Research confirms that social isolation and loneliness significantly impact health and mortality, even if not listed on death certificates. BYU psychology and neuroscience professor, Julianne Holt-Lunstad, has published extensively on the topic, including a landmark 2010 meta-analysis and a 2023…
Category: 5. Health
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Tiny genetic switch found to control brain balance and behavior
Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) have identified a remarkably small but critical piece of genetic code that helps determine how brain cells connect, communicate, and function. The discovery not only deepens our understanding of how the brain’s wiring is built but may also…
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How stress disrupts emotion control in people with mental health conditions
New Edith Cowan University (ECU) research suggests that acute stress may impair key brain functions involved in managing emotions — particularly in people living with ‘distress disorders’ such as depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder.
The study by ECU Masters student Tee-Jay…
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Scientists say microplastics are ‘silently spreading from soil to salad to humans’
A review from Murdoch University has stressed that agricultural soils now hold around 23 times more microplastics than oceans.
Amongst the revelations in the comprehensive evaluation is that plastics in soil may be exposed to up to 10,000 chemical additives, most of which are unregulated in…
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Study discovers DNA switch that controls TB growth, and could help unlock its antibiotic resistance secrets
The bacteria that cause tuberculosis (TB) may have an “on-off switch” that lets them pause and restart growth, according to a new study from the University of Surrey and the University of Oxford. The research helps explain why TB is so hard to treat with antibiotics and could pave the way for…
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How cholera bacteria outsmart viruses
When we think of cholera, most of us picture contaminated water and tragic outbreaks in vulnerable regions. But behind the scenes, cholera bacteria are locked in a fierce, microscopic war — one that could shape the course of pandemics.
Cholera bacteria aren’t just battling antibiotics and…
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A potential ‘anti-spice’ that could dial down the heat of fiery food
If you’ve ever regretted ordering a spicy meal, take note: A new study identifying molecules that suppress the heat of chili peppers hints at the possibility of adapting these compounds into an “anti-spice” condiment for food that’s too fiery to eat.
The research helps explain differences in…
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Looking to cut calories? Try adding chilies, study suggests
Throwing a little heat on your meal might be an effective strategy for cutting back on calories, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State.
Scientists at the University’s Sensory Evaluation Center examined how increasing “oral burn” — the spicy taste from ingredients like chili…
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When doctors skip the numbers, patients may misjudge the health risks
When a physician says a procedure is “rarely risky,” what does that really mean? Although terms like “common” and “unlikely” may sound descriptive enough, experts in medical decision-making suggest that leaving out numbers may be misleading for patients.
In a paper published on April 29 in the…
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Potential new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, other neurodegenerative conditions
Worldwide, more than 55 million people suffer from dementia caused by Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and other conditions that destroy cells in the brain and nervous system.
While there is no treatment to control or manage these neurodegenerative conditions, investigators at Case Western Reserve…
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