Health & Medicine
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Health & MedicineScientists Say: Insulin
This chemical is a lifesaver. It helps our bodies use the sugars from our food, and without it, people develop diabetes.
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EarthEditors’ top picks for 2016
From gravity waves to climate’s human impact and an exploration of post-election racism, we’ve covered the year’s major stories. Here what was most important.
By Janet Raloff -
Health & MedicineOutdoor time is good for your eyes
Being outdoors exposes children to bright light that can be good for their eyes. Spending just one extra daylight hour outdoors each week can substantially lower their chance of becoming nearsighted, a study finds.
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EnvironmentFood-like smell on plastic may lure seabirds to eat it
When plastic smells like supper, seabirds and other animals can be fooled into thinking it is food.
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Health & MedicineHigh school vapers often become heavy smokers
New studies show e-cig ads promote vaping by teen — and their conversion to smoking tobacco.
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BrainTo reveal how the brain creates joy, start by tickling rats
Rats love a good tickle. Not only do they beg for more, but the action itself activates a part of the brain that detects touch, researchers find.
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Science & SocietyFive things students can do about racism
Racism plagues societies around the world and has since ancient times. But scientists who have studied its impacts offer suggestions on how to make it stop.
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TechImplant traps cancer cells on the move
A device implanted under the skin extended the life of mice with breast cancer. It trapped injected cancer cells before they created tumors in organs throughout the body.
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Health & MedicineSimpler way to screen for hidden hearing loss?
Many teens today walk around with undiagnosed hearing damage. But some Boston-based researchers have come up with a low-tech approach to screening these individuals so they can get help.
By Lela Nargi -
Health & Medicine‘Ringing’ in the ears may signal serious ear damage
A persistent ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus, has become common in teens — and may point to eventual, permanent hearing loss.
By Lela Nargi -
Health & MedicineMilking chocolate for its health benefits
Researchers figure out how to give milk chocolate the same health benefits as dark chocolate. The secret ingredient is an extract from peanut skin.
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Health & MedicineCould toothpaste give heart disease the brush-off?
Brushing with a toothpaste that dyes plaque green encourages people to remove more of it. This also lowered inflammation, which may cut someone’s risk of heart disease.