A student of the George Washington University (GWU) has created a napkin to prevent a “drug-facilitated crime” — when someone slips a drug into the drink and tries to sexually assault the victim or steal belongings. In fact, a past encounter with sexual violence motivated Danya Sherman to develop the unique product that could detect […]

The immune system is the battlefield in the human body. It fights diseases and infections, and works hard to keep our bodies healthy. White blood cells, formally known as leukocytes, are the main soldiers in the immune system. They release chemicals to kill pathogens, and take up old debris and transport it into the lymphatic […]

“You are what you eat.” This well-known phrase addresses the tie between what people consume and their physical health. But what about how it affects someone’s mental health? A recent research study conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has found that certain types of gut bacteria can be used to enhance […]

New research reveals an unexpected danger of chronic pain treatment for those with spinal cord injuries: According to a study published just this year, the combination of an injury and opioid medication to treat the pain can damage the cells of the spinal cord and result in increased pain. Related research has further suggested that […]

Americans eat and drink too much sugar. Many eat about five times more sugar than they should, Natasa Janicic-Kahric, M.D., an endocrinologist and associate professor of medicine at Georgetown University Hospital, told The Washington Post. Over time, consuming high quantities of sugar can result in sugar addiction. Immediate gratification Like drugs and alcohol, sugar affects […]

It’s something that’s dwelled in the back of everyone’s mind at some point: a freckle that changed color, a sudden change in health, something unusual felt under the skin after a shower. Cancer is a frightening disease, and not without reason: The National Cancer Institute (NCI) reports 454.8 new cancer cases occur each year per […]

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of 2011 attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been diagnosed in 11 percent of children aged four to 17. A developmental disorder characterized by an inability to maintain attention and focus on activities, ADHD is usually treated with a combination of therapy and medication. Although […]

Musical activities (e.g., listening, singing, dancing, playing an instrument) are often central to early childhood learning experiences. Young children who engage in music and other types of musical activities during play can promote growth and the development of important cognitive, social, emotional and behavioral skills, which can be beneficial throughout their lives. For example, mothers […]

In 2013, a research team led by Professor Daniel J. Levitin of McGill University evaluated over 400 studies on the biological impact of music. Their findings indicate that not only is music good for your soul — it’s also good for your body and brain. “We’ve found compelling evidence that musical interventions can play a […]

Eating disorders are a disease; most people understand this. The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) says 20 million women and 10 million men in the U.S. will have a serious eating disorder at one point in their lives. Diseases like anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder can – and do ­– have fatal consequences if […]