Modern humans carry a part of their genetic heritage that can be attributed to interbreeding with the Denisovans tens of thousands of years ago. Recent studies have shown that this genetic mixing may have led to certain genetic adaptations that predispose individuals to mental health issues such as depression. Researchers from Spain have conducted a
Health
The association between hearing voices and neurological conditions like schizophrenia has long been established. However, recent research conducted by the researchers from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland and the University Savoie Mont Blanc in France suggests that most brains can be tricked into hearing voices that aren’t actually present under specific conditions.
Imagine the horror of constantly hearing rustling sounds and clicking deep within your ear. This was the unfortunate reality for a woman in Taiwan who had a harrowing encounter with an eight-legged intruder. The incessant noises and the unsettling sensation of movement led her to seek medical help, and what the doctors discovered was enough
Sneezing, a universal action, is a reflexive response that is both protective and uncontrollable. It serves the purpose of removing irritants from the nasal passage. Sneezing is initiated when sensory nerves in the nose detect irritants such as allergens, viruses, bacteria, or fluid. These nerves then transmit this information to the brain, triggering the sneeze
Human civilization has come a long way, but it would not have been possible without the impact of farm animals. These animals have played a vital role in the development and sustenance of our societies. However, recent scientific discoveries show that the rise of animal-borne diseases coincided with the domestication and husbandry of livestock. In
The search for effective treatments for severe depression has led researchers to explore the potential of ketamine. Although promising, the psychoactive effects of this dissociative anesthetic have made it challenging to evaluate its true therapeutic benefits. However, researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine conducted a randomized, triple-masked study to ascertain the impact of ketamine
In today’s modern society, people in developed countries are spending an alarming amount of time sitting down. Whether it’s working at a desk, commuting in traffic, or relaxing in front of the TV, our lives have become increasingly sedentary. This is a cause for concern as research has linked prolonged periods of sitting to various
Rugby is a physically demanding sport that is known for its high intensity and contact. However, a new study has found that the repeated head knocks sustained in the sport can increase the risk of players developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a degenerative brain disease that is thought to be a result of
A recent study conducted by researchers from Israel and the US has found that adults diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are nearly three times more likely to develop dementia. The study, which spanned over a period of 17 years and involved 109,218 participants, revealed that 13.2 percent of those with ADHD developed dementia, compared to
In the early hours of a freezing New Year’s Eve morning in Minnesota in 1980, Wally Nelson made a shocking discovery. He found the lifeless body of his 19-year-old friend, Jean Hilliard, lying in the snow just a few meters from his door. Jean’s car had stalled as she was returning home after a night
Motion sickness is an unpleasant sensation that afflicts many individuals, causing nausea, dizziness, and other discomforting symptoms. While we may be familiar with the experience, the underlying mechanisms behind motion sickness are still not fully understood. In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the Autonomous University of Barcelona turned their attention to mice, subjecting them to
Leaded fuel may no longer be in use, but the toxic effects of this chemical compound persist in various parts of the world. According to a recent report published by The World Bank, the damaging consequences of lead exposure are even more significant than we had previously realized, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)