Finding stillness in motion: how riding a motorcycle can teach us mindfulness

Speeding along an open road on my motorcycle, flanked by the great outdoors, the engine hums and the noise in my mind disappears. Riding a motorcycle demands total presence. Focus isn’t optional. It’s a matter of survival. After all, a wandering mind could lead to disaster. But it’s not fear or panic that sharpens my […]

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Air pollution may be linked to increased risk of motor neurone disease, our new study indicates

PradeepGaurs/Shutterstock.com The scientist Stephen Hawking lived with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the most common type of motor neurone disease, for 55 years. He was one of the longest-surviving people with the condition. However, most people with motor neurone disease are not as lucky. It often progresses quickly, and many pass away within two to five […]

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The truth about detoxes – by a liver specialist

Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock Every January, the same wave of “detox” promises rolls in. Juice cleanses, detox teas, charcoal capsules and liver “resets” all sell a familiar story: you overdid it over Christmas, your body is full of toxins, and you need a product to flush them out. Here is the inconvenient truth. Your body already has a […]

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Why a flu transmission experiment didn’t spread the flu

TetianaKtv/Shutterstock.com A group of volunteers spent days locked in a small hotel room with people actively infected with flu. They played games, shared objects and exercised together in conditions designed to help the virus spread. Yet not a single person caught influenza. The unexpected finding comes from a well-designed study that set out to answer […]

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What detox really means, and why most detox diets miss the point

ViDI Studio/Shutterstock After the indulgence of festive treats, the idea of starting the year with a clean slate can be appealing. Detox powders, pills, teas and juice “cleanses” all promise a fast reset, often with bold claims about flushing toxins from the body. These promises sound scientific, but they don’t match what detox actually means. […]

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The pandemic’s hidden toll: millions of chronic conditions left undiagnosed

ITS/Shutterstock.com When COVID hit, healthcare systems around the world were turned upside down. Hospitals cleared beds, routine appointments were cancelled and people were told to stay at home unless it was urgent. In England, visits to family doctors and hospital admissions for non-COVID reasons fell by a third in the early months of the pandemic. […]

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Brain device for ADHD shows no benefit in major UK trial

Child sleeping with the Monarch TNS device Astrid Perez Diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are rising rapidly in the UK. More children and teenagers than ever are being referred for assessment and support, and families are often facing long waits and limited options once a diagnosis is made. Schools, health services and parents […]

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Are meat eaters really more likely to live to 100 than non-meat eaters, as a recent study suggests?

Bondar Illia/Shutterstock.com People who don’t eat meat may be less likely than meat eaters to reach the age of 100, according to a recent study. But before you reconsider your plant-based diet, there’s more to these findings than meets the eye. The research tracked over 5,000 Chinese adults aged 80 and older who participated in […]

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Copper peptides: these powerful molecules are worth the skincare hype

Copper peptides act as little helpers that tell your skin cells to repair and rebuild themselves. Yaroslav Astakhov/ Shutterstock Peptides have become one of the skincare industry’s most popular ingredients. It’s no wonder why, with evidence showing these powerful molecules hold the secret to healthier, firmer and more radiant skin. But out of the many […]

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What are postbiotic supplements – and do you really need them?

insta_photos/Shutterstock You will likely have heard of probiotics. These are live microorganisms that, when consumed in sufficient amounts, can benefit health. They occur naturally in foods such as yoghurt, kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut and are also sold as supplements. You may also know that for these probiotics to thrive, they need to be fed. That […]

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