previously considered habitable, rocky planets, are most likely just sun spots on the host star.
Bigfoot hair samples' DNA strengthen argument that creature is a mythical beast
A scientist from the University of Oxford, Bryan Sykes, used advanced genetic analysis techniques to test hair samples claimed to belong to Bigfoot, Yeti, and other dubious creatures. Results showed that the hairs were all from animals such as cattle, horses, bears and raccoon.
Genetic mutation in Tibetans helps them thrive in high altitudes
Researchers from UC Berkeley analyzed and compared genome of Tibetans to genome of Denisovans, close relatives of Neanderthals, and found nearly identical match of gene mutation for surviving extremely high altitudes.
Bone-house wasp uses wall of dead ants to protect its nest
Researchers in a forest in China found a new species of wasp, called the bone-house wasp, that protects its young by blocking its nesting cavities with clumps of ant carcasses. No other known organism in the animal kingdom has ever used this kind of nest protection strategy.
Kangaroo tail is really a leg...sort of
Researchers studied red kangaroos in Australia and found that they use their tails as fifth legs to propel themselves further when hopping, and as counterbalances in fights with other kangaroos.
New Archaeopteryx fossil suggests dinosaur-era bird wore 'feather trousers'
Researchers studied a new preserved fossil of Archaeopteryx that showed that its hind limb feathers were likely not used for flight purposes. Flight may have, however, been a secondary adaptation of the feathers.
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon diagnosed with throat cancer, but 'prognosis is excellent'
Jamie Dimon has been diagnosed with throat cancer and will undergo eight weeks if intensive radiation and chemotherapy. The chances of successful recovery are high, according to Dimon.
Geometry helps scientists unlock mystery of human embryonic stem cell formation
Researchers at Rockefeller University used chemicals and geometric tools to confine stem cells into patterns that triggered the cells to specialize and form distinct germ layers. This is the first time this specialization has been replicated with human stem cells in a lab.
Fabien Cousteau sets new underwater stay record--31 days!
French oceanographer Fabien Cousteau stayed underwater for 31 days in the Aquarius Reef Base off the coast of Florida for his Mission-31. Filmmakers and researchers came and went but Cousteau broke the world record for the longest time living underwater. Mission-31 aims to promote ocean conservation and research.
C-section may increase risk of stillbirth and ectopic pregnancy in future, warns new study
Researchers in Denmark conducted a population-based cohort study that showed a slight increase in the risk of stillbirth in a second pregnancy after delivering a previous baby via a caesarean section.
Devil Ray ranks among ocean's deepest divers, 'warm brain' holds clue
Scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution discovered that the Chilean devil ray, a fish previously thought to stay at the surface to keep warm, actually dives to great depths while maintaining its warm body temperature through adaptations.
Plants identify leaf-munching insects by sound and prepare their defenses
Researchers at the University of Missouri studied an Arabidopsis plant and found that, when exposed to the feeding vibrations caterpillars make when munching on plants, the Arabidopsis produced more chemicals to deter the caterpillars.
NASA's launch of CO2-monitoring satellite carried by Delta II rocket a success
NASA's rocket, Delta II, carrying the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2, has successfully reached orbit. The observatory will measure atmospheric carbon dioxide levels for the next two years.
Plastic debris covers 88 percent of world's oceans: Much lower than expected, say scientists
A study conducted at the University of Cadiz collected and analyzed data from sites of floating plastic debris in the world's oceans and found less than expected. The reason is unknown, but explanations have scientists worrying about contamination in the food chain and pollution of the ocean floor.
Women giving birth after 33 may also live longer
Researchers found that women with the natural ability to give birth later in life may also possess genetic variants that allow them to live longer than women that give birth at an earlier age.
Many births in U.S. occur early without medical reasons: Study
A study conducted over 15 years examined 7.3 million births and found that a significantly high number of births are preterm births without medical justification. Researchers explain trends and describe health consequences of non-medically indicated early births.
Physicist offers $10,000 to anyone who disproves man-made global warming
Physicist Christopher Keating challenged deniers of global warming to produce scientific proof to convince him it's not happening or, if it is happening, that it's not man-made. The prize for evidence is $1,000. The prize for proof is $10,000.
Our universe is impossible and we shouldn't exist, Higgs-boson scientist says
A scientist from King's College London recreated a model of the Big Bang incorporating cosmic inflation theory and the Higgs-boson, and found that the universe is impossible according to the standard model of particle physics.
Proactiv, Neutrogena and other acne products may cause severe allergic reactions, warns FDA
Certain acne products containing active ingredients benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid may cause severe, possible life-threatening allergic reactions, based on a recent FDA Consumer Update.
Former GMA co-host Joan Lunden diagnosed with breast cancer
Joan Lunden, former co-host of Good Morning America and current health and wellness advocate, returned to the show on Tuesday morning to announce that she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is expected to fully recover after chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.
Mysterious X-ray signal 240 million light years away may indicate dark matter presence
Researchers using the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the XMM-Newton Observatory detected an X-ray emission line in the Perseus galaxy that may be strong evidence pointing to the particles that make up dark matter.
Fracking fluid spills increase risk of contaminated groundwater
A research group at Cornell University studied the effects of hydraulic fracturing flowback fluid on soil and water retention of pollutants and found that a high percentage of pollutants and heavy metals in the soil leach into groundwater when exposed to flowback fluid.
3D mammograms may detect breast cancer more effectively: Study
A study conducted and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported an increase in detection of tiny tumors by a combination of 2D mammograms and Hologic Inc.'s 3D mammograms, or tomosynthesis.
New CDC anti-smoking ads are shocking enough to make you quit
The CDC launches new ads for its "Tips from Former Smokers" campaign on July 7, showing messages from seven former smokers who faced dire consequences as a result of the habit. The messages are stirring and heartbreaking and hopefully effective.
World's first robot broadcasters unveiled in Japan...and they're creepily life-like
The Miraikan Museum in Tokyo, Japan, unveiled its new exhibit, Hiroshi Ishiguro's two human-like androids, one a young girl and one an adult woman. Visitors can converse and control the androids, and experience the surreal feeling of interacting with life-like androids.
