Health: News, features and articles

Poll

How worried are you about the health impacts of extreme heat?

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 26 August 26

Diagnostic Dilemma

A man tried to self-treat his incontinence by gluing his urethra shut

By Mindy Weisberger Published 26 August 26

Opinion

Trump's childhood vaccine order will threaten children's safety, even if it doesn't directly change policy

By Avery August Published 26 August 26

Viruses, Infections & Disease

2 people die of measles in Pennsylvania as vaccination rates drop across the nation

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 25 August 26

Analysis

As cervical cancer rates fall, HPV is causing more throat and mouth cancers in men — why?

By Stephanie Pappas Published 24 August 26

Viruses, Infections & Disease

Severe COVID-19 may wake up dormant viruses and lead to lasting physical disability, study finds

By Clarissa Brincat Published 24 August 26

Aging

Scientists may have found a clue to prevent muscles from aging, study hints

By Zunnash Khan Published 28 July 26

Opinion

Tests that measure 'biological age' aren't helpful for tracking your health, scientists say

By Idan Shalev Published 29 May 26

Opinion

Loneliness may contribute to memory issues, but not dementia — they are 'not the same thing'

By Ivana Babicova Published 19 April 26

Aging

Brain aging results from a loss of control over how genes are regulated, mouse study suggests

By RJ Mackenzie Published 26 March 26

Opinion

Could gut microbes hold the secret to aging well? A researcher unpacks the emerging science

By Bill Sullivan Published 6 March 26

Aging

'The limits of human longevity have still not been reached,' study suggests

By Florian Bonnet Published 21 February 26

Aging

Lifespan may be 50% heritable, study suggests

By Victoria Atkinson Published 31 January 26

Aging

Can AI detect cognitive decline better than a doctor? New study reveals surprising accuracy

By Anirban Mukhopadhyay Published 28 January 26

Aging

Gray hair may have evolved as a protection against cancer, study hints

By Victoria Atkinson Published 9 December 25

References

Top 5 tips for surviving hay fever season

By Kat Bayly Published 19 March 26

References

Top 5 mistakes when using air purifiers during hay fever season

By Kat Bayly Published 13 March 26

Allergies

New Jersey man dies from meat allergy triggered by tick bite

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 14 November 25

REFERENCE

Do air purifiers help with allergies?

By Kerry Taylor-Smith Last updated 21 February 25

Allergies

Is playing in the dirt good for kids' immune systems?

By Emily Cooke Last updated 28 November 24

REFERENCE

Do air purifiers help with dust?

By Katie Treharne Last updated 29 October 24

Allergies

Could allergies be 'deleted' someday?

By Rebecca Sohn Last updated 12 April 24

Allergies

Can you really be allergic to the sun?

By Anna Gora Published 15 December 23

Allergies

What causes metal allergies?

By Anna Gora Published 1 November 23

Anatomy

Man who donated his body after death had rare 'triple penis'

By Mindy Weisberger Published 10 June 26

Anatomy

Scientists mapped all the nerves of the clitoris for the first time

By Lauren Schneider Published 3 April 26

Anatomy

Why don't teeth count as bones?

By Marilyn Perkins Published 29 October 25

Anatomy

Human skeleton quiz: What do you know about the bones in your body?

By Kristina Killgrove Published 14 October 25

Anatomy

What's the strongest muscle in the human body?

By Clarissa Brincat Last updated 10 October 25

Anatomy

Staring at the March 29 solar eclipse can cause eye damage in seconds — and you won’t even feel it happening

By Emily Cooke Published 28 March 25

Anatomy

New cells discovered in eye could help restore vision, scientists say

By Emily Cooke Published 27 March 25

Anatomy

Scientists describe new type of fat in human bellies

By Marianne Guenot Published 1 March 25

Anatomy

'Vestigial' human ear-wiggling muscle actually flexes when we're straining to hear

By Clarissa Brincat Published 31 January 25

Analysis

Dangerously hot and humid: Rising temperatures in the US make outdoor exercise hazardous

By Naomi Mihara Published 16 June 26

Buyers guide

Best running shoes for supination 2026: Find the perfect fit for your feet

By Harry Bullmore Last updated 29 March 26

BUYING GUIDE

Best running watches 2026: Premium picks and budget buys

By Lloyd Coombes Last updated 10 March 26

Buying Guide

Best Garmin watches 2026: From fitness bands to adventure smartwatches

By Andrew Williams Last updated 10 March 26

Buying guides

Best fitness trackers for beginners 2025: From Apple Watch to Garmin Forerunner 165

By Lloyd Coombes Last updated 18 February 26

Reviews

Amazfit Active Max review: The best budget smartwatch of 2026?

