Health News
22nd December, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Ancient grains may ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
IBS sufferers may find relief in ancient grain pasta, a new study shows. Patients eating pasta made from emmer and rye flour saw significantly greater symptom reduction vs those on traditional gluten-free pasta.
19th December, 2025
| Greg Howard
Metabolism in captive Asian elephants reveals insights into health
Study comparing Asian elephants in Laos & Thailand reveals those in Thailand, with high-calorie diets & tourism work, show poorer metabolic health & weight issues. Laotian elephants had higher stress, possibly due to recent changes.
17th December, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Frog iron storage protein gene linked to fighting off bacterial infections
Iron is vital but toxic when free, so organisms store it in proteins like ferritin. This study in frogs showed ferritin gene activity increased during bacterial infection, likely helping manage iron & combat cellular damage from the immune response.
16th December, 2025
| Greg Howard
Astragalus root may offer protection against preeclampsia in lab studies
Preeclampsia is a dangerous pregnancy condition involving high blood pressure and organ damage, often linked to placental problems.
11th December, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
How salt and oxygen affect the health and growth of Nile tilapia
Climate change stressors—low oxygen & rising salt—harm Nile tilapia growth, digestion & health. Combined, they weaken immune function, damage tissues & disrupt metabolism. Research highlights urgent need for climate-adapted aquaculture practices to protect this key food source.
25th November, 2025
| Jim Crocker
Gut bacteria changes linked to liver problems from microplastic exposure
Microplastics may disrupt gut health, new research suggests. A study in mice showed plastic particle exposure altered liver function & gut bacteria diversity.
16th November, 2025
| Jim Crocker
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria spread from farms to wild birds
Brazilian researchers found antibiotic-resistant bacteria, specifically a strain linked to livestock, in wild birds.
13th November, 2025
| Jim Crocker
Using computer vision to improve care for desert jerboas with hair loss
AI ‘watchdog’ tech accurately tracked tiny jerboas—fast, nocturnal rodents—revealing a link between hair loss and stressful environments. Smaller spaces & lack of privacy increased grooming, suggesting psychological causes. This improves animal welfare assessments.
12th November, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Heavy metal pollution in dry soils poses health risks
Egyptian Nile Delta soil shows concerning heavy metal contamination from farming chemicals, posing cancer risks, especially to children via lead, arsenic, & nickel. Mapping shows hotspots needing urgent action to protect health & ecosystems.
8th November, 2025
| Greg Howard
Horse scar tissue composition reveals clues about healing speed
Horse wounds, especially on legs, often develop excessive tissue that delays healing. Research reveals this is due to a stalled healing process producing too much of an immature building block protein, alongside blocked blood vessels. Targeting this could improve treatment.
5th November, 2025
| Greg Howard
Noise pollution linked to Parkinson’s-like symptoms and brain cell damage
Parkinson’s disease may be linked to noise exposure, a new study reveals. Research on mice showed chronic noise worsened motor skills & reduced dopamine neurons.
31st October, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Olive oil and exosomes show promise in treating fatty liver disease
Fatty liver disease affects many, but treatments are limited. A new study shows combining olive oil with stem cell components may significantly improve liver health, reducing fat buildup & inflammation via gene regulation. More research is needed, but results are promising.
26th October, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Bergamot leaf extract may protect the heart from damage related to obesity
Obesity damages the heart via changes in its structure & function, driven by inflammation.
20th October, 2025
| Jim Crocker
Protein crucial for bone growth linked to osteoporosis risk
New research links a gene, MPP7, to osteoporosis. Lower levels of MPP7 were found in bone tissue of those with the condition, hindering bone cell development & strength. This discovery could lead to new treatments.
15th October, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Pesticide exposure linked to energy problems in cells mirroring ALS symptoms
New research links a specific pesticide, cis-chlordane, to ALS by disrupting energy production in nerve cells. Lab studies show it damages mitochondria, mirroring issues seen in ALS patients.
14th October, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Vitamin C and plant extracts show promise against guava root and stem diseases
Vitamin C and a plant extract show promise as eco-friendly controls against crown gall and root-knot diseases, major crop threats.
12th October, 2025
| Jim Crocker
Health concerns in Amazon river communities linked to changing climate
Amazon river communities face growing health risks from extreme weather, worsened by climate change & deforestation. Droughts & floods isolate people, limiting access to care & increasing illnesses.
4th October, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Gardenia fruit extract shows promise in treating advanced fatty liver disease
Gardenia jasminoides fruit extract shows promise in fighting NASH liver damage in rats. It reduced liver injury markers & signs of scarring by calming inflammation & blocking collagen production. Further study is needed to see if it works in people.
