Health news, features and articles
Understanding how the body works — and what happens when things change — is paramount to improving the health and wellbeing of every person on the planet. Our team of expert health writers and editors are here to demystify the latest medical advances, explain how the latest health news affects you, and help you understand which exercise equipment can really help improve your fitness. Whether you're after facts about the human body or the secrets to extreme longevity, our health articles and features aim to leave you better informed, up to date with the latest discoveries, and even more curious about human health.
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Latest about Health
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'DNA origami' could be key for making an effective HIV vaccine, early study hints
By Zunnash Khan Published -

Cancer vaccine shows promise against HPV-related throat tumors in early study
By Clarissa Brincat Published -

Are you a night owl or an early bird?
By Nicoletta Lanese Published -

Needle-free insulin? Scientists invent gel that delivers insulin through the skin in animal studies
By Sayan Tribedi Published -

Teenager contracts rare 'welder's anthrax,' marking the ninth known case ever reported
By Sophie Berdugo Published 2 Comments -

Only certain types of brain-training exercises reduce dementia risk, large trial reveals
By Kamal Nahas Published -

Scientists infiltrated volunteers' dreams to boost their creative thinking
By RJ Mackenzie Published
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Explore Health
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Ageing
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Aging
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Alcohol
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Allergies
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Anatomy
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Autism
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Death
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Diabetes
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Exercise
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Fertility, Pregnancy & Birth
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Food & Diet
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Food & Drink
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Genetics
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Heart & Circulation
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Immune System
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Medicine & Drugs
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Mind
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Neuroscience
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Obesity
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Sex
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Sleep
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Supplements & Vitamins
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Surgery
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Viruses, Infections & Disease
Ageing
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'Aging clocks' can predict your risk of disease and early death. Here's what to know.
By Patrick Sullivan Published -

Aging: What happens to the body as it gets older?
By Mindy Weisberger Published 2 Comments -

Brain scans could reveal your true biological age
By Patrick Sullivan Published 2 Comments -

'I was floored by the data': Psilocybin shows anti-aging properties in early study
By Jane Palmer Published 9 Comments -

New study raises big questions about taurine as anti-aging supplement
By Nicoletta Lanese Published -

Heat waves may accelerate the aging process
By Sanket Jain Published 2 Comments -

13 proteins tied to brain aging seem to spike at ages 57, 70 and 78
By Emily Cooke Published -

New 'biological aging' test predicts your odds of dying within the next 12 months
By Julie Goldenberg Published -

Life expectancy is increasing at a slower rate this century — and it may be because we're reaching our human limit
By Emily Cooke Published
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Aging
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Lifespan may be 50% heritable, study suggests
By Victoria Atkinson Published -

Can AI detect cognitive decline better than a doctor? New study reveals surprising accuracy
By Anirban Mukhopadhyay Published 2 Comments -

Gray hair may have evolved as a protection against cancer, study hints
By Victoria Atkinson Published 5 Comments -

Aging and inflammation may not go hand in hand, study suggests
By Clarissa Brincat Published 4 Comments -

Special protection may help human eggs stay fresh as the body ages
By Nicoletta Lanese Published -

Combo of cancer therapy drugs increases mice lifespan by 30%
By Patrick Pester Published -

Years of 'confusion and debate' are over — research finds hormone therapy is good for women's hearts in early menopause
By Matthew Nudy Published -

Brain aging accelerates dramatically around age 44 — could ketone supplements help?
By Kamal Nahas Published -

Biological secrets of world's oldest woman, Maria Branyas Morera, revealed after death
By Stephanie Pappas Published 3 Comments
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Alcohol
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Can weight loss drugs help you drink less alcohol?
By Marianne Guenot Published -

How does alcohol cause cancer?
By Clarissa Brincat Published -

What counts as 'binge drinking'? What about 'high-intensity drinking'?
By Clarissa Brincat Published -

Are people more honest when they're drunk?
By Marilyn Perkins Published -

Can drinking alcohol really cause hiccups?
By Anna Gora Published -

Is champagne stronger than non-bubbly alcoholic drinks?
By Isobel Whitcomb Published -

