Imagine what happens when you toss a disposable face mask into a landfill. Scientists have been looking into this, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic led to a surge in mask use. They found that these masks can break down over time, releasing tiny pieces called microplastics and harmful chemicals
You know how wheat bran is great for managing blood sugar levels? Well, it turns out that what happens to it during digestion can change its effectiveness. Scientists decided to see exactly how much the digestive process alters wheat bran's power to lower blood sugar. They looked at how well it bind
Have you heard about Streptococcus suis? It's a sneaky bug that's caused some serious problems in pigs, leading to major losses for the farming industry. Yet, its threat to humans was often overlooked, even after a big outbreak in Sichuan, China, that left people very sick. Scientists in Zhejiang P
Ever wondered who's calling the shots in the U. S. health insurance market? It's not a secret that a few big players have been gobbling up smaller companies. Take CVS Health, for instance. In 2018, they scooped up Aetna. That same year, Cigna bought Express Scripts. Fast forward to 2023, Kaiser Perm
Using a manual wheelchair (MWC) can be tough, especially for new users. A recent study talked to 18 clinicians and 25 MWC users to find out what makes things hard for them. They spent time at various rehabilitation centers, having chats that lasted between 30 to 60 minutes. They asked about moving a
Ever wondered what happens when you switch up genetic experiments? Scientists did just that, testing nine different genetic switches in three varied hosts. Imagine 27 unique combinations! The outcome? The host mattered more than the switch itself. Adjusting switches had a minor impact, while the hos
Researchers have discovered that mice who experience weight cycling, commonly known as yo-yo dieting in humans, face more issues with blood sugar control and fat storage in their livers, especially if they have a history of eating a high-fat diet. Unlike previous studies that focused on short-term e
Imagine a man settling into his trailer home just outside Houston. Shamsud-Din Jabbar had a plan. He was headed to New Orleans. That night, he sat down with his family and dropped a bombshell. "I joined ISIS, " he told them, his words filled with a dark purpose. He shared a disturbing vision: a "cel
In the dead of night on January 3, SpaceX sent its very first Falcon 9 rocket of the year soaring into space. The mission took flight from Cape Canaveral, Florida, with a target of delivering the Thuraya 4 satellite into geosynchronous orbit. Thuraya 4, a project of United Arab Emirates-based compan
Week 18 of the NFL season is here, and with it comes a mix of high-stakes games and controversial lineups. Teams like the Vikings and Lions are battling for the NFC North title, while other matchups, like Saints vs. Buccaneers and Chiefs vs. Broncos, have significant spreads. With 14 games on Sunday
