Health
Stomach tumor ‘atlas’ could lead to better treatments
Stomach tumor ‘atlas’ could lead to better treatments A team of researchers has made a significant discovery in understanding stomach cancer, a disease that remains one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. By using advanced mapping technologies, they created a detailed “atlas” of stomach tumors, revealing hidden patterns in how cancer cells behave, evolve, and interact […]
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Drug may boost motivation for people with depression
Drug may boost motivation for people with depression A study suggests that levodopa, a medication that increases dopamine levels in the brain, may help treat individuals with depression who experience motivational impairments due to high inflammation. Researchers found that a common blood test measuring C-reactive protein (CRP), a blood biomarker of inflammation produced by the […]
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How do psychedelics affect sexuality and intimacy?
How do psychedelics affect sexuality and intimacy? Researchers have just published the first paper of its kind reporting on the impact of psychedelics on sexuality and intimacy. The paper in the Journal of Sex Research found that psychedelic experiences enhanced participants’ perceptions of their relationship quality, attraction to their current partner, and sexual activities. “I […]
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Why do dogs love to play with trash?
Why do dogs love to play with trash? Dogs will be dogs. Raul Arboleda/AFP via Getty Images Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com. Why do dogs love to play with trash? – Sarah G٫ age 11٫ […]
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Measles can ravage the immune system and brain, causing long-term damage – a virologist explains
Measles can ravage the immune system and brain, causing long-term damage – a virologist explains Measles infections send 1 in 5 people to the hospital. wildpixel/ iStock via Getty Images Plus The measles outbreak that began in west Texas in late January 2025 continues to grow, with 400 confirmed cases in Texas and more than […]
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Doctor shortages have hobbled health care for decades − and the trend could be worsening
Doctor shortages have hobbled health care for decades − and the trend could be worsening Specialists across numerous fields of medicine are in short supply. sudok1/iStock via Getty Images Americans are increasingly waiting weeks or even months to get an appointment to see a health care specialist. This delay comes at a time when the […]
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Bird flu could be on the cusp of transmitting between humans − but there are ways to slow down viral evolution
Bird flu could be on the cusp of transmitting between humans − but there are ways to slow down viral evolution Workers who are in frequent contact with potentially sick animals are at high risk of bird flu infection. Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images Disease forecasts are like weather forecasts: We cannot predict the finer details […]
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‘Everyday discrimination’ linked to increased anxiety and depression across all groups of Americans
‘Everyday discrimination’ linked to increased anxiety and depression across all groups of Americans Everyday discrimination happens to all races and genders. FG Trade Latin/E+ via Getty Images People who most frequently encounter everyday discrimination – those subtle snubs and slights of everyday life – are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. What’s more, […]
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Want to stay healthier and fulfilled later in life? Try volunteering
Want to stay healthier and fulfilled later in life? Try volunteering New volunteers get trained in Lexington, Ky., to help out at CASA of Lexington in April 2023. AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel As gerontologists – social scientists who study aging populations – we envision a future in which older people leave a doctor’s visit with […]
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Poor neighborhoods, health care barriers are factors for heart disease risk in Black mothers
Poor neighborhoods, health care barriers are factors for heart disease risk in Black mothers The study examined more than 7 million births that occurred over 22 years. supersizer/E+ via Getty Images Living in a disadvantaged neighborhood contributes to a rare form of heart failure known as peripartum cardiomyopathy, a potentially deadly disease that disproportionately affects […]
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Medetomidine is replacing xylazine in Philly street fentanyl − creating new hurdles for health care providers and drug users
Medetomidine is replacing xylazine in Philly street fentanyl − creating new hurdles for health care providers and drug users Medetomidine is now a key ingredient in street fentanyl sold in Philly. AP Photo/Matt Rourke Philadelphia’s street opioid supply – or “dope” market – is constantly changing. As health care workers and researchers who care for […]
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Losing your job is bad for your health, but there are things you can do to minimize the harm
Losing your job is bad for your health, but there are things you can do to minimize the harm Losing your job can hurt you in many ways. Maskot/Getty Images The Trump administration’s firing and furloughing of tens of thousands of federal workers and contractors have obviously caused economic hardship for Americans employed in national […]
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Genomic sequencing reveals previously unknown genes that make microbes resistant to drugs and hard to kill
Genomic sequencing reveals previously unknown genes that make microbes resistant to drugs and hard to kill In the 20th century, when a routine infection was treated with a standard antibiotic, recovery was expected. But over time, the microbes responsible for these infections have evolved to evade the very drugs designed to eliminate them. Each year, […]
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Drug turns human blood into poison for mosquitoes
Drug turns human blood into poison for mosquitoes Researchers have discovered that when patients take the drug nitisinone, their blood becomes deadly to mosquitoes. In the fight against malaria, controlling the mosquito population is crucial. Several methods are currently used to reduce mosquito numbers and malaria risk. One of these includes the antiparasitic medication ivermectin. […]
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Cuts to science research funding cut American lives short − federal support is essential for medical breakthroughs
Cuts to science research funding cut American lives short − federal support is essential for medical breakthroughs Divesting from the next generation of researchers means cutting the lifeblood of science and medicine. J Studios/DigitalVision via Getty Images Nearly every modern medical treatment can be traced to research funded by the National Institutes of Health: from […]
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Chronic kidney disease often goes undiagnosed, but early detection can prevent severe outcomes
Chronic kidney disease often goes undiagnosed, but early detection can prevent severe outcomes Testing for kidney function can help identify chronic kidney disease early enough to intervene. PIXOLOGICSTUDIO/Science Photo Library via Getty Images For a disease afflicting 35.5 million people in the U.S., chronic kidney disease flies under the radar. Only half the people who […]
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Chili during pregnancy may lower gestational diabetes risk
Chili during pregnancy may lower gestational diabetes risk A new study found that eating one chili meal a month was associated with a lower risk of gestational diabetes. While the researchers caution that the study was relatively small and needs to be replicated in a larger cohort, they note that the findings are important given […]
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Can neighborhood tree layout benefit your health?