Live Science podcast 'Life's Little Mysteries' Episode 48: Mysterious Beer
By Live Science Staff Published -

A woman's bladder 'brewed' its own alcohol, tripping drug test
By Rachael Rettner Published -
Watch Supersonic Shock Waves Launch from a Bottle of Champagne
By Yasemin Saplakoglu Published
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Allergies
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BUYING GUIDEBest air purifiers for allergies 2026: Breathe easy this winter
By Molly Cleary Last updated -

New Jersey man dies from meat allergy triggered by tick bite
By Nicoletta Lanese Published -
REFERENCEDo air purifiers help with allergies?
By Kerry Taylor-Smith Last updated -

Is playing in the dirt good for kids' immune systems?
By Emily Cooke Last updated -
REFERENCEDo air purifiers help with dust?
By Katie Treharne Last updated -

Could allergies be 'deleted' someday?
By Rebecca Sohn Last updated -

Can you really be allergic to the sun?
By Anna Gora Published -

What causes metal allergies?
By Anna Gora Published -

The 5 most common seasonal allergies
By Anna Gora Published
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Anatomy
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Why can't you wiggle your toes one at a time?
By Steven Lautzenheiser Published -

Why don't teeth count as bones?
By Marilyn Perkins Published -

Human skeleton quiz: What do you know about the bones in your body?
By Kristina Killgrove Published -

What's the strongest muscle in the human body?
By Clarissa Brincat Last updated 2 Comments -

Staring at the March 29 solar eclipse can cause eye damage in seconds — and you won’t even feel it happening
By Emily Cooke Published -

New cells discovered in eye could help restore vision, scientists say
By Emily Cooke Published 3 Comments -

Scientists describe new type of fat in human bellies
By Marianne Guenot Published -
'Vestigial' human ear-wiggling muscle actually flexes when we're straining to hear
By Clarissa Brincat Published -

How many more calories does muscle burn than fat?
By Kamal Nahas Published
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Autism
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Rates of autism diagnosis in children are at an all time high, CDC report suggests
By Sascha Pare Published -

Confirmed: No Link Between Autism and Measles Vaccine, Even for 'At Risk' Kids
By Laura Geggel Published -

Autism Risk May Increase If Child's Mother Has High DDT Exposure
By Laura Geggel Published -

Can a Drug That Fights Parasites Also Help with Autism?
By Laura Geggel Published -

Why Vaccine Myths Persist: Trump Team References Debunked Autism Link
By Sara G. Miller Published -
OpinionThe Experimenters: Temple Grandin on the Autistic Brain
By David Gerlach Published -

Autism Risk Linked to Obesity, Diabetes Combination in Moms
By Agata Blaszczak-Boxe Published -
OpinionDo Girls Have 'Protection' from Autism? (Op-Ed)
By Alycia Halladay Published -

Child Prodigies and Autism: Is There a Genetic Link?
By Michael Dhar Published
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Death
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Drowning deaths in US on the rise for the 1st time in decades
By Emily Cooke Published -

Undetected brain infections may explain some SIDS cases
By Nicoletta Lanese Published -

Night owls may die earlier because they tend to drink and smoke more, study suggests
By Carissa Wong Published -

California family found dead on trail had 'no obvious cause of death.' Could toxic algae be responsible?
By Yasemin Saplakoglu Published -

Horse tranquilizer emerges as new and deadly street drug in US
By Rachael Rettner Published -

'Stench of death' compound helps your body feast on its own rotting cells
By Nicoletta Lanese Published -

Why Some People Have Endless Thoughts of Death. They May Be 'Existentially Isolated'
By Stephanie Pappas Published -

What Happens in the Hours Before Death? Most People Don't Have a Clue.
By Brandon Specktor Published -

Does Drinking Ayahuasca Really Feel Like a Near-Death Experience?
By Rafi Letzter Published
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Diabetes
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Slaying 'zombie cells' in blood vessels could be key to treating diabetes, early study finds
By Elise Ceyral Published 2 Comments -

