Three percent of Americans live healthy lifestyles

If you currently consider yourself healthy, you may need to rethink this conclusion. Statistically, according to a recent study conducted at the Mayo Clinic, only three percent of Americans live a healthy lifestyle. Perhaps this statistic is not surprising given that the average American male body weight falls just below the cutoff for obesity and more than half of the food consumed in America is “ultra processed.”

What we learn from failed clinical trials

Does your birth month affect your health?

Hippocrates, who lived in ancient Greece, first described a connection between seasonality and disease almost 2,500 years ago, and the study of the seasonality of birth and its relationship to health and disease has been the focus of many research projects in recent years.

Scientists discover a novel chemical reaction

The “Holy Grail reaction” in organic chemistry was recently reached by a team at the Institute of Basic Science in Daejeon, South Korea.

B cell-based vaccine effectively targets HIV

Since the start of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in the late 20th century, nearly 78 million people have been infected and 39 million people have died of HIV, according to the World Health Organization.

Apple unveils iPhone SE at spring event

Following Apple’s traditional spring product event, which was held on March 21, the iPhone SE captured headlines.

Researchers create a self-healing material

A recent discovery showed that seemingly rigid natural materials can be highly adaptable. For instance, bone, a stiff material that is commonly thought to be non-malleable, can remodel itself after facing stress. The sea cucumber, which recycles nutrients in marine ecosystems, can reversibly and rapidly increase the stiffness of its leathery skin.

Hormones underlie human eating behavior

Obesity has more than doubled worldwide since 1980. Currently, about 600 million people are considered obese and about two billion individuals are considered overweight. The factors that have caused this explosion are debatable, with evolving food trends, economic stressors and changes in the built environment ranking among the front-runners in terms of explaining the rise in obesity.

Scientists discover a potential cure for HIV

Scientists working at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University recently uncovered a possible new cure for HIV-positive patients that involves a specialized gene editing system, which has safely eliminated the virus from the DNA of human cells grown in culture.

Researchers find a protein fertilization catalyst

Researchers working on a project funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have discovered a molecule that increases the activity of sperm cells so they can travel to egg cells. The identification of this molecule can potentially be used in male contraceptives and treatments for infertility based on problems with sperm mobility.

Microbe protein offers hope for blindness

Microbe protein offers hope for blindness

Debunking common myths about autism

Autism has long baffled scientists. Its intense heterogeneity and seemingly enigmatic cause have led clinicians and researchers to struggle to devise a cure. However, in the midst of this confusion, several problematic and often disturbing misconceptions about the nature of autism have arisen. I set out to dispel some of the myths surrounding autism.

Study finds high rates of unsafe abortions

The availability of abortion services continues to be a politically and religiously contentious issue for women all around the world. While induced abortion is one of the safest medical interventions when performed in a regulated medical setting, many women in both developing and developed countries who lack access to such services resort to unsafe methods of pregnancy termination.

Smartphone app can track finger movements

With the advent of smartwatches and smaller touchscreen devices, many people, especially those with limited dexterity, find it difficult to manipulate items on such small screens using just their fingers. In response to this, computer scientists and engineers at the University of Washington (UW) have developed an application, called FingerIO, that allows users to control their devices by tracking the movement of their fingers. Moving your finger on a table or on a piece of paper, or simply moving it in mid-air, would allow you to scroll through menus, press buttons or even reply to a text.

Can you live with a compressed brain?

Zika virus can destroy neural progenitor cells

On March 19 the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 2 travel notice for those who plan to visit regions afflicted with Zika virus, encouraging travelers to practice enhanced precautions. These warnings about the Zika virus are growing alongside new evidence that causally links Zika virus to microcephaly, a condition that hinders brain development.

Peanut consumption may prevent allergy

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine provides evidence that an early introduction of peanuts into the diets of infants will significantly reduce the risk of peanut allergy. More specifically, the study found that infants with a high risk of developing peanut allergy will be protected from having a peanut allergy at age five if they eat peanuts and peanut products frequently starting within the first 11 months of life.

Google’s AlphaGo defeats Go Master

Have you ever imagined a future where robots can play your favorite game with or against you? Now, imagine that you were a world champion at this game. If this were the case, you might think that no computer would be able to defeat you, which is exactly what the artificial intelligence (AI) community thought of the game Go.