Smell is one of the most powerful, and complicated, of the five senses. Olfaction has been linked to memory, cognition, and mood, and may even influence our other senses as well. So losing the capability, a condition known as anosmia, is not only frustrating and inconvenient, but can also be extremely emotionally taxing. That’s why two […]
The 2023 World Happiness Report, which ranks countries by happiness level, offers cause for celebration: Overall, benevolence has increased by 25% since 2019 and “positive emotions have remained twice as prevalent as negative ones,” report co-author John Helliwell said in a news release. “This year’s report features many interesting insights,” added co-author Lara Aknin, “but
It’s no secret that nature is rich with benefits for humanity: Previous studies have shown that simply being in or near green spaces can increase one’s physical and mental health. And now, new research has found that taking a more hands-on approach via citizen science is also beneficial to participants’ well-being, and it helps the
Want to Boost Your Well-Being and Mood? Become a Citizen Scientist Continue Reading »
More than a feel-good state of mind, happiness is described by the U.N. as a “fundamental human goal.” It comes with myriad benefits, including improving our health and even helping us live longer. Happier people are also more likely to make decisions quickly and contribute to society by voting and volunteering. And while happiness can be
From Smiling to Sleeping: 10 Ways to Feel Happier, According to Science Continue Reading »
When it comes to human hearts, one size does not fit all, as each organ has a unique shape, size, and beat. Engineers at MIT are working to help doctors better understand each heart’s precise differences by creating 3D-printed, patient-specific robotic hearts that look and function like real ones. The goal: give patients with heart
Yoga has long been touted as a beneficial practice for both physical and mental health, and recent research is only adding to that positive reputation. A March review out of Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that yoga could help prevent frailty, an age-related condition linked to an increased risk of death and decreased quality
The Best Free Online Yoga Classes for Older Adults Continue Reading »
In a refreshing bit of good news, a new Gallup Poll has found that the vast majority of Americans are satisfied with their personal lives. The survey, completed in January, asked respondents to consider nine areas of their lives: family life, current housing, education, job, community, personal health, leisure time, standard of living, and household
Someone has a heart attack approximately every 40 seconds in the United States, and one in five of those medical emergencies happens silently, meaning the damage is done without the person even knowing. But what if there were an AI system that could predict and prevent a heart attack long before one ever occurred? That’s
New AI Could Help Predict and Prevent Heart Attacks Continue Reading »
Teddi, a 19-month-old girl, was the first person in the U.K. to receive a new, potentially “life-saving” gene therapy for metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), a fatal genetic disorder, outside of a clinical trial. About six months after treatment, she is “a happy and healthy toddler showing no signs of the devastating disease she was born with,”
A small and sponge-like implantable device strengthened the body’s ability to fight cancer cells — and prevent them from coming back, according to a recent study. Scientists at UCLA created this device to help solve the problem of tumors that resist treatment due to regulatory T cells. These cells are involved in protecting healthy tissues,
