Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
May 4, 2025
May 4, 2025 | Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896

Science & Technology



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Drinking alcohol is associated with decreased risk of heart disease, but exercise is a better alternative.

Moderate alcohol intake lowers heart disease risk

Over the past few decades, several systematic studies and meta-analyses have been conducted to evaluate the relationship between alcohol consumption and cardiovascular diseases. Most of the studies suggest that moderate drinking is associated with a lower risk of developing heart diseases compared to non-drinkers and heavy drinkers.




 Public Domain
A cup of tea daily can do wonders for one’s mental acuity later in life.

Tea may improve brain function later in life

According to an ancient Chinese legend, in 2737 BCE, the Chinese emperor Shen Nung was sitting beneath a tree while a servant boiled water. Some leaves from that tree fell into the emperor’s drink, and he decided to see how the drink tasted. Thus tea was born.


 Public Domain
Reducing exposure to harmful substances is key to cancer prevention.

DNA copying errors increase cancer risk

The human body does not always run like a perfect machine. In fact, nearly two thirds of the mutations that lead to cancer are caused by the body’s arbitrary DNA copying mistakes.



 Peter van der sluijs/CC--BY-SA-3.0
Exercise in combination with other treatments may reverse diabetes.

Intense treatment may reverse Type 2 diabetes

Researchers at McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences in Hamilton, Ontario, have discovered a way to reverse Type 2 diabetes by combining a series of lifestyle and insulin therapies with the use of oral medications.



Michael gäbler/cc-by-3.0
Beekeepers may need to consider how much antibiotic use is optimal.

Overuse of antibiotics negatively affects bees

The use of antibiotics has marked a new era in science and medicine with its contribution to the treatment of infectious disease. But contrary to the belief that antibiotics are a recent discovery, research has shown traces of tetracycline in human skeletal remains dating back to between 350 and 550 CE.




 PUBLIC DOMAIN
Opioid painkillers can be very effective for acute and chronic pain.

Painkillers without side effects developed

It may seem ironic that painkillers, the very drugs that should end or at least lessen suffering, are commonly known to cause uncomfortable side effects such as nausea, dizziness, headaches, constipation and drowsiness.


SHUYA /cc-by-2.0
When mixed together, coffee and cocoa improve awareness and increase blood flow.

Study shows coffee and cocoa improve focus

Coffee and chocolate are two widely beloved, delicious delicacies. Often thought to be unhealthy, these two flavor powerhouses may in fact have benefits to attention, motivation and energy. Researchers at Clarkson University and the University of Georgia recently completed a year long study about the effects of caffeine and cocoa on attention and motivation to perform cognitive work.


JEANMARIE/CC-BY-3.0
The Fitbit study found that most elephant species typically sleep while standing up.

Fitbit tech can track elephant sleep patterns

To everyday consumers, the Fitbit has become more than just a fitness tracker: It doubles as both an activity log and a fashion accessory. However, through the efforts of researchers who created a scientific version of the Fitbit, the watch is now being used to track sleep patterns outside of our own species.




 HOMER/CC-By-3.0
A new study recommends that adults eat 10 servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

Researchers raise suggested fruit, veggie intake

Growing up, children have been told a countless number of times to eat their fruits and vegetables. For years, five portions of fruits and vegetables a day has been recommended for people, with one portion weighing in at about 80 grams — the equivalent of one small apple, banana, pear, large mandarin or three heaping teaspoons of cooked spinach, cauliflower, peas or broccoli.


LED light phototherapy reduces pain in rats

Options for treatment of chronic pain remain limited to drugs that may be marginally effective or potentially addictive. Sufferers also deal with side effects of their medications along with the prospect of increased drug tolerance.



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