Amanda Onion

Amanda Onion

Live Science Contributor
  Amanda Onion writes about health science advances and other topics at Live Science. Onion has covered science news for ABCNews.com, Time.com and Discovery News, among other publications. A graduate of Dartmouth College and the Columbia School of Journalism, she's a mother, a runner, a skier and proud tree-hugger based in Brooklyn, New York.

Articles by: Amanda Onion

hearing loss, ear,

Why We Find It Harder to Filter Out Background Noise As We Age

By Amanda Onion last updated

Hearing loss may be linked to the brain's inability to shut out background noises.

A tattoo artist at work.

What Happens to Tattoo Ink After It's Injected into Your Skin?

By Amanda Onion published

Once tattoo ink is injected into the skin, it doesn't all stay put, research is finding.

Two brothers in Japan happened upon the fossilized remains of the country's first and oldest fossil of a diving bird. The new species is named <em>Chupkaornis keraorum</em>.

Brothers Unexpectedly Discover Fossil of Japan's Oldest Water Bird

By Amanda Onion published

Sometimes, a little curiosity about fossils can go a long way.

Still photograph of dentures in a glass of water.

Man Left Wheelchair-Bound from Using Denture Cream

By Amanda Onion published

A 62-year-old man in the United Kingdom lost feeling in both his legs in an unusual case that linked his neurological problems to heavy use of a zinc-containing denture fixative.

out-of-body experiences

What Causes Spooky Out-of-Body Experiences? It Could Be Your Ears

By Amanda Onion published

A new study links out of body experiences with problems of the inner ear.

A coffee cup and a marijuana cigarette.

Stoned Plus Buzzed: Mixing Caffeine and Pot Brings New Risks

By Amanda Onion published

What happens when you combine caffeine and marijuana?

A woman streches in front of a large window in the morning sun.

Night Owl or Early Riser? Sleep Patterns Can Vary by 10 Hours

By Amanda Onion published

What's your 'chronotype'? Researchers have found that sleep habits vary widely.

An artist's drawing illustrates a connection between the brain and the gut.

Parkinson's May Begin in Gut Before Affecting the Brain

By Amanda Onion published

Parkinson's disease ravages brain cells, but the condition may actually start out in the gut, and then spread through nerves to the brain, a new study finds.

A few syringes

Heroin Vaccine Could Turn Body's Defenses Against the Drug

By Amanda Onion published

Researchers say they are one step closer to developing a vaccine that could block heroin's addictive high.

A young teen girl is left out of a conversation by her peers.

Overweight Kids More Likely to Be Ostracized

By Amanda Onion published

New research finds that overweight children may be actively ostracized by their peers.

marijuana, marijuana oil, extract, cannabis oil

Marijuana Extract Reduces Seizures in Kids with Rare Disorder

By Amanda Onion published

A clinical trial finally supports what anecdotal evidence had suggested for some time.

A scientist looks through a microscope.

In Science, Good Looks Don't Pay, Study Finds

By Amanda Onion published

People make snap judgements about scientists too.

An older couple exercises together

Combining Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Works Best for Older Adults

By Amanda Onion published

People who are both elderly and obese face a tough conundrum: Weight loss is important for health, but weight loss can also lead to a decline in muscle mass.

A little girl pulls a sunflower close to her face to smell it.

People Smell Great! Human Sniffers Sensitive as Dogs'

By Amanda Onion published

Turns out, humans are better at smelling than we thought.

An image from the Netflix show, "13 Reasons Why."

'13 Reasons Why': Is It Helping or Harming Teens?

By Amanda Onion published

There are potential risks that may come with watching the Netflix show "13 Reasons Why," experts say.

An artist's image of a molecule of DNA

Italian Island's Mutation Fights Malaria, But Raises Risk of Other Diseases

By Amanda Onion published

The people of Sardinia are famous for their longevity, but also have some of the world's highest rates of multiple sclerosis and lupus.

A woman exercises on the beach.

Silver Lining? Climate Change Could Make Americans More Fit

By Amanda Onion published

Even though global warming is predicted to unleash calamities including frequent typhoons and more global conflicts, Americans may at least get more exercise as the planet warms.

A woman lays awake in bed, looking at a clock.

Are You a Night Owl? It May Be a Gene Mutation

By Amanda Onion published

Your night owl tendencies could be hard-wired in your genes.

This image shows the fetus during the surgery.

Fetus Brought Partway Out of Womb for Tumor Surgery

By Amanda Onion published

While the procedure was underway, the team constantly monitored the fetus's heart.

A woman gets her thyroid checked at by a doctor.

Thyroid Cancer Rates Triple, and Scientists Look for Cause

By Amanda Onion published

Thyroid cancer rates have tripled over the last four decades, a new study finds.

EVATAR is a female reproductive tract that fits in the palm of one’s hand.

Women's Entire Menstrual Cycle Replicated in a Lab

By Amanda Onion published

The entire female menstrual cycle has been replicated in a bento-box-like device that can fit into the palm of your hand.