Credit: iStock Let’s be honest. Some scientific research can sound a little silly when you first hear about it. But if you look more deeply, you may find remarkable insights in that silly-sounding science. For instance, why would someone bother to study lizard spit when there are so many serious diseases left to be cured? … Continue reading Science Lays a Golden Egg
Scientific Research
The Physiology of Teaching and Learning
Credit: iStock Though the temperatures are still soaring in many areas of the country, you might be seeing the signs of school starting around you. School buses are on the streets, fresh notebooks and packs of pens are being placed front and center in stores. As you head into another year of teaching and learning, … Continue reading The Physiology of Teaching and Learning
Sweating to Keep Cool
Credit: iStock While our air conditioners are working hard to cool our homes in the record high heat waves sweeping the U.S. this summer, our bodies are working just as hard to keep cool. Our bodies work to maintain internal organ and tissue temperature at a relatively constant value between 96.8 and 100.4 degrees F. … Continue reading Sweating to Keep Cool
Exercise and Water: Responsible Drinking in the Summer Heat
Wayne State University football players huddle on a hot day. Credit: Tamara Hew-Butler I’ve studied hydration for almost 20 years, mostly from the lens of overhydration. So, every time a coach or trainer instructs athletes to “stay hydrated” or “drink more water,” my heart sinks. Drinking too much water can cause brain swelling, which … Continue reading Exercise and Water: Responsible Drinking in the Summer Heat
The Not-so-Sweet Truth about Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease
Credit: iStock The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 1 in 10 people in the U.S. have diabetes. About 90 to 95% of people with diabetes have Type 2, meaning their body can’t process and break down food properly. This leads to higher blood sugar, increased circulating fatty acids and insulin resistance. Type … Continue reading The Not-so-Sweet Truth about Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease
How Breastfeeding Shapes the Gut Microbiome
Credit: iStock Human milk is often called “liquid gold” for its incredible benefits for infants. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding from the first hour after birth until the baby is 6 months old, and continuing breastfeeding along with complementary foods for up to two years. However, worldwide, fewer than half of infants … Continue reading How Breastfeeding Shapes the Gut Microbiome
Want to Improve Your Health? Try Pedaling with One Leg Instead of Two
Credit: iStock More than half of all people in the U.S. are living with at least one chronic disease. Fortunately, physical activity and exercise can help manage symptoms and improve overall health. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults living with chronic conditions engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity … Continue reading Want to Improve Your Health? Try Pedaling with One Leg Instead of Two
Screening the Sun: The Science of Sunscreen
Credit: iStock Fireworks, concerts, barbecues, picnics, parades, sandy beaches and swimming are just a few of the many ways we celebrate the Fourth of July holiday. Each of these fun outdoor activities increases our sun exposure, which can increase our risk of melanoma or skin cancer. Sunlight consists of infrared, visible and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. … Continue reading Screening the Sun: The Science of Sunscreen
Climate Change Affects Our Health by Changing Air Quality
Credit: iStock Earth is a special planet for having an atmosphere that enables life to thrive. Our atmosphere surrounds our planet, which keeps us warm and contains oxygen for us to breathe. The atmosphere has different layers with different qualities and is where our weather happens. Weather refers to the state of the air and … Continue reading Climate Change Affects Our Health by Changing Air Quality
Physical Inactivity: We Got To Move It, Move It
Credit: iStock Did you know that some data suggest physical inactivity increases your risk of dying from any cause more than smoking? Although this argument is still debated, in theory, you could go for a run and have a cigarette and be less likely to die than someone who does neither (you still shouldn’t smoke). … Continue reading Physical Inactivity: We Got To Move It, Move It