The weird things that happen during a solar eclipse
The solar eclipse on 8 April was quite the event by all accounts, but what else happens aside form millions of humans looking upwards?
Tag: Humans
How did people clean their teeth before toothpaste?
Dental issues and teeth cleaning have become topical in our house this week, as our daughter started orthodontic treatment. I wondered: how did people manage to keep their teeth clean and healthy before modern toothbrushes and toothpaste?
Each nostril has its own sense of smell
It seems our noses sense smells differently between each nostril.
Keep it clean
Do you wash behind your ears, between your toes and in your belly button? Doing so is good for the bugs that live on your skin.
Old person smell is a thing
Are you imagining that Grandma has a distinctive smell, as do others of her age? No, you aren’t.
First draft of the human pangenome
Moving on from having sequenced the human genomes from the first time 20 years ago, now we have the first draft of the human pangenome – a much more diverse collection of 47 distinct genomes from different ancestral backgrounds.
Your brain size dictates how long you yawn
A large animal study has found a strong correlation between how long an animal yawns and the size of its brain.
Pandemic closures saw zoo animals behave differently
We all felt the impacts of COVID-19 lockdowns – but what about primates in zoos who no longer saw any visitors?
Why do there seem to be so many new viruses?
Is the incidence of virus outbreaks increasing? Or just it just seem that way?
Leave your ear wax alone!
Do you dig out your ear wax? Don’t! The old adage that nothing smaller than your elbow goes into your ear is absolutely true.
Linking Data Today for a Better Tomorrow
The Population Health Research Network answers really important questions about our health and wellbeing and I was privileged to work on their Investment Plan 2023-2028, which is now available.
Are we doing sleep wrong?
Sleep is really important for staying healthy – but is there a correct sleeping position? And what does exercise have to do with it?
The Black Death is still affecting our immune systems
The Black Plague ripped through Europe, Africa and Asia 700 years ago and killed around 200 million people. Genes that were associated with a survival advantage are still present in us today – but appear to make us more susceptible to autoimmune diseases.
Dogs can smell when you’re stressed
Dogs love to sniff and smell their environment and that includes us humans. To them, we smell different when we are stressed.
Microplastics discovered in human blood
Researchers in the Netherlands have discovered microplastics in the blood of humans for the first time.