Health, features and articles | Educational Science

Aug 31, 2018

Chemicals in Consumer Products May Promote Weight Gain. But There's an Easy Fix.

For those who have a hard time losing weight, there's some good and bad news. The bad news is that common chemicals in the environment may play a role in weight gain, a new study suggests. The good news? Diet and exercise may counteract these obesity-promoting effects, according to the...

Jul 31, 2018

Here's What We Know About CRISPR Safety

A movie just recently released called Rampage features Dwayne The Rock Johnson using a genetic engineering technology called CRISPR, to transform a gorilla, among other animals, into a flying dragon-monster with gigantic teeth. Though this is science fiction, not to mention impossible, the movie captures the imagination of the public...

Jul 31, 2018

App for Preventing Pregnancy Gets FDA Marketing Approval. Is It Reliable?

A smartphone app for preventing pregnancy has just become the first of its kind to receive marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but some experts are wary. The app, called Natural Cycles, is essentially a high-tech version of the so-called rhythm method, also known as fertility...

Jul 31, 2018

More Than 70 People Overdosed in a Connecticut Park

This article was origially published on Aug. 15 and updated on Aug. 17. A mass overdose took place in a Connecticut park this week, according to news reports. More than 70 people in New Haven, Conneticut were transported to the hospital on Wednesday (Aug. 15) after showing signs of a...

Jul 31, 2018

Twitter Bots and Trolls Fuel Online Discord About Vaccines

Twitter bots and trolls appear to be skewing online discussions about vaccinations, spreading misinformation on the topic and fueling online discord, according to a new study. The vast majority of Americans believe vaccines are safe and effective, but looking at Twitter gives the impression that there is a lot of...

Jul 31, 2018

Nonaddictive Opioid Alternative Shows Promise in Monkey Study

With the opioid epidemic raging across America, many scientists are in search of an alternative painkilling drug — one that could be used in place of opioids, without the deadly side effects. Now, a team of researchers in the U.S. and Japan say they've developed a promising new synthetic drug...

Jun 30, 2018

How Long Can Humans Survive in a Cave?

This story seems like it's on its way to a happy ending: The youth soccer team and its coach in Thailand that had gone missing in the Tham Luang caves for more than a week have been found. The team had been on an outing, exploring the cave, when heavy...

Jun 30, 2018

Are Hot Summer Days Risky for Pregnant Women?

Hot, sticky weather can be uncomfortable for anyone. But for pregnant women, the summer heat may be particularly risky. That's because getting too hot or dehydrated can pose a risk of pregnancy complications, experts say. Dehydration can create a lot of potential problems for pregnant women, said Dr. Saima Aftab,...

Jun 30, 2018

Parasite Outbreak Tied to Del Monte Vegetables Sickens More Than 200 People

An outbreak of parasitic infections tied to Del Monte vegetable trays has sickened more than 200 people in four U.S. states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Victims of the outbreak were sickened with Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic parasite that causes an intestinal illness known as cyclosporiasis....

Jun 30, 2018

A Woman Had Strange Feelings in Her Legs. Doctors Found Parasites in Her Spine

This article was updated on July 12. When the 35-year-old woman arrived at a hospital in France, she told doctors it felt like electric shocks were running down her legs. What's more, she felt weak and had experienced a number of falls recently. The woman's unusual symptoms turned out to...

Jun 30, 2018

Do Spicy Snacks Really Cause Gallbladder Problems?

A Tennessee teen needed gallbladder surgery after consuming large amounts of spicy snacks, according to news reports. But could spicy snacks really have caused her gallbladder problems? The 17-year-old, Rene Craighead, estimated she was eating about four bags of hot snacks a week, like Flamin' Hot Cheetos and Takis, according...

May 31, 2018

Here's What Could Happen If You Don't Properly Remove Mascara

A woman in Australia who had a habit of not washing off her mascara developed serious eye problems that could have taken her vision, according to a new report. The 50-year-old woman went to the eye doctor after experiencing the uncomfortable feeling that something was in her eyes, according to...

May 31, 2018

Blood in Your Veins Is Not Blue — Here's Why It's Always Red

Human blood is red because of the protein hemoglobin, which contains a red-colored compound called heme that's crucial for carrying oxygen through your bloodstream. Heme contains an iron atom that binds to oxygen; it's this molecule that transports oxygen from your lungs to other parts of the body. Chemicals appear...

May 31, 2018

Blood Cells Can Transform into Brain Cells, New Study Shows

Unless you're a werewolf or a superhero, you can't easily transform into something you're not — but your cells can. Scientists recently found a way to convert an immune-system cell into a neuron — two cells with totally different shapes and very different functions. The hope is that the technique...

May 31, 2018

5 Weird Ways Hot Tubs Can Make You Sick

A relaxing dip in a hot tub may sound like the ideal way to spend a cool summer night. But in rare cases, danger may lurk beneath those soothing jets: Hot tub use has been linked with several types of infections and injuries. Here are five ways you can get...