Health & Medicine
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EnvironmentWildfire smoke seems to pose its biggest health risk to kids
New studies, some of them in young monkeys, point to vulnerabilities affecting kids' airways, brains and immune systems.
By Megan Sever -
ClimateWestern wildfire smoke poses health risks from coast to coast
As wildfires become more common, their hazardous smoke is sending East Coast residents — especially children — to emergency rooms.
By Megan Sever -
AnimalsYour face is mighty mite-y. And that’s a good thing
Tiny face mites live in our pores, getting food and shelter in return for eating our skin waste. A new study shows they can’t live without us.
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ClimateLet’s learn about heat waves
Heat waves often occur when a high-pressure system lingers over a certain area. These deadly events are on the rise due to climate change.
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Health & MedicineSix months in space causes 10 years’ worth of bone loss
Even a year after recovery back on Earth, astronauts who’d been in space six months or more still had bone loss equal to a decade of aging.
By Liz Kruesi -
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 -
AnimalsTo 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.