1st October, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Vitamin E boosts shrimp growth, immunity, and gut health
Shrimp thrive on a specific amount of Vitamin E. Research shows 80mg/kg diet boosts growth, immunity & digestion, protecting against harmful bacteria & stress. Optimal levels around 72mg/kg improve resilience & may reduce disease risk in aquaculture.
1st October, 2025
| Greg Howard
BiteBarrier Provides Strong Protection Against Malaria and Arbovirus Mosquitoes
New research shows a device called BiteBarrier effectively repels or kills mosquitoes—even those resistant to common insecticides—both indoors & out.
30th September, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Aspirin shows complex, dose-dependent effects on placental health in new preeclampsia study
Preeclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy condition with links to future heart problems, involves high blood pressure & organ damage.
28th September, 2025
| Greg Howard
Dietary fiber could help protect the brain from Alzheimer's disease
Gut bacteria may influence Alzheimer’s. A study in mice showed that adding inulin fibre to the diet changed gut microbe composition, increasing beneficial compounds. This reduced brain plaque build-up & improved brain health, suggesting diet could help manage the disease.
23rd September, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
How Water Supply Interruptions and Views Affect Home Life
Many areas have unreliable piped water, leading to health risks. A new study in Ecuador found that how often and how long water is cut off impacts how people cope—more interruptions mean more water treatment at home, but less use of backup sources.
20th September, 2025
| Jim Crocker
Omega 3 Supplementation During Pregnancy Improves Spatial Learning in Rat Offspring
Omega-3 supplementation in rats showed benefits for brain development, with faster learning and memory formation. Starting supplementation before conception, during, or after showed similar short-term gains.
20th September, 2025
| Jim Crocker
How Dragon’s Blood Helps Heal Ulcerative Colitis Through Immune System Pathways
Dragon’s blood, a traditional Chinese medicine resin, shows promise in treating ulcerative colitis (UC). Research identified key compounds that reduce colon inflammation by targeting NF-κB/NLPR3/Caspase-1 pathways, lessening cell damage.
19th September, 2025
| Greg Howard
Scrub Typhus in Nan Province: How Changing Landscapes Affect Disease Risk
Scrub typhus, a bacterial infection spread by mites, is rising in Thailand. A 16-year study linked increased cases to landscape changes, specifically more shrubland. Forest cover had a complex relationship, while reforestation benefits were limited.
18th September, 2025
| Jim Crocker
Bee Pollen Quality: Botanical Source, Antioxidants, and Safety for Apitherapy
Iranian bee pollen quality varies by plant source, impacting health benefits. Research identified 23 plant families, linking higher antioxidant levels to Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Rosaceae & Caryophyllaceae. Study supports standardization & quality control.
18th September, 2025
| Jim Crocker
Iron Helps Maintain Gut Health and Beneficial Bacteria in Older Adults
Iron deficiency is common, often causing fatigue. Research suggests milk protein lactoferrin may help, but its effect depends on iron levels.
17th September, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Plant-Based Diet Linked to Lower Diabetes Risk and Reduced Emissions
A diet emphasizing plants and limiting processed foods & some meats may lower type 2 diabetes risk by 32% and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 18%. This large UK study links sustainable eating to better health, suggesting 12% of cases could be prevented with improved habits.
15th September, 2025
| Jim Crocker
How Tin Levels Relate to Human Lifespan
research in yunnan province, china, links higher soil selenium levels to increased longevity, measured by the proportion of residents reaching 65 and 90+ years.
9th September, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
How Diet Affects Gut Bacteria in Middle Age: The Mediterranean Diet Link
A diet rich in vegetables, fruits & olive oil—like the Mediterranean diet—boosts gut bacteria diversity, improving health. Research links this to specific bacteria & compounds produced during digestion, enhancing metabolism & potentially preventing chronic disease.
5th September, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Amyloidosis in Stone-curlews
Researchers studied a protein buildup disease in wild stone-curlews, finding it linked to long-term inflammation, often from infections. They identified the main protein involved (AA amyloid) plus others consistently present, expanding understanding of this disease in birds.
28th August, 2025
| Jim Crocker
Gut Microbes Differ in Healthy and Allergic Dogs
itchy skin disease in West Highland White Terriers may be linked to gut bacteria, but surprisingly, overall gut diversity isn't different in affected dogs. Lower itchiness correlated with more E. coli bacteria, suggesting a complex relationship needing further study.
25th August, 2025
| Greg Howard
How Boysenberries Affect Energy Use After Eating: A Study
Boysenberry juice showed no major impact on calorie burn or body heat production, but it did increase fat breakdown after eating. This suggests it may subtly alter how the body uses fuel, potentially boosting fat metabolism via brown fat activity. Further research is needed.
