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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Olive Oil Degrades Faster Than You Think: What Storage Science Reveals
Bioactive compounds in extra virgin olive oil degrade rapidly after opening, with vitamin E declining…
The 20 Amino Acids: Your Body’s Protein Alphabet Explained
Your body builds every protein from just 20 amino acids, nine of which must come…
Brain’s Energy Crisis: Why B Vitamins and Micronutrients Matter for Cognitive Function
The brain consumes up to 50% of body energy in children and ~20% in adults,…
How Your Brain’s Cleanup System Works: The Glymphatic System Explained
Your brain has a continuous housekeeping system called the glymphatic network that removes metabolic waste…
The Hormesis Principle: Why Moderate Stress Builds Resilience Better Than Rest or Overtraining
The hormesis principle explains why moderate stress drives adaptation while sedentary behavior and overtraining both…