Research Discoveries

Researchers were inspired by an existing process before coming up with an ingenious new method A GROUNDBREAKING cure for baldness has been revealed by boffins – who claim it takes less than three weeks to take effect. Researchers have created a cutting-edge serum that restores hair growth on mice in just 20 days – and it could…

Most dog owners don’t think twice about the carbohydrates in their pet’s food. But a study from Finland found that dogs eating high-carb kibble showed markedly different blood chemistry than those eating a carbohydrate-free raw diet after about five months. The differences appeared in markers linked to blood sugar control, cholesterol, and how dogs burn energy. Researchers…

Study confirms long-held beliefs about one of the most common and devastating symptoms of schizophrenia. Why do some people with schizophrenia hear voices that aren’t there? Scientists may have found a crucial piece of the puzzle by watching what happens in the brain when people talk to themselves silently. In a study of 142 people, researchers discovered…

Ever notice how certain songs from your teenage years or beyond tend to hit you harder emotionally than others? Turns out your gender plays a role in why. Scientists in Finland have discovered something fascinating about the way we form musical memories: men typically connect most deeply with songs around age 16, while women peak around 19.…

When it comes to describing what an antioxidant is, it’s all in the name: Antioxidants counter oxidants. And that’s a good thing. Oxidants can damage the structure and function of the chemicals in your body critical to life – like the proteins and lipids within your cells, and your DNA, which stores genetic information. A special class…

Nearly half of nursing home residents with dementia receive benzodiazepines during hospice care, and a new national study reveals these commonly prescribed sedatives are associated with a 41% increased risk of death within six months. Antipsychotics, given to about one in eight patients, showed a 16% increase in mortality risk. The findings challenge current end-of-life prescribing practices…

They were the colossal animals that roamed the Earth 166 million years ago. Now a window into their prehistoric past is being revealed in an Oxfordshire quarry. Hidden under tonnes of rock, a dinosaur superhighway is emerging – where palaeontologists are walking in the footsteps of these giant beasts. This summer’s excavation at this extraordinary site has…

Researchers have achieved the first demonstration in mice of using gene therapy to reverse hallmark symptoms of SYNGAP1-related disorder, a devastating condition affecting an estimated 1 million people worldwide. The treatment reduced abnormal brain electrical activity and corrected the brain wave patterns that are linked to many of the disorder’s problems, suggesting potential for a single intervention…

Exercise is good for the body and the mind. A good workout can leave you feeling energized, recharged and ready to take on the rest of the day. But for some, the aftereffects of a good workout can be slightly more bizarre. From bloody noses to “coregasms,” here are some of the strangest things that can happen…

Athletes have long obsessed over what to eat, but emerging science points to a different question: when should they eat? A systematic review of 18 studies examining time-restricted eating (TRE) in athletic and active populations reveals early promise that limiting daily food intake to specific windows may trigger beneficial metabolic changes. However, the team of Spanish researchers…

It’s a quiet autumn evening. You’re enjoying some TV, when an unscripted movement catches your eye. A large house spider (Tegenaria domestica) is striding across the rug towards you. You make a sudden movement. The spider freezes. You reach for a paper to shoo it away, look back and it’s gone. What did the spider see? Was…

The price of lobster rolls and whole Maine lobsters could climb even higher as warming oceans create an unexpected problem for America’s most valuable fishery. New research reveals that rising temperatures produce smaller baby lobsters, threatening the sustainability of an industry that generated over $2 billion in 2021. Scientists from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and…

A new study suggests a habitable past and signs of ancient microbial processes on Mars — and Imperial scientists provided crucial context. Led by NASA and featuring key analysis from Imperial College London, the work has uncovered a range of minerals and organic matter in Martian rocks that point to an ancient history of habitable conditions and…

Hot yoga may not live up to its hype for heart health after all. A new systematic review comparing yoga and conventional exercise found that structured exercise programs consistently improved blood vessel function, while yoga showed mixed and inconsistent results. Researchers at the University of Sharjah in the UAE and Manipal Academy of Higher Education in India…

