Compounds found in cocoa known as flavanols have long been linked to better blood vessel function, particularly in people with heart disease risk factors or existing conditions. But what about healthy individuals with no apparent cardiovascular issues? A key study from the Flaviola Health Study set out to answer this question by examining the effects of regular cocoa flavanol intake in […]
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Garlic mouthwash shows shockingly strong germ-fighting power
Garlic extract has been found to offer antimicrobial effects that are on par with commonly used antiseptics and disinfectants such as chlorhexidine, according to medical researchers at the University of Sharjah. The study, published in the Journal of Herbal Medicine, reports that garlic-based mouthwash may produce more discomfort than chlorhexidine but appears to provide longer-lasting […]
Mushrooms magnify memory by boosting nerve growth
Researchers from The University of Queensland have discovered the active compound from an edible mushroom that boosts nerve growth and enhances memory. Professor Frederic Meunier from the Queensland Brain Institute said the team had identified new active compounds from the mushroom, Hericium erinaceus. Researchers have discovered lion’s mane mushrooms improve brain cell growth and memory […]
Artificial light from digital devices lessens sleep quality
There’s no doubt we love our digital devices at all hours, including after the sun goes down. Who hasn’t snuggled up with a smart phone, tablet or watched their flat screen TV from the comfort of bed? A new study by researchers at the University of Houston College of Optometry, published in Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics, […]
Researchers create eco-friendly detergent from wood fiber and corn protein
From laundry detergent to dishwasher tablets, cleaning products are an indispensable part of life. Yet the chemicals that make these products so effective can be difficult to break down or could even trigger ecosystem-altering algal blooms. Now, researchers reporting in ACS’Langmuir have addressed those challenges with an environmentally compatible detergent made of tiny wood fibers and […]
A daily fish oil supplement slashed serious heart risks in dialysis patients
A large international study has found that taking a daily fish oil supplement can sharply lower the risk of serious heart-related complications in people undergoing dialysis for kidney failure. The research was co-led in Australia by Monash Health and the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash University. The study, known as the PISCES trial, followed […]
Compound in Mediterranean diet makes cancer cells ‘mortal’
Research suggests that a compound abundant in the Mediterranean diet takes away cancer cells’ “superpower” to escape death. By altering a very specific step in gene regulation, this compound essentially re-educates cancer cells into normal cells that die as scheduled. One way that cancer cells thrive is by inhibiting a process that would cause them […]
Sleeping less than 7 hours could cut years off your life
A nationwide analysis found that not getting enough sleep is strongly linked to shorter life expectancy—more so than poor diet or lack of exercise. Researchers say this makes sleep one of the most overlooked pillars of long-term health. Credit: Shutterstock Getting a full night of sleep may play a larger role in longevity than many […]
Air inside your home may be more polluted than outside due to everyday chemical products
When you walk through a pine forest, the crisp, fresh scent is one of the first things you notice. But bringing that pine scent or other aromas indoors with the help of chemical products — yes, air fresheners, wax melts, floor cleaners, deodorants and others — rapidly fills the air with nanoscale particles that are […]
Recycled plastic is a toxic cocktail: Over 80 chemicals found in a single pellet
A single pellet of recycled plastic can contain over 80 different chemicals. A new study with researchers from University of Gothenburg and Leipzig shows that recycled polyethylene plastic can leach chemicals into water causing impacts in the hormone systems and lipid metabolism of zebrafish larvae. The plastic pollution crisis has reached global levels, threatening both […]