Health in a Heartbeat
Episodes
Study: Yaks might hold key to multiple sclerosis cure
29 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A cure for neurodegenerative diseases might be frolicking through the mountains. New research from Shanghai Jiao Tong [Jyeow-tong] University identifi...
Study: Some on weight-loss drugs quit without regaining pounds
28 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We are in the midst of a weight-loss revolution. Drugs with the active ingredients semaglutide or tirzepatide have allowed millions of people to lose ...
A simple guide to strength
27 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
There are pushups, pirouettes and pumping iron. Calisthenics, curls and CrossFit. Whatever your preferred form of exercise or work-out style, there’...
Weight loss drugs might help heart heal
26 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Since its FDA approval in December 2017, Ozempic, an injectable semaglutide originally intended for use by those with diabetes, has taken the world of...
Blood tests can catch liver disease before symptoms
25 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Of the human body’s many organs, the liver is arguably one of the hardest workers. This 3-pound whirlwind in the upper right abdomen handles 500 job...
Kimchi probiotics fight nanoplastics
22 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Kimchi, a Korean dish made of fermented vegetables like cabbage, is known for packing a welcome probiotic punch to the gut. Now, a new study published...
To hear better, keep eyes open
21 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Throughout our lives, we encounter health information from less-than-official sources. Maybe a grandparent, or a chatty classmate. Regardless of the s...
The gut-brain connection
20 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Remember those “butterflies” you felt in your stomach before giving a big presentation? Or how you might trust your gut when making a deci...
Botanical gardens boost mental well-being
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling unwell? Your doctor might recommend a “green prescription.” New research from the Chinese Academy of Sciences is exploring the idea of pre...
Eye ‘floaters’: don’t take them lightly
18 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The first time you’re gazing at something and notice a speck that shouldn’t be there, it can be extremely disorienting. Weird, even. They are call...
A living replacement for eye drops
15 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This eye medication is alive. Anyone with a corneal injury or chronic ocular surface disease knows how annoying medicated eye drops can be. It’s eas...
Economic strain can damage children’s bodies
14 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
An American presidential campaign of the 1990s proclaimed, “It’s the economy, stupid” as its guiding slogan. It was a constant reminder that for...
Cold weather linked to more heart deaths than heat
12 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Every time a heat wave is on the way, alerts go out, warning that high temperatures can overtax our hearts. But a new study shows that cold weather hu...
Humans trending toward carbon dioxide overload
11 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The human body has been fine-tuned over millions of years of evolution. Like all living things, our species adapted to the environment. Those changes ...
Updated cholesterol guidelines shift screening time
08 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The biggest threat to your heart is invisible. Cholesterol, a term that doesn’t mean anything to you until it does, has no true visual or physical i...
Cancer connects us to cats
07 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Those of us with four-legged roommates might be sharing more than a couch with them. A new study from researchers in England mapped feline cancer gene...
Brain training can pay off years later
06 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
That friend of yours who starts her day with a challenging crossword puzzle might be onto something. In the late 1990s, nearly 3,000 older adults rece...
Ultraprocessed foods associated with lower bone density
05 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We all know that older adults face an increased risk of osteoporosis, a disease characterized by weak, brittle bones. A new study by American and Chin...
Attitude impacts aging
04 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Your understanding of aging might start with an absolute: Over the years, as our bodies and brains undergo wear and tear, we experience a gradual phys...
AI therapists pose ethical risks
01 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Turning to chatbots for emotional support is becoming more commonplace. But new research suggests that artificial intelligence “counselors” could ...
Centenarians’ blood looks closer to a 40-year-old’s
30 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Becoming a centenarian is a big deal. It vaults you into a select group that few reach. Just imagine: If you were born in 1926 and were celebrating yo...
Laser-printed gel implant might change bone breaks
29 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How many bones did you break as a kid? Some of us emerged from childhood unscathed. Others might have fond — and itchy — memories of casts getting...
Hand photo may aid disease detection
28 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine you go to the doctor because you suspect something is off-kilter: You keep outgrowing your shoes and your rings no longer fit. Now imagine tha...
Scientists trick bacteria into eating tumors
27 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Despite its increasing antiquity, PAC-MAN’s 8-bit graphics — and gameplay — continue to grip imaginations across generations. The sphere-shaped ...
