Iceman Mummy Suffered Head Blow Before Death

 Posted on January 10, 2023  |  4 minutes  |  700 words  |  Arica Deslauriers

Ötzi the Iceman, Europe's oldest mummy, likely suffered a head injury before he died roughly 5,300 years ago, according to a new protein analysis of his brain tissue. Ever since a pair of hikers stumbled upon his astonishingly well-preserved frozen body in the Alps in 1991, Ötzi has become one of the most-studied ancient human specimens. His face, last meal, clothing and genome have been reconstructed — all contributing to a picture of Ötzi as a 45-year-old, hide-wearing, tattooed agriculturalist who was a native of Central Europe and suffered from heart disease, joint pain, tooth decay and probably Lyme disease before he died. [Read More]

Lin-Manuel Miranda's Shingles: Why He Was 'Quarantined' from His Newborn Son

 Posted on January 10, 2023  |  2 minutes  |  393 words  |  Arica Deslauriers

Actor and playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda recently revealed that he has shingles and needs to be "quarantined" from his newborn son. But why is it important for him to avoid contact with his newborn? On Thursday (April 5), Miranda, the creator of the hit Broadway play "Hamilton," posted on Twitter that what he first thought was a bad headache turned out to be a symptom of shingles. "Hey, cool story. This isn't a migraine, it's shingles! [Read More]

Living to 100: Personality & Good Genes May Be Key

 Posted on January 10, 2023  |  3 minutes  |  489 words  |  Arica Deslauriers

The more outgoing and optimistic you are, the longer you may live, a new study suggests. Researchers have found that personality traits like being outgoing, optimistic, easygoing, and  enjoying laughter as well as staying engaged in activities may be an important part of the longevity genes mix. "When I started working with centenarians, I thought we'd find that they survived so long in part because they were mean and ornery," study researcher Nir Barzilai, of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, said in a statement. [Read More]

New 'Skywalker' Gibbon Named for 'Star Wars' Hero

 Posted on January 10, 2023  |  2 minutes  |  413 words  |  Fernande Dalal

In a galaxy not so far way, there's a new Skywalker in town. A new gibbon species was discovered in southwest Asia, and scientists have named it for the famous "Star Wars" character. The species' "Star Wars"-inspired name is connected both to the gibbon's high treetop home, and the mysticism that surrounded the primate in Chinese history, according to scientists at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), which collaborated on the new research. [Read More]

Obesity: Causes, Complications & Treatments

 Posted on January 10, 2023  |  6 minutes  |  1212 words  |  Arica Deslauriers

Obesity is a condition in which a person has excess body fat. More than just a number on a scale or the size of someone's body, obesity can increase a person's risk of diseases and health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. It is a complex problem and a major public health concern, both in the United States and worldwide.  In the United States, about 40 percent of adults (or 93. [Read More]

Oldest Embryo Fossil Found

 Posted on January 10, 2023  |  2 minutes  |  406 words  |  Trudie Dory

An armored fish was about to become a mom some 380 million years ago. Though the primitive fish perished, its fossilized remains remarkably reveal an embryo and umbilical cord inside the soon-to-be mother's body. The discovery marks the oldest evidence of an animal giving live birth, pushing the known record of such reproduction back by some 200 million years. It also supports the idea that internal fertilization in vertebrates (animals with backbones) originated in a group of primitive fish. [Read More]

Photos: Inside the Explorers Club

 Posted on January 10, 2023  |  3 minutes  |  471 words  |  Mittie Cheatwood

Upper East SideThe Explorers Club is located on East 70th St. in Manhattan's Upper East Side. The exclusive membership is open only to explorers who've sailed to new shores, climbed to new heights or trekked on new paths. Explorers' LoungeThe members lounge of the Explorers Club is a place for members to meet, discuss expeditions, or just read the newspaper. The wood paneling emulates the style popular in Tudor England in the 15th and 16th centuries. [Read More]

Pompeii Photos: Archaeologists Find Skeletal Remains of Victims of Vesuvius Eruption

 Posted on January 10, 2023  |  2 minutes  |  288 words  |  Trudie Dory

Pompeii excavationsArchaeologists excavating an area on the outskirts of Pompeii have made some intriguing discoveries over the last few weeks. Among the finds: the bodies of people taking shelter from the deadly A.D. 79 Mount Vesuvius eruption, on the west coast of Italy. [Read the full story on the Vesuvius victims] Bodies in the shopThe remains of four people were discovered in the backroom of an ancient bronze workshop near the Herculaneum Gate. [Read More]

Rare Parasitic Worm Cases Spike in Maui

 Posted on January 10, 2023  |  2 minutes  |  307 words  |  Patria Henriques

A rare parasitic worm that can infect people's brains is causing concern in Maui, where there has been a rise in cases in recent months. So far this year, two residents in Maui and two visitors to the island have become infected with the parasite, and four additional cases are under investigation, according to local media outlet Hawaii News Now. Prior to this year, there were just two infections on the island in the past 10 years. [Read More]

Stomach Acid Drugs Increase Risk of Bacterial Infections, FDA Warns

 Posted on January 10, 2023  |  3 minutes  |  457 words  |  Patria Henriques

The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers today that certain stomach acid drugs may increase the risk of a serious intestinal bacteria infection. The drugs, including Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Zegerid and others, fall into a category called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). They are prescribed to treat acid reflux, stomach ulcers and other conditions, and work by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach.  The bacterial illness is called Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD), and its main symptom is diarrhea that does not improve, according to an FDA statement. [Read More]