Credit: Pixabay The environment in which a person lives, including their home, family, and community, influences their health. Researchers examining these social determinants of health are exploring whether genetics or upbringing has a greater impact on an individual's ability to combat disease. I am a developmental physiologist researching how alcohol consumption impacts fetal development and long-term health. While...
Even though people knew they were taking placebo pills, they still had a significant effect on mental health. Credit: Pixabay A new study indicates that taking placebo pills, even when people know they have no active ingredients, can still greatly decrease stress, anxiety, and depression. These "non-deceptive placebos" could be an effective method for enhancing...
Credit: Pixabay Researchers at USC have created a new technique for accurately predicting the spread of wildfires. By integrating satellite imagery with artificial intelligence, their model represents a significant advancement in wildfire management and emergency response. Described in a preliminary study published in Artificial Intelligence for the Earth Systems, the USC model uses satellite data...
Early introduction of peanuts in infants leads to a 71% reduction in adolescent peanut allergy risk, a groundbreaking study reveals. Credit: Pixabay A long-term study from King’s College London highlights that introducing peanuts into infants' diets as early as four months significantly decreases the chances of developing a peanut allergy in adolescence. The research...
Credit: Pixabay A recent study reveals that artificial intelligence (AI) software analyzing MRI scans can detect differences in the cellular organization of the brains of men and women. Researchers observed these distinctions in the white matter, which primarily resides in the innermost layer of the human brain and facilitates communication between different brain regions. Men and...
A particle in cow's milk enables RNA therapy to be given orallyDALL-E A recent study reveals that cow's milk contains nanoparticles capable of delivering RNA therapy orally, offering a promising avenue for more accessible treatments. This discovery is particularly significant as current RNA-based drugs necessitate injection, limiting their accessibility and affordability. Converting injectable medications into oral...
Credit: Depositphotos Millions worldwide receive prescriptions for the medication finasteride, commonly known as Propecia or Proscar, to address male pattern baldness and enlarged prostate. However, a recent study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign suggests that it may offer an unexpected and potentially life-saving advantage: reducing cholesterol levels and decreasing the overall risk of cardiovascular...
Credit: Depositphotos Harvard Medical School researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery, revealing that the skin bacterium Staphylococcus aureus can directly induce itching by interacting with nerve cells. The study, published in the journal Cell and based on experiments with mice and human cells, provides crucial insights into the longstanding puzzle of itchiness. The research explains...
Radiant Snares of the Predatory Fungus Arthrobotrys Oligospora. Credit: Hung-Che Lin CC-BY 4.0 Think fungi can't be carnivorous? Think again. Arthrobotrys oligospora, a worm-eating species of fungus discovered in 1850, has proven capable of sensing, trapping, and consuming small animals, shedding light on the molecular changes facilitating predatory behavior. Worms on the Menu While A. oligospora isn't the...
A study has found that drinking non-alcoholic beverages leads to a reduction in alcohol consumption in excessive drinkers. Credit: iStock In a groundbreaking discovery, a recent study has shown that the consumption of non-alcoholic beverages with the taste of beer or cocktails can substantially decrease alcohol consumption for the first time. Substituting alcoholic drinks with...
