A walk through a field of wildflowers, a stroll through a grove of trees, a jog along the beach: Not only are these beautiful settings for the eyes to behold, they also have the power to boost our well-being. A recently published study, led by professors Xiaoqi Feng (from the University of New South Wales […]
We’ve likely all heard a “dad joke” or two, or perhaps a thousand. They’re generally endearing, albeit corny, jokes that involve puns, obvious one-liners, and so-bad-they’re-good punchlines. They make us chuckle, roll our eyes, or lovingly groan — and new research reveals that they might also be doing some surprisingly serious good: helping children develop
For over a decade, a team of scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison have been developing lab-grown retinal neurons with the goal of restoring vision to people with certain degenerative eye diseases. Now, breakthrough testing results suggest that those cells are finally ready to be introduced to patients’ eyes for the first time in clinical
Nearly half of all adults in the United States, around 116 million, have high blood pressure, but only about a quarter have their hypertension under control, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And in 2020 alone, the condition was a primary or contributing cause in over 670,000 deaths. In addition to leading
This Ultrasound Therapy Could Treat Those With “Uncontrolled Blood Pressure” Continue Reading »
Researchers in England are encouraged by the preliminary results of a new wearable device that’s intended to reduce tics for those with Tourette syndrome. The device, called Neupulse, looks similar to a large smartwatch and delivers electrical stimulation to the nerves in the wrist. The goal is to influence the “brain networks involved in generating
Babies are soft, bouncy, and spend most of their time eating and sleeping — so, at first thought, they may not seem like a demographic in need of frequent massages. But infant massage has actually been practiced for centuries in Asia and is said to offer myriad benefits. Studies have found that it can increase
World’s First Baby Massager Soothes Infants and Promotes Bonding Continue Reading »
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 »