Waiting can be boring, which is why we typically do anything we can to avoid it. We fill moments where we have to wait with something to keep our minds busy – such as scrolling on social media, reading the news or listening to a podcast. But waiting isn’t always bad. Research shows that it can be…

Is a constantly aching back a sign of declining health? A major study of Brazilian adults reveals that nearly two-thirds of people with chronic back pain battle multiple serious health conditions, challenging the idea that chronic back pain exists in isolation. Research published in the Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy examined health data from 87,678 adults who…

For centuries, women have whispered about the mysterious link between their monthly cycles and the moon’s phases. New research shows that the connection was real, and, believe it or not, smartphones may have disrupted it. An analysis of 176 women’s menstrual records spanning nearly a century shows that female reproductive cycles synchronized with lunar phases until around…

If you believe that the end of the world is at hand, then you really need to know what the rapture is. Simply put, the rapture is the belief that, at any moment, Jesus Christ will descend from heaven to the sky and “rapture” all those who truly believe in Him into heaven. Those among the faithful…

New research suggests that mammograms may continue to benefit women in their eighties, a group often excluded from cancer screening guidelines. A UCLA study found that women over 80 who had a mammogram within two years of their breast cancer diagnosis lived longer and were less likely to see their cancer return compared with women of the…

Scientists have spotted a major blind spot in how we watch for dangerous asteroids. New research shows that space rocks orbiting near Venus stay hidden from Earth’s telescopes, and some could pack enough punch to level an entire city. Models suggest a still-undetected population of Venus asteroids exists, with some potentially measuring 300 to 390 meters across.…

Recognising and treating psychological distress with strategies such as cognitive behavioural therapy, antidepressants and stress reduction techniques could help improve mental health. Persistent psychological distress following a heart attack event and lasting up to 12 months could increase the risk of another cardiac event by nearly 1.3 times, according to a study. Recognising and treating psychological distress…

Dog owners curious about vegan diets for their pets can breathe easier: new research from the University of Nottingham shows that plant-based dog foods compare closely to traditional meat diets across most nutrients. Research challenges long-held beliefs that dogs must eat meat to stay healthy. Scientists analyzed 31 complete dry dog foods sold in the United Kingdom:…

That afternoon Coke or morning orange juice may do more than add calories. A new study suggests sugary beverages can directly boost cancer’s ability to spread. Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and partner institutions found that the combination of glucose and fructose, typically found in soda, fruit juice, or sports drinks, activates…

Humans may be experiencing one of the most unusual evolutionary changes in our species’ history, and it may have little to do with DNA. A new study from the University of Maine suggests that culture has become such a powerful force that it may be overtaking biology as the main driver of human evolution. If true, this…

Cancer patients often face a painful trade-off: accept the harsh side effects of chemotherapy or risk letting tumors grow unchecked. The root of the problem is that most cancer drugs can’t tell healthy tissue from cancerous tissue. They spread through the body indiscriminately, attacking both good and bad cells. A new approach from scientists at the University…

Women in India are more likely to get cancer. Men are more likely to die from it. The paradox, revealed in a study of the country’s latest cancer registry, tells a story at once simple and confounding. Women account for just over half of all new cases, but men make up the majority of deaths. India appears…

Astronomers studying mysterious objects called “little red dots” have made a startling discovery about one particularly bizarre specimen. What initially appeared to be a galaxy so jam-packed with stars that they would smash into each other about once a month turned out to be something else entirely: a “black hole star,” where a massive black hole wrapped…

When teenagers stumble out of bed looking exhausted, many parents point fingers at late-night phone scrolling or video games. But a study following over 3,400 children for four years reveals something different: family conflict and parents’ mental health struggles show connections to teen sleep problems that extend beyond screen use alone. Scientists found associations between parents experiencing…

The merger of two black holes is a momentous event, revealing the wildest and most extreme configurations of space, time and gravity known to science. Researchers have now gotten their best look yet at such an event based on the detection of ripples in space-time called gravitational waves in an observation that lends strong support to hypotheses…

