For a long time, the likelihood of surviving pancreatic cancer has been extremely low. For patients who were diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer between 2015 and 2021, about 97% died…
Category: Anthropology
I’m part of the team writing the next bible of psychiatry – for the first time, the DSM will use biology to understand mental disorders
The “bible” of clinical psychiatry – the DSM, short for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – is one of the most popular psychiatry reference books around the…
Your ability to cope with stress changes with the seasons and your own biological clocks
Do you feel like the same person in February as in June? For most people, the answer is a resounding no. During winter, your energy tends to dip, your immune…
Lactose intolerance is actually the human norm – but racism, the US government and business interests have made it into a condition
Lactose intolerance makes drinking milk or eating ice cream a literal pain. For some people, eating a dairy treat can lead to bloating, nausea and diarrhea. You might’ve experienced its…
Relentless heat and drought take a toll on herders’ physical and mental health, in Kenya and the US
If being outside in the heat for even a few minutes felt miserable this summer, imagine what it’s like for herders who are always out walking with their livestock and…
Syringe litter did not increase after a needle exchange ban was overturned in Pueblo, Colorado, but health services suffered
The City Council of Pueblo, Colorado, voted to ban the distribution of syringes through syringe service programs starting in May 2024. Also called needle exchanges, these programs are run by…
More protein in your breakfast or snacks won’t give you more muscle without more work – a biologist separates the science from the marketing
Growing up, my brothers were fascinated by the first “Rocky” movie. They were trying to get stronger and excel in sports, so one scene stood out almost as much as…
Why millions of people around the world will contract measles in 2026
The World Health Organization estimates that in 2026 nearly 11 million people will contract the virus that causes measles. Most of these cases will occur in Africa and Asia, but…
Why millions of people around the world are contracting measles in 2026
The World Health Organization estimates that in 2026 nearly 11 million people will contract the virus that causes measles. Most of these cases will occur in Africa and Asia, but…
16% of Pennsylvania teens have considered suicide – but everyday connection may help
What comes to mind when you think about preventing teen suicide? Crisis hotlines, maybe. Emergency interventions. Those matter – but prevention often starts earlier, in everyday relationships at home, school…
