Health & Medicine

  1. Brain

    Among mice, scratching is catching — as in contagious

    Contagious itching spreads by sight, mouse-to-mouse. Scientists have now identified brain structures behind this phenomenon.

    By Susan Milius
  2. Health & Medicine

    Early birds eat better

    People who love mornings tend to eat healthier food throughout the day. This could help explain why night owls tend be less healthy overall.

    By Kathryn Hulick
  3. Science & Society

    Legalizing pot may confuse teens into thinking it’s safe

    A growing number of teens think marijuana is no big deal, a new study finds. And that may encourage many to experiment with its use.

    By Lela Nargi
  4. Brain

    Study links ADHD to five brain areas

    A new international study shows that the brains of children with ADHD are different from those in people without this condition.

    By Dinsa Sachan
  5. Health & Medicine

    Analyze This: Zika and microcephaly

    Data from pregnant women with Zika in Colombia helped scientists probe whether Zika causes birth defects.

    By Lillian Steenblik Hwang
  6. Animals

    Frog’s gift of grab comes from saliva and squishy tissue

    What puts the grip in a frog’s high-speed strike? Quick-change saliva and a super-soft tongue, scientists find.

    By Susan Milius
  7. Microbes

    Teen invents a dip to keep germs away

    A teen competing in the 2017 Regeneron Science Talent Search invented an eco-friendly chemical mix. It should keep bacteria from growing on treated paper, fabrics — including wound coverings — and more.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  8. Health & Medicine

    Hibernation: Secrets of the big sleep

    Mammals from bears to squirrels hibernate the winter away. Learning how they do it might one day help people mimic aspects of it to heal from brain injuries or voyage to Mars.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  9. Health & Medicine

    Jiggly gelatin: Good workout snack for athletes?

    Eating a vitamin-rich, Jell-O-like snack could help the body make the collagen needed to repair bones and ligaments that can be damaged by exercise.

    By Ashley Yeager
  10. Health & Medicine

    Mental illness may be a common life experience

    Those who stay mentally healthy from childhood to middle age are exceptions to the rule. Most people don’t, a new study reveals.

    By Bruce Bower
  11. Health & Medicine

    Umbrella’s shade doesn’t prevent sunburn

    Sunblock may be sticky and uncomfortable, but it blocked more of the sun's harmful rays than did an umbrella, a new study found.

    By Lela Nargi
  12. Health & Medicine

    Speaking Mandarin may offer kids a musical edge

    Scientists have linked a type of musical ability with the knowledge of Mandarin, the primary language of China.

    By Dinsa Sachan