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an illustration of men and women with their brains superimposed over the heads
Is there really a difference between male and female brains? Emerging science is revealing the answer. Brain scans, postmortem dissections, artificial intelligence and lab mice reveal differences in the brain that are linked to sex. Do we know what they mean?
An illustration of bacteria in the gut
We may finally understand how metformin lowers blood sugar, animal study finds The common diabetes drug metformin works partly by excreting sugar from the bloodstream into the intestines, where gut bacteria then convert it into chemicals that improve the insulin response.
A close-up image of the face of a bat with their wings folded under their face
Diagnostic dilemma: Growing weed with bat poop left 2 men with deadly infections Using bat poop to fertilize plants like cannabis can sometimes have deadly consequences. A report highlights two fatal cases that affected men in New York.

Latest about Health

A man on a hiking trail in the mountains is checking his smartwatch

Best Garmin watches 2025: Our top picks for outdoor and fitness enthusiasts

By Andrew Williams, Anna Gora last updated

These are the best Garmin watches you can buy in every category, from Fenix 8 and Forerunner 965 to Venu 2 Plus.

Exercise
The Saucony Ride 15 running shoes being tested during our full review

Best running shoes for supination 2025: Find the perfect fit for your feet

By Harry Bullmore last updated

Buyers guide These are the best running shoes for supination you can buy in every category, from Saucony Ride 16 and Brooks Glycerin 20 to Hoka Mach X.

Buyers guide
Best shoes for peloton

Best shoes for Peloton and indoor cycling 2025: Keep those pedals spinning with the best cycling footwear

By Sam Hopes last updated

BUYING GUIDE The best cycling shoes, from Peloton and Shimano RC1, to help you get the most out of your ride.

BUYING GUIDE
Our reviewer wearing a Fitbit watch

Best Fitbit watches 2025: Tried and tested

By Lloyd Coombes last updated

BUYING GUIDE The best Fitbit wearables, from simple fitness trackers to feature-packed smartwatches.

BUYING GUIDE

AI analysis of 100 hours of real conversations — and the brain activity underpinning them — reveals how humans understand language

By Anna Demming published

An AI model trained on dozens of hours of real-world conversation accurately predicts human brain activity and shows that features of language structure emerge without being coded in.

Neuroscience

Do sperm really race to the egg?

By Ashley Hamer published

It's commonly thought that sperm "race" to the egg, with the winner fertilizing it. But is this really the case?

Sex
A woman checking her heart rate on a fitness watch

How do fitness trackers measure your heart rate?

By Anna Gora published

Everything you need to know about photoplethysmography (PPG), the technology behind heart rate measurements in fitness watches and smart rings.

Heart & Circulation

'It is a dangerous strategy, and one for which we all may pay dearly': Dismantling USAID leaves the US more exposed to pandemics than ever

By Chris Beyrer published

Opinion The foreign aid program has been one of the country's best defenses against emerging infectious diseases. Without it, we are more vulnerable to a pandemic than ever.

Opinion
Young woman exercising on a rowing machine at home

How does rowing affect your heart, and is it different to running?

By Anna Gora published

References Rowing machines and treadmills do not challenge your cardiovascular system in the same way, so what is the science behind it?

References

Epigenetic 'scars' on the genome can be passed down by grandmothers, study finds

By Jennifer Zieba published

In a story of collaboration and community, researchers identified intergenerational epigenetic changes caused by war and trauma in Syrian refugees.

Genetics
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