The mummy’s curse is more likely to be biological than supernatural. A growing trend of buying and selling mummified human remains exposes collectors and postal services to dormant microorganisms and toxic materials. Research into the covert trade of centuries-old embalmed human parts like hands, feet, and heads reports the issue […]

It takes a few minutes for anaphylaxis to set in, and a quarter to half an hour to kill you if left untreated. Anaphylaxis is an allergic reaction that rapidly leads to a severe drop in blood pressure and constricts the airway. Insect stings, any medication, and even peanuts can

While cancer itself is not contagious, the risk of contracting infections that lead to cancer later is fairly common. Some cancers begin in the tissues lining the mouth and throat, such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). These are often associated with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) or some bacterial

The world is gravely concerned because of the economic uncertainty looming ahead due to the Iran War. However, as more than 1,500 ships continue to idle in the Strait of Hormuz, an ecological “superspreader” hazard can be on our platter when the route opens. A threat that can destroy ecosystems

A rare Bourbon virus case has been confirmed on Long Island, New York, for the first time, raising concerns because the symptoms overlap with Lyme disease. Bourbon virus infections tend to be more fatal and are carried by lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum). With no widely available diagnostic test or

If you’re just tracking macros, you’re missing out big time on your body’s biochemistry. Engineers at the University of California San Diego have created a smart wearable ring that tracks glucose, ketones, vitamin C, uric acid, lactate, and alcohol. It can simultaneously monitor up to four different such biomarkers, non-stop,

The love for a loved one never flatlines, even if the loved one is lost. If you had a chance to speak with an AI-generated “ghost” of a deceased loved one, would you take the chance? The idea might be cathartic, but to 16 volunteers, these conversations were often comforting,

Silicon chips have been the mother of the computing revolution for more than 50 years now. However, silicon means business in biology, too, with its uses ranging from monitoring large groups of neurons to DNA sequencing. Now, Harvard scientists have added a new streak of amazing to silicon chips by

The barbecue season has just gone past its peak on the 4th of July. Joyous vibes ooze into a backyard filled with the aroma of a juicy ribeye cooking over charcoal. While barbecue and cookouts have been a custom ingrained in American culture for over 200 years, the hunt for

Prof Hagai Levine’s 2017 paper reporting a drastic decline in male sperm counts has been referred to as the ‘spermageddon’ paper. Recent work by Prof. Levine has also reported that average male testosterone levels have halved over the last fifty years. Moreover, male infertility cases are particularly difficult to treat

Gender roles in humans evolve with societal shifts, not as a checklist of traits that promote ‘manliness’ in mating systems, as in other mammals such as chimpanzees and lions. While a primal layer exists in how we interpret gender, it is far less likely to depend on that alone. Perhaps

Around 30,000 to 60,000 Americans bleed to death every year due to the lack of first responders and emergency care, even before the injured person can be taken to a hospital. The situations are even worse in war zones, where neither time nor environment supports those in need. This is