Search results

A study in Nature reveals that our understanding of the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory forces extends beyond immune cells to a surprising player: the vagus nerve. This wandering nerve, connecting our body and brain, influences our immune response in ways previously unknown.

Last week, a lawsuit was filed against the Pacqui Chip Manufacturer alleging the wrongful death of a child from consuming their noxiously “hot” chili pepper chip. (The product was voluntarily withdrawn after the child’s death). A seriously high verdict may discourage future production of similar products. But what about in the meantime?

Introducing exercise snacking: tiny bursts of vigorous exercise that can fit into even the busiest schedules. While it may sound like a lazy person’s dream, recent studies suggest these mini-workouts can significantly boost your health, making them the ultimate life hack for the chronically time-crunched.

AI, a faith-based tech, we see.
Guiding readers, to books brand new.
America's hot dog, a culinary sensation.
China's need for potatoes.

A new study on veterans highlights how the incidence of Long COVID has shifted through time and different variants, bringing a mix of hope and sighs. And yes, vaccination has played a crucial role in this evolving drama, reducing the burden of Long COVID.

The Summer Olympic Games are now being held in Paris. Perhaps the least appealing event is the open-water swimming event in the Seine River, which is not exactly the most pristine body of water on earth. This parody is dedicated to any who survive. With apologies to Gene Kelly.

Greenpeace may be committed to "saving the whales," but it's happy to let poor children go blind and die.

Public trust in the U.S. Supreme Court has plummeted in recent years. Restoring it will require the Court to demonstrate a greater willingness to engage with, and defer to, scientific expertise, as well as prioritizing the well-being of patients in healthcare and public health rulings.

There are over 38 million people with diabetes in the U.S. They owe their treatment to the pioneering work of Gerty Cori, and her husband. Although strongly admonished that she was impeding her husband’s career, Cori's joint involvement was critical to their co-discovery: the Cori cycle of sugar metabolism, for which they won the Nobel Prize in Medicine. And in the laboratory they shared for 30 years, the duo mentored scores of important scientists, producing six Nobel Prize winners.

Aging is far more complex than just an advancing clock. It's a tangled web of molecular changes that don’t play by linear rules. Recent studies reveal that the risk of diseases – like cardiovascular issues, diabetes, and cognitive decline – don’t just creep up steadily with age but instead can spike after certain chronologic milestones (e.g. reaching 60). These findings, powered by cutting-edge "omics" technologies, expose the inadequacies of traditional aging models that treat the process as a straightforward slouch towards old age. Instead, they suggest a dynamic and multifaceted aging process where each organ, system, and individual follows a unique trajectory.

While COVID-19 vaccines might have been oversold as the ultimate infection preventers, they did a solid job reducing severe illness. Now, researchers have discovered that a nasal vaccine might just be the secret weapon against transmission — at least if you're a hamster.

Chernobyl's ghost
Plants have their tale to tell,
The label tells a story where science and compromise unfold.
Restaurants built for fleeting trust

My latest conversation with Lars Larson.

As a consumer, you often look to various reviews and Best-Of lists to help you choose between competing products. Education is no different. Fortune Recommends is in the business of reviews and Best-Of lists, so it's essential to understand more about those lists that are marketed as tools to help you, the consumer, make financial choices. Its recently released Best-Of list for health coaching programs exemplifies why you should be wary.

When it comes to inhalers for respiratory diseases, we’re not just talking about puffing your way to easier breathing; apparently, we’re also blowing up the planet with greenhouse gases. The device keeping your lungs happy is perturbing Mother Earth. A new study suggests your prescription might come with climate guilt.

Murder is the unlawful, premeditated killing of one human being by another. It's also considered immoral. Sometimes, however, killing another human can be legal and moral, say during acts of self-defense. But the legal regulation of human killing isn’t uniform, raising the question: if the legal definition of murder can vary, can moral culpability differ as well?

Health is a complex equation with multiple variables: genetics, socioeconomic status, birthplace, luck, and more. The presence or absence of disease is not the only consideration for leading a healthy life. This has shifted how people seek medical care and guidance.

Social media is about 27 years old. Since its creation, it has developed almost demonic abilities to addict the young, luring them into harm by cyberbullying, enticing them to self-immolate via tantalizing and dangerous dares, provocative challenges, or other forms of psychological manipulation. If any of us had acted this way, we would be aptly labeled psychopathic – and likely prosecuted. Until recently, however, legal challenges against the Satans of Cyberspace have mainly been stymied. Last week, the Third Circuit inflicted another chink in their armor, Section 230 of the Communication Law.

The New York Times recently highlighted how wildfire smoke impacts health, but its coverage missed the mark by not addressing the nuanced science behind particulate matter. As researchers dive into the messy reality of wildfire smoke and its effects, it's clear that relying solely on PM2.5 data doesn't capture the complete picture of health risks.

From Disney vacations that break the bank, Amazon's eerie ability to recommend prescription drugs based on your grocery cart, the root of placebo trials or discovering how much stronger weed is these days, there's something fascinating, and a little unsettling this week.

Scientists often think they're smarter than they are because of their narrow academic expertise, according to a new study. Recent history is littered with corroborating examples in which experts made false declarations about COVID-19 and refused to acknowledge their errors. What drives this hubris, and how should the public respond to it?

It's fall and the trees are beginning their annual display of spectacular colors. Ever wonder where these colors come from? If so, keep reading. Plus, at no extra cost, "A Dreaded Chemistry Lesson From Hell!"

Have you ever wondered why some elements are rarer than others (like gold versus lead)? Maria Goeppert Mayer loved solving puzzles as a child, and she solved that one, too. She also discovered “magic numbers.” These discoveries won her the Nobel Prize in physics in 1963, becoming the first American woman to do so.

While the internet may shout about keto, vegan, and intermittent fasting as the holy grails of weight loss, the real magic lies in finding what actually works for you. And the answer isn’t as simple as Dr. Google would have you believe.

The complications related to poor blood sugar control and diabetes are significant, so identifying its presence and prompt treatment with lifestyle changes – and, if necessary, medications – is key. However, with the changes in metabolism as we age, are the current standardized pre-diabetes labels always accurate for this population?