Healthcare

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...

Experts Warn Viral Social Media Heart Attack Hack May Endanger Lives

Credit: DepositphotosA recent social media trend has resurfaced a technique from the late 1970s known as "cough CPR." The viral claim suggests that coughing rhythmically can help individuals survive a heart attack when alone by keeping their heart beating. While the idea is dramatic and attention-grabbing, it has raised significant concerns among medical professionals.Origins...

Occasional Indulgence May Be Better for Your Heart Than Avoiding Sugar Completely

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...

Study Reveals Health Benefits of Drinking More Water

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...

Breakthrough Cancer Drug Achieves Landmark FDA Approval

Credit: PixabayPromising cancer drug dostarlimab is advancing toward broader availability after receiving Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA. This designation aims to expedite its development and market approval, potentially cutting years off its timeline if further testing is successful.Dostarlimab (Jemperli), a PD-1-blocking antibody, showed groundbreaking results in clinical trials, eliminating rectal cancer tumors without...

The First Baby Conceived Using Groundbreaking Fertility Technology is Born

Credit: PixabayA revolutionary fertility technique that uses stem cells to aid embryo maturation outside the human body has led to the birth of the world’s first baby conceived through this method. Gameto, the company behind this breakthrough, highlights that the process is quicker, safer, and more accessible compared to traditional in vitro fertilization (IVF).Since...