SOCIAL FACTORS

Jun 06 2026RELIGION

Why some Americans are dying younger and how community plays a role

In the U. S. , a troubling rise in deaths from suicide, overdoses, and alcohol-related illnesses has been noticeable since the early 1990s. These deaths aren’t random—they mostly affect middle-aged white adults. Research links this trend to a drop in religious involvement over the same period. When

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May 29 2026HEALTH

Tracking arthritis beyond the usual measures

Knee joints that refuse to behave the same way each day. Fingers stiff at dawn and relieved by noon. Inflammatory arthritis (IA) doesn’t follow a straight line, yet most treatment plans act like it does. Researchers now ask: what if the person behind the disease matters as much as the disease itself

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Apr 01 2026HEALTH

Life in Pain: How Young Adults Navigate Health Care

Young people who suffer from several long‑term pains find it hard to get the help they need. This research looked at who visits doctors, what medicines are taken, and how these choices relate to the level of pain and emotional stress. Instead of starting with the numbers, the study first asks:

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Mar 02 2026HEALTH

Pets Help Keep the Brain Sharp

Pet ownership might be a hidden helper for keeping the mind active as people age. New studies show that living with animals can touch many parts of how our brains change over time. The research looks at both the body’s biology and the feelings that come with having a pet. On the biological side, pe

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Jan 05 2026HEALTH

Work and Well-being: A Look at Three Decades of Research

Work can be tough. Sometimes, people put in a lot of effort but don't get the rewards they expect. This idea, called effort-reward imbalance (ERI), has been studied for about 30 years. Researchers have looked at how this imbalance affects health. They found that when people feel they're not getting

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Dec 27 2025HEALTH

How Inner Peace Can Shield Your Heart

The heart is more than just a pump. It's a complex system that can be affected by what's going on in our minds and spirits. Scientists have known for a while that feeling down or anxious can harm the tiny blood vessels in our hearts. But what about the opposite? What if feeling at peace with oneself

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Dec 22 2025HEALTH

How Life Choices Affect Prediabetes Management

People with prediabetes face a tough challenge. They must change their lifestyle to prevent diabetes. But why do some people stick to these changes while others don't? It turns out, where you live, your job, and your social life play big roles. First, let's talk about money. If you don't have much,

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Dec 13 2025HEALTH

How Your Life Choices Might Affect Your Spine

Researchers dug into how our daily habits, mental health, and social status might impact spinal issues. They used a fancy method called Mendelian randomization to figure out if these factors cause problems like back pain or herniated discs. First, they looked at lifestyle choices. Things like smoki

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Nov 29 2025HEALTH

How Friends and Family Might Help Fight Cancer

In China, cancer is a big health issue. A recent study looked at how social life might affect cancer risk in adults aged 45 and older. Over 12, 000 people were followed for nearly ten years. Researchers checked things like income, education, and social support. The results showed that people with b

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Nov 08 2025CRYPTO

Gaming for Cash: The Hidden Risks of Hamster Kombat in Iran

Hamster Kombat, a play-to-earn (PTE) game, has taken the world by storm, with over 300 million users since its launch in March 2024. But in Iran, where the local currency has lost value, the game's appeal is even stronger. A recent study looked at why so many Iranians are playing Hamster Kombat and

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