Health & Medicine
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Health & MedicineTeen arm wrestlers face risk of an unusual elbow break
The pointy part of the inner elbow can break in arm wrestling, especially among teens whose bones are still growing.
By Chris Gorski -
Health & MedicineTo test for COVID-19, a dog’s nose can match a nose swab
Dogs can sniff out COVID-19 cases as well as PCR tests can — and are better at ID’ing cases having no symptoms, a new study finds.
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Health & MedicineJoggers run at an energy-efficient pace, new data show
Fitness trackers and treadmill tests show that a runner’s speed tends to vary little, regardless of the distance they run.
By Chris Gorski -
BrainWarning! Nicotine poses special risks to teens
Even a single dose of nicotine during early teen years can start a life-long cycle of nicotine use and addiction.
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ChemistryReusable plastic bottles release hundreds of pollutants into water
Data show the plastic ends up tainting drinking water. For now, scientists don’t know what health risks downing these pollutants might pose.
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Health & MedicinePatches and robotic pills may one day replace injections
Instead of a shot in the arm, a light-activated patch or robotic pill may one day deliver your medicine.
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Health & MedicineYour bloodstream may be littered with the plastic you’ve eaten
For the first time, scientists have found plastic particles circulating in human blood. No one yet knows whether those polluting bits might pose a risk to health.
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Health & MedicineLike bloodhounds, worms are sniffing out human cancers
Scents emitted by diseased cells may usher in a new era of safe, low-cost screening tests for cancer and other illnesses.
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Health & MedicineIn an emergency, you may want to see Dr. Dog
Emergency room visits by therapy dogs can reduce pain, anxiety and depression in patients waiting for care, a new study finds.
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EnvironmentWe all unknowingly eat plastic, which may host toxic pollutants
In the environment, plastics attract all types of toxic chemicals. If ingested, new data show, chemicals on those plastic bits may harm the gut.
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Health & MedicineSickle-cell gene therapies offer hope — and challenges
Doctor Erica Esrick discusses existing treatments and an ongoing clinical trial for a gene therapy to treat sickle cell disease.
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Health & MedicineExplainer: What is sickle cell disease?
Gene mutations can alter an individual’s hemoglobin in ways that curl their blood cells. This can cause painful sickle cell disease.
By Erin Garcia de Jesús and Janet Raloff