24th August, 2025
| Greg Howard
Violet Light May Boost Sleep Quality and Blood Glucose Control
violet light exposure may improve sleep and blood sugar levels, a new study suggests. research shows specific light wavelengths impact the body clock, with 20% of participants seeing sleep gains.
22nd August, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Nature Walks for Mental Health Recovery: A Study Protocol
Australian mental health services face growing strain. Researchers are testing Nature Walking Groups (NWGs) as a low-cost aid, combining walks with mindfulness to reduce stress and boost wellbeing.
21st August, 2025
| Greg Howard
Siler Root's Anti-Aging Secrets Revealed
A study on fruit flies found that the herb Fangfeng extended their lifespan by improving energy use and reducing cellular damage, key factors in aging. This provides scientific backing for traditional medicine's role in helping us live longer, healthier lives.
15th August, 2025
| Greg Howard
Inulin's Effect on Eating Habits in Youth With Obesity
New research shows a fiber called inulin helps children with obesity manage eating habits. It significantly reduced emotional undereating, possibly by changing gut bacteria and appetite hormones. A promising step for childhood weight management.
15th August, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Changes in Milk Fat and Vitamins A and E From Early to Regular Milk
New research reveals how a cow's first milk (colostrum) rapidly changes, losing high levels of vitamins A & E and altering its fat profile as it becomes mature milk. This dynamic transformation highlights colostrum's crucial role for newborn calves and informs dairy management.
12th August, 2025
| Jim Crocker
Ending Rabies In Dogs: A Shared Path To Lasting Health
A new approach in Kenya fights deadly rabies. By involving communities to co-create awareness, people learned to value their dogs as friends, boosting vaccination rates. This community-led effort offers a powerful path to prevent thousands of deaths.
12th August, 2025
| Jim Crocker
Unlocking Body Chemistry for Kneecap Issues
Ever wonder why some kneecaps slip? A new study dives deep into trochlear dysplasia, revealing the specific protein and metabolic shifts that make the kneecap groove shallow. This breakthrough could lead to better ways to diagnose and treat this painful condition.
8th August, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
How Your Brain Creates Depth Perception
New research shows the brain's main visual area (V1) has specialized cells for active vs. passive 3D seeing. It encodes objective positions and even anticipates future distances, crucial for navigating our world.
8th August, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Dance Behaviour In Cockatoos: What It Tells Us About Thinking and Well-Being
Think only humans dance? Think again! Parrots, like cockatoos, groove to music with diverse movements, linked to their ability to learn sounds. New research confirms their complex dance, but suggests music isn't the sole trigger for these moves in captive birds.
5th August, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Better Salmonella Control For Lab Tests
Korean researchers found homegrown Salmonella strains nearly identical to imported ones used to ensure food and drug safety tests work. This breakthrough streamlines crucial public health testing, cutting costs and foreign reliance.
30th July, 2025
| Greg Howard
Finding Life's Tipping Points by Analyzing Connections
Biological systems have crucial tipping points, from disease to development. A new method, DNFE, analyzes complex gene data by mapping cause-effect relationships. It effectively finds these critical shifts, reveals hidden genes, and predicts changes, outperforming existing tools.
25th July, 2025
| Greg Howard
Improving Gluten-Free Rice Bread Using Sourdough Bacteria
Gluten-free bread gets a natural upgrade! A study shows sourdough, using specific bacteria, dramatically improves GF rice bread's taste, texture, and shelf life. Enjoy better, longer-lasting GF options.
23rd July, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Backyard Sheds: Understanding Housing to Limit Waste Exposure
Backyard chickens are vital for rural families, but sharing homes with them risks spreading diseases, especially to children. A Bangladesh study found people prefer housing chickens in outdoor sheds. Providing sheds could significantly boost family health and poultry well-being.
22nd July, 2025
| Jim Crocker
How a Key Protein Controls Brain Immune Cell Life and Health
Brain's immune cells, microglia, are constantly renewed. New research reveals a key gene, pu.1, partners with the "guardian of the genome" gene Tp53. They ensure only the fittest microglia survive by eliminating weaker ones through cell competition, vital for brain health.
17th July, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Does Nose or Mouth Breathing Work Better for Exercise?
New research shows breathing only through your nose during intense exercise makes it feel harder and limits performance. Your body struggles to move enough air, even if it gets enough oxygen. For peak effort, mouth breathing or a mix is better.
15th July, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Hard Water At Home: Does It Affect Your Risk Of Gout And Its Return?
Could your tap water cause gout? New research suggests hard water, rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium, increases the risk of developing this painful arthritis. Higher magnesium levels also link to gout recurrence. This insight could help reduce gout's burden.
