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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How Plants Send Electrical Distress Signals After Injury—Using the Same Molecule as Human Nerves
Plants deploy a glutamate-mediated calcium signaling system to detect injury and coordinate rapid defensive responses—using…
How B Vitamins and Micronutrients Power the Brain’s Energy System
The brain consumes 20% of adult body energy—up to 50% in children—demanding constant B-vitamin and…
Taurine and Cancer: Separating Laboratory Findings from Dietary Risk
Recent headlines claimed taurine fuels cancer, but a Nature study of leukemia cells in mice…
How Vitamins and Minerals Power Brain Chemistry: The Neurotransmitter Connection
Vitamins B6, B12, folate, and minerals including zinc, magnesium, and iron function as essential cofactors…
Beyond Neurons: How Brain’s Supporting Cells Drive Inflammation and Cognitive Resilience
The brain's health depends on more than neurons alone. A complex cellular ecosystem—astrocytes, microglia, and…

