Nutritional Biochemistry

More hype than substance: erythritol and cardiovascular risk

A newly-published study caught public attention by reporting an association between the common sweetener erythritol and increased risk of heart attack and stroke, but there’s more to the story.

Understanding science

How much control can we really have in studies on animals?

A 40-year-old study shows that animals’ emotional states can impact physiology, a reminder that they are more complex and individual than we often give them credit for.

Medications, Supplements & Other Treatments

Lean mass loss on GLP-1 receptor agonists: a downside of the “miracle drugs”

Clinical trials have generated impressive data on the effects of GLP-1 agonists on body weight and BMI, but how do these drugs perform in terms of body composition?

Understanding science

Screen time and children’s cognition: a question of context

A recent review suggests that screen time may not be as bad for infants as many of us may think – but only under the right circumstances.

Behavior Change, Habits, & Productivity

The dangers of “healthy” addictions

Though exercise has virtually unlimited health benefits, addiction to exercise can be a danger to mental and physical well-being. But what distinguishes exercise addiction from healthy engagement in physical activity?

Mental models

Twenty years after the Columbia disaster, what can we learn from the mistake of ignoring problems?

Every January, NASA holds a Day of Remembrance to honor the lives of astronauts lost to tragedy. But perhaps the greatest tribute we can make is to learn from past mistakes.

Nutritional Biochemistry

To reduce appetite, skip late-night snacks

Two recent randomized trials found that biasing food intake toward the end of the day increases appetite and may reduce energy expenditure.

Cognitive Health & Neurodegenerative Disease

Non-caffeine components of coffee and their effects on neurodegenerative diseases

Coffee consumption is associated with reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative processes, but the effect may be more than a matter of caffeine.

cancer mrna vaccine
Cancer

Antitumor mRNA vaccines are cause for optimism

Moderna recently announced preliminary results of a clinical trial involving a personalized antitumor mRNA vaccine, and despite the knee-jerk uproar, the treatment may prove to be another useful weapon in the battle against cancer

Mental models

The Safety Debate Between Manual and Automatic Transmissions

When it comes to safety, the distinct advantages of automatic and manual vehicles depend on who’s in the driver’s seat.

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