Health & Physiology
Deep brain-mediated effects of stress on sleep and immunity
The brain is formed with a constellation of various types of neurons interacting with internal milieu and external surroundings in a dynamic manner. Sleep occupies one-third of one’s lifetime and a good night’s sleep is vital for survival. Living in a fast-paced modern society, people... click to read more
Disparities in food spending away from home: where will COVID hit hospitality hardest?
Like much of the world, the UK hospitality industry has been one of the hardest hit sectors of the economy. Lockdowns and restrictions have forced restaurants, cafes and other dine-in venues to close. Even if allowed to trade, travel restrictions and home working have limited... click to read more
Hydroxychloroquine against COVID-19? Let’s listen to monkeys!
There is no need to introduce the COVID-19 pandemic and its toll on humanity, as everyone has been affected by the coronavirus in some way. Let us go back to 2020 when it started spreading quickly, when hospitals were filling with patients that required respiratory... click to read more
Diversity matters – Syphilis and related diseases in historical Europe
First historical cases of sexually transmitted syphilis were documented by Italian doctors in the wake of Neapolitan war. The disease was characterized by painful pustules, frightful facial deformities, eventual madness and even death. The bacteria responsible for this scourge, Treponema pallidum (also known as T.... click to read more
How can botulinum toxin help with depression?
Botulinum toxin, or Botox, has shown significant effectiveness in treating a wide variety of conditions such as muscle spasms, excessive drooling, excessive sweating, and migraines. It works by weakening the nerve-muscle connection, thus relaxing the tightened muscle. However, Botox has achieved most of its popularity in... click to read more
Eating can be a real pain in the gut
Although we need to eat to stay alive, sometimes certain foods can cause big problems and make our guts complain. In an age of misinformation, a bunch of new diets have bombarded us all with advice about what we should or shouldn't eat. From gluten... click to read more
Mild or severe COVID-19? An antibody story
At this point, we're no strangers to COVID-19, the disease caused by the viral agent SARS-CoV-2. Why some people got very sick with COVID-19, even die, while others had an only mild illness, barely even noticing they are sick, was an enigma even as the... click to read more
Age matters: how aging affects cancer
Aging is the main risk factor for cancer, with more than 60% of cancer diagnoses occurring in those aged 65 and above. Yet, the vast majority of cancer research that guides the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and clinical trials neglects to account for the... click to read more
SARS-CoV-2 induces a sub-optimal immune response that is permissive for viral evolution
COVID-19 has drawn our attention to the immense power of the immune system. Both when it protects us and when a virus insidiously subverts immunity and turns friend into foe. Many highly precise and orchestrated events shape the way we are protected from pathogens. Our... click to read more
Gut microbes govern cancer
Our body is made of trillions of cells. Each of these tiny building blocks has its defined role, and together they create organs. While different cells in our body may look different in size and shape, they all share one common thing – DNA. DNA... click to read more
An artificial intelligence platform accurately diagnoses dystonia
Imagine waking up one day and noticing your voice has frequent breaks. Alarmed, you go to see your primary care physician and start a long journey of medical exams, visits with different specialists, and different assessments of your symptoms. Finally, you are diagnosed with laryngeal... click to read more
Transforming the spleen into a functioning liver
Many patients worldwide die while waiting for organ transplants. To propose a solution, over the past few decades, scientists have promised to create functional tissues in a laboratory. The aim of such 'tissue engineering' is to use living cells – building blocks of organs –... click to read more
From days to hours: detecting SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) requires no introduction. Since late December 2019, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has infected close to 40 million and claimed over a million lives. Like in any other infection, the body mounts an immune response against SARS-CoV-2. One type of... click to read more
How low protein diets promote healthy aging
Age-related, life-threatening diseases – including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes – are a growing problem worldwide as we increasingly live longer. As a result, there is great interest in finding ways to promote healthy aging by delaying or preventing these diseases. Restricting calorie intake has long... click to read more
Tiny barcodes for a global food chain
Do you know where your food comes from? How would you find out? Every year, an estimated 48 million Americans get sick from foodborne illnesses. Traditionally, when an outbreak occurs, such as the multi-state E. coli outbreak in romaine lettuce in 2018, the source of... click to read more
Editor's picks
Trending now
Popular topics