In this Behind the Paper blog post, author Elizabeth Telford – a postdoc at the the University of Sheffield – explores her research article N2 fixation is linked to the…
Category: Life
Double Shifts Wreck the Body’s Stress Rhythm
Summary: For most people, the “stress hormone” cortisol hits its lowest point at midnight, allowing the body to recover and rest. However, new research reveals that for nurses working double…
Glass Half Full: Optimism Lowers Your Dementia Risk
Summary: Can your outlook on life actually protect your brain? A massive new study suggests that optimism is a powerful “psychosocial asset” for healthy aging. Researchers analyzed data from over…
Mummified reptile hints at the origins of how we breathe
The mummified remains of of a land-dwelling vertebrate are helping to reveal how early ancient reptiles began to take a breath with their whole chests — the breathing style used…
Single Immune Switch Drives Both Arthritis and Alzheimer’s
Summary: Inflammation is the body’s natural defense, but when it gets stuck in the “on” position, it drives everything from sepsis to Alzheimer’s. A comprehensive review identifies a protein called…
A new book finds parenting inspiration in the animal kingdom
The Creatures’ Guide to Caring Elizabeth PrestonViking, $30 My early days of nursing a newborn felt like I’d transformed into a 24-hour diner. A demanding yet adorable customer flagged me…
Edge of Chaos: Why Pigeons Refuse to Become “Machines”
Summary: If you found a guaranteed way to get a reward, you’d probably stick to it, right? According to a new study, pigeons aren’t that predictable. Researchers tested the century-old…
AI Body Gap: Why Robots Need “Internal Feelings” to be Safe
Summary: When you reach for a saltshaker, your brain isn’t just calculating coordinates; it’s listening to your body’s sense of balance, the friction on your skin, and your internal level…
Individual Cone Cells Create Our Sharpest Sight
Summary: We’ve long known that the human eye is capable of incredible detail, but a “missing link” in science remained: does that sharp vision come from the eyes, the brain,…
