Explainers
Plain-language deep dives for public audiences
Vegan, Gluten-Free, Cruelty-Free: What a Manufacturer’s Declaration Is Worth
A badge on the box, a signed declaration, and an audited third-party certification are three very different things. Here is…
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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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Microwave Plastic Safety: What the Science Actually Shows About Migration Into Food
Microwave heating releases measurable amounts of BPA and microplastics from plastic containers into food. However,…
How Essential Minerals Keep Your Body Running: A Systems-Level View
Essential minerals regulate over 300 biochemical pathways in the human body, from cardiac rhythm to…
Fish Oil Absorption Varies Dramatically by Supplement Form and Meal Composition, Research Shows
Fish oil supplement absorption varies from 20% to 90% depending on whether the product uses…
How Brain Cell Conversations Shape Memory, Mood and Resilience
The brain's health depends on coordinated communication between astrocytes, microglia, neurons, and oligodendrocytes. These cellular…
Astrocytes as Brain Regulators: How a 1989 Video Revealed Hidden Neural Intelligence
A landmark 1989 video by Yale neuroscientist Prof. Stephen J. Smith revealed that astrocytes—long dismissed…