Image Credits: PixabayWe've long understood that insufficient sleep negatively affects heart health, but scientists are now beginning to uncover the specific mechanisms behind this damage.Three Nights of Poor Sleep Affect Heart-Related Blood MarkersIn a recent study, Uppsala University researchers in Sweden found that limiting sleep to about four hours per night for just three...
Credit: PixabayA recent study revealed that consuming a high-fat diet for just a few days can weaken the gut’s defenses and trigger silent inflammation, which may lead to chronic issues. Notably, these effects were found to be reversible.The Hidden Link Between Fast Food and InflammationFast food—it's convenient, cheap, and undeniably tasty, even though we...
Credit: (Boy_Anupong/Moment/Getty Images)People commonly link gout to excessive drinking or poor diet, but new research shows that genetics may play a larger role in developing this arthritic condition than previously believed.Insights from a Global Study on GoutIn a recent study, an international team of researchers analyzed genetic information from 2.6 million individuals across 13...
Credit: PixabayOn Friday, the United States approved the first blood test for Alzheimer's, a decision that could enable patients to start treatment sooner with newly approved medications that slow the progression of this debilitating neurological disease.New Blood Test for Alzheimer'sThe test, created by Fujirebio Diagnostics, analyzes the ratio of two proteins in the blood....
DepositphotosMany people read while on the toilet, but smartphones may keep us sitting there longer than is healthy. A recent survey found that toilet phone users have a 46% higher risk of developing hemorrhoids, swollen veins in the rectum often caused by prolonged pressure.The study showed that age, sex, BMI, exercise habits, and fiber...
By building a sensor into a tool thousands of people use each day, the researchers hope to help people combat the stress in their livesDepositphotosWhile it’s easy to recognize when we’re under intense stress, identifying low-level, chronic stress that lingers in the background is much more challenging. To help with this, researchers at Tufts...
Credit: DepositphotosAfter discovering the blood vessels responsible for finger wrinkles in water, young readers of The Conversation's Curious Kids series had more questions for scientists:"Do the wrinkles always form the same way?" one reader asked.Curiosity Sparks a Scientific Investigation"I thought, 'I haven't the foggiest clue!'" recalls Guy German, a biomedical engineer from Binghamton University...
A molecule that blocks cell death could mean treatments for Parkinson's and other degenerative diseasesDepositphotosA new study has uncovered a method to prevent cell death, potentially paving the way for treatments that could slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s.Apoptosis, the body’s ancient “cell suicide” mechanism, is controlled by interactions within the...
Credit: DepositphotosWhoop has partially retreated from its contentious upgrade policy for the Whoop 5.0 fitness tracker. Initially, when the company unveiled the Whoop 5.0 this week, it told members they could receive the new device by either extending their subscriptions by 12 months or paying a one-time upgrade fee of $49—or $79 for the...
Credit: PixabayYour brain not only has to store a huge collection of past memories, but it also needs to handle new information daily—meaning it must prepare for forming new memories even as it processes existing ones.Sleep is widely recognized as essential for memory and learning, but many of the exact processes behind it remain...
