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Illustration of a patient receiving anesthesia in the operating room.

Waking Up to Anesthesia

… Will you lose consciousness? How will you feel afterward? Is it safe? Every day about 60,000 people nationwide have surgery under general anesthesia. It’s a combination of drugs …
Illustration of a stomach saying no to different foods

Gut Troubles

… more serious might be wrong. Digestive system diseases and disorders are very common. Around 60 to 70 million people in the U.S. live with a digestive disease. It’s important not to ignore …
Illustrated collage of fruits and vegetables; a doctor and patient; a man lifting weights; a woman sleeping; a scale; and jigsaw puzzle pieces.

Can You Lengthen Your Life?

Want the secret to living a longer and healthier life? Scientists have found ways to prolong the healthy lifespans of worms, mice, and even monkeys. Their work has revealed exciting new clues about the biology of aging. But solid evidence still shows that the best way to boost the chance of living a long and active life is to follow the advice you likely heard from your parents: eat well,…
Illustration of friends relaxing by a fireplace.

Feeling Stressed?

… lead to poorer health, lower responses to vaccines, increased inflammation, and a more than 60% higher death rate compared to non-caregivers. It’s not clear why some people can sidestep or …
Illustration of a woman clutching a tissue near her face while talking with her doctor, who has a prescription pad handy.

Stop the Spread of Superbugs

… understand the unique characteristics of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Their findings could point the way to innovative new treatments. While scientists search for ways to beat back these …
Cartoon of battling bacteria that look like pirates and seafaring adventurers.

Your Microbes and You

… The lotions and creams you use can provide a barrier to protect your skin’s moisture, Segre points out, “but in fact you’re also putting a fertilizer onto the microbial garden. You’re …
Illustration of people collecting soil in a community garden.

Be a Citizen Scientist

… a smartphone app to collect and share data. Through photos, texts, or voice recordings, they point out problems like unsafe intersections. They report on neighborhood features like access to …
Illustration of a person reaching toward an outstretched hand.

Trouble With Touch?

… nodes in the touch network that are involved in these experiences, then we have an access point to change how touch is processed,” Chen says. A better understanding of touch—from the skin …
Illustration of a group of friends playing softball posing for a team photo.

Get Active Together

… after hospital discharge. Study participants wore a step-tracking device. They received game points and positive feedback for meeting step goals. Each also chose a supportive partner, like a …
Illustration of a woman watching a sunset from atop a mountain.

Positive Emotions and Your Health

… help people develop the skills needed to make positive, healthful changes. “Research points to the importance of certain kinds of training that can alter brain circuits in a way that …