Two massive black holes crashed into each other 1.3 billion years ago, and the ripples from that cosmic collision just gave scientists the clearest look ever at how the universe really works. The signal, picked up on January 14, 2025, was so strong and clear that researchers could finally test some of the most ambitious predictions ever…

Cancer patients who regularly consumed sucralose, the artificial sweetener found in Splenda and many diet products, were less likely to benefit from immunotherapy and experienced shorter survival, according to new research. The study reveals a surprising connection between everyday food choices and how well cutting-edge cancer treatments work. Scientists analyzed dietary data from 91 patients with advanced…

Study Shows Quick Fixes For Ice Loss Are Too Costly and Risky Forty-six polar scientists just delivered a sobering verdict on ambitious schemes promising to rescue Earth’s melting ice through massive technological interventions. Their conclusion? These plans are infeasible, prohibitively expensive, and could create serious new environmental risks. Published in Frontiers in Science, this sweeping analysis examined…

Playing specially designed video games might do more than entertain older adults with memory problems. A new study suggests these games could potentially help protect brain regions vulnerable to early Alzheimer’s disease, though the research is still exploratory. Scientists found that people with mild cognitive impairment who played exergames (video games that combine physical movement with thinking…

Pregnancy loss brings grief, no matter how early it happens. Experts share advice for recovery, knowing when you’re ready to try again, and how to prepare both mind and body for getting pregnant again after a miscarriage. You were elated when the pregnancy test showed two pink lines. Now, your dreams of becoming a mother are shattered,…

Invisible bursts of radiation that happen inside thunderstorms may hold the key to one of nature’s most spectacular mysteries: how lightning actually begins. Scientists have found that these high-energy flashes, known as terrestrial gamma ray flashes, don’t just accompany lightning strikes—they may help set the stage for them. For decades, researchers struggled to explain lightning’s first step.…

The hype around protein intake doesn’t seem to be going away. Social media is full of people urging you to eat more protein, including via supplements such as protein shakes. Food companies have also started highlighting protein content on food packages to promote sales. But is all the extra protein giving us any benefit – and can…

Animal protein isn’t linked to a shorter life — and may even offer some protection against cancer. A large new analysis of nearly 16,000 U.S. adults followed for up to 18 years found no evidence that eating animal protein raises the risk of dying from cancer, heart disease, or any other cause. More surprising still: animal protein…

Researchers at New York University have built a wireless capsule the size of a large vitamin that rats can swallow, giving scientists a unique way to shine light into their digestive systems without surgery. The device opens new doors for studying the enteric nervous system, a network of neurons in the gut often nicknamed the “second brain”…

In A Nutshell Most of food chemistry is still unknown: Beyond calories and nutrients, our diet contains 26,000+ compounds — most unstudied “nutritional dark matter.” Hidden compounds may drive health or harm: Molecules like TMAO (from red meat/eggs) raise heart risk, while garlic can block its production; gut microbes turn fruit compounds into health-boosting urolithins. Food affects genes and…

A class of drugs called beta-blockers — used for decades as a first-line treatment after a heart attack— doesn’t benefit the vast majority of patients and may contribute to a higher risk of hospitalization and death in some women but not in men, according to groundbreaking new research. “These findings will reshape all international clinical guidelines on…

How can we live longer? The eternal question, and one that scientists have long been trying to answer. We know that diet, exercise, and genes play a big role in the aging process and how long each of us might be alive for. We also know that certain drugs or medicines have the potential to increase our…

Doctors have long relied on measurements like body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratios to assess health risks. However, researchers are increasingly focusing their attention on an unexpected indicator: neck circumference. A thick neck might project strength, like that of heavyweight boxers or rugby players, but studies suggest it could signal a concerning health issue. BMI, which…

Your brother covers your rent. Mom helps with groceries. Dad lends money for car repairs. These everyday exchanges add up to a hidden economy worth about $52 billion, and many families say it’s hurting their relationships. More than half of respondents have borrowed money from friends or family, according to a new JG Wentworth survey of 1,267…

