Health & Medicine

  1. Health & Medicine

    Got brain rot?

    Excessive scrolling through social media or viral videos can mess with your mental health — and possibly alter your brain’s development, studies show.

    By Kathryn Hulick
  2. Science & Society

    Stressed by tech? Here’s how to find help

    This checklist can help you assess and improve your experiences — and your mental health.

    By Wendy Orlando and Janet Raloff
  3. Science & Society

    Large numbers of underage kids are on social media, study finds

    Two in every three kids aged 8 to 12 have already been on social media, and one-tenth have been bullied there. Some kids report other bad experiences too.

    By Kathiann Kowalski
  4. Health & Medicine

    A new cell model could help kids and teens with arthritis

    This model was built by a teenager with juvenile idiopathic arthritis — a poorly understood chronic illness.

    By Maria Temming
  5. Health & Medicine

    Scientists Say: Symptom

    A runny nose, fever or feeling of fatigue might clue your doctor in to the right diagnosis.

    By Katie Grace Carpenter
  6. Tech

    New light-activated coating can kill stubborn germs

    Based on graphene, this new material can knock out hard-to-kill germs on contact — even in your mouth.

    By Stephen Ornes
  7. Humans

    Using physics can help athletes avoid sports injuries 

    Jessica Talmage uses physics to help understand how the body moves. Her findings help athletes avoid sports injuries and improve their performance.

    By Carly Kay
  8. Health & Medicine

    New study links early smartphone ownership to health risks

    The earlier kids get smartphones, the more likely they’ll get too little sleep, gain weight — and possibly develop depression, a new study suggests.

    By Kathiann Kowalski
  9. Health & Medicine

    You need to eat protein — but the right mix really matters

    All proteins are not equal, research is showing. So while most Americans get plenty of protein, they might not be eating the most nutritious blend.

    By Sujata Gupta
  10. Chemistry

    Explainer: What is chirality?

    Chiral molecules are mirror images of each other. They might not seem all that different — but can have drastically different effects in medicine, materials and more.

    By Kathryn Hulick
  11. Health & Medicine

    Butt breathing might help people struggling to get enough oxygen

    This strange investigation into whether humans can use the gut for breathing has surprisingly heartwarming origins: helping the scientist’s dad.

    By Maria Temming
  12. Microbes

    Let’s learn about viruses

    Viruses cause a huge range of illnesses, but vaccines can help protect you against these infections.

    By Maria Temming