A lollipop can sweeten a trip to the doctor, no matter your age, and the colorful candies may soon be sweetening a diagnostic process as well. Currently, testing for cancer often involves a biopsy: collecting cells or a small piece of tissue via needle or scalpel and checking for abnormalities — a procedure that can […]
With the onset of cooler fall temperatures across much of the United States, it’s unfortunately time to prepare for cold and flu season. While seasonal influenza viruses circulate year-round, rates of the respiratory illness tend to pick up in October, peak in the winter, and ebb in the spring. Many different influenza viruses can cause […]
“It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.” A catchy Taylor Swift line or a harrowing realization that can keep you up at night? Both — how fun! In all seriousness, though, being self-aware is a good thing. Taking a long hard look in the mirror may not always be comfortable, but doing so comes […]
From tummy gummies and digestive drops to de-bloating tips and tricks, your intestines have become the latest wellness frontier in recent years. Due to increased awareness via social media, a ballooning market of pre- and probiotics, and, unfortunately, more cases of gastrointestinal diseases, digestive health is having a moment. The gastrointestinal system, long considered boring, […]
Typically when you get COVID-19, your immune system produces antibodies that block the virus’ spike proteins from infecting your cells further. But what if you could prevent those proteins from attaching in the first place? What if you could just reach a tiny little hand inside your body and *pluck* the harmful virus out before […]
Twins present a unique opportunity for scientific study. Their shared genetics and family backgrounds allow researchers to evaluate the differences in their lives more objectively than is possible with people who have fewer factors in common. A new analysis of nearly 11,000 twins made use of this advantage to determine how a person’s environment affects […]
There may soon be one less thing to worry about: Unpaid medical bills will no longer be included on credit records or impact loan decisions. The rule — finalized by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau earlier this week — aims to reduce the burden of medical debt and ensure that patients with outstanding bills aren’t […]
If you’re like us, you probably gave Hula-Hooping a whirl as a kid. And if you’re like us, you probably also abandoned the activity as you grew up — because, at the risk of being overly punny, it can feel as though you have to jump through hoops just to sustain the spin for more […]
Sixty-three percent of children reported a fear of needles in a 2012 survey — and can we blame them? No one likes getting poked with sharp, pointy objects that draw blood. But while many of us only have to conquer that fear once or twice a year, pediatric IV and enteral feeding patients must encounter […]
Accessibility products are essential for improving disabled individuals’ daily lives. Unfortunately, they’re often not very easy on the eyes, with aesthetics frequently sacrificed in favor of function. That can result in homes looking less like cherished living spaces and more like clinical settings — something Kaly Ryan and Patrick Glinski are on a mission to […]
This article was written by Alexandre Almeida, a principal investigator at the University of Cambridge, for The Conversation — a nonprofit news organization dedicated to sharing the knowledge of researchers and scientists, under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here. Our body isn’t just human — it’s home to trillions of microorganisms found […]
We all know the feeling when it hits: tight jaw, elevated heart rate, tense muscles. While anger is both a normal human emotion and physiological reaction, understanding how to regulate it is essential. A 2024 study out of Japan identified a powerful yet simple solution. Researchers found that writing down a reaction to a negative […]