At midday on April 28, 2025, a sudden blackout plunged the Iberian Peninsula-a European region that includes Spain and Portugal-into darkness. In the span of just a few minutes, power failures across the electricity grid left millions without power. This disrupted transport, halted business operations, and even led to tragic fatalities as emergency services buckled...

Plastic has spread into every facet of our existence. Plastic has been detected at the deepest point of the ocean, the Mariana Trench. It is also present at the highest peak on land, Mount Everest. Microplastics are found in Antarctic snow, clouds, turtles, whales, tap water, beer, and even in human blood. In 2022, the...

White Sands National Park in New Mexico is rewriting the history of what we know about human conquest in America. The park’s vast, windswept dunes conceal one of the richest archaeological sites in North America. Researchers have uncovered the oldest footprints ever found on American soil, in a prehistoric lakebed called Lake Otero. This discovery...

From the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, people have commonly experienced brain fog after having COVID-19. Years after the pandemic, mounting research reveals that COVID-19 long-term side effects go far beyond just respiratory issues. Abundant evidence suggests COVID-19 affects the brain and impairs neurocognitive ability. Those with “brain fog” say they experience sluggishness, struggling with memory...

Inflammation, bloating, and constipation are common digestive conditions that everybody experiences in their lifetime. According to a 2023 study published in the Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology journal, approximately 1 in 7 Americans experiencing bloating, over the course of week. This discomfort can range from mild to quite severe if left untreated. While they have distinct...

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder characterized by symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. Among these, auditory hallucinations such as hearing voices are a defining feature of schizophrenia. However, according to a new Stanford report, the nature of these voices varies significantly depending on the person’s cultural context.  In the United States, people...

Chlorine is a chemical disinfectant widely used in swimming pools and municipal water supplies to kill germs and keep water safe for public use. While its effectiveness in preventing waterborne diseases is well-known, chlorine still comes with some risks. For frequent swimmers or those sensitive to chemicals, exposure to chlorinated water can lead to a...

There has been a significant increase in the popularity of weight loss medications globally. Drugs and injections such as Ozempic and Wegovy have become favorited tools for treating and managing obesity and diabetes. These drugs have helped millions in weight loss and controlling blood sugar levels. However, a new study has discovered semaglutide and tirzepadite,...

Dementia refers to a group of neurodegenerative illnesses that are associated with a significant cognitive decline, including in areas such as memory, coordination, mood, and behavior. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s, with approximately 50% of individuals over the age of 85 having Alzheimer’s. While there is no cure for dementia-related diseases, researchers...

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the most prevalent form of dementia globally. It affects daily life, adversely hindering memory, cognition, and altering behavior.  Alzheimer’s cases are suspected to double in prevalence by 2060, largely due to preventable and modifiable lifestyle factors. Making dietary changes, including what we drink every day, could possibly...

On April 22, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a sweeping artificial dye ban targeting eight petroleum-based synthetic food coloring. During a press conference held by the agencies, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasized their plan to collaborate with food agencies to...

Dementia continues to be one of the world’s most pressing public health issues. It’s estimated that more than 55 million people are affected by dementia globally, costing over $1 trillion each year. While there is currently no cure for dementia, a recent Cambridge-led study has uncovered promising links between commonly used medications and a lower...