Health, features and articles | Educational Science

Jul 31, 2010

Can the Growing Obesity Problem Be Curbed?

Despite a decade of programs, messages, guilt trips and warnings, Americans are getting even fatter. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention reported this month that 26.7 percent of adults over the age of 18 are obese, compared with 19.8 percent in 2000. The alarming rate of growth is in...

Jul 31, 2010

What's Black Lung?

Aside from collapses and other hazards that all miners face, coal miners also have to worry about developing black lung, a deadly but preventable disease caused by the inhalation of coal dust. In severe cases, black lung is characterized by inflammation and scarring of the lungs, which often permanently damages...

Jun 30, 2010

What's the Most Common STD?

With more than 600 million cases worldwide, including 20 million in the United States, human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The virus is most prevalent among young adults. In a...

Jun 30, 2010

'Invisible Gorilla' Test Shows How Little We Notice

A dumbfounding study roughly a decade ago that many now find hard to believe revealed that if people are asked to focus on a video of other people passing basketballs, about half of watchers missed a person in a gorilla suit walking in and out of the scene thumping its...

Jun 30, 2010

The Mysterious Health Benefits of Chocolate

Chocolate has been credited with everything from reducing stress to helping to decrease the risk of heart disease. But do these claims hold a nugget of truth? Over the past several years, studies have steadily uncovered the numerous health benefits of chocolate. Most recently, it was found that people who...

Jun 30, 2010

What's Hyperthermia?

Hyperthermia is an abnormally high body temperature caused by a failure of the body's normal heat-regulating mechanisms, according to the National Institutes of Health. When the heat coming from the environment exceeds the body's ability to dissipate that heat, hyperthermia results. The temperature outside , along with a person's general...

Jun 30, 2010

How Much Alcohol Is in My Drink?

A glass of wine might seem more civilized than a no-name can of beer, but when it comes to acting uncivilized from boozing too much, wine will likely get you there quicker. In terms of alcohol content, the rule of thumb is that 12 ounces of beer is about equivalent...

May 31, 2010

How Do Vaccines Work?

Vaccines are like a training course for the immune system. They prepare the body to fight disease without exposing it to disease symptoms. When foreign invaders such as bacteria or viruses enter the body, immune cells called lymphocytes respond by producing antibodies, which are protein molecules. These antibodies fight the...

May 31, 2010

Sexsomnia: 'Sex While Sleeping' Condition Studied

As sleeping disorders go, this may not be the worst one. Sexsomnia patients report having initiated sex while sleeping. Now scientists have provided a hint at the prevalence of this sleep sex. Sexsomnia was reported by 7.6 percent of patients at a sleep disorders center, researchers report today. Starting sex...

May 31, 2010

Why Do Bottles of Water Have Expiration Dates?

You've just finished an intense workout, and you reach for a cold bottle of water. You crack open the seal and as you bring the bottle to your lips, you notice the expiration date says the water expired two months ago. You thought the bottle seemed a little dusty. Should...

May 31, 2010

Is Sugar Bad for You?

Over the past few years, some soda makers switched from corn syrup to sugar to sweeten their soft drinks. This was partly in response to a corn shortage, but also because many people believe that sugar is healthier or more natural than the high fructose corn syrup previously used. On...

May 31, 2010

Is Premium Liquor Really Better than the Cheap Stuff?

Paying more for a premium brand rather than the buying cheaper bottles of liquor might be a good idea, because you often get what you pay for come tasting time. More expensive premium liquors often have natural ingredients and more careful distilling and aging processes, so they earn their higher...

May 31, 2010

What's an Orgasm?

Clinically speaking, an orgasm is just a series of involuntary muscle contractions. But unlike a charley horse, these spasms turn your legs into jelly for an entirely different reason. It's a great pleasure for some, a frustrating puzzle for others and still much of a mystery to sex researchers, said...

May 31, 2010

Which Plastics Are Safe To Put in the Microwave?

With all of the warnings about the dangers of plastics in the microwave, along with the many plastics available today, it's no wonder consumers would be confused about what to and what not to zap in the kitchen. The easiest way to figure out if a plastic container is safe...

Apr 30, 2010

5 Minutes with Nature Can Boost Mental Health

Just 5 minutes doing something in a park, in the woods or even in your backyard can boost mental health, a new study finds. Many studies have shown that spending active time in the great outdoors is good for the mind. Humans have a deep-seated need for contact with nature,...