By Anna Gora Published 5 February 26

Buying guides

What to buy as a beginner runner: Must-haves vs non-essentials

By Kate Carter Published 2 February 26

Buying guides

Best Garmin smartwatches for runners 2026, tried and tested

By Andrew Williams Published 31 January 26

Reviews

Garmin Enduro 3 review: The longest-lasting sports watch series gets a price cut

By Andrew Williams Published 31 January 26

Life's Little Mysteries

Do you really have to wash rice before you cook it?

By Charles Q. Choi Published 14 June 26

Food & Drink

Do the microbes in your gut influence what foods you like?

By Ashley Hamer Published 11 April 26

Food & Drink

A gut microbe linked to the Mediterranean diet boosts muscle strength in mice

By Kamal Nahas Published 28 March 26

Food & Drink

Liquid-nitrogen-infused cocktail popped a man's stomach like a balloon

By Kamal Nahas Published 28 January 26

Food & Drink

Is there such a thing as 'too much' protein?

By Christoph Schwaiger Published 13 January 26

Food & Drink

New US food pyramid recommends very high protein diet, beef tallow as healthy fat option, and full-fat dairy

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 7 January 26

Food & Drink

An otherwise 'fit' man had a stroke after drinking 8 'high-potency' energy drinks a day

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 17 December 25

Food & Drink

A woman's homemade juice led to life-threatening 'toxic squash syndrome'

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 12 November 25

Opinion

A toxicologist explains when you can safely cut the moldy part off food, and when it's best to toss it

By Brad Reisfeld Published 1 November 25

Science word of the day

What does 'allele' mean?

By Stephanie Pappas Published 29 July 26

Genetics

6-year-old in China dies after experimental treatment, investigation finds, raising questions about the country's gene therapy regulations

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 24 July 26

Genetics

Cells from your mother likely infiltrated your brain in the womb, and they could survive for decades, study reveals

By Clarissa Brincat Published 19 July 26

Genetics

'RNA can do things which we have never seen before': New study challenges assumptions about what RNA was up to at the dawn of life

By Kamal Nahas Published 17 July 26

INTERVIEW

'We can identify these really early, before the clinical diagnosis': Epigenetic markers may help explain why Native Hawaiians are aging faster

By Sophie Berdugo Published 24 May 26

Opinion

DNA sequencing is rewriting our understanding of historic outbreaks, but it can't tell the whole story

By Marc Zimmer Published 23 May 26

Genetics

'A landmark moment for the field': FDA approves first-ever gene therapy for inherited deafness

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 23 April 26

Genetics

Gene therapy improves hearing in 90% of patients with inherited deafness in largest trial of its kind

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 22 April 26

Genetics

Changing 'just one DNA letter' in female mice triggers growth of male genitalia

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 10 April 26

Heart & Circulation

Mini 'arteries-on-a-chip' could help predict a person's risk of stroke

By Victoria Atkinson Published 20 August 26

Diagnostic dilemma

A joyful wedding nearly broke a woman's heart in a rare case of 'happy heart syndrome'

By Olivia Maule Published 19 August 26

Heart & Circulation

The bacteria behind gum disease may also harm your heart valves, early research suggests

By Isha Ishtiaq Published 20 July 26

Heart & Circulation

New robotic heart mimics common, mysterious condition to help researchers study it

By Olivia Maule Published 9 July 26

Heart & Circulation

Heart issues tied to 'microdamage' in the brain might raise risk of memory loss, study hints

By Clarissa Brincat Published 6 July 26

Heart & Circulation

These patients' hearts stopped a dozen times a day. An innovative procedure has transformed their lives.

By RJ Mackenzie Published 12 June 26

Heart & Circulation

A new test could flag people at risk for anemia by filming their eyeballs — no needles required

By Clarissa Brincat Published 26 May 26

Heart & Circulation

Both very low and very high heart rates may be linked to higher stroke risk, study says

By Isha Ishtiaq Published 5 May 26

Heart & Circulation

Rectal exam stabilized man's irregular heartbeat

By Mindy Weisberger Published 29 April 26

Immune System

One underlying cause of inflammatory bowel disease pinpointed in new study

By Christoph Schwaiger Published 22 June 26

Diagnostic dilemma

Whiplike rashes appeared on a woman's back after she ate shiitake mushrooms

By Mindy Weisberger Published 27 May 26

Immune System

A teen's classic diabetes symptoms didn't improve with treatment — revealing she also had a much rarer syndrome

