CRISPR pig joins a shortlist of genetically modified animals approved by the FDA for human consumption

Most pigs in the US are confined to factory farms where they can be afflicted by a nasty respiratory virus that kills piglets. The illness is called porcine reproductive and…

Wild chimpanzees give first aid to each other

For wounded chimpanzees, help sometimes comes in the form of first aid — care rendered not by humans but by other chimps. New research reveals the nature and prevalence of…

Chronic Illness Combinations Double Depression Risk

Summary: A new study reveals that people with multiple chronic physical conditions face a significantly higher risk of developing depression, especially when conditions like heart disease and diabetes co-occur. Researchers…

A leaf’s geometry determines whether it falls far from its tree

An apple may not fall far from the tree, but for a leaf, it depends on its shape. Elm or apple leaves — oval and symmetrical, with few protruding lobes…

Why OCD, Tics, and ADHD Keep You Up at Night

Summary: People with obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders (OCSDs), chronic tic disorders (CTDs), and ADHD often suffer from significant sleep disturbances, and a new review suggests that disruptions in the cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical (CSTC)…

This tool-wielding assassin turns its prey’s defenses into a trap

Add a little-known species of assassin bugs to the list of animals that can fashion and wield tools. And true to their name, the insects use that tool to draw…

Does the TikTok Grounding Trend Really Improve Sleep?

Summary: Grounding, or physically connecting the body to the Earth, has gained traction as a wellness trend, now even through high-tech mats and sheets designed to replicate direct Earth contact.…

Verbal Abuse in Childhood Rewires the Developing Brain

Summary: New neuroscience research highlights how verbal abuse in childhood can alter brain development and increase the risk of mental health issues later in life. Children who are routinely shamed,…

Heavy Social Media Use Linked to Believing and Spreading Fake News

Summary: Individuals who experience high levels of distress and functional impairment from excessive social media use are significantly more likely to believe fake news and interact with it. Researchers found…

Moral Outrage Goes Viral, But Doesn’t Drive Action Online

Summary: A new study analyzing over a million posts linked to online petitions found that while moral outrage boosts a post’s virality, it doesn’t significantly increase petition signatures. Emotional and…