Tinnitus impacts jobs for many people
24 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Humanity has sought an effective treatment for tinnitus since ancient Egypt. Luckily, few survive to the present day. One ancient remedy worked on the...
Sugary drinks linked to anxiety in teens
23 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Is there anything sweeter than being 16? Whether it’s slurping on soda slushies, glugging boba tea or downing energy drinks, teens have plenty of ac...
What is your state of health?
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Where do all the fit people live? We’ll admit up front that states don’t go to the gym or sit like a couch potato in front of the television for.....
Bashing the button: Is ‘snoozing’ good for you?
21 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
All of us sleep. It’s a biological imperative. But do we all need to hit the snooze button five times when the morning alarm goes off? Snoozing invo...
Subtle food changes could save lives
17 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How nice would it be to make a healthy change to your diet without realizing it? Two new research studies show how tiny, almost unnoticeable changes c...
Forever chemicals linked to rapid biological aging
16 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If we’re lucky, most of us will notice our bodies aging gracefully. But new research suggests we might have more factors to contend with than just t...
A not-so-secret treatment for joint pain
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you experience osteoarthritis, you’re in good — and widespread — company. By 2050, millions of people are slated to experience joint pain. Th...
When a ‘clean’ diet gets out of hand
14 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
An obsession can be a bad thing, even if it masquerades as something laudable. And that is what makes orthorexia nervosa one of the trickiest eating d...
Study links physical fitness with stress levels
13 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
High anxiety is a modern scourge. Part of it stems from the outrage manufactured by social media and the 24/7 news cycle. We can seldom outrun the rea...
Study: Green spaces are healthy, with one notable exception
10 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Researchers have long told us that green spaces are healthy. And who could argue that spending time in a woodsy place is better than a stroll along a ...
Gently steering dreams to solve problems
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Waking up with a yawn, you wonder what on earth possessed you to dream you were in a kennel. Then, your better half asks if you heard the neighbor’s...
Study finds red flags for chatbots
06 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
  Is using a robot pal to talk about your worries or ask for advice a good idea? A new study from researchers in Denmark suggests those questions...
What ape imagination suggests about human play
03 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It looks like we’re not the only ones playing pretend. A new study from Johns Hopkins University delved into the imagination capabilities of a 43-ye...
Altitude might protect against diabetes
02 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Trying to avoid diabetes? Take a hike. No, really. A new study from researchers at Gladstone Institutes explains why folks living at a high altitude t...
Office water coolers have high bacteria levels
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s something to talk about around the office water cooler: Office water coolers aren’t as clean as they could be. A paper published in the jou...
Tea benefits you, depending on its form
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How do you take your tea? With milk and a little sugar? Maybe some cream? A jug of it, iced? A can from the gas station? With biscuits, perhaps. Or...
How long are you strong?
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Face it: You’ve peaked. Well, maybe not. It all depends on your lifestyle. Researchers from Sweden followed adults over the course of 47 years to pi...
Sleep deprivation might cause your brain to switch gears
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Burning the midnight oil? Pulling an all-nighter? There’s more than one way to describe staying up late, and there’s also more than one consequenc...
Silver nanoparticles target bacteria
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Silver bullets supposedly kill werewolves, should you ever meet one. But the battle’s a little more complicated when it comes to antibiotic-resistan...
For some, weight-loss drugs’ effects might not last
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Weight-loss drugs are wildly popular. So much so that a recent study found about 1 in 8 Americans have tried them. The high demand initially led to na...
Study: COVID-19 mRNA vaccine sparks immune response to cancer
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
When treating lung and skin cancers, doctors frequently attempt to trigger the body’s immune system with drugs to help it recognize and attack cance...
Morning light for better sleep
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It turns out the popular phrase “rise and shine” isn’t just a saying — it’s also science. New research suggests catching some m...
How do you live longer?
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What is the secret to a longer life? Well, we know the fountain of youth is probably not going to work. You could always eat an apple a day, or...
A fast-aging fish sheds light on how kidneys grow old
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A fish whose life is the precise inverse of Benjamin Button’s might be the key to understanding how our kidneys age. The African turquoise killifish...
Be vigilant to avoid accidental poisoning
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to National Poison Prevention Week, an event created by Congress and used to publicize household dangers for a good 64 years now. It serves as...
