Coffee, cola or an energy drink: caffeine is the world’s most widely consumed psychoactive substance. Researchers have now shown in a study that regular caffeine intake can change the gray matter of the brain. However, the effect appears to be temporary. No question — caffeine helps most of us to feel more alert. However, it…

Largest study on how cannabis has changed over time finds increased strength putting consumers at greater risk of harm. The team behind the study from the Addiction and Mental Health Group at the University of Bath, synthesised data from over 80,000 cannabis samples tested in the past 50 years from street samples collected in the…

Researchers are exploring technology for those wanting a quieter life! Reporting in the journal Scientific Reports (a Nature Springer publication), the team of Tong Xiao, Xiaojun Qiu and Benjamin Halkon highlight the positive impacts for health and wellbeing of their ‘virtual Active Noise Control/Cancellation (ANC) headphone’ and its enhanced ability to reduce ambient noise. By…

Repetitive headers and accidental head impacts in soccer are leading to changes in blood patterns, linked to brain signalling pathways and potential alterations — the latest study to assess potential dangers of heading in soccer shows. In this first-of-its-kind new research, experts analysed blood samples from 89 professional soccer players in a range of scenarios,…

Whether it’s a dollop on your morning cereal or a simple snack on the go, a daily dose of yogurt could be the next go-to food for people with high blood pressure, according to new research. Conducted in partnership with the University of Maine, the study examined the associations between yoghurt intake, blood pressure and…

A novel artificial intelligence (AI) approach based on wireless signals could help to reveal our inner emotions, according to new research. The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, demonstrates the use of radio waves to measure heartrate and breathing signals and predict how someone is feeling even in the absence of any other visual…

Vegetarians who take the dietary supplement creatine may enjoy improved brain function, according to a new study. Creatine is a chemical stored in the muscles and brain that helps build lean muscle. In addition to being produced by the human body, creatine is also naturally occurring in red meats and seafood — and in smaller…

A comprehensive study involving more than 250,000 women, shows that oral contraceptive use protects against ovarian and endometrial cancer. The protective effect remains for several decades after discontinuing the use. Ovarian and endometrial cancer are among the most common gynaecological cancers, with a lifetime risk of just over 2 per cent. Endometrial cancer is slightly…

New research shows that binge-drinkers’ brains have to put more effort into trying to feel empathy for other people in pain. The research shows that binge-drinkers’ brains have to put more effort into trying to feel empathy for other people in pain. The paper «Differential brain responses for perception of pain during empathic response in…

In a large national survey, adults who struggled with picky eating habits as children overwhelmingly said they benefitted more from positive and encouraging strategies their parents used than forceful or coercive approaches. The research, led by a team at Duke Health, was conducted among a generation of people who struggled with food avoidance before it…