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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

Diagnostic dilemma: Speed eating a 7-pound burger sent a man to ER unable to pass gas

By Mindy Weisberger published

A case report highlights one potential danger of competitive speed eating.

Health
A dog sleeping next to an air purifier

Best air purifiers for allergies 2025: Breathe easy this spring

By Molly Cleary, Anna Gora last updated

BUYING GUIDE These are the best air purifiers for allergies you can buy in every category, from Levoit Core 600S and Molekule Air Pro to RabbitAir A3.

BUYING GUIDE

Brain damage reported in 13% of kids who have died of flu this season, CDC finds

By Patrick Pester published

A CDC report has revealed that nine of 68 of children who died of flu this year had brain damage, but it's unclear whether this influenza-associated encephalopathy is on the rise.

Flu
Suri electric toothbrush being tested by our reviewer

SURI sustainable electric toothbrush review

By Anna Gora published

Can this eco-friendly toothbrush live up to the hype?

Health
A photo of a patient with their surgical team after surgery. The patient is sat on a hospital bed and the team is gathered around him.

New stem cell therapy could repair 'irreversible' and blinding eye damage, trial finds

By Emily Cooke published

A new therapy repairs corneal damage to a patient's eye using stem cells from their other, healthy eye.

Surgery

Gut bacteria imbalance linked to multiple sclerosis

By Ashutosh Mangalam published

Levels of two types of bacteria in your gut could help improve the diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Health
A woman checking her fitness watch

Best budget fitness trackers 2025: Cheap but mighty

By Maddy Biddulph, Anna Gora last updated

Buying Guide These are the best budget fitness trackers you can buy in every category, from Fitbit Inspire 3 and Xiaomi Smart Band 9 to Garmin Forerunner 165.

Buying Guide

Scientists describe new type of fat in human bellies

By Marianne Guenot published

Scientists have pinpointed and described unusual subtypes of fat cells that may help scientists explain why gut fat is linked to poor health. The research could open up new avenues for medical treatments.

Anatomy

Why can't you tickle yourself?

By Roberta McLain published

Why do we laugh when tickled but are unable to tickle ourselves? Neuroscience has the answer.

Health
A healthcare worker places a bandage on a girls' arm after a vaccine

This year's flu shot was up to 78% effective at preventing hospitalization in kids, early data finds

By Nicoletta Lanese published

Early data suggest that the 2024-2025 flu shots have effectively lowered rates of flu hospitalization and outpatient visits in vaccinated people.

Flu
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