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 22 April 26

Immune System

Keratin may act as a 'brake' for skin inflammation, pointing to potential treatments

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 8 April 26

Immune System

Viruses in the gut may help prevent blood sugar spikes, mouse study hints

By Sahana Sitaraman Published 23 March 26

Immune System

An experimental mRNA treatment counters immune cell aging in mice

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 2 January 26

Immune System

Insomnia and anxiety come with a weaker immune system — a new study starts to unravel why

By Kamal Nahas Published 11 December 25

Immune System

Mitochondria aren't only the 'powerhouses of cells' — they also battle germs

By Andrew Monteith Published 29 July 25

Immune System

Twin study reveals signs of MS that might be detectable before symptoms

By Michael Schubert Published 20 October 24

Opinion

Trump's childhood vaccine order will threaten children's safety, even if it doesn't directly change policy

By Avery August Published 26 August 26

Explainer

Peptides are the latest wellness fad. What are they, and are they safe?

By Jennifer Zieba Published 18 August 26

Science spotlight

What the US could learn from Japan's incentive for responsible antibiotic use

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 11 August 26

Analysis

FDA's approval of new mRNA vaccine does not necessarily signal the government's embrace of the technology, experts say

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 10 August 26

Medicine & Drugs

FDA approves first mRNA vaccine for seasonal flu

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 6 August 26

Medicine & Drugs

'It's real, and it's happening': Antibiotic resistance in kids is rising around the world, massive study finds

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 5 August 26

Medicine & Drugs

'Teach me! Doctor': Meet the pediatrician on a mission to boost parents' knowledge of childhood illnesses

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 4 August 26

Opinion

'Rescheduling' cannabis would ease restrictions on science, opening the door to the largest investment in cannabis research we've seen to date

By Raymond Palidora Published 24 July 26

Science Spotlight

'They didn't question it': Why doctors prescribe too many antibiotics

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 23 July 26

Neuroscience

Scientists just discovered a big limitation in lab-grown minibrains — they have a skewed 'sense of time'

By Zunnash Khan Published 19 August 26

Neuroscience

Memory may not work how we thought, study of mice in artificial hibernation finds

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 13 August 26

Neuroscience

Inflammation may trigger persistent 'out-of-body' experiences, emerging research hints

By Charissa Egger Published 30 July 26

Diagnostic Dilemma

Rare 'spinal stroke' struck an 8-year-old and temporarily paralyzed her

By Jenna Congdon Published 29 July 26

Analysis

Neuroscience findings often can't be replicated ‪—‬ and it's a big problem for what we know about the brain

By RJ Mackenzie Published 21 July 26

Science word of the day

What does 'neuroplasticity' mean?

By Stephanie Pappas Published 18 July 26

Neuroscience

We remember little to nothing of early childhood — and a recent mouse study may help explain why

By Roberta McLain Published 8 July 26

Neuroscience

Estrogen levels in both the male and female brain may shape memory's resilience in face of stress

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 19 June 26

Neuroscience

Neuroscientists are searching for the 'cellular substrate of loneliness'

By Elizabeth Preston Published 14 June 26

Reproductive Health

Bacterial 'postbiotic' may help preserve fertility in the aging uterus, preliminary research suggests

By Isha Ishtiaq Published 7 August 26

Analysis

Military's testosterone screening program could lead to overtreatment and side effects, including impaired T production

By Stephanie Pappas Published 27 July 26

FACT FILE

What is PMOS (formerly PCOS)? What to know about the hormonal syndrome

By Sophie Berdugo Published 9 June 26

Poll

Poll: What do you think of PMOS, the new name for PCOS?

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 19 May 26

Reproductive Health

'The name was inaccurate': PCOS gets a new name after years-long effort

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 12 May 26

Reproductive Health

Pregnancy quiz: Can you deliver on the science of growing babies?

By Sophie Berdugo Published 9 May 26

Reproductive Health

'Two lives hang in the balance': Risky surgery in the womb saved baby from deadly disorder at just 25 weeks gestation

By Kamal Nahas Published 30 April 26

Reproductive Health

Preeclampsia could be treated with 'blood filtering' therapy, early study hints

By Lauren Schneider Published 28 April 26

Reproductive Health

Scientists identify main cause of extreme nausea and vomiting in pregnancy

By Sophie Berdugo Published 20 April 26

Sex

How long can human sperm survive?

