Keeping tabs on blood sugar throughout the day used to be the exclusive domain of people with diabetes. But in 2026, anyone can buy a user-friendly wearable device that provides…
Category: Anthropology
More than 140,000 Americans die from COPD each year – here’s why survival depends on more than avoiding smoking
The Conversation, CC BY-ND Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, caused 141,733 deaths in the United States in 2023 – the latest data that has been reported. That number reflects…
Rotavirus cases in children are rising – but a highly effective vaccine has slashed hospitalizations from the virus by 80% in 2 decades
Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily and can make babies and young children very sick. This year, doctors have been seeing more cases earlier in the season…
HEPA air purifiers may boost brain power in adults over 40 – new research
Using an in-home HEPA purifier for one month spurs a small but significant improvement in brain function in adults age 40 and older. That’s the result of a new study…
Placebo effect can work as well as real medicine – but your body may need permission to use it
The first time the placebo effect really got under my skin was when I read that roughly one-third of people with irritable bowel syndrome improve on placebo treatments alone. Usually…
Intimate partner homicide has clear warning signs – and is often preventable, research shows
Dr. Cerina Wanzer Fairfax was an accomplished dentist and a loving mom to two teenage children. On April 16, 2026, she was killed by her estranged husband, former Virginia Lt.…
Cannabis sales and use are high in Michigan – but federal law means research lags behind
Have you been to a licensed cannabis dispensary lately? My team and I often visit them in the Greater Lansing area to invite cannabis users to participate in our studies.…
Health information delivered as a video game can bridge the communication gap between patients and providers
Imagine you and your partner are sitting in the waiting room of your doctor’s office, waiting for your appointment to get birth control – and instead of calculating how many…
Ads for GLP-1 drugs are flooding the internet – here’s how to know if it’s safe to buy them online
If you watched the Super Bowl in 2026, you likely saw Serena Williams share her weight loss journey on GLP-1 medications in a commercial. Like millions of others around the…
Salty drinking water could be increasing your blood pressure – people living in coastal areas are most at risk
When people consider what causes high blood pressure, they often think of lifestyle factors, such as eating salty foods, lack of exercise or smoking. However, an unexpected source of salt…
