Science

SCIENCEALERT STAFF We all know by now that sitting for long periods of time can be deadly – recent research has linked prolonged sitting to high cholesterol, obesity and cardiovascular problems. This is partly because sitting makes the muscles in our bodies become lazy and stop contracting, causing blood to pool in our legs instead of […]

Why all-night cramming doesn\’t work. CHRIS PASH, BUSINESS INSIDER Sleeping plays an important role in forming lasting memories, but controversy remains over whether the brain helps to create these by deleting unnecessary connections or by strengthening important ones. Now the latest research suggests that both processes occur during sleep. A study in the journal PLOS Computational

By David Kohn Doctors aren’t entirely sure what triggers rheumatoid arthritis, a disease in which the body turns on itself to attack the joints, but an emerging body of research is focusing on a potential culprit: the bacteria that live in our intestines. Several recent studies have found intriguing links between gut microbes, rheumatoid arthritis,

by Joe Martino Humans experience an array of emotions, anything from happiness, to sadness to extreme joy and depression. Each one of these emotions creates a different feeling within the body. After all, our body releases different chemicals when we experience various things that make us happy and each chemical works to create a different

By Kevin Purdy You knew that calorie counts were estimated. Just not 1903-pencil-chart-and-fire estimated. About two years ago, give or take, I was interviewing the head of a mobile development firm about the various features and design choices in their run-tracking app. I thought I had just realized something smart. \”Ohhhhhh,\” I said breathlessly into

By Mike Baltren Minimal effective dose, do all that’s necessary not all that you can, less is more, these are all ways to describe the same thing.  The picture below is a performance curve that I borrowed from a DVD lecture series called “The Philosopher’s Toolkit: How To Be The Most Rational Person In Any Room”.

by Jonathan Serfaty | It seems like every day you hear about studies “proving” that one food causes cancer, another causes heart disease, and a magical supplement will help you live forever. The media loves to report sensationalized stories about the dangers and benefits of everything from coffee to red meat to multivitamins. And you can’t blame

A quick guide that explains when to ice, when to heat, when not to, and why by Paul Ingraham There is sooooo much confusion about this issue. It’s a shame because icing and heating — cryotherapy and thermotherapy — are rational, cheap self-treatment options with minimal risks. This article gives you a concise, bird’s eye