Stress and cortisol levels are normal biological response. In adults, several studies have explored how chronic stress and high levels of cortisol affect physical and mental health. Other studies have also explored the health effects of stress and cortisol levels in children. Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex within […]
Bacon, sausages, and other processed meats are now classified as Group 1 carcinogens according to an announcement made by the World Health Organization on 26 October 2015. The organisation also mentioned red meat as a likely cause of cancer. These conclusions came from the review study of a scientific panel that examined 800 epidemiological studies from […]
An unborn baby begins ingesting amniotic fluid at around 12 weeks and a powerful sense of smell starts developing by 28 weeks. Based on this prenatal development process, it is worth determining whether or not babies can learn about flavours and odours even before they are born. Several studies have explored this possibility. Researchers J. […]
English poet John Milton once said, “Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.” While proverbial sayings have regarded gratefulness as key to happiness, researchers have further established the science behind the association. Simply put, neuroscientists have tried explaining […]
A year after the phenomenal global fundraising campaign, scientists are crediting the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and the accompanying public interest for modern breakthroughs in ALS research. It was in August 2014 when the research campaign went viral on several social networking websites. Dubbed as the Ice Bucket Challenge, the campaign dared people to do […]
Emmy Award-winning actress Vicki Lawrence woke up one morning jaded with her condition. Her palms were covered with hives and the itchiness was unbearable. She found a temporary relief by submerging her hands in cold water. But the itch went back the next morning. Later that day, the itchiness spread in her abdomen and back. […]
Exposure to stressful environment triggers high cortisol levels in children. Remember that stress is a normal biological response and that the body naturally produces and releases cortisol as part of normal biological functions. But certain external or environmental factors can cause chronic stress and disrupt normal cortisol production. Several studies have revealed that children living in a […]
For several decades, scientific and popular understanding had characterised the central nervous system as lacking of a classical lymphatic drainage system despite an established consensus that the central nervous system undergoes constant immune surveillance that takes place within the meningeal compartment. The mechanisms involving the movement of immune cells in and out of the central […]
The canine transmissible venereal tumor is a rare type of cancer that affects dogs. Also referred to as canine transmissible venereal sarcoma, sticker tumors, and infectious sarcoma, this disease affects mainly the external genitalia of dogs and in some rare cases, their mouth or nose. The cancer results in the appearance of a grotesque-looking, cauliflower-like […]
Sweat it. Sniff it. We might be communicating positive or negative emotions through the smell of our sweat. A study revealed that whenever we experience a particular emotion, we are producing chemical compounds or chemosignals and we release them through our sweat. Thus, others unknowingly receive these chemosignals and interestingly, experience similar emotions whenever they […]
Tilapia is a favourite dinnertime fish in the United States and several parts of Asia. Its mild flavour and affordability makes it one of the most commercially important aquaculture species. Scientists, however, have found a new use for this fish Researchers Jiao Sun, Xiumei Mo, and their colleagues have found out that a protein found […]
Researchers from the Washington State University have found out that omega-3 fatty acids may help in suppressing the growth of cancer cells in the prostate, thus opening a new possibility for developing novel anti-cancer drugs. The link between omega-3 and cancer, especially prostate cancer is controversial. A 2013 study that appeared in the Journal of […]
After a chance observation while doing laboratory experiments, researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have found a method for forcing dangerous human leukaemia cells to change into harmless immune cells known as macrophages. Macrophages are specialized type of white blood cells that engulfs and digests cellular debris, foreign substances, microbes, and cancer cells […]
A team of chemists from Boston College has developed a novel approach to identify and target deadly bacteria using a so-called warhead molecule. Researchers in medicinal chemistry have long been seeking to develop several approaches to effectively identify and target bacterial pathogens within the human body. In addition, targeting deadly, drug-resistant bacteria poses a serious […]
Researchers discovered a powerful antibody capable of neutralising the dengue serotype 3 virus (DENV-3). This finding opens newer possibilities for developing a more effective treatment against the deadly pathogen. By studying blood samples from a dengue infected patient, the researchers have isolated antibody 5J7 from 200 different candidate antibody molecules. It appeared this antibody is […]
The next time you feel the urge to grab sliced cured meats from your local grocer or order a deli sandwich for a quick hunger fix, you might want to rethink your purchase. Retail cold cuts might still come with deadly Listeria pathogen according to a study from Purdue University. Actually, Listeria pathogen remains prevalent […]
Sleep researchers found an interesting link between sleep, memory, and old age. Accordingly, people who had quality sleeps during their younger and middle-aged years appear to have better mental functioning in old age than their sleep-deprived counterparts. Researchers Michael K. Scullin, PhD. and Dr. Donald Bliwise, PhD. detailed the results of their extensive reviews of […]
Capping the night off with a glass of wine or a bottle of beer causes sleep disruption leading to poor daytime functioning. Research revealed that although alcohol initially acts as a sedative, it subsequently triggers frontal alpha activity, which is thought to reflect disturbed sleep. Findings from previous research have described how alcohol can help […]
There is still no cure for alopecia or excessive hair loss despite several breakthroughs in the treatment and management of more dreaded diseases. However, cancer researchers may have finally found an exciting new way to trigger hair growth that involves tapping the immune system. A study conducted by researchers Mirna Perez-Moreno, Donatello Castellana, and Ralph […]
Do you want to quit smoking? Take a blood test. At least, according to a new research, the best way to break the habit is to understand how fast your body metabolises nicotine. A group of researchers, in partnership with Perelman School of Medicine at Pennsylvania University, undertook a four-year-long study to understand better the […]