About
Jennifer Huber is a medical imaging scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory with more than 20 years of experience in academic science writing. She received her Ph.D. in Physics from the University of California Santa Barbara. She is also a freelance science writer, editor and blogger, as well as a science-writing instructor for the University of California Berkeley Extension. Jennifer has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area most of her life and she frequently enjoys the eclectic cultural, culinary and outdoor activities available in the area.
Read her previous contributions to QUEST, a project dedicated to exploring the Science of Sustainability.
Website: http://scientiststalkfunny.com/
All Contributions by Jennifer:
Air Pollution Lurks Inside Your Home
Californians spend over 45 billion dollars each year on health impacts due to indoor air pollution. Scientists at Berkeley Lab have identified the indoor air pollutants with the greatest health consequences, and they are now looking for ways to improve indoor air quality.
Post on Apr 29, 2013
Nerve-Stimulating Headband May Prevent Migraines
Migraines affect about 30 million Americans, but anti-migraine medications are often ineffective or cause unpleasant side effects. New research indicates that migraines may be prevented by wearing a headband that stimulates the nerves around the eyes and forehead.
Post on Apr 01, 2013
Are Sleeping Aids Effective or Just A Placebo Effect?
Insomnia has become a major health concern worldwide. In the US, 60 million prescriptions for sleeping pills are issued each year and non-benzodiazepines are the most commonly prescribed type. However, recent scientific journal articles have raised concerns about using these sleep aids.
Post on Feb 18, 2013
Think Before You Drink Grapefruit Juice
You should discuss with your doctor or pharmacist whether ingesting grapefruit could cause an unintentional drug overdose. Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice affects how the body metabolizes certain drugs, and the number of drugs that adversely interact with grapefruit has increased according to new research results.
Post on Jan 07, 2013
Dynamic Duo: Antibiotics and Probiotics
Scientific evidence now suggests that taking probiotics with antibiotics can reduce the risk of negative side affects. In a recent combined study, people who took probiotics with antibiotics were 42% less likely to develop diarrhea. However, further research is needed to determine the most effective probiotics and dose.
Post on Dec 10, 2012
Science Behind Vampire Myths
Why have people around the world always been fascinated by vampires? Did vampire tales begin as a way to explain frightening phenomena actually witnessed? Although there is no scientific evidence for vampires, there is some scientific basis for vampire folklore.
Post on Oct 29, 2012
Should Men Get A PSA Blood Test To Screen For Prostate Cancer?
Medical experts disagree on whether prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests are an effective screening technique for prostate cancer. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends against PSA screening for men of any age, but recent research disagrees with this assessment.
Post on Sep 03, 2012
Newly Discovered Stem Cells Cause Clogged Arteries
Scientists thought they understood how arteries hardened and clogged, but they may have been wrong. New research indicates that a previously unknown type of stem cell is actually the underlying cause of clogged arteries. If confirmed, it could lead to new therapies.
Post on Aug 06, 2012
Hope for an Anti-Nicotine Vaccine
Recent research shows that a new vaccine led to consistently high anti-nicotine antibody levels that prevented nicotine from reaching the brain. If these findings are confirmed in people, this vaccine could be an effective therapy to help prevent nicotine addiction.
Post on Jul 16, 2012
Screening Sunscreens: Environmental Working Group's 2012 Report
It’s time to grab your bottle of sunscreen and head outdoors, but how can you tell if your sunscreen is safe? Use the Environmental Working Group’s new sunscreen guide to make sure your sunscreen isn’t on their “Hall of Shame.”
Post on Jun 11, 2012
Tag Along On Science Adventures: The Field Trip Podcast
Season 2 of the science podcast, "The Field Trip" premieres today.
Post on May 14, 2012
New Research Hopes to Conquer Food Allergies
A food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency room every three minutes. However, the 15 million people with food allergies now have hope. New clinical trials show promise for three experimental treatments: oral immunotherapy, sublingual immunotherapy and food allergy herbal formula-2. Scientists are also trying to understand how food allergies develop to help prevent them.
Post on May 07, 2012
Why Don't We Get Cancer More Often?
Dr. Mina Bissell of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is one of the world’s leading researchers on breast cancer. Her group recently found that normal breast cells provide an innate defense mechanism against cancer by secreting a protein to actively and specifically kill breast cancer cells without harming normal ones.
Post on Apr 09, 2012
