Kissing might seem like a very human thing to do. But guess what? It's not! Scientists think that kissing started way before humans even existed. They believe that our ancient ancestors were doing it over 20 million years ago. That's a long time ago! So, how did they figure this out? Well, they studied different types of primates like chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutan...
Teenagers are often told to get enough sleep, but new research shows that poor sleep might be more than just a bad habit. It could be a warning sign for something much more serious: suicide risk. A recent study followed over 8, 500 young people born between 2000 and 2002. It found that teens who struggled with sleep at age 14 were more likely to attempt suicide by a...
The waters around Philadelphia are facing a new challenge: the invasive Northern snakehead fish. These fish, originally from China, Russia, and Korea, were first spotted in Pennsylvania in 2004. They have since spread rapidly, causing concern among environmentalists and scientists. The snakeheads are known for their ability to survive in harsh conditions. They can l...
In recent years, there's been a noticeable trend of Chinese migrant workers leaving big cities and going back to their hometowns. This shift is interesting because it goes against the usual story of people moving to cities for jobs. So, what's driving this change? First, let's talk about money and jobs. Workers are looking at the costs and benefits of living in citi...
Stress is a constant companion for many. While exercise and meditation are popular stress relievers, they aren't always practical. So, what if your car could help you relax? That's the question researchers asked. They developed a system that combines sounds, lights, and scents to create a calming environment inside a car, even when it's not moving. In a small study,...
The Mediterranean Sea is facing a hidden problem: heavy metals. These metals can harm marine life and even end up in our food. To understand this better, scientists studied two fish species: the small-spotted catshark and the European hake. The catshark is a bottom-dweller, which means it stays close to the sea floor. This makes it a good indicator of pollution in it...
In the world of intensive care, stress is a well-known companion for patients. But what about comfort? It's a topic that hasn't gotten as much attention. A recent study aimed to change that by looking at the overall comfort of critically ill patients during their ICU stay. The study used a special tool called the Comfort Questionnaire (CQ)-ICU. This questionnaire is...
Turkey has a complex relationship with alcohol. Many people grapple with alcohol dependence there. A recent effort looked into how these individuals view themselves and how society sees them. This is important because it helps understand the challenges they face. The study involved 37 people receiving treatment for alcohol dependence. It took place in a specialized ...
In recent years, the use of ketamine for fun has been on the rise. This increase has led to some unexpected health issues. Specifically, there has been a notable rise in urinary problems linked to this drug. A recent investigation looked into the trends of acute poisonings and urinary complications from using ketamine for fun in the Netherlands. This study is impor...
Parkinson's disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA) are both neurodegenerative disorders that affect the brain and the body's nervous system. The skin, surprisingly, might hold clues about these conditions. Scientists have found evidence that these diseases can also impact the peripheral nervous system, which includes nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. ...