Kathleen Lees : Science World Report

Dec 19, 2013 12:06 PM EST

Stress Gene 5HTR2C Linked to Increased Heart Attack Risk

There's no doubt that stress may exacerbate health problems. Yet a recent study suggests that a newly discovered 'stress gene' could also increase an individual's risk of dying from a heart attack or heart disease by up to 38 percent.

Dec 19, 2013 11:36 AM EST

Scientists Stumble Across the Secret of the Sugar Beet

Oh, the sugar beet. A delightful plant native to parts of Europe that accounts for nearly 30 percent of the world's annual sugar production.

Dec 19, 2013 11:04 AM EST

New Research Uncovers MRI Method to Map MS Progression

Researchers from Western University (WHERE) have uncovered a new approach to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that may help to provide better diagnosing and tracking of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) progression, as well as other neurological disorders. It's called quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM)...

Dec 19, 2013 10:44 AM EST

60 Percent of U.S. High School Senior do not Think Marijuana is Unhealthy

With many states in the U.S. legalizing the medical and recreational use of marijuana, a recent survey from the National Institutes of Health showed that close to sixty percent of U.S. high school seniors did not believe that regularly smoking weed is detrimental to their health. The recorded data f...

Dec 19, 2013 09:53 AM EST

Scientists Reveal Biomechanics of How Marine Snail Larvae Swim

Scientists have recently discovered the biomechanics behind how Marine snail larvae swim. This is particularly important as the larvae's swim patterns hold a key behavior that determines their dispersal and ultimately, their survival.

Dec 19, 2013 08:43 AM EST

Modern Caterpillars have Rapidly Evolved to Feed Faster due to Climate Change

A modern species of caterpillars is evolving at a much faster rate in response to higher temperatures from climate change. Researchers believe that warmer weather in the past 40 years may explain the reason that these creatures feed rapidly in order to survive.

Dec 18, 2013 01:46 PM EST

Will Trans Fat Substitutes be Any Healthier?

As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) next big step is to remove artificial trans fat from food, many health advocates are uncertain if fat substitutes would be much healthier.

Dec 18, 2013 12:45 PM EST

Immaculate Conception: Close to 1 Percent of U.S. Pregnancies are due to 'Virgin Birth'

Science may suggest that it takes a sperm and an egg to produce offspring. Of course, this can occur from sexual intercourse or artificial insemination. However, could it be possible that some women could become pregnant without either?

Dec 18, 2013 11:56 AM EST

Banana-Geddon: Climate Change may Wipe Out this Yellow Fruit

That fun, yellow fruit known as a banana may be in danger due to climate change.

Dec 18, 2013 10:49 AM EST

Could the Study of Grizzly Bears Help Tackle Questions about Obesity?

Scientists at the U.S. drug maker Amgen Inc. are currently experimenting with a rather unorthodox study. They're exploring how an animal with one of nature's biggest appetites-the grizzly bear-might help identify new insights into the obesity epidemic.

Dec 18, 2013 09:59 AM EST

3-Year-Old Florida Boy Receives Rare, 5-Organ Transplant (Video)

Three-year-old Adonis Ortiz was born with a severe birth defect that left him with his intestines formed on the outside of his body. In order to survive, this meant a never before attempt at a five-organ transplant.

Dec 18, 2013 09:23 AM EST