Can neighborhood tree layout benefit your health? A long-term Switzerland-wide study has found that neighborhoods with numerous, well-arranged trees exhibit lower mortality risks than other areas. Beyond creating a serene and open atmosphere in urban areas, trees and parks also contribute to human well-being. There are various reasons for this: trees filter pollutants out of […]
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Bird brain discovery could lead to earlier Alzheimer’s diagnoses
Bird brain discovery could lead to earlier Alzheimer’s diagnoses Researchers studying the brains of songbirds have found that aging alters the gene expressions that control the birds’ song. The finding could lead to earlier diagnoses and better treatments for human neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, which are known to hinder vocal […]
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Some cats may be good therapy animals
Some cats may be good therapy animals New research suggests that some cats might have what it takes to join the ranks of therapy animals—bringing their purrs, gentle head-butts, and calm demeanor to the field. For years, therapy dogs have ruled the world of animal-assisted services, offering stress relief to college students, hospital patients, and […]
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Shaken baby syndrome can cause permanent brain damage, long-term disabilities or death – a pediatrician examines the preventable tragedy
Shaken baby syndrome can cause permanent brain damage, long-term disabilities or death – a pediatrician examines the preventable tragedy A common cause of shaken baby incidents is continuous crying. Cavan Images via Getty Images In the early 1990s when I was a young pediatrician, I was responsible for evaluating children with developmental and learning problems. […]
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Seeing trauma triggers changes in the brain
Seeing trauma triggers changes in the brain New research reveals that witnessing trauma triggers unique brain changes, distinct from those caused by experiencing trauma firsthand. For years, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been studied primarily in people who experience trauma firsthand. But what about those who witness it—military veterans, first responders, health care workers, or […]
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Measles cases are on the rise − here’s how to make sure you’re protected
Measles cases are on the rise − here’s how to make sure you’re protected Should you get an additional shot of the measles vaccine? Hailshadow via Gett Images The measles outbreak that started in Texas in late January continues to grow. As of March 18, 2025, confirmed cases in the outbreak, which now spans Texas, […]
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Insomnia can lead to heart issues − a psychologist recommends changes that can improve sleep
Insomnia can lead to heart issues − a psychologist recommends changes that can improve sleep Better sleep hygiene habits may help with insomnia. Tetra Images via Getty Images About 10% of Americans say they have chronic insomnia, and millions of others report poor sleep quality. Ongoing research has found that bad sleep could lead to […]
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How early-life stress can ‘reprogram’ the brain
How early-life stress can ‘reprogram’ the brain New research reveals how childhood adversity shapes the brain and behavior. Early-life adversity affects more than half of the world’s children and is a significant risk factor for cognitive and mental health problems later in life. In an extensive and up-to-the-minute review of research in this domain, researchers […]
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Fewer deaths, new substances and evolving treatments in Philly’s opioid epidemic − 4 essential reads
Fewer deaths, new substances and evolving treatments in Philly’s opioid epidemic − 4 essential reads Opioid overdose deaths in Philly dropped in 2023. Data for 2024 has not yet been released. Jeff Fusco/The Conversation U.S., CC BY-NC-SA In Philadelphia, fatal overdoses are the No. 3 cause of death after heart disease and cancer. That’s been […]
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‘Midlife window’ could be key for preventing brain decline
‘Midlife window’ could be key for preventing brain decline Researchers have identified a critical “midlife window” for preventing age-related brain decline. The new study in PNAS has unveiled that brain aging follows a distinct yet nonlinear trajectory with critical transition points. “This represents a paradigm shift in how we think about brain aging prevention.” The […]
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There’s a link between infant mortality and lead in the air
There’s a link between infant mortality and lead in the air Infant mortality is tied to the concentration of lead in the air, according to a new study. Concentrations of lead in the air remain substantial in developed and developing countries, largely the result of industrial emissions. Even with the decline in lead in gasoline, […]
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Simple strategies can boost vaccination rates for adults over 65 − new study
Simple strategies can boost vaccination rates for adults over 65 − new study Many older adults are not up to date on their vaccines. Morsa Images via Getty Images Knowing which vaccines older adults should get and hearing a clear recommendation from their health care provider about why a particular vaccine is important strongly motivated […]
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Plastic exposure may be making bacteria resistant to drugs
Plastic exposure may be making bacteria resistant to drugs Microplastics could be fueling antibiotic resistance, according to new research. Microplastics—tiny shards of plastic debris—are all over the planet. They have made their way up food chains, accumulated in oceans, clustered in clouds and on mountains, and been found inside our bodies at alarming rates. Scientists […]
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