Introduction When we think of drug discovery, design, and development, what comes to mind is a rigorous, time-consuming, and resource-intensive process. It begins with identifying a disease target, followed by the search for a potential lead compound. The amount of work required in identifying a suitable lead compound is enormous. Researchers have to screen millions of molecules from large chemical libraries to determine whether any of them can effectively interact with the t

Introduction Have you ever walked into a room and completely forgotten why you went there? Sent a text full of embarrassing typos? Forgotten what you said just seconds ago? Or searched everywhere for your phone while it was in your hand? These odd moments are surprisingly common after a poor night's sleep. When we feel tired, many of us reach for another cup of coffee, an energy drink, or simply push ourselves to work longer hours. We often see sleep as time that could be spe

Introduction Tooth enamel is strong, but it is constantly exposed to acids produced when oral bacteria break down sugars and starches. These acid attacks remove minerals from enamel, a process called demineralization. Saliva can return some minerals to the tooth, but if mineral loss continues faster than repair, an early white spot can eventually become a cavity (1). Toothpaste can support this repair process. Fluoride has been used for decades to prevent cavities, while nano

Anyone who has pushed through a hard workout has felt the burn associated with lactic acid. What is less commonly understood is that lactic acid is not simply a chemical made by one organ or one type of cell. It is what biologists call an emergent property, a characteristic that arises only when several smaller components of a system interact, and that cannot be produced by any single part alone. Lactic acid production is a clear example of this concept, since it depends on t

There are trillions of tiny organisms living inside your gut right now—and they may be influencing your emotions more than you think. Section 1: What Is the Microbiome? Microbes are tiny living things that are usually too small to see without a microscope. They can be found everywhere on Earth and living inside our bodies. Main Types of Microbes Bacteria: Single-celled organisms with no nucleus that live almost everywhere. Viruses: Tiny infectious agents that need a host cell

Vitamin D is important during the teenage years because it helps the body absorb calcium, which is needed to build strong bones (National Institutes of Health [NIH], Office of Dietary Supplements, 2025). One national study found that about 9% of children and young people ages 1 to 21 were vitamin D deficient, representing about 7.6 million people at the time of the study (Kumar et al., 2009). Adolescence is an important period of bone development. During these years, bones gr

Sources of Noise Pollution Environmental noise comes from several sources, with road traffic being the most common. Cars, buses, trucks, and other vehicles contribute significantly to noise levels, particularly in busy urban areas. Railways are another major source, followed by airports and aircraft. Airport noise affects fewer people overall but can cause considerable disturbance for those living near airports. Industrial activities, such as factories and machinery, are anot

Wiring of the brain should never be called a mental illness — without a variety of wiring the world would be such a boring place!

A new hypothesis called “Digital Dementia” suggests that forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, and decreased ability to focus are symptoms of technology overexposure. Traditionally, the medical use of the term “dementia” describes a decline in a person’s ability to think due to changes in areas of the brain responsible for memory, language, and reasoning. Is it possible that technology may induce these changes in healthy adults and children, or is the term “digital dementi

For many people, caffeine is part of their daily routine, whether it comes from coffee, tea, energy drinks, or other products. While it is best known for increasing alertness, caffeine can affect several systems throughout the body. How Caffeine Affects the Brain Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant, meaning it acts directly on the brain to promote alertness and reduce feelings of tiredness. Moderate amounts may also support processing speed and memory. However, con

Walking into a supermarket and shopping for healthy groceries can be a challenging process for many people, as many shelves are stocked with foods that are convenient, affordable, and ready to eat. Foods such as packaged snacks, sodas, instant noodles, sugary cereals, and certain frozen meals fall into a category known as ultra-processed foods. They are derived from natural food sources that contain industrial additives, flavorings, and synthetic ingredients to make the food

Medical Cannabis: What You Need to Know About THC, CBD, CBN, and CBC

Giving birth is a remarkable experience, but the physical effects of labor can sometimes continue even after the baby arrives. Some women experience numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the legs or feet after a vaginal delivery. While these symptoms can be alarming, they may sometimes be caused by temporary nerve compression during labor. What Is Nerve Compression After Delivery? Postpartum nerve compression occurs when a nerve is temporarily compressed, stretched, or irr

Running shoes are often blamed when a runner develops foot or leg pain. Maybe the shoes feel different than they used to. Maybe a new pair seems to cause blisters. Or perhaps someone has told you that your flat feet, high arches, or running style means you need a specific type of shoe. But the relationship between running shoes and injury is more complicated than that. Research suggests that running injuries have many possible causes, and there is not strong evidence that one

Memory and thinking can change gradually with age and cognitive impairment. Researchers are studying whether factors such as vitamin D status may influence brain health, but current evidence does not show that high-dose vitamin D can prevent or reverse cognitive decline. Introduction Vitamin D is best known for helping maintain healthy bones and muscles. In recent years, researchers have also been asking whether it may play a role in brain health, particularly as people age.

A model of the pancreas highlights the organ where pancreatic cancer develops. Researchers are now testing new immune-based approaches, including personalized cancer vaccines, to help the body recognize and target tumour cells more effectively. Introduction Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat. Even when a tumour can be completely removed with surgery, microscopic cancer cells may remain in the body and the disease can return. Chemotherapy after sur

Biologic therapies are targeted medicines designed to block specific parts of the immune system involved in chronic inflammation, offering a more precise treatment approach for selected patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Introduction Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is long-lasting inflammation of the nose and sinuses. Symptoms such as a blocked nose, nasal discharge, facial pressure and reduced sense of smell can continue for 12 weeks or longer. Some

If you've scrolled through social media lately, you may have noticed people wearing a small, round sensor on the back of their arm, paired with a smartphone app full of colorful glucose graphs. These devices, called continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), were originally designed for people with diabetes. Today, they are showing up on marathon runners, biohackers, and wellness enthusiasts with no diabetes diagnosis at all. This shift accelerated in 2024, when the FDA cleared the

The possession and use of drugs is illegal for all adolescents. Still, there has been an alarming increase of adolescents drug abuse. Adolescence, a time marked by emotional, physical, and social change comes with the allure of drugs that so many give in to for numerous reasons thereby exposing themselves to its danger. However, with the right approaches all hope is not lost for adolescents seeking recovery. Drug Abuse Drug abuse is the extreme use or the misuse of drugs fo

Introduction Mites are tiny, tick-like arthropods that usually cannot be seen by the human eye. These tiny arthropods generally do not affect people, but there are a few that can cause irritation in humans. House dust mites, for example, are a common allergen in indoor settings. Chiggers and itch mites that are found in grass, leaves, and hay can cause skin rashes if you come in contact with them. Chicken, rodent, and bird mites are found on different animals, causing condit