For years, doctors have repeated a familiar message: if you’re heading into surgery, shedding pounds could improve your odds of a smooth recovery. Hospitals often encourage patients to slim down before elective procedures, citing risks like infection, heart strain, and breathing difficulties in heavier individuals. But a study from UCLA suggests that this advice may not apply…

Four in ten American parents say they don’t believe, or aren’t sure, their children will be able to afford to live in the same neighborhood where they grew up, according to a sobering new poll. In fact, the survey suggests that more than half of all Americans think they’re already paying too much for housing, with the…

With burgers sizzling and classic rock thumping, many Americans revel in summer cookouts, at least until that wayward cousin asks for a “pop” in soda country, or even worse, a “coke” when they actually want a Sprite. Few American linguistic debates have bubbled quite as long and effervescently as the one over whether a generic soft drink…

On average, Americans say $74,000 a year would make them happy, according to new survey from Talker Research. But there’s a disconnect: half of respondents say their current paychecks don’t support the lifestyle they want. The survey of 2,000 adults, commissioned by SurePayroll By Paychex, describes how traditional employment and evolving goals are pushing people to look…

Do you like AI models? Well, chances are, they sure don’t like you back. New research suggests that the industry’s leading large language models, including those that power ChatGPT, display an alarming bias towards other AIs when they’re asked to choose between human and machine-generated content. The authors of the study, which was published in the journal…

Eighty years have passed since Japan’s surrender ended World War II. But the way Japan thinks about its wartime history is changing at pace. This is coinciding with a political shift that risks renewed Japanese militarism, an outcome that would complicate politics across east Asia. Japan’s traditional narrative of the war originated in the post-war occupation, a…

More than half of Earth’s land surface has pushed past what scientists call local ecological boundaries, or limits that help keep our planet’s life-support systems stable. These boundaries are part of a scientific framework known as planetary boundaries, which identifies the safe environmental conditions that have allowed human civilization to flourish for thousands of years. According to…

Writing, reading, math and mindfulness? That last subject is increasingly joining the three classic courses, as more young students in the United States are practicing mindfulness, meaning focusing on paying attention to the present moment without judgment. In the past 20 years in the U.S., mindfulness transitioned from being a new-age curiosity to becoming a more mainstream…

Air conditioning can feel heaven-sent on hot summer days. It keeps temperatures comfortable and controls humidity, making indoor environments tolerable even on the most brutally warm days. But some people avoid using air conditioning (AC) no matter how hot it gets outside, out of fear that it will make them sick. While this may sound far-fetched to…

Your car breaks down on a Tuesday morning, and the repair bill comes to $500. If you’re part of Generation Z, there’s a good chance you have nothing set aside to cover it. A new survey from Credit One Bank reveals that 62% of Gen Z have no emergency savings at all, nearly double the rate of…

Does anyone else think we’ve all become a bit too protein-obsessed? Once upon a time, we got our protein from meat, fish, dairy and pulses. Now it seems like every consumable product comes loaded with it — from energy bars to protein-packed cereals and baked goods. I’m surprised no one’s thought of stirring it into their tea…

A strange species of cockroach that produces milk for its young has helped scientists uncover something unexpected: when pregnant mothers don’t get enough sleep, their pregnancies last significantly longer and their bodies struggle to produce the nutrients their babies need. In a new study, researchers found that sleep-deprived Diploptera punctata cockroaches had gestation periods nearly 25 days…

Common respiratory infections like the flu and COVID-19 might jolt dormant cancer cells back to life in survivors, causing them to multiply and spread in the lungs. This new research offers a potential explanation for why cancer deaths rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting it wasn’t solely due to delayed screenings and treatments. In a lab study…

American seniors are receiving billions of dollars’ worth of medical care that may not help them, and Medicare is footing most of the bill. A new study reveals that Medicare beneficiaries receive $4.4 billion annually in medical services that offer little to no clinical benefit, with $3.6 billion paid by Medicare and $800 million in out-of-pocket costs.…

