Credit: iStock/AntonioGuillem Many sports enthusiasts around the globe have been focused on Paris as the 2024 Summer Games play out. Elite athletes in 329 medal events showcase their skill, talent and endurance with elegance, grace—and a whole lot of sweat. How do the best athletes in the world perform the amazing feats they do? Read … Continue reading How the Heat Affects Your Workouts and Your Body
Blue Spaces: The Surprising Health Benefits of Being Near Water
Credit: iStock/baona We have all heard that drinking enough water is good for our health, but we don’t often hear about the benefits of being in a “blue space” near water. Can you get a boost in wellness simply by being close to a body of water? Blue spaces are outdoor areas with water such … Continue reading Blue Spaces: The Surprising Health Benefits of Being Near Water
What Are the Mayday Signs of a Vasovagal Syncope Attack?
Credit: iStock/bymuratdeniz Lightheadedness, nausea, ringing ears, blurred vision. Suddenly you lose consciousness and wake up on the ground. These are your “mayday” signals when vasovagal syncope attacks. Vasovagal syncope, also known as vasodepressor syncope, is the most common cause of fainting. It can be triggered by various situations, including dehydration, extreme heat or standing for … Continue reading What Are the Mayday Signs of a Vasovagal Syncope Attack?
Scientists Are Learning How Different People Adapt in Space
Credit: iStock/Elen11 Astronauts are exposed to a unique environment during space travel. A few examples include radiation, isolation, confinement and a lack of gravity. This affects their physiology in many ways, including cardiovascular and musculoskeletal deconditioning, vision changes and immune dysfunction. Over the past 60 years of human space exploration, astronauts have had a range … Continue reading Scientists Are Learning How Different People Adapt in Space
Unlocking the Mystery of Pediatric Osteosarcoma
Credit: iStock July is Sarcoma and Bone Cancer Awareness Month. One important topic related to this awareness month (and something that scientists often find fascinating!) is pediatric osteosarcoma. That might sound like a mouthful, but we’ll break it down together. Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer. It’s like an unwelcome guest that decides to … Continue reading Unlocking the Mystery of Pediatric Osteosarcoma
How Does the Heart Adapt during Pregnancy?
Credit: iStock/Onfokus When someone is pregnant, the body goes through many changes, and these can vary from person to person. Common experiences include morning sickness, swelling in the legs and feet, a faster heartbeat and increased fatigue. These changes are mainly due to the hormonal shifts and changes in the heart and blood vessels during … Continue reading How Does the Heart Adapt during Pregnancy?
Spotlight On: Epigenetics
Credit: iStock/DariaRen For many years scientists tried to understand how a fertilized egg develops into a multicellular organism with specialized cells. Even though cells in our body share the same set of genes, some cells have “learned” how to perform special functions. Our muscle cells somehow fill themselves with muscle proteins called myosin and actin … Continue reading Spotlight On: Epigenetics
How Does Social Media Affect the Brain?
Credit: iStock Social media plays a huge role in how many of us spend our days. Around the world, people between ages 16 and 64 spend an average of two and a half hours per day on social media. Younger generations may spend three to four hours on their electronic devices, and some studies show … Continue reading How Does Social Media Affect the Brain?
Maybe Birds Need Sleep Masks Too
Credit: iStock/nicholas_dale Cities are getting brighter at night with well-lit crosswalks, sidewalks and paths through parks and wooded areas. Lighting can make it easier for drivers, bicyclists and runners to navigate the darkness safely. But increased lighting has unintended consequences for wildlife, including songbirds. Just like humans, songbirds are active during the day and sleep … Continue reading Maybe Birds Need Sleep Masks Too
Does Alkaline Water Live Up to the Hype?
Credit: iStock Hydration is a key part of life. It helps us stay cool on hot summer days, helps keep our skin plump and clear and is overall part of a healthy lifestyle. However, choosing the right water now seems to be a puzzle. One “designer” water that has gained a lot of traction lately … Continue reading Does Alkaline Water Live Up to the Hype?