Explainers
Plain-language deep dives for public audiences
Can laughter improve health? Researchers launch study to find out
A new research initiative called the Laughter Lab is systematically investigating whether laughter can improve health and wellbeing. The study…
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Supreme Court’s Roundup ruling exposes a fundamental divide between legal and scientific causation standards
The US Supreme Court's recent glyphosate ruling exposes a fundamental gap: courts and scientists both use the word "causation," but…
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The Citric Acid Cycle: How Cells Convert Food Into Energy
The citric acid cycle—Earth's most fundamental energy conversion process—occurs billions of times per second in…
Astaxanthin’s unique membrane-spanning antioxidant action explained
Astaxanthin, a carotenoid pigment found in marine organisms, possesses a unique molecular structure that spans…
The 20 amino acids: life’s molecular alphabet explained
The human body uses 20 standard amino acids as the building blocks for all proteins.…
The copper-iron connection: Why anemia diagnosis may be missing a critical mineral
Copper-dependent enzymes control every checkpoint of iron transport in the body. When copper is deficient,…
Brain’s Energy Demands and Micronutrient Metabolism: What the Evidence Shows
The brain consumes 20% of the body's energy in adults, rising to 50% in early…