Men and women react differently to partner’s decline
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How you react to a life partner’s cognitive decline may depend a great deal on whether you are male or female. A recent study from the universities ...
Your brain on fat
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The new year is speeding up. Somehow, it’s March already. Many of us might be toying with the idea of augmenting our formerly rigorous — maybe ove...
Drinking for many years linked to increase in rectal cancer
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Despite the prevalence of TV characters brooding over a glass filled with amber liquid, or the number of dish towels available with “wine mom” gra...
Crafting benefits mental health
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
For many, our days in art class are long behind us. Those macaroni necklaces, finger paintings and paper collages are now distant memories from childh...
Cancer rates increase
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Thanks to our genes, the environment and our lifestyles, cancer cases have more than doubled worldwide since 1990. And the disease, in all its forms, ...
Cancer disrupts more than cell production
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Cancer, the emperor of all maladies, has a deservedly bad reputation. Its treatments are punishing; its prognosis dependent on how willing the cancer ...
Can we drink alcohol safely? A new study says no.
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Americans drink an average of about 2½ gallons of alcohol a year. An analysis of 62 research studies says it’s not safe. The thread that runs throu...
Is bamboo a delicious superfood?
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Giant pandas might be onto something. Move over, broccoli. Bamboo is the latest superfood identified by scientists. Bamboo shoots have been part of th...
Grandparents get cognitive boost from grandkids
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It might not seem like it at the time if the grandkids are making a ruckus. But babysitting them might be good for Grandma and Grandpa’s brains. A r...
Having a Valentine is a boost to health
28 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It’s probably never going to replace a visit to the gym as a weight-loss strategy. But as we approach another Valentine’s Day, it’s good to reme...
Rising temperatures affecting childhood development, study suggests
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it’s ultraprocessed foods, screens or microplastics, parents are tasked with skirting a bevy of risks to typical childhood development. Now,...
Research links tattoos to higher melanoma risk
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Decades ago, tattoos were often considered the domain of sailors who loved images of anchors on their biceps. Granted, there was some truth to that. I...
A stinky cure for a stinky problem
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Let’s talk about everyone’s favorite subject: foot fungus. Specifically, the kind you tend to get in your toenails. While it’s not exactly dinne...
Relationship between sleep and activity not as clear-cut as once thought
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It’s intuitive that getting more sleep at night gives us more energy for exercise during the day. Or that getting more exercise in the day leads to ...
Study settles debate over diet safety for cancer patients
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
For decades, patients undergoing blood cancer treatment have been told to avoid certain foods to reduce infection risk, guidance that some physicians ...
Kids and cellphones could create more problems than solve them
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Children are getting them younger and younger. Maybe your son or daughter had one even before becoming a teenager. No, we’re not talking about brace...
Processed foods spike hunger in satiated teens
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Aside from convenience, shelf-stability and price point, ultraprocessed foods rarely have any positives associated with them — especially when it co...
Endurance athletes also impacted by menopause, study suggests
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Exercise helps with most things: mood, bone density, heart health and more. It is a recommended means of managing common symptoms of menopause, too. B...
Genetic screening falls short, study finds
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A rare, inherited condition causes dangerously high cholesterol, even in newborn babies. But if you have it, you probably have no idea. A new Mayo Cli...
Bad breath? Consider garlic
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Sharp knives are safer than dull ones. And relaxing during a fight can make you more likely to win. Sometimes, a counterintuitive solution works best....
A meaty mushroom
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In a world inching its way toward sustainability, the market for meat substitutes is a lucrative one. From tofu to tempeh — and Beyond Burgers to th...
New wave of fentanyl-stimulant ODs among elderly
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In our collective consciousness, we likely imagine the typical fentanyl overdose victim as someone in their 20s — maybe 30s. But people in their sen...
New diabetes pill burns fat, preserves muscle
06 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to weight loss, glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, or GLPs, are on their way to becoming America’s sweetheart. Functionally, the drugs ...
What is brain rot?
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Post after post. Video after video. Whether on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook or X, content has become increasingly integrated into our lives and serves ...
Your brain’s adolescence, extended
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine being a 31-year-old teenager. A new University of Cambridge study suggests that your brain can be in an adolescent state even as the body is i...
Is aspirin good for your heart?
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Years ago, you might have heard that an aspirin a day keeps the cardiologist away. Popular advice once suggested the routine use of aspirin could redu...
