Although national and international policymakers have long concluded that indoor tanning is a top risk factor for cancer and various skin problems, some studies still argue that there are benefits to this practice. But are those studies misleading? According to data from 2015 — the latest available — about 3.5% of adults…

The sound of your morning alarm really does matter when it comes to how awake it makes you feel, according to a new study. However, the researchers were surprised as to which type of alarms appeared to serve us best. Do you prefer to set your morning alarm on your…

Metabolic syndrome refers to a set of disease risk factors that appear to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. It is also known as insulin resistance syndrome.  The syndrome is not a specific condition, but it groups together a set of risk factors that have been linked to…

A new study in mice concludes that light-sensitive proteins on fat cells can detect sunlight. It also finds that too little natural light can alter how fat cells behave and may increase the risk of metabolic syndrome. Throughout the evolution of life on Earth, much has changed. One notable constant,…

As the number of cases of novel coronavirus rises, the World Health Organization (WHO) take stock of the situation and declare an emergency. Cases of novel coronavirus, known as 2019-nCoV, first appeared in the city of Wuhan, in China’s Hubei province. Since the initial reports in December 2019, it has…

Coronaviruses are types of viruses that typically affect the respiratory tract of mammals, including humans. They are associated with the common cold, pneumonia, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and can also affect the gut. A coronavirus was first isolated in 1937 from an infectious bronchitis virus in birds that has the…

Many people want to know the answer to this question: How much should I weigh? However, there is not one ideal healthy weight for each person, because a number of different factors play a role. These include age, muscle-fat ratio, height, sex, and body fat distribution, or body shape. Having…

A new study adds to the evidence that maintaining a regular eating schedule is key for preventing obesity.  For many, the end of the workweek brings a welcome respite from the rigid scheduling of workdays.  It offers a taste of freedom: a few days of a more fluid schedule or…

Protein is an essential part of the diet. It helps to build, repair, and maintain the body’s structures. Foods derived from plants and animals can both provide protein, but there are some differences. Protein exists throughout the body, in everything from the muscles and organs to the bones, skin, and…

Many people might choose to follow a diet high in protein content to lose weight and build muscle mass. But a new study in mice suggests that such a diet could put cardiovascular health at risk. “There are clear weight loss benefits to high protein diets, which has boosted their…

The skin naturally renews itself every 30 days or so. This process happens when the outer layer of the skin, or epidermis, sheds dead cells and replaces them with new ones. Dead skin cells shed through normal daily activities, such as pulling clothes on and off. A person is unaware…

Just 20 minutes of exercise is as good as a coffee for our working memory, according to a new, first-of-its-kind study. In a new study, which appears in Nature Scientific Reports, researchers compared the effects of caffeine and exercise on working memory and concluded that acute exercise can be as good…

New research in mice finds that histamine protects the heart and kidneys in cardiorenal syndrome. Heart failure, or congestive heart failure, affects about 5.7 million people in the United States. The condition does not yet have a cure.  Chronic kidney disease also impacts a large percentage of the U.S. population, with 14% being affected, and…

People with cold intolerance frequently feel cold when other people are comfortable or even warm. Cold intolerance may only occur in certain parts of the body, such as the hands or feet. Some people naturally tend to feel colder than others, without any discernible cause. However, cold intolerance can also…

A pacemaker is a device that helps keep the heart beating regularly. It can represent a life-changing treatment for heart conditions such as arrhythmias, which involve the heart beating irregularly. Inserting a pacemaker into the chest requires minor surgery. The procedure is generally safe, but there are some risks, such…

Diabetic neuropathy is a complication of diabetes that results in damage to the nervous system. It is a progressive disease, and symptoms get worse over time. Neuropathy happens when high levels of fats or sugar in the blood damage the nerves in the body. It can affect virtually any nerve in…

Recent innovations in microscopy and other fields could help researchers better understand a type of receptor in the body — potentially leading to more effective treatments for type 2 diabetes. Recent research spearheaded by investigators from the University of Birmingham, in the United Kingdom, has used innovative technology to uncover…

Millions of people in the United States and around the world experience some degree of smell loss or dysfunction of their sense of smell. This can have a severe impact on individuals’ well-being, as a new study demonstrates. According to data from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication…

Executive function is a broad group of mental skills that enable people to complete tasks and interact with others. An executive function disorder can impair a person’s ability to organize themselves and control their behavior. However, executive function disorder is not a specific, standalone diagnosis or condition. Instead, neurological, mental health,…

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder occurs when a person experiences difficulties with maintaining attention or controlling physical energy and movement. In the United States, approximately 8.4 percent of children have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Around 2.5 percent of adults have ADHD. In some children, ADHD symptoms begin as early as 3 years of age, according to the…

Scientists already know that stomach fat — known as abdominal obesity — increases the risk of having a first heart attack. But new research finds that having excessive fat in this specific area also increases risk of subsequent heart attacks. “The reason abdominal obesity is very common in people with…

Almonds contain vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber, and so they may offer a number of health benefits. Just a handful of almonds — approximately 1 ounce — contains one-eighth of a person’s daily protein needs. People can eat almonds raw or toasted as a snack or add them to sweet…

A new trial suggests that people who eat walnuts every day may have better gut health and a lower risk of heart disease. Nuts can be a great source of nutrients and a very healthful “pick-me-up” snack. Walnuts, in particular, are high in protein, fat, and they are also a…

The purified protein derivative test confirms whether someone has had exposure to tuberculosis, a serious infectious disease. A positive test result indicates that the person may have a tuberculosis infection, but it does not necessarily mean that they have active tuberculosis. Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infection that can…

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that can pass through the air between people. When it affects the lungs, the medical name for this is pulmonary tuberculosis. It can cause chest pain, severe coughing, and a range of other symptoms. Tuberculosis (TB) bacteria mainly grow in the lungs, but they can infect…

Experiments in rhesus macaques show that changing the mode of administration of an existing vaccine yields “amazing” results in the fight against tuberculosis (TB).  Globally, TB is one of the top 10 causes of death and the leading cause of death from infection, ranking higher than HIV and AIDS. Approximately 10 million people across the world contracted…

A group of researchers has brought the idea of food as a medicine one step closer. They have identified certain common foodstuffs that alter our microbiome. In science today, food and gut bacteria are two topics that are guaranteed to fuel interest and debate. Both, of course, are interrelated, and…

Gut bacteria produce an appetite suppressant than can strengthen the effect of an exercise-based weight loss program. The many health benefits of regular exercise are well known. However, its impact on weight loss is less clear, as exercise increases appetite, potentially resulting in an increased calorie intake. A new study appearing in the…

Be it financial worries, work pressures, or relationship problems, we all get stressed from time to time. To what extent does stress harm us, though? According to a new study, stress may be just as detrimental to our health as junk food — for women, at least. Researchers found that stressed…