14th July, 2025
| Jim Crocker
Smarter AI For Finding Dividing Cells In Tissue Scans
A new AI model revolutionizes cancer diagnosis by accurately detecting dividing cells in tissue samples. This smart program uses advanced techniques to overcome challenges, making diagnoses faster, more consistent, and highly precise.
7th July, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Galanin: The Brain's Master Switch for Activity
Unraveling a key brain chemical, galanin, new research in fish shows it typically calms brain activity. However, stress can weaken this calming effect, leading to overactivity and seizures. This complex role offers new insights for treating brain and stress-related conditions.
30th June, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Park Visits: Who Goes, Why, And How It Affects Health
New research reveals urban green spaces boost health, but how you visit matters. Weekend park-goers reported the best mental and physical well-being. This highlights the crucial role of leisure time in nature for city residents and guides urban planning.
29th June, 2025
| Greg Howard
Cumin Extract Fights Flu Infection
New research shows cumin extract can prevent flu virus infection in lab cells. It works by stopping the virus from attaching to and entering cells, a new way to fight flu that doesn't rely on boosting the body's immune response. This could lead to new preventive treatments.
27th June, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Sugar Genes Control How Bacteria Affect Our Blood Vessels
Scientists found how bacteria causing spotted fever sneak past our immune system. A key gene group builds a shield, letting them hide and cause disease. Breaking this shield makes the bacteria harmless, turning them into a powerful new vaccine against the deadly illness.
26th June, 2025
| Greg Howard
How Domestication Lowers Stress In Tamed Versus Wild Fish
Farmed fish are bred to be less stressed, but wild fish show a wider range of stress responses, including high sensitivity. If farmed fish escape, their altered stress resilience could harm wild populations, who need strong stress responses to survive in nature.
24th June, 2025
| Greg Howard
How Accurate Are Finger Clips for Oxygen in Very Low Oxygen Environments?
Common pulse oximeters, used to check blood oxygen, are dangerously inaccurate at low levels, a new study warns. Crucial for high-altitude safety, these devices fail when precise monitoring is most needed, risking impaired thinking and consciousness.
23rd June, 2025
| Jim Crocker
Brain's Focus: How It Stays Sharp
New research reveals how the brain precisely recognizes objects. It uses complex, non-linear interactions between brain cells, balancing stimulating and inhibiting signals. This enhances how specific brain cells respond to visual details, shedding light on our perception.
22nd June, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Natural Compound Shields Pancreas Cells, Aiding Type 2 Diabetes
New research shows a plant compound, Plantamajoside, may protect insulin-producing cells in Type 2 Diabetes. It works by stopping ferroptosis, a type of cell death involving damaged fats, by boosting the cell's natural defense system. This offers a promising new treatment path.
22nd June, 2025
| Greg Howard
Bladder Lining Repair: A Computer Model Of Cell Growth And Change
Breakthrough computer models reveal how the bladder lining regenerates. They show how its cells divide and mature, similar to skin, forming protective layers. This deepens understanding for growing bladder tissue in the lab and fighting bladder cancer.
21st June, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
Tracking Farm Movement for Disease Spread Prediction
Controlling animal diseases is tough without farm movement data. Kansas State researchers created a new way to map farm connections, showing that highly networked farms or those shipping widely are crucial in spreading outbreaks. This helps target prevention efforts.
20th June, 2025
| Greg Howard
Natural Soap: Better For Your Skin And The Planet
A new study reveals natural soaps are a superior choice. They are significantly less toxic to aquatic life and human skin, breaking down easily in the environment. These gentle yet powerful cleansers also effectively fight bacteria and viruses.
20th June, 2025
| Greg Howard
Solving A Malaria Outbreak: A Team Approach In A Village
Malaria stubbornly persists in isolated villages, study reveals. Despite widespread bed net use, many are ineffective. Crucially, mosquitoes bite before bedtime. Tackling malaria means not just supplying tools, but ensuring their proper use and adapting to local mosquito habits.
20th June, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
How Nature Helps Our Minds Recover
Ever wonder how nature truly heals? New research shows urban parks boost mental recovery not directly, but through perceiving nature, engaging in activities, and feeling connected to the place, all leading to a sense of deep restoration.
19th June, 2025
| Jim Crocker
How Early Life, Our Genes, and Parental DNA Shape Adult Gut and Growth
A mother's diet and antibiotic use during pregnancy and nursing can permanently alter her offspring's gut bacteria and body weight. A study shows genetics and even which parent contributed genes influence these lasting health impacts, pointing to personalized care.
18th June, 2025
| Jenn Hoskins
White Blood Cell Profiles in Autoimmune Blood Disorders
Dog immune diseases attack blood cells. A study found sick dogs have a critical immune imbalance: fewer immune system brake cells that stop self-attack, and more cells driving inflammation. This new understanding could lead to more targeted, effective treatments.
