Health & Medicine

  1. Health & Medicine

    The cool science of hot peppers

    Why are chili peppers spicy? Why does anyone crave food that burns? Uncovering this fiery veggie’s secrets could help fight pain and obesity.

    By Kathryn Hulick
  2. Health & Medicine

    Teachers make time for Ebola and other current events

    Science teachers want to cover current science and health topics, but struggle to find good resources for their students.

    By Alison Pearce Stevens
  3. Health & Medicine

    Headed to a concert this summer? Pack earplugs

    Wearing earplugs at concerts and other loud events may prevent hearing loss and permanent ear damage, a new study suggests.

    By Ashley Yeager
  4. Health & Medicine

    Explainer: When loud becomes dangerous

    Many people don’t realize that sounds — even those of the music they love — can prove harmful when they get too loud.

    By Janet Raloff
  5. Health & Medicine

    Teen vaping soars past cigarette use

    Most U.S. states ban sales of e-cigarette products to kids. Still, new data show that it’s no sweat for tweens and teens to buy them online.

    By Janet Raloff
  6. Health & Medicine

    Teen girls start drinking earlier than boys

    Teen girls now tend to take up drinking alcohol earlier than do boys, data show. Drinking-prevention programs, however, tend to focus on boys.

    By Sharon Oosthoek
  7. Health & Medicine

    Newly discovered microbe keeps teeth healthy

    A newfound bacterium halts the tooth erosion that leads to cavities. This germ or one like it might one day be added to toothpaste or mouthwash.

    By Kathryn Hulick
  8. Health & Medicine

    Focusing on one sport ups a teen’s risk of injury

    Want to decrease athletic injuries? Part of the answer may be to engage in more, and more varied, sports.

    By Jennifer L.W. Fink
  9. Chemistry

    Gotcha! New test stalks diseases early

    Chemists screen blood for disease markers by adapting a common DNA test. The test can find disease earlier, when it also may be easier to treat.

    By Esther Landhuis
  10. Health & Medicine

    Why Paralympic sprinters have trouble with curves

    Whether an artificial leg is on the right or left side of the body may affect how fast runners can take a turn.

    By Helen Thompson
  11. Health & Medicine

    Cool jobs: Brainy ways to battle obesity

    Scientists from different fields are tapping into connections between food and the brain to help people fight obesity and overcome the urge to overeat.

    By Kathiann Kowalski
  12. Environment

    Breathing very dirty air may boost obesity risk

    Breathing dirty Beijing air made rats heavier and less healthy than rats breathing clean air. Scientists now worry such polluted air may do the same thing to people.

    By Ashley Yeager