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…
Category: Anthropology
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…
FDA bans Red 3 dye from food and drugs – a scientist explains the artificial color’s health risks and long history
Red 3 – also called FD&C Red No. 3, erythrosine or E127 – has been widely used in food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals since its FDA approval in 1969. You’ve likely…
Ozempic and similar weight loss drugs may lower risk of 42 health conditions, but also pose risks
Several years ago, a little-known drug named Ozempic – previously used only to treat diabetes – emerged as a promising new drug for weight management. The Food and Drug Administration’s…
Acute stress and early signs of PTSD are common in firefighters and other first responders − here’s what to watch out for
The thousands of firefighters and other first responders on the front lines of the fires that are raging in the Los Angeles area are at increased risk for anxiety, depression,…
Bird flu flares up again in Michigan poultry – an infectious disease expert explains the risk to humans, chickens, cows and other animals
After a relatively quiet fall, there’s been another spike in cases of bird flu in Michigan. When state officials announced on Dec. 16, 2024, that bird flu had been found…
Vaccine hesitancy among pet owners is growing – a public health expert explains why that matters
When most people think about vaccines, they typically think about humans: Experts warn that when large numbers of people are unvaccinated, it can lead to severe consequences, including disease outbreaks…
