For decades, astronauts have pushed the boundaries of human exploration, but their bodies have been on a journey of their own. From weakening bones to a confused sense of balance, the challenges of spaceflight are well-documented. Yet, new research points to an unseen passenger causing trouble: the trillions of microbes living in their guts. A … Read more
Imagine a hidden world inside you, teeming with trillions of tiny residents that collectively weigh as much as your brain. This isn’t science fiction; it’s your gut microbiome, a complex ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microscopic organisms living in your digestive tract. Scientists have long suspected these microscopic co-inhabitants play a role in … Read more
Your body’s gut is a bustling city of trillions of microbes—bacteria, viruses, and fungi—all working together to keep you healthy. This tiny ecosystem, known as your gut microbiome, is crucial for digestion, immunity, and overall well-being. A recent study reveals that for spotted dolphins, this inner world is drastically different depending on whether they live … Read more
A new study from a team of researchers, including scientists from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Michigan, suggests that a past battle with inflammation in your gut could permanently damage its ability to heal. This groundbreaking discovery means that even after you’ve recovered from a nasty case of food poisoning or a … Read more
For decades, we’ve been told that the human gut is a simple, uniform tube—a straightforward conveyor belt for food. It’s an easy idea to grasp, and for a long time, it’s been the foundation of how we think about gut health. But what if that idea is completely wrong? What if your gut isn’t a … Read more
The foods we eat do more than just provide energy and nutrients; they’re in a constant, delicate dance with our immune system. A new study suggests that common food proteins, specifically those found in milk, may be a secret weapon against certain types of cancer. Researchers found that these proteins, which are often mistakenly seen … Read more
Aging is a reality for everyone. For many, it’s a slow and steady decline of the body and mind. We often think of this process as inevitable, something determined by our genes and the simple passage of time. But what if the key to living a longer, healthier life was hiding in a world we … Read more
Ever have a gut feeling that something’s not right? Scientists have long known that the vast community of bacteria living inside us—our gut microbiome—plays a huge role in our health. But a new, provocative study suggests that the problem isn’t just with the bacteria; it starts much deeper, in the tiny powerhouses of our own … Read more
The headline for a recent study reads like a tongue twister: “Manipulating a host-native microbial strain compensates for low microbial diversity by increasing weight gain in a wild bird population.” But its real meaning could be a game-changer for how we think about our own health and the health of the planet. This new research … Read more
A surprising new study suggests that the cause of millions of Americans’ chronic back pain may be rooted in an unexpected place: your gut. For years, doctors have attributed lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (LDS)—a painful condition where a vertebra in the lower spine slips out of place—to factors like aging, genetics, and obesity. But a recent … Read more