Your genes play a major role in determining your height, hair and eye color, and skin tone, but they don’t tell the entire story of who you are. Your environment…
Category: Anthropology
A federal policy expert weighs in on Trump’s efforts to stifle gender-affirming care for Americans under 19
Amid a flurry of executive orders affecting transgender Americans, the Trump administration ordered restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors. Calling it “a stain on our Nation’s history,” the Jan. 28,…
Stricter abortion laws may cause increased infant deaths − 2 maternal and child health researchers explain the data
Infant mortality in the U.S. has increased by 7% since the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson U.S. Supreme Court decision overturned the constitutional right to abortion, according to an October 2024…
Nutrition advice is rife with misinformation − a medical education specialist explains how to tell valid health information from pseudoscience
The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated a vast landscape of misinformation about many topics, science and health chief among them. Since then, information overload continues unabated, and many people are rightfully confused…
Why government can’t make America ‘healthier’ by micromanaging groceries purchased with SNAP benefits
President Donald Trump’s pick for director of the Health and Human Services Department, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has announced a bold plan. He wants to “Make America Healthy Again.” Kennedy’s…
How does raw water compare to tap water? A microbiologist explains why the risks outweigh the benefits
Water that comes straight from natural sources, dubbed “raw water,” is gaining popularity. Raw water advocates reject public water supplies, including tap water, because they don’t enjoy the taste or…
Why does it hurt when you get a scrape? A neuroscientist explains the science of pain
Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to [email protected]. “How come you feel pain…
Norovirus, aka the winter vomiting bug, is on the rise – an infectious disease expert explains the best ways to stay safe
The highly contagious norovirus – popularly known as “stomach flu” or the “winter vomiting bug” – is now surging through the U.S.. The number of outbreaks is up significantly over…
Red light therapy shows promise for pain relief, inflammation and skin conditions – but other claims might be hyped
Red light therapy is increasingly viewed as a promising treatment for wrinkles, acne, psoriasis, scars and sun-damaged skin, and as a supportive therapy for some kinds of cancer. But does…
Health and Human Services secretary influences every aspect of America’s health
The secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, plays a significant role in every American’s access to health care and in the nation’s overall well-being. Under…