Every day, adults inhale an estimated 68,000 microplastic particles just from indoor air, which is equivalent to about three to four particles per breath, research shows. Scientists say this daily total is roughly 100 times higher than earlier estimates based on larger particles. French researchers made this startling discovery by using advanced detection methods to spot plastic…

For years, apples and bananas have been staples in health-conscious diets. Known for their fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and overall versatility, these fruits have earned a reputation as go-to healthy options. However, a recent study by researchers at William Paterson University has shifted the spotlight to a lesser-celebrated citrus fruit — lemon. After assessing 41 fruits on…

A new study calls into question the general assumptions about waterfront living, showing that Americans living close to the coast tend to live longer lives, while those near inland waters like lakes and rivers actually have shorter life expectancies. Yes, it’s long been thought that living near waterways brings benefits for everyone. But it turns out that…

Picture this: it’s your first day at a new job. You’re about to introduce yourself to a large group of people you’ll be working with – and promptly fall flat on your face. Not exactly the entrance you had in mind. We’ve all cringed at moments like these — whether they happen to us or to others.…

The locals residing in Liechtenstein possess enough money to let them live a life without doing any work. This allows them to have enough time to pursue a hobby they love. Tucked away like a hidden gem between Switzerland and Austria, lies a country that has no airport, no currency and no language. Yet, “it is one…

Archaeologists found evidence of infant cannibalism from 850,000 years ago at Gran Dolina cave. A human neck bone with cut marks indicated intentional decapitation. Spanish archaeologists found evidence of ‘infant cannibalism’ around 850,000 years ago. Researchers discovered a human neck bone while digging at the Gran Dolina cave site in Atapuerca, northern Spain. The remains show clear…

Working 50+ hours a week while watching rent consume half your paycheck has become the American nightmare in certain cities. A new study reveals which urban areas are pushing residents to their breaking point, and the results expose deep cracks in how we live and work across the country. With 77% of Americans feeling stressed about the…

Although 10,000 steps per day can still be a suitable target for those who are more active, 7,000 steps per day might be a more realistic and achievable target for many Walking around 7,000 steps a day could be enough to significantly reduce the risk of dying early and developing serious health conditions, according to a major…

GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide may cause 25–40% of weight loss to come from lean muscle. CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have become household names, promising dramatic results for millions struggling with obesity. But new research out of the University of Virginia reveals a troubling side effect that could undermine long-term…

Getting a warning on your phone seconds before an earthquake hits isn’t science fiction anymore; it’s reality for millions of people worldwide. Scientists at Google and UC Berkeley have turned ordinary Android smartphones into the world’s largest earthquake detection network, reaching 2.5 billion people across 98 countries. Over three years, this smartphone-based system detected more than 11,000…

New Year’s resolutions have become almost synonymous with failure. By mid-February, most people have already abandoned their ambitious goals to eat healthier, exercise more, or save money. Does it come down to laziness, lack of motivation, or something else? New research reveals the real reason why most resolutions fail. The year-long study published in Psychological Science finds…

Cancer researchers have discovered something remarkable hiding in plain sight: a common bacteria used to make sauerkraut and kimchi can transform stevia leaves into a potentially potent weapon against one of the deadliest cancers. Scientists at Hiroshima University found that when they fermented stevia leaf extract with Lactobacillus plantarum — the same bacteria used in yogurt and…

Two specially trained dogs have proven they can detect Parkinson’s disease simply by smelling skin swabs, achieving accuracy rates that rival expensive medical tests. In a rigorous study, the canines correctly identified the neurological condition in 70% and 80% of patients while maintaining over 90% accuracy in ruling out healthy individuals—a breakthrough that could change how doctors…

With talent in short supply and the nation’s workforce more mobile than ever, companies are seeking to locate in places where workers want to live. That makes quality of life an economic issue. And state economic development organizations are leaning into that as they pitch their states to business. “Connecticut is one state with a whole lot…

