Credit: DepositphotosAt its height, the Roman Empire's influence spanned across land, sea, and even the skies. During the peak of Roman imperialism, air pollution became so widespread that researchers now believe it may have caused significant neurological damage across much of Europe, including what is now Great Britain.Ice-core data from the Arctic reveals that...
Credit: PixabayHumans are naturally social creatures, thriving on connection, communication, and shared experiences that shape our identities and create a sense of belonging. However, in today’s fast-paced, digital world, feelings of loneliness and social isolation have become disturbingly widespread.The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the widespread nature of loneliness, with approximately 25 percent...
In 1972, when a pregnant woman’s blood was tested, doctors found it was unusually lacking a surface molecule present on all other known red blood cells at that time.
Credit: DepositphotosIncreasing your intake of fruits and vegetables may lower your long-term risk of depression, according to a comprehensive twin study involving participants from the US, Australia, Denmark, and Sweden.Twin studies are valuable for researchers because of the genetic similarity between twins. This makes it easier to attribute health differences, such as depression symptoms,...
Credit: PixabayA new study reveals that the right therapy can significantly enhance the heart's self-repair abilities after heart failure, potentially granting it regenerative powers that surpass those of a healthy heart.According to an international team of researchers, this discovery could pave the way for treatments that enhance recovery in damaged hearts, though the exact...
Credit: PixabayHere’s a powerful perspective to motivate yourself or others to quit smoking: each cigarette smoked reduces life expectancy by an estimated 20 minutes, according to researchers. Quitting for just a week could extend your life by an entire day.This updated metric, calculated by researchers from University College London (UCL), builds on a 2000...
Credit: DepositphotosIt’s well known that excessive sitting is harmful, but a new study highlights a critical detail: spending over 10.5 hours a day sitting or lying down may increase the risk of severe heart problems, even with regular exercise.This study adds nuance to our understanding of the balance between the risks of a sedentary...
Credit: DepositphotosFrequent ScienceAlert readers are likely aware of how widespread microplastics are—found in human tissue, ancient rocks, and bottled water—but they may be surprised by the sheer number of these tiny particles hiding in a single tea bag.However, researchers from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) in Spain have discovered that a single tea...
Credit: PixabayA study from Lund University, Sweden, reinforces the link between added sugar and heart disease but reveals a surprising finding: occasional sweet treats may reduce cardiovascular risk compared to a strict "zero-sugar" diet. However, this benefit does not apply to other sugar sources like sweetened drinks or sugary toppings."This surprising contrast highlights the...
Credit: DepositphotosStaying hydrated is widely recognized as essential for health, but a new study delves into the specific benefits of drinking plenty of water—revealing more advantages than you might expect.Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) analyzed 18 prior studies, with a median of 48 participants per study. Most of these studies...
