Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition that affects your central nervous system. The condition causes your immune system to attack the myelin cells, the protective sheaths surrounding your spinal cord nerves and brain. When these sheaths become damaged, the signals your nerves transport throughout your body are interrupted. The symptoms of this condition include changes...

Bruce Abrahamse
Science & Technology Journalist
After initially studying art and advertising, Bruce studied sound engineering and pursued a career in audio production for three decades. He is also a freelance writer, music tutor, and event organizer. He loves collecting records, reading books, and hiking in nature.
Years ago, if someone rang your doorbell, you would still need to get up and peep through a little hole in the door to see who was on the other side. Nowadays, most people let you know on a messaging app when they have arrived. There are occasions, however, where someone arrives out of the...
Since the 1920s, we have been watching television from the comfort and privacy of our homes. Yet, now it seems that your TV may be watching you in return. That’s right, many of the most popular brands of smart TV use ACR (automatic content recognition). This type of surveillance technology gathers data on your viewing...
The legend of Merlin and King Arthur has been retold in countless variations over the centuries. These stories were typically hand-written in medieval manuscripts, and some versions are now considerably rare. There are, for example, only 40 known copies of a sequel that was once very popular, called Suite Vulgate du Merlin. However, University of...
Cancer is a leading cause of death around the world, with almost 10 million deaths recorded in 2020 alone. In 2022, there were almost 20 million new cases of the disease. It’s, therefore, no surprise that scientists and researchers are constantly looking for new and effective treatments to deal with cancer. Thankfully, there have been...
Do you remember how quickly your old phone used to run out of storage space? There was maybe room for a handful of mp3s and a few grainy, low-resolution videos. With each new generation, we always think that there is no way we could possibly run out of space this time. After all, the latest...
Unless you are a flamingo, chances are you don’t spend much time standing around on one leg. Yet, according to new research, your ability to do so for an extended period can potentially reveal how healthy you are. The study examined a group of people 50 years and older to assess their ability to stand...
Life for the residents of South Central Alaska comes with many daily challenges. The weather is harsh and unpredictable, with long, cold winters and the occasional blizzard. There is also the risk of earthquakes, as this region sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”. Yet another life-threatening natural threat has recently been added to the...
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, meaning your body cannot produce it and must be sourced from your diet. It is needed for the production and maintenance of your body’s enzymes, proteins, and neurotransmitters. Your body also uses tryptophan to produce serotonin and melatonin, which help with sleep regulation, mood, appetite, and pain. The liver...
Chronic kidney disease is characterized by a gradual loss of kidney function. The kidneys are vital for filtering excess fluids and wastes from the blood. With advanced kidney disease, there is a dangerous build-up of wastes, fluids, and electrolytes in the body. In many cases, people aren’t aware that they have the disease until they...
Despite decades of study, this disorder has proven difficult for researchers to understand fully. In fact, its exact causes are still largely unknown, and treatment options are often limited to surgical intervention. Yet, it has been estimated to affect up to 4% of the population! Known as Chiari type-1 malformation, this brain disorder is characterized...
Trump recently implemented a series of tariffs aimed at imports from various other countries. But what does this mean for the average American consumer? It seems that many of our favorite items may be at risk of a price increase. At a time when the economy is not at its finest, these tariffs may require...