Topic

Medicine, Psychology & Health

A collection of 109 issues

The Two Faces of a Hard-Working Heart: How Exercise Builds and Hypertension Breaks It

Both intense exercise and hypertension make the heart work harder, but their effects are polar opposites. Exercise is a controlled stress, creating a stronger, more efficient heart. Chronic hypertension is a relentless load, causing the heart muscle to become stiff, weak, and prone to failure.

The Tale of Two Carbs: Why Your Body Prefers a Slow Burn to a Quick Spark

All carbs become sugar, but their structure dictates their effect. Simple sugars are absorbed rapidly, causing a blood sugar spike and crash. Complex carbs, with their intricate structure, break down slowly, providing steady, sustained energy and often come packed with vital fiber and nutrients.

The Antarctic Echo: Why Australia's Cool, Sunny Days Are Deceptively Dangerous

The Antarctic ozone 'hole' is not a permanent fixture but a seasonal thinning caused by pollutants in extreme cold. In spring, this ozone-depleted air drifts over Australia, increasing UV radiation. Because the UV index isn't tied to temperature, a cool day can be more dangerous than a hot one.

Forgotten for 18 Days: The Impossible Survival of Andreas Mihavecz

In 1979, an 18-year-old was arrested and forgotten in an Austrian police cell. He survived for 18 days without food or water, a feat of endurance that set a world record and exposed a shocking case of institutional negligence. His survival hinged on licking condensation from the walls.

The Final Cut: Why Science Can't Mend a Severed Head

While a captivating horror trope, reanimating a severed head is a biological impossibility. Upon decapitation, the brain is starved of oxygen, causing irreversible cell death within minutes. The catastrophic severing of the spinal cord also permanently destroys the link between brain and body.

The 24-Minute Breath: How Science Unlocks Superhuman Apnea

In 2021, Budimir Šobat held his breath for over 24 minutes, a seemingly impossible feat. The key wasn't just willpower, but a technique called oxygen-assisted static apnea. By pre-breathing pure O2, athletes can push their bodies to physiological extremes far beyond natural human limits.

The Space Stretch: Unpacking the Science Behind Why Astronauts Get Taller in Orbit

A peculiar side effect of space travel is a temporary growth spurt. In microgravity, the discs between an astronaut's vertebrae expand, freed from Earth's constant compression. This spinal decompression can add up to two inches in height, a fascinating change that reverses upon returning home.