What is type 5 diabetes? Newly recognized form of the disease gets name
By Clarissa Brincat Published 2 Comments -
referenceType 3 diabetes: Symptoms, causes and treatments
By Lou Mudge Last updated -
referenceVegan diet for diabetes: Tips, benefits and safety
By Anna Gora Last updated -
referenceWhich fruits are good for diabetics?
By Joanne Lewsley Last updated -
ReferenceType 2 diabetes: Symptoms, causes and treatment
By Rachael Rettner Last updated -

Father's use of diabetes drug could raise his kids' risk of birth defects
By Nicoletta Lanese Published -

Diabetes vaccine shows promise for some patients in early trial
By Yasemin Saplakoglu Published -

Short Stature Linked with Higher Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Exercise
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Buyers guideBest running shoes for supination 2026: Find the perfect fit for your feet
By Harry Bullmore Last updated -
ReviewsAmazfit Active Max review: The best budget smartwatch of 2026?
By Anna Gora Published -
Buying guidesWhat to buy as a beginner runner: Must-haves vs non-essentials
By Kate Carter Published -
Buying guidesBest Garmin smartwatches for runners 2026, tried and tested
By Andrew Williams Published -
ReviewsGarmin Enduro 3 review: The longest-lasting sports watch series gets a price cut
By Andrew Williams Published -
ReviewsRenpho Lynx smart ring review: Somewhat disappointing
By Anna Gora Published -
References6 tips to kickstart your exercise routine and actually stick to it, according to science
By Anna Gora Published -
Buying GuideBest Garmin watches 2026: From fitness bands to adventure smartwatches
By Andrew Williams Last updated -
Buying GuideBest fitness trackers 2026: From smart rings to multisport GPS watches
By Andrew Williams Last updated
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Fertility, Pregnancy & Birth
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'Unprecedented': Woman delivers full-term abdominal pregnancy while also having 22-pound cyst removed
By Nicoletta Lanese Published -

Could aging eggs be 'rejuvenated'? New tool may help pave the way to fertility-extending treatments
By Nicoletta Lanese Published -

Study links GLP-1 use to some pregnancy risks — but the research has key caveats
By Nicoletta Lanese Published -

New blood test can predict risk of postpartum depression with more than 80% accuracy
By Michele Cohen Marill Published -

Don't use cannabis during pregnancy or breastfeeding, leading OBGYN group says
By Elise Ceyral Published -

Scientists created human egg cells from skin cells — then used them to make embryos
By Nicoletta Lanese Published 5 Comments -
OpinionDangers of falling birth rates in the US have been 'dramatically overstated,' experts say
By Leslie Root Published 7 Comments -

Even brief exposure to air pollution can push the placenta into an inflammatory state, lab study suggests
By Nicoletta Lanese Published -

Acne drug Accutane may restore sperm production in infertile men, early study hints
By Clarissa Brincat Published
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Food & Diet
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Is there such a thing as 'too much' protein?
By Christoph Schwaiger Published 2 Comments -

A woman's homemade juice led to life-threatening 'toxic squash syndrome'
By Nicoletta Lanese Published 4 Comments -

FDA recalls more bagged, frozen shrimp over possible radioactive cesium contamination
By Nicoletta Lanese Last updated 3 Comments -

No-sugar sweetener erythritol may pose risk to cells in the brain
By Isha Ishtiaq Published 6 Comments -

Diagnostic dilemma: A man ended up in the ER after drinking 6 gallons of milk in 2 days
By Mindy Weisberger Published -

What is alkaline water, and does it have any benefits?
By Manuela Callari Published -

Do bay leaves actually add flavor, or is it all a con?
By Donavyn Coffey Published -

Does fake meat cause heart disease? Here's what the science actually says.
By Lori Youmshajekian Published -

'We've always been omnivores': Why 'meatfluencers' are wrong about what our ancestors ate
By Kate Wong Published
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Food & Drink
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Liquid-nitrogen-infused cocktail popped a man's stomach like a balloon
By Kamal Nahas Published -

New US food pyramid recommends very high protein diet, beef tallow as healthy fat option, and full-fat dairy
By Nicoletta Lanese Published 28 Comments -