Plus, discover all the other lifestyle factors that could determine whether you develop the brain-robbing disease SCIENTISTS have spent decades trying to understand what causes dementia. Is it alcohol? Obesity? Or are some of us simply genetically predisposed? The evidence is mixed – though experts generally agree that there are several factors involved in the abnormal build-up…

Celestial objects that glow with steady, eternal light powered not by nuclear fusion like our sun, but by dark matter — the invisible substance that makes up most of the universe — may already exist near the center of our galaxy. According to research from the University of Hawaii and Durham University in the U.K., these strange…

Your sexual health affects your overall health so it’s important to be educated about it. CNA Women speaks to health experts to find out what’s fact and what’s fiction. Sexual health is still seen as a taboo subject among women in Singapore. Not talking about it means that women are losing out on important education, and possibly,…

A surgical robot has successfully removed pig gallbladders in a lab setting without any hands-on help during the actual surgery steps, completing each operation with a 100% success rate. The new system, developed by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, handled all the critical parts of the procedure by itself, even correcting its own mistakes along the way.…

Scientists at the University of Mississippi have discovered that a slimy sea cucumber might hold the secret to stopping cancer cells from spreading throughout the body. It’s a major breakthrough that could transform how doctors treat some of the most aggressive tumors. Led by Dr. Vitor Pomin, an associate professor from the school’s Department of BioMolecular Sciences,…

Archaeologists have announced the discovery of an ancient city in Peru’s northern Barranca province. The 3,500-year-old city, named Peñico, is believed to have served as a key trading hub connecting early Pacific coast communities with those living in the Andes mountains and Amazon basin. Located some 200km north of Lima, the site lies about 600 metres (1,970…

Microplastics have permeated the region’s food chain, hitting countries like Indonesia and the Philippines the hardest. The programme Insight looks at the health risks and what is being done to boot plastic from our plates. grilled, fried or floating in fragrant soup — is a staple on Indonesian dining tables. Its flesh is tender, its flavour delicately…

You’re offered two choices. Option A requires you to wake up at 6 a.m., commute to work, spend eight hours on your feet, and take home just enough money to cover your basic needs. Option B lets you stay home, receive nearly the same amount of money, and have all day to yourself. Which would you choose?…

To outsiders, parents using “baby talk” may seem like they’ve lost their minds. We spend endless hours having one-sided conversations with tiny humans who can’t even hold up their own heads. But a new international study reveals this seemingly ridiculous behavior might be the secret sauce that separates us from every other species on the planet. The…

Deep in the misty highlands of northwestern Peru, where ancient mountains pierce the clouds and few humans dare to tread, scientists have uncovered three entirely new species of frogs. These amphibians have been quietly living their lives in one of Earth’s most remote corners. The newly discovered amphibians call the Cordillera de Huancabamba home, a rugged mountain…

Your brain makes life-or-death decisions in milliseconds, and scientists just figured out exactly how it chooses between fight, flight, or freeze. New research reveals that two competing neural highways determine whether you’ll face danger head-on or hide under the covers. Understanding this wiring could finally explain why anxiety affects everyone differently. Scientists at the University of Florida…

Researchers have developed what they’re calling “nanofibrous blankets” that float on contaminated water and use ordinary sunlight to break down pollutants. These lightweight, self-supporting mats could revolutionize water treatment by eliminating the need for expensive ultraviolet lamps while solving one of the biggest headaches in water purification: how to remove tiny particles after they’ve done their job.…

Antarctica wasn’t always a frozen landscape. In fact, it may have once featured lush forests, palm trees, and rivers, according to new research published in the journal Nature Communications. “This finding is like opening a time capsule,” Professor Stewart Jamieson, who co-authored the study, told The Economic Times. Groundbreaking study Researchers began the study in 2017, extracting…

When our ancestors first gathered in the world’s earliest cities 10,000 years ago, they weren’t alone. Tiny, blood-sucking hitchhikers were already lurking in their dwellings, and new genetic research reveals these bed bugs beat every other pest to urban living by thousands of years. Scientists analyzing bed bug DNA from the Czech Republic discovered something remarkable: these…

