Health News - Science and Medicine Articles

Sexsomnia really exists — here's what to know about 'sleep sex'

By Amy Arthur published 7 February 23

Sexsomnia is a disorder that leads people to perform sexual behaviors while they're asleep.

Shot of a young female doctor looking tired while working in a busy hospital

What is burnout?

By Joe Phelan published 7 February 23

Burnout is an “occupational phenomenon” that can occur when a person experiences long-term stress at work.

an illustration of the brain eating amoeba Balamuthia mandrillaris , depicted in pink against a white, speckled background

Fatal 'brain-eating' amoeba successfully treated with repurposed UTI drug

By Nicoletta Lanese published 6 February 23

Doctors successfully treated a patient's rare brain infection with a drug typically used for UTIs.

Parkinson's disease: Risks, symptoms and treatment

By Cari Nierenberg, Joe Phelan last updated 6 February 23

Around 500,000 Americans are currently diagnosed as having Parkinson's disease.

Positive blonde middle-aged woman psychologist talking to girl patient.

What is sleep hypnosis and does it really work?

By Lou Mudge published 6 February 23

Sleep hypnosis could be a potential therapy for sleep disorders, but more research is needed.

magic mushrooms are chemicals called psilocybin and psilocin

Psilocybin: Facts about the main ingredient in psychedelic 'magic' mushrooms

By Cari Nierenberg last updated 6 February 23

Reference Psilocybin, like other psychedelics, is illegal in the United States, but controlled doses may have therapeutic effects.

Reference

illustration of p. aeruginosa bacterial cells, depicted in bright pink on a dark blue background

Eye drops recalled after CDC links them to vision loss, 1 death

By Nicoletta Lanese published 3 February 23

An eye drop product linked to a cluster of serious bacterial infections has been voluntarily recalled by its manufacturer.

full-length portrait of runner sprinting on a bridge

What is cadence in running and why is it important?

By Lily Canter published 3 February 23

From step rates to stride lengths, here’s everything you need to know about cadence in running.

histological image shows a cross section of a rat's brain, depicted in red, with a glowing green blob on the top right side; the blob is a clump of cells called an organoid that's been derived from human stem cells and transplanted into the rat's brain

Rat brain injuries 'plugged' with lab-grown human minibrains in world-first experiment

By Nicoletta Lanese published 2 February 23

Scientists transplanted human brain organoids into rats to repair injuries to their visual processing systems.

woman lying on her bed on her phone looking upset

Why does heartbreak hurt so much? Science has the answer

By Lou Mudge published 2 February 23

Research explains why the pain of heartbreak isn't just in the mind.

How does caffeine affect sleep?

By Louise Bond published 2 February 23

It may boost alertness and concentration, but how does caffeine affect sleep?

DNA molecular structure with sequencing data of human genome analysis on black background

Dozens of genes linked to thyroid disease risk in largest study of its kind

By Carissa Wong published 2 February 23

112 genes were linked to thyroid conditions in a large genomic study.

Tired woman is trying to drink coffee, but misses pouring it into her cup and is sleeping with her head on the counter

Does coffee really give you an 'energy boost'?

By Emma Beckett published 1 February 23

Coffee may make you less drowsy, but it doesn't really "energize" the body.

illustration of a bacterial cell, resmembling the fuzzy top of a cattail with thin filaments extending from one end

Eye drop product may be tied to cluster of drug-resistant bacterial infections, CDC says

By Nicoletta Lanese published 1 February 23

A specific brand of eye drops may potentially be linked to a cluster of serious bacterial infections in the U.S.

man walking his dog in a snow blizzard at dusk

Why are heart attacks more common in winter? A cardiologist explains

By Lou Mudge published 1 February 23

Colder weather can trigger a number of physiological changes that may increase the risk of a cardiac event.

10 surprising facts about the 'mind-control' parasite Toxoplasma gondii

By Harry Baker published 1 February 23

T. gondii is one of the most common infectious parasites on Earth, but it is also one of the most interesting to learn about.

woman laying on her bed with restless legs syndrome

Restless legs syndrome: Causes, symptoms and treatment

By Anna Gora last updated 1 February 23

Restless legs syndrome is a nervous system condition that causes an intense urge to move the legs.

MRIs showing various cross sections of a human brain

Similar brain 'thinning' seen in older adults with obesity and people with Alzheimer's

By Nicoletta Lanese published 31 January 23

A new study links obesity to patterns of brain tissue loss that overlap with those seen in Alzheimer's disease.

young child sits at a dining table surrounded by adults who laugh and clap for her as she blows out birthday candles on a cake.

What is the key to happiness? We look at the science behind it.

By Anna Gora published 31 January 23

From social connection to physical activity, is science any closer to finding the key to happiness?

A close-up of a human eye. Seeing is one of the human senses

The five (and more) human senses

By Alina Bradford, Ailsa Harvey last updated 31 January 23

Reference There are five basic human senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. Other senses also help us understand and perceive the world around us.