Worrying keeping you from sleep? Try these techniques
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
For our bodies, sleep is always a hot commodity. It fuels recovery, supports muscle growth and leads to a better quality of life. But for many, windin...
Warmups are a crucial part of working out
29 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you’re pumping iron, lacing up for a jog or pedaling your way to good health, exercise takes effort. And not just for the main event — you...
Study: Plant-based ‘meats’ offer no heart benefits
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The term “plant-based” doesn’t necessarily mean a product is healthy. That’s the conclusion of a massive French study that examined processed ...
Internet, lack of trust threatens patient-doctor bond
27 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Physicians have worked to earn the trust of their patients for nearly 2,400 years, dating back to the days of Hippocrates, the father of Western medic...
Sweat analysis is making strides
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
To be in a cold sweat is never good. A flop sweat draws no compliments. And wearing sweats is not exactly the height of fashion. But our often-maligne...
WWII sugar rationing might have protected the hearts of millions
23 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Shortages during World War II forced the rationing of sugar and many essential products in the United States and Great Britain. Indeed, sugar rationin...
Shingles shots might offer dementia protection
22 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Having shingles is no picnic. Patients have described the blistering sores and rash as being so painful as to make even a gentle touch a terrible orde...
Shingles shots might offer dementia protection
22 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Having shingles is no picnic. Patients have described the blistering sores and rash as being so painful as to make even a gentle touch a terrible orde...
Focus on fitness, not the scale
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As we turn the page to January and the rest of 2026, a common goal for many Americans each year is to lose weight. The U.S. Centers for Disease Contro...
Focus on fitness, not the scale
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As we turn the page to January and the rest of 2026, a common goal for many Americans each year is to lose weight. The U.S. Centers for Disease Contro...
Lonely marriages can lead to weight gain, health ills
16 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Maintaining good health usually implies ample exercise, eating well and avoiding hazardous activities like going to the beach without sunscreen. Most ...
Study suggests speaking two or more languages slows aging
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you can say “I’m getting long in tooth” in two or more languages, you might not be as old as you think. A recent study by an international te...
Foods for a fitter heart
14 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A healthy heart can be hard to find. According the CDC, one person dies every 34 seconds from cardiovascular disease in the United States. Much of you...
What’s behind the old ‘freshman 15’?
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Being a college freshman is fun, sure, but it can also be a time of big changes. Among those changes? Finding one’s wardrobe seemingly shrunk overni...
For depression, consider laughing gas
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
There’s nothing funny about dealing with depression, but new research suggests that laughing gas could provide short-term relief for those strugglin...
Everyday physical tasks can boost brain health
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
They say age is just a number. But some days we all wish that number was lower. Humans have been exploring ways to slow down or even reverse aging for...
The mental health benefit to a social media break
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You pick up your phone and open your favorite social media app. The doomscrolling begins, and you descend into a cacophony of content. Whether it’s ...
Can what we eat impact our anxiety?
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What’s making you anxious? Maybe it’s a looming deadline at work. A nail-bitingly close Little League match. Driving in the snow. A standing dinne...
leading a healthy lifestyle requires
02 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
For most of us, leading a healthy lifestyle requires some form of self-discipline. You’re steering clear of the colorful aisles of sugary breakfast ...
Text to talk? What about text to therapy?
30 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve heard of text to talk, which helps break down communication barriers to support accessibility. How about text to therapy? A JAMA Network stud...
Sweet treats for better sleep
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve tried every trick in the book to fall asleep — counting sheep, cutting caffeine and a packet of sleepytime tea — it might be time to t...
Harm from smoking can linger for years
26 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The health worries you have after smoking can last for years after you stubbed out your final cigarette. It all depends, a new research study from Sou...
Two hours of sitting thwarts high cardio fitness
25 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You might want to avoid sitting down for this news. A recent study found that it isn’t enough to be cardiovascularly fit. Sitting can apparently und...
Cockroaches lace household dust with toxins
24 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cockroaches don’t get a lot of love. Scourge of humanity and seemingly impossible to eradicate, they and their forebearers have thrived for more tha...
Why you might want to pass on paper receipts
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You probably don’t think twice when grabbing your receipt after a grocery run, but research shows that slip of paper just might come with some hidde...