The ‘Healthy’ Pandemic Habit Secretly Messing With Your Mental Health
Spending more time at home ― as we’ve all been doing for over a year and a half ― has certainly had some perks. More time with family, less time commuting and more time wearing pants with an elastic waistband. One shift not on this list? The number of body image issues that have materialized […]
Cleveland Clinic study links gut microbiome and aggressive prostate cancer: Researchers uncover how diet, lifestyle modifications may lower risk of lethal disease
Cleveland Clinic researchers have shown for the first time that diet-associated molecules in the gut are associated with aggressive prostate cancer, suggesting dietary interventions may help reduce risk. Findings from the study were published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. While more research will be necessary, the study’s lead author Nima Sharifi, M.D., says findings […]
Roman noblewoman’s tomb reveals secrets of ancient concrete resilience: Study shows how changing chemistry in Roman mortar strengthens the tomb over time
Over time, concrete cracks and crumbles. Well, most concrete cracks and crumbles. Structures built in ancient Rome are still standing, exhibiting remarkable durability despite conditions that would devastate modern concrete. One of these structures is the large cylindrical tomb of first-century noblewoman Caecilia Metella. New research shows that the quality of the concrete of her […]
Zeroing in on the origins of Earth’s ‘single most important evolutionary innovation’: A new study shows oxygenic photosynthesis likely evolved between 3.4 and 2.9 billion years ago.
Some time in Earth’s early history, the planet took a turn toward habitability when a group of enterprising microbes known as cyanobacteria evolved oxygenic photosynthesis — the ability to turn light and water into energy, releasing oxygen in the process. This evolutionary moment made it possible for oxygen to eventually accumulate in the atmosphere and […]
Sex and the symbiont: Can algae hookups help corals survive? Rice biologists’ discovery can be used to help climate-challenged reefs survive for now
A little more sexy time for symbionts could help coral reefs survive the trials of climate change. And that, in turn, could help us all. Researchers at Rice University and the Spanish Institute of Oceanography already knew the importance of algae known as dinoflagellates to the health of coral as the oceans warm, and have […]
Idaho to Ration Health Care; WHO Says COVID Is ‘Here to Stay’; Superhuman Immunity?
Note that some links may require registration or subscription. For the first time since the pandemic started, Idaho activated its “crisis standards of care” in two districts in the northern part of the state due to staffing shortages and a lack of ICU beds; only four of the state’s 400 ICU beds remain open. (Boise […]
Will Guidelines on Safe Return to Youth Sports Make a Difference?
As high school and youth sports leagues return to action — some for the first time since 2019 — national medical societies and committees have tinkered with existing guidelines to prevent COVID-19 spread and issued some new calls. But, given the wide variance in local situations and vaccination rates, they are largely avoiding new national […]
4 Parts Of Your Body You Shouldn’t Forget To Exercise
It’s time to reshape the full-body workout. When we think of these types of routines, we typically think of working the core, glutes and legs, and arms. But if we want to really care for our overall well-being, we need to expand beyond those muscle groups. In fact, there are several areas we often forget […]
Surveillance for Prostate Cancer Is on the Rise — Do Men Stick It Out?
While the uptake of active surveillance (AS) for low-risk prostate cancer has increased over time, about half of patients eventually discontinue this strategy, according to an observational Canadian population-based study. The use of AS increased from 38% in 2008 to 69% in 2014; however, over this study period, 50.8% of patients discontinued AS and proceeded […]
Can isometric resistance training safely reduce high blood pressure?
When was the last time you had your blood pressure checked? High blood pressure affects 1.13 billion people around the globe and in 2019, it accounted for 10.8 million deaths. Worldwide, it’s the leading risk factor for mortality. More than a third of the Australian population over the age of 18 has high blood pressure, […]