Credit: iStock/gaus-nataliya As trees change colors and shed leaves and the air cools down, many of us cannot stop dreaming of seasonal festivities. You might think there’s nothing more festive than meeting your loved ones for a Thanksgiving feast. Don’t forget to add a side of cranberries while you gobble up your turkey! Besides adding … Continue reading Enjoy Health Benefits of the Sweet-and-Sour Cranberry This Holiday Season
Chronic Disease
How Exercise Protects You from Dementia
Credit: iStock More than 7 million people in the U.S. live with neurodegenerative disorders. These are chronic diseases of the nervous system that worsen over time. Degenerative disorders are difficult to slow or reverse when nerve cells (neurons) stop working the way they should or die. Examples include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and … Continue reading How Exercise Protects You from Dementia
Spotlight On: Breast Cancer
Credit: iStock/tunpungato Breast cancer is the most diagnosed invasive tumor type in women. One in 8 women living in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. Men can also get breast cancer, but the number of cases is much smaller. How does breast cancer begin? Breast cancer begins when breast cells … Continue reading Spotlight On: Breast Cancer
Oh ‘NO’! How Too Much Salt Affects the Kidneys
Eating too much salt is a huge problem. Globally, high salt can be linked to 1.65 million annual deaths from cardiovascular disease. High salt is often linked to high blood pressure, also called hypertension. However, some people who eat a lot of salt and have cardiovascular issues, have no hypertension. So, salt must be doing … Continue reading Oh ‘NO’! How Too Much Salt Affects the Kidneys
Ripples in Childhood, Waves in Adulthood: Early Childhood Stress and Your Health
Credit: iStock/FangXiaNuo Playgrounds, red balloons, lollipops, sandcastles on the beach and jump ropes are just some of the images that come to mind when you think of a happy childhood. Many people grow up with curiosity, play and the building of foundational memories that shape who they become. From learning to ride a bike to … Continue reading Ripples in Childhood, Waves in Adulthood: Early Childhood Stress and Your Health
Blue Spaces: The Surprising Health Benefits of Being Near Water
Credit: iStock/baona We have all heard that drinking enough water is good for our health, but we don’t often hear about the benefits of being in a “blue space” near water. Can you get a boost in wellness simply by being close to a body of water? Blue spaces are outdoor areas with water such … Continue reading Blue Spaces: The Surprising Health Benefits of Being Near Water
What Are the Mayday Signs of a Vasovagal Syncope Attack?
Credit: iStock/bymuratdeniz Lightheadedness, nausea, ringing ears, blurred vision. Suddenly you lose consciousness and wake up on the ground. These are your “mayday” signals when vasovagal syncope attacks. Vasovagal syncope, also known as vasodepressor syncope, is the most common cause of fainting. It can be triggered by various situations, including dehydration, extreme heat or standing for … Continue reading What Are the Mayday Signs of a Vasovagal Syncope Attack?
Unlocking the Mystery of Pediatric Osteosarcoma
Credit: iStock July is Sarcoma and Bone Cancer Awareness Month. One important topic related to this awareness month (and something that scientists often find fascinating!) is pediatric osteosarcoma. That might sound like a mouthful, but we’ll break it down together. Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer. It’s like an unwelcome guest that decides to … Continue reading Unlocking the Mystery of Pediatric Osteosarcoma
Spotlight On: Epigenetics
Credit: iStock/DariaRen For many years scientists tried to understand how a fertilized egg develops into a multicellular organism with specialized cells. Even though cells in our body share the same set of genes, some cells have “learned” how to perform special functions. Our muscle cells somehow fill themselves with muscle proteins called myosin and actin … Continue reading Spotlight On: Epigenetics
How Does Eating and Exercising at the Right Time Reduce Your Risk of Chronic Disease?
Karyn Esser, PhD, presents her research at the 2024 American Physiology Summit. Credit: American Physiological Society The role of the biological clock (circadian rhythm) on human health and disease was covered in depth at the 2023 American Physiology Summit. Learning about how the body’s clock works with other organs is a topic scientists are continually … Continue reading How Does Eating and Exercising at the Right Time Reduce Your Risk of Chronic Disease?