An otherwise 'fit' man had a stroke after drinking 8 'high-potency' energy drinks a day
By Nicoletta Lanese Published 5 Comments -

A toxicologist explains when you can safely cut the moldy part off food, and when it's best to toss it
By Brad Reisfeld Published -

Man sought diet advice from ChatGPT and ended up with dangerous 'bromism' syndrome
By Nicoletta Lanese Published 8 Comments -

People on Ozempic start disliking meat and fried foods. We're starting to learn why.
By Lori Youmshajekian Published -

FDA bans red dye No. 3 in food
By Nicoletta Lanese Published -

Diagnostic dilemma: A man's heart stopped after he ate too much licorice
By Nicoletta Lanese Published -

Why do hangovers get worse with age?
By Marilyn Perkins Published
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Genetics
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Science history: 'Father of modern genetics' describes his experiments with pea plants — and proves that heredity is transmitted in discrete units — Feb. 8, 1865
By Tia Ghose Published -

These genes were thought to lead to blindness 100% of the time. They don't.
By Stephanie Pappas Published -

DNA from ancient viral infections helps embryos develop, mouse study reveals
By Clarissa Brincat Published -

Leonardo da Vinci's DNA may be embedded in his art — and scientists think they've managed to extract some
By Sascha Pare Published 2 Comments -

'More Neanderthal than human': How DNA from our long-lost ancestors affects our health today
By Emily Cooke Published 11 Comments -

5 genetic 'signatures' underpin a range of psychiatric conditions
By Clarissa Brincat Published 9 Comments -

Woman had her twin brother's XY chromosomes — but only in her blood
By Mindy Weisberger Published 3 Comments -

James Watson, controversial co-discoverer of DNA's structure, dies at 97
By Andor J. Kiss Published -

Unique gene variants in the Turkana people of Kenya may help them survive harsh desert heat
By Larissa G. Capella Published
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Heart & Circulation
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'Night owls' may have worse heart health — but why?
By Isha Ishtiaq Published -

Man's autopsy reveals unexpected 'boomerang-shaped' structure in his heart
By Lauren Schneider Published -

Men develop cardiovascular disease 7 years before women
By Clarissa Brincat Published 2 Comments -

People with more 'brown fat' have healthier cardiovascular systems. A new study in mice may explain why.
By Zunnash Khan Published 2 Comments -

This 'marker' may be more predictive than cholesterol for heart disease
By Mary J. Scourboutakos Published -

Scientists are developing a 'self-driving' device that helps patients recover from heart attacks
By Nicoletta Lanese Published -

Heart attacks are less harmful at night. And that might be key to treating them.
By Zunnash Khan Published -

Heart quiz: What do you know about the body's hardest-working muscle?
By Marilyn Perkins Published -

Gum disease treatment slows the thickening of arteries, clinical trial shows
By Sophie Berdugo Published 3 Comments
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Immune System
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An experimental mRNA treatment counters immune cell aging in mice
By Nicoletta Lanese Published -

Insomnia and anxiety come with a weaker immune system — a new study starts to unravel why
By Kamal Nahas Published -

Mitochondria aren't only the 'powerhouses of cells' — they also battle germs
By Andrew Monteith Published -

Twin study reveals signs of MS that might be detectable before symptoms
By Michael Schubert Published -

Scientist who discovered body's 'fire alarm' against invading bacteria wins $250,000 Lasker prize
By Nicoletta Lanese Published -

Why are some people's mosquito bites itchier than others'? New study hints at answer
By Michael Schubert Published -

Scientists breed most human-like mice yet
By Emily Cooke Published -

Master regulator of inflammation found — and it's in the brain stem
By Emily Cooke Published -

Women have 4 times men's rate of autoimmune disease. The X chromosome may be to blame.
By Emily Cooke Published
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More about Health
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Scientists infiltrated volunteers' dreams to boost their creative thinking
By RJ Mackenzie Published -
Buyers guideBest running shoes for supination 2026: Find the perfect fit for your feet
By Harry Bullmore Last updated -
DealsThe best toddler-friendly air purifier we have tested is now at its lowest-ever price
By Anna Gora Published
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