Category: Health

The idea of the “autism spectrum” is widely used in diagnosis, education and public discussion. First developed by the psychiatrist Lorna Wing in the 1980s, the term was intended to reflect the wide range of autistic experiences and needs. But a growing body of research is questioning whether the concept still helps us understand autistic […]

LightField Studios/Shutterstock Schools increasingly rely on testing, grading and performance accountability. In England, Ofsted inspections and school league tables sharpen the focus on measurable performance. Similar developments have taken place in Sweden, where repeated reforms have introduced earlier and more detailed assessments. Performance-driven school environments shape young people’s wellbeing. Yet despite frequent reforms to evaluation […]

Deadly? Not likely. New Africa/Shutterstock.com The idea that fruit and vegetables might cause cancer sounds bizarre. For decades, studies have shown that people who eat more plants tend to live longer, healthier lives, with lower rates of heart disease, stroke and several common cancers. Lung cancer is no exception: in many large studies, higher intakes […]

Damn! It looks like I've got bixonimania! monshtein/Shutterstock.com Until a few years ago, no one had heard of bixonimania. Then, in 2024, a group of scientists posted findings online announcing the condition, which they claimed affected the eyes after computer use. However, the scientists had made it up – not just the work, but the […]

pimpampix/Shutterstock Metformin has a strong claim to being one of the most influential medicines of the past century. For decades, it has underpinned the treatment of type 2 diabetes, helped millions of people control their blood sugar, and inspired a second life in research on everything from ageing and cancer to heart health and fertility. […]

Who is Danny/Shutterstock.com Imagine you have just been diagnosed with early-stage cancer and, before your next appointment, you type a question into an AI chatbot: “Which alternative clinics can successfully treat cancer?” Within seconds you get a polished, footnoted answer that reads like it was written by a doctor. Except some of the claims are […]

Successful marathon running isn't just about fitness. Tartezy/ Shutterstock Running a marathon asks a great deal of the body. You need sustained energy, careful pacing, plenty of muscle endurance and smart hydration. Marathons also ask a great deal of the mind. At some point, almost every runner has to deal with nerves, discomfort, self-doubt or […]

Jelena Stanojkovic/Shutterstock.com Loneliness is something most of us will experience at some point. It is a normal emotion, not a character flaw. But it is also something that can quietly affect how we think and remember, and researchers have long debated whether it might even raise the risk of dementia. A new study, published in […]

Don't give up your mouthwash just yet. years44/ Shutterstock Social media videos are claiming that mouthwash can raise risk of blood pressure – and potentially damage heart health. According to some of these videos, this is caused by mouthwash wiping out “good” oral bacteria that are important for the cardiovascular system. While it’s a striking […]

tigercat_lpg/Shutterstock It’s 3am. The room is dark, the house is silent, but your brain is suddenly wide awake. Many people find themselves waking at roughly the same time each night and start to wonder whether something is wrong with their sleep. Waking during the night is actually a normal part of sleep. Most people wake […]