Healthcare

Genetic Modification Uses Mosquito Semen as a Tool for Population Control

Mosquitoes spread dangerous diseases like dengue and malaria to hundreds of millions of people each yearInstitute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Credit: PixabyMosquitoes in Australia attempting to mate are in for a rough time, as genetic modifications are making their semen toxic. This is part of a new mosquito population control strategy being tested by...

The US Surgeon General Warns That No Amount of Alcohol Is Safe to Consume

Credit: PixabayThe US Surgeon General has issued an advisory stating that no level of alcohol consumption is considered safe.A report based on a comprehensive review of scientific studies links alcohol to an increased risk of various cancers, with breast cancer in women being most affected, followed by cancers of the digestive system.The review reveals...

Air Pollution from the Roman Empire May Have Reduced Europe’s IQ

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...

Proteins Linked to Loneliness in Your Blood May Threaten Your Health

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...

Fruits and Vegetables May Have an Unexpected Impact on Depression Risk

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,...

Study Reveals Potential Self-Healing Abilities in Damaged Hearts

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...

Study Reveals Each Cigarette Shortens Life Expectancy by 20 Minutes

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...

Excessive Sitting Poses Risks to Health Despite Regular Exercise, Study Finds

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...

A Tea Bag May Release Billions of Microplastics

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...