Breakthrough towards the creation of an HIV/AIDS vaccine
A vaccine against HIV/AIDS has been successfully tested on rodents, succeeding, where other attempts have failed, to generate a powerful immune system response. This new vaccine strategy was developed by American scientists from the Scripps Institute of Research in San Diego, California. If these results…
“Facebook has a problem with blacks,” says former employee
A former Facebook employee on Tuesday lamented the under-representation of black people in the social network teams, saying they were subject to remarks and derogatory behavior by other employees. Mark Luckie, himself a black man, posted a message on his Facebook page that he sent…
Danger in Colgate toothpaste chemical?
In 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved triclosan for use in Colgate Total toothpaste. Its purpose was to help prevent gum disease. A Freedom of Information Act request from the National Resources Defense Council just resulted in the release of FDA documents in…
Amateurs Find 42 New Planets
A volunteer group of amateur astronomers claims to have discovered 42 new planets. The aptly named Planet Hunters sifted through the data captured by NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope. The discovery includes as many as 15 planets that are orbiting in the “Goldilocks” or habitable zone…
the color purple is an indication of extraterrestrial life
Astronomers use the color reflected by the surface of an exoplanet to assess their chances of sheltering life. The pale blue hue of the Earth is the most sought after. Scientists who have studied the distant past of our planet suggest that another, rather unusual,…
Breast Cancer Risks Reduced with Breast Reduction
Women who have family history of breast cancer may be able to reduce that risk by having a breast reduction procedure. Known as a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy, the surgery can prevent the development of cancer by up to 90%. This was found to be especially…