Diet
How to Figure Out if Moderate Drinking Is Too Risky for You
New research shows any alcohol can harm your body, but the increased risk may not be huge
The Science of Health158 articles archived since 1845
Biotech
Hearing Aids May Lower Risk of Cognitive Decline and Dementia
As few as 15 percent of people who would benefit from hearing aids use them
Cancer
Adjusting Your Body Clock May Stave Off Cancer
Research shows that disrupting the body’s circadian rhythm raises cancer risk, and resetting it may bring that risk down
Nutrition
Too Much ‘Good’ Cholesterol Can Harm the Heart
HDL cholesterol raises disease risk at levels above 80 milligrams per deciliter
Exercise
You Don’t Really Need 10,000 Daily Steps to Stay Healthy
New research points to different step counts based on age and fitness level
Health Care
Telehealth Is Proving to be a Boon to Cancer and Diabetes Care
Virtual visits surged in the pandemic, and studies show they maintain high-quality medicine
Medicine
Better Patient Care Calls for a ‘Platinum Rule’ to Replace the Golden One
A new principle in medicine focuses on understanding patients’ values, not assuming they share your own
Public Health
Are Gas Stoves Bad for Our Health?
Evidence is building that fumes from gas stoves can aggravate lung ailments
Diet
How Diet Builds Better Bones: Surprising Findings on Vitamin D, Coffee, and More
For healthy adults who want strong bones, a commonly recommended vitamin doesn’t seem to help, but other things really do
Neurology
Autism Treatment Shifts Away from ‘Fixing’ the Condition
There are different ways to be happy and function well, even if your brain is not typical
Reproduction
There’s an Alarming Rise in Diabetes during Pregnancy
A spike in diabetes during pregnancy, worsened by the pandemic, raises the risk of chronic diabetes, heart disease and birth complications
Anatomy
Your Body Has a Clever Way to Detect How Much Water You Should Drink Every Day
One brain region combines signals from your mouth, gut and blood
Diabetes
Diabetes Screening Standards in the U.S. Miss the Disease in Many People of Color
Risks for Black, Hispanic and Asian Americans start at lower weights and younger ages than risks for white people
Neurology
Why Do Mental Illnesses—from Depression to Schizophrenia—Raise the Risk of Dementia?
A combination of biological and social factors most likely explain the strong connection
Nutrition
Your Body May Be Able to Repair Its Arthritic Joints with Help from Drugs or Surgery
Knees and other joints regrow some lost cartilage with some outside aid, research suggests
Public Health
New Antiobesity Drugs Help People Shed Dozens of Pounds, but They Must Be Taken for a Lifetime
Injectable weight-loss medicines reduce appetite but raise questions of long-term safety and affordability
Cancer
A Wave of New Cancer Treatments Challenges Community Oncologists to Keep Up
Partnerships with top research centers, along with advanced technology, may help local doctors offer patients the latest therapies
Policy
Abortion Pills Are Very Safe and Effective, yet Government Rules Still Hinder Access
If the U.S. Supreme Court fails to uphold abortion rights this spring, more restrictions are likely
Health Care
A Faster Way to Find Good Medical Treatments Is Gaining Ground
A type of clinical trial that tests many therapies at once is being used for COVID and Alzheimer’s
Mental Health
The Pandemic Has Created a ‘Zoom Boom’ in Remote Psychotherapy
Research suggests virtual sessions can be as effective as in-person meetings
