Articles by Tina Shah
CDC bioterror lab director reassigned over anthrax lapse
The director of the CDC's Bioterror Rapid response and Advanced Technology Laboratory was reassigned during an investigation into the anthrax exposure that occurred last week at the CDC's Atlanta campus. The lab in question was responsible for sending out live samples of anthrax.
Atmospheric wind pattern changes result in extreme weather in some regions
Researchers find significant associations between variations in high-altitude wind patterns with largely amplified waves and the extreme weather conditions, droughts and wet spells seen in certain regions of the northern hemisphere.
The Poliovirus may have flown into Brazil with World Cup fans: WHO reports no human cases, low risk
Environmental surveillance crew found a strain of poliovirus in the sewage of an airport in São Paulo, Brazil. The virus was deemed an exportation, possibly from Equatorial Guinea, and no human cases in Brazil were found.
Prenatal exposure to pesticides may increase risk of autism in offspring
Researchers at the UC Davis MIND Institute found strong associations between prenatal exposure and residential proximity to certain classes of chemical pesticides and occurrences of autism and other developmental delays in offspring.
Arthritis drug may be miracle cure for rare hair loss disease
Doctors at Yale University used an arthritis treatment to treat alopecia, a rare hair loss condition, in a man simultaneously treated by the same drug for plaque psoriasis. Miraculously full regrowth seen after 8 months.
Peanut, winner of the World's Ugliest Dog 2014 contest, really is quite cute
Peanut is the weird-looking, but still lovable, winner of the annual contest hosted by the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California. The contest raises awareness about dog rescues, adoptions, and animal abuse.
Depression increases death risk in young female heart disease patients
Researchers at Emory University found high risk of depression in young and middle-aged female heart disease patients, as well as increased risk of heart problems for women with depression.
Chile mountaintop blasted to prepare home for world's largest telescope
The top of the Cerra Armazones Mountain in Chile was blasted by the European Southern Observatory to make way for the European Extremely Large Telescope, expected to be complete in 10 years.
Testosterone products increase blood clot risks, must have general warning label: FDA
The FDA enforced requirements for all testosterone restoring drugs to list venous blood clots under the general warning labels, due to reports of increased risk of blood clotting in men using such products.
Risk of neural tube defects higher among Hispanic newborns
A study released by March of Dimes reports that Hispanic women have a significantly higher chance of giving preterm births, as well as births resulting in neural tube defects, which lead to nerve damage, paralysis, and death.
Obama sets up task force to curb decline in honeybee population
The Obama administration released a memorandum outlining the strategies and planned actions of the new Pollinator Health Task Force. It's an effort to support and fund research about pollinator deaths and encourage protective measures.
Tool to predict 'financial toxicity' for cancer patients released
Cancer specialists at the University of Chicago created a COST questionnaire tool to determine the overall financial stress of cancer patients and encourage dialogue between doctors and patients about financial options and interventions.
Cubist Sivextro approved by FDA to treat skin infections
A new drug, Sivextro, created to treat forms of acute skin infections like MRSA, was approved by the FDA through an expedited review process and will be sold for five years without generic competition.
Researchers claiming evidence of Big Bang foiled by dust problem
Scientists from the BICEP2 collaboration stated in March that they found strong evidence of the Big Bang and cosmic inflation, but images from Planck satellite show excess cosmic dust clouding the data, leading to high uncertainty in the team's findings.
Anthrax scare: 84 CDC scientists possibly exposed to deadly bacteria
The CDC reported possible exposure of 84 employees to live anthrax samples at its Roybal Campus in Atlanta. Researchers made an error in handling the infectious agent at the high-security lab.
Migaloo sighted off Australian coast. It's cute, it's white, it's a humpback whale
All-star all-white humpback Migaloo was spotted Thursday off the coast of New South Wales, Australia. This is the first Migaloo sighting of the year.
First commercial quantum computer by D-Wave no better than classic PC in speed test
Researchers tested the speed of a commercial quantum computer By D-Wave Systems Inc. and found that it is no faster than a classical computer. Certain types of problems posed for the computers may be the issue with the negative findings.
Google wants girls to learn coding: $50 million 'Made with Code' campaign takes off
Google launched a Made with Code campaign to motivate girls to find mentorship and enter computer-related fields. Offers $50 million in grants to close gender-gap in tech industry.
Dwarf galaxies small but scrappy, form massive amounts of stars
Researchers using NASA's Hubble Wide Field Camera 3 discover that dwarf galaxies, while of small mass, form large amounts of stars at enormously high rates.
Antarctic biodiversity diminishes as roaming icebergs scour shoreline
Iceberg collisions due to the rising sea temperatures in Antarctica are leading to biodiversity loss, as one species, Fenestrulina rugula, thrives.
2,000-year old death shroud from Paracas civilization goes on display in Peru
A 2,000-year old Paracas death shroud, previously displayed in a museum in Gothenburg, Sweden, was returned to the Peruvian government and will be put on display.
Hubble Space Telescope to help New Horizons find post-Pluto destination
NASA's Hubble telescope will help New Horizons spacecraft find a collection of Kuiper Belt objects to visit after the probe completes its fly-by of Pluto and Pluto's moon Charon in 2015.
Traces of apocalyptic epidemic, the Cyprian plague, discovered in Egypt
Archaeologists led by Francesco Tiradritti uncover evidence of ancient plague that swept through Rome in the 3rd century A.D., killing thousands and contributing to the decline of the Roman Empire.
Obama wants to create world's biggest marine reserve in Pacific Ocean, target illegal fishing
Obama revealed proposed efforts to expand a U.S. controlled marine sanctuary in the central Pacific, combat illegal fishing and seafood fraud, and protect reefs and other marine species from climate change and ocean acidification.
Custom-made espresso machine leaves ISS astronauts starry-eyed
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station are excited about a space-friendly espresso machine to arrive at ISS in November. The crew can now enjoy fresh Italian coffee thanks to companies Lavazza and Argotec.
Climate change means fewer extreme winters in the U.S. and Europe
James Screen of the University of Exeter presents findings suggesting decreases in extreme cold weather in the Northern Hemisphere as a result of Arctic warming, and overall warmer springs, autumns and winters.
Dinosaurs were mesothermic beasts, neither warm-blooded nor cold-blooded
A study conducted at the University of New Mexico suggests that dinosaurs fell between warm-blooded and cold-blooded animals on the scale of energy use. Their mesothermic energy strategy allowed them to dominate early Earth.
Trapping light now possible for longer time than previously thought
Researchers at the University of Rochester have discovered a method of creating nanocavities that can trap light longer than previously capable. Possible applications of the nanocavities include telecommunication devices and biosensing technologies.
Ancient ocean possible on Pluto moon Charon, New Horizons to visit in 2015
NASA study examines probability of fractures existing on Charon, the largest moon of Pluto, which could serve as evidence of a subsurface ocean once existed on the moon. New Horizons spacecraft to solve mystery in 2015.
World Cup 2014 fever grips ISS astronauts: Watch them play zero gravity soccer (Video)
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station released a video tribute to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and showed those of us on Earth how soccer is played without gravity.
