Health, features and articles | Educational Science

Jan 31, 2023

11 minutes of moderate exercise a day cuts early death risk by 20%, huge analysis suggests

Just 11 minutes of moderate physical activity a day could lower the risk of early death by 23%, a review of data from more than 30 million adults suggests. If everyone could meet this daily target, 1 in 10 early deaths worldwide could be prevented, the study authors propose. The...

Dec 31, 2022

Get up to 43% off top smartwatches with these January Fitbit deals

Struggling to find your fitness mojo? If there's one way to up your motivation levels and keep you accountable, it's investing in one of the best Fitbit deals to stir up some inspiration. Nowadays, these handy wrist-worn essentials can track your steps, monitor your sleep score and help you stay...

Dec 31, 2022

Newfound 'protective shield' in the brain is like a watchtower for immune cells

A newfound protective shield in the brain helps clear waste from the organ and serves as a sentry tower for watchful immune cells that monitor for signs of infection, scientists reported in a study of mouse and human brains. The study, published Thursday (Jan. 5) in the journal Science, describes...

Dec 31, 2022

Humans' big-brain genes may have come from 'junk DNA'

Scientists once considered much of the human genome junk because large stretches of its genetic code don't give rise to any proteins, the complex molecules tasked with keeping cells running. However, it's since been discovered that this so-called junk DNA plays important roles in cells, and in a new study,...

Dec 31, 2022

How does grief affect the brain?

Grief is something nearly everyone will experience at some point in their lives. It can be overwhelming and confusing, and it can make the death of a loved one difficult to navigate. But when someone is experiencing grief, what exactly is happening to their brain? According to Dr. Lisa M....

Dec 31, 2022

What is Blue Monday and is it really the most depressing day of the year?

Blue Monday falls every year on the third Monday in January. It is, supposedly, the most depressing day of the year, often attributed to a cocktail of poor weather, the post-Christmas lull, stretched finances and unattainable New Year's resolutions. But is it actually the saddest day of the year? The...

Dec 31, 2022

Sister André, world's oldest person, dies at 118

Sister André, a French nun who held the title of the world's oldest person, died Jan. 17 at age 118 in Toulon, a city in southern France. Born Lucile Randon on Feb. 11, 1904, she dedicated most of her life to religious service, according to Guinness World Records. As a...

Feb 14, 2024

'You cannot put people into arbitrary boxes': Psychologists critique the '5 love languages'

The now-famous love languages were first introduced in a book penned by Gary Chapman, a Baptist pastor and self-named marriage counselor. His book The 5 Love Languages (Northfield Publishing, 1992) skyrocketed in popularity, with its various editions selling around 20 million copies and landing a New York Times bestseller title....

Feb 16, 2024

Why is the 'T-zone' on your face so oily?

The forehead, nose and chin, collectively known as the T-zone, are notorious for being much oilier than the rest of the face. While this shine can be blotted away, excess grease can drive skin problems, including clogged pores and acne breakouts. But why is the T-zone so oily? The skin...

Feb 27, 2024

Best humidifiers 2024: Relieve dry skin & allergy symptoms

Investing in one of the best humidifiers is an easy and effective way to improve the air quality in your home or workplace — especially if you live in a hot, dry climate. Humidifiers release moisture into the air, often in a form of water vapor, to increase the overall...

Feb 29, 2024

What causes tinnitus, and can it be treated?

Many people have experienced an occasional ringing, buzzing or roaring sound in their ears — but for people with tinnitus, these phantom noises persist, often for several weeks or months. But what causes tinnitus? And are there ways to manage the symptoms? Sabrina Lee, a licensed audiologist with HearUSA, a...

Mar 1, 2024

Boiling tap water can remove nearly 90% of microplastics, new study finds

Boiling tap water before drinking it can remove at least 90% of potentially harmful microplastics, a new study has found. Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic debris measuring less than 0.2 inches (5 millimeters) long, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These broken-down remnants of industrial waste...

Mar 4, 2024

Do we have taste receptors in other parts of our body?

Most of the cell types in your body appear in many places — for example, humans have photoreceptors throughout our nervous systems, not just our eyes. So it seems strange that taste receptors would only be found on the tongue. Turns out, you actually have taste receptors throughout your body;...

Mar 6, 2024

Best water flossers 2024: Top 6 oral irrigators from Waterpik, Bitvae and more

Investing in one of the best water flossers is an easy and effective way to step up your oral hygiene routine. These devices shoot streams of water to remove plaque and food debris from hard-to-reach areas between the teeth and below the gum line. The best water flossers offer all...

Mar 12, 2024

New self-powered throat patch could help people speak without vocal cords

A new, flexible device that clings to the neck can translate muscular movements into speech, enabling people to talk without using their vocal cords. The small patch not only detects the movements of the throat associated with speech, but also harnesses that movement to generate electricity, meaning the device can...