A massive star exploded around 13,000 years ago, and research now suggests that the cosmic blast may have plummeted Earth into a sudden ice age while wiping out woolly mammoths, giant sloths, and other massive creatures across North America. The scientist behind the study suggests such events could continue to influence the future of our planet. Research…

Forget fingerprints and facial recognition – researchers have discovered that the way you breathe through your nose is so unique, it can identify you with stunning accuracy. A breakthrough study shows that humans have individual “nasal respiratory fingerprints” that remain stable over time and can predict everything from your body weight to your mental health. Israeli scientists…

Many Americans have shelled out hundreds of dollars for biological age tests promising to reveal whether their bodies are aging faster or slower than their actual years. These methylation-based “aging clocks” have become the gold standard for evaluating anti-aging treatments, from supplements to lifestyle changes. But a controversial new paper argues these widely trusted tests might be…

Getting a cortisone shot for knee arthritis might provide quick pain relief, but new research reveals a troubling association: those steroid injections may be linked to faster joint damage over time. A surprising study found that patients who received corticosteroid injections showed more signs of arthritis progression compared to those who got no treatment at all, or…

Very few people live beyond a century. So, if no one had babies anymore, there would probably be no humans left on Earth within 100 years. But first, the population would shrink as older folks died and no one was being born. Even if all births were to suddenly cease, this decline would start slowly. Eventually there…

While aging is inevitable, aging well is something we can influence. It’s not just about the number of candles on your birthday cake – it’s whether you’ve got the puff to blow them out, the balance to carry the cake and the memory to remember why you’re celebrating. As we age, our bodies change. Muscle mass shrinks,…

For nearly 80 years, scholars have debated the origins of the Dead Sea Scrolls, relying on expert interpretations of ancient handwriting styles that often don’t agree. Now, a new artificial intelligence system is offering a more objective approach, with results that challenge the long-standing assumptions about when these texts were written. The findings could influence how historians…

Some of the most complex cognitive functions are possible because different sides of your brain control them. Chief among them is speech perception, the ability to interpret language. In people, the speech perception process is typically dominated by the left hemisphere. Your brain breaks apart fleeting streams of acoustic information into parallel channels – linguistic, emotional and…

When patients with severe irritable bowel syndrome walk into Dr. Erin Mauney’s office, they’ve usually tried everything. Years of medications, diets, and treatments have failed them. So when she tells them she’s studying psilocybin — the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms—to treat their gut problems, their reactions range from surprise to desperate hope. Mauney, a pediatric gastroenterologist…

For millions of women, combined hormonal contraceptives are a part of their daily life – providing a convenient and effective option for preventing pregnancy and managing their menstrual cycle. But new findings are sounding the alarm on a serious, and often overlooked, risk: stroke. According to recent findings presented at the European Stroke Organization Conference, combined oral…

For many, the effects of this hormonal shift are more than frustrating – they can be life altering. Symptoms like brain fog, hot flushes, night sweats, headaches, insomnia, fatigue, joint pain, low libido, anxiety, depression and even bone loss from osteoporosis are all common. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has helped many women manage these symptoms – but…

More and more people over the age of 50 are taking up physical exercise. Medical associations resoundingly agree that this is a good thing. Physical exercise is not only key to disease prevention, it is also a recommended part of treatment for many illnesses. However, starting to move at this stage of life requires some care. This…

That cup of coffee you had during dinner with friends didn’t just keep you tossing and turning — it fundamentally altered how your brain operated during whatever sleep you managed to get. New research reveals that caffeine doesn’t simply block sleep; it transforms the sleeping brain into a more complex, hyperactive state that resembles being closer to…

My telescope, set up for astrophotography in my light-polluted San Diego backyard, was pointed at a galaxy unfathomably far from Earth. My wife, Cristina, walked up just as the first space photo streamed to my tablet. It sparkled on the screen in front of us. “That’s the Pinwheel galaxy,” I said. The name is derived from its…