Peatlands, a boggy carbon sink absolutely worth saving
For those in the world who have to live with it, you may wonder “what on earth is peat good for?” Peatland is a mossy wet mass that you can’t build on, you can barely walk on, you can’t grow crops on it, and all its stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes which bring Read More...
ER patients report less pain after short visit from therapy dog
While hospitals often welcome therapy dogs within their wards as a means to comfort and uplift patients, the therapeutical benefits of these our best furry friends haven’t actually been proven clinically — that is, until now. A new study from the University of Saskatchewan shows that a visit Read More...
These nanoparticles deliver genetic info to treat diseases
Every day, scientists and medical researchers finetune previous technology and techniques, or they find new applications for existing ones. Recently, a team from Tufts University, with collaboration from Harvard Medical School and the University of Massachusetts, Boston, made a new application for Read More...
How much strength training is enough to reduce risk of death?
Health experts have been telling us that muscle-strengthening activities are good for us because they are beneficial to our musculoskeletal health and are connected to a lower risk of death. However, it’s not until just recently that scientists have been able to pinpoint the minimum optimal Read More...
Fractals: why your brain prefers nature over cities
You’re probably very aware at this point that it’s healthy for you to spend more time outside. While we’ve certainly written about it a great deal, scientists keep unveiling new findings about the relationship between lower stress and nature. For instance, new research from the Read More...
Floating ants may inspire the future of robotics and adaptive materials
Ants are extremely adaptable creatures. The little critters are one of the strongest animals in relation to their size, being able to carry 50 times their own body weight. They are also the longest living insect, with some species living for around 30 years. However, the teamwork these tiny animals Read More...
Scientists discover an octopus from before the dinosaurs
They are alarmingly intelligent and can solve puzzles. They can change their color to blend into their surroundings and they can squeeze themselves through tiny spaces. Is it any wonder that octopuses, being some of the most adaptable creatures on the planet, may even pre-date the Read More...
Scientists gain ground in the race to reverse aging
So many of us do so much to keep ourselves healthy and live long lives. We exercise, we hydrate, we eat right, and we avoid harmful substances. There are so many things we can do to keep ourselves vital for a long time — there are whole industries aimed just at making us look fit — but time Read More...
This startup turns CO2 into jet fuel and plastics
The impressive Bay Area-based startup, Twelve, is on a mission to replace petrochemicals at a large scale so that it can significantly slash global energy emissions—something that we urgently need to do for our species’ survival. Converting CO2 into something useful How will they do it? Read More...
7 habits to promote brain health
Good brain health is essential for a long and healthy life, so it's important to actively maintain it. Here are seven habits to integrate into your life that are sure to boost brain health. Stay well-rested. Sleep allows your organs to slow down, and your body to go into “rest mode.” While Read More...