By Emma Bryce Published 25 May 25

Sex

Do animals have orgasms?

By Elana Spivack Published 13 April 25

Sex

Do sperm really race to the egg?

By Ashley Hamer Published 16 March 25

Sex

Sex leaves 'microbial traces' on genitalia, even when a condom is used — scientists call it the 'sexome'

By Emily Cooke Published 12 February 25

Sex

Scientists made mice with Y chromosomes female by deleting just 6 tiny molecules

By Sahana Sitaraman Published 22 May 24

Sex

Man's years of premature ejaculation had a rare cause

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 4 March 24

Sex

Viagra alternatives? Study of mouse erections hints at new ways to treat erectile dysfunction

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 8 February 24

Sex

Erectile dysfunction risk may rise on lengthy space missions, rat study reveals

By Emily Cooke Published 27 November 23

Sex

'Sex drive switch' discovered in male mouse brain that kicks their libido into overdrive

By Emily Cooke Published 16 August 23

Sleep

'Poop pills' may ease insomnia by reprogramming the gut microbiome, early study hints

By Clarissa Brincat Published 3 August 26

Sleep

In people with epilepsy, sleeping after a seizure may trigger more seizures

By Kamal Nahas Published 9 March 26

Sleep

Sleep deprivation harms the gut via the vagus nerve, early study reveals

By Sahana Sitaraman Published 17 February 26

Sleep

Are you a night owl or an early bird?

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 11 February 26

Sleep

Scientists infiltrated volunteers' dreams to boost their creative thinking

By RJ Mackenzie Published 10 February 26

Sleep

Do your dreams change as you age?

By Abby Wilson Published 29 November 25

Sleep

Study reveals why the brain 'zones out' when you're exhausted

By Sophie Berdugo Published 13 November 25

Sleep

'DST just seems so pointless': Poll reveals most Live Science readers want to eliminate daylight saving time

By Sophie Berdugo Published 7 November 25

Sleep

Do people dream in color or black and white?

By Abby Wilson Published 1 November 25

Interview

Meet the scientists 3D printing corneas to restore people's vision

By Neelanjana Rai Published 21 August 26

INTERVIEW

'Eventually, it becomes you': Inventors of new 'living' knee replacement describe why this tech is desperately needed and how it works

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 25 April 26

Opinion

'The ban assumed the danger was making pigs too human': Why human organs aren't grown in pigs in the US

By Monika Piotrowska Published 31 December 25

Science news this week

Science news this week: NASA finds best evidence of life on Mars and scientists invent visible time crystals

By Ben Turner Published 13 September 25

Science news this week

Science news this week: A key Atlantic current nears collapse, the world's biggest iceberg shatters, and mouse brains rewrite neuroscience

By Ben Turner Published 6 September 25

Surgery

Scientists develop 'glue gun' that 3D prints bone grafts directly onto fractures

By Kristina Killgrove Published 5 September 25

Science news this week

Science news this week: A world first pig-to-human lung transplant, and SpaceX’s Starship nails a test flight

By Ben Turner Published 30 August 25

Surgery

Early test of new laser-free eye treatment shows promise

By Olivia Ferrari Published 27 August 25

Surgery

First-ever pig-to-human lung transplant attempted in brain-dead person in China

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 25 August 25

Viruses, Infections & Disease

2 people die of measles in Pennsylvania as vaccination rates drop across the nation

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 25 August 26

Analysis

As cervical cancer rates fall, HPV is causing more throat and mouth cancers in men — why?

By Stephanie Pappas Published 24 August 26

Viruses, Infections & Disease

Severe COVID-19 may wake up dormant viruses and lead to lasting physical disability, study finds

By Clarissa Brincat Published 24 August 26

Viruses, Infections & Disease

4 lemurs die of human herpesvirus, including one that had been used in a 'lemur yoga' class

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 15 August 26

Viruses, Infections & Disease

Foodborne illnesses: Is the US really being hit harder this year?

By Ian Randall Published 13 August 26

Viruses, Infections & Disease

2 people die of Cyclospora infection in Michigan

By Nicoletta Lanese Published 3 August 26

Analysis

Could we prevent dementia? A new trial may point the way.

By RJ Mackenzie Published 1 August 26

Explainer

Alzheimer's blood tests are transforming how patients get diagnosed — here's what to know

By RJ Mackenzie Published 31 July 26

Viruses, Infections & Disease

A unique antibody system may help explain bats' unusual tolerance of viruses

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 30 July 26