Author: healthtost

Biologists at Indiana University Bloomington have shown that the surfaces of plant leaves are coated with a variety of RNA molecules. The finding suggests that RNA present on the surface of leaves may play a role in shaping the microbial communities that inhabit them, potentially influencing plant health and interactions in their environment, according to a new study. The study, Diverse plant RNAs coat Arabidopsis leaves and are distinct from apoplastic RNAs, was published on January 3, 2025 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The first authors are Lucía Borniego and Meenu Singla-Rastogi, postdoctoral fellows in the Department…

SMSNA receives and publishes “guest editorials” periodically. The current article was submitted by Mia Barnes, a freelance writer and researcher specializing in women’s health, wellness and healthy living. She is its Founder and Editor-in-Chief Body+Mind Magazine. Dehydration is a common issue that many overlook, but its impact on overall health can be significant. One area it can affect – often without people realizing it – is sexual health. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is just one of the ways dehydration can affect your sexual well-being. The importance of hydration for your body Water is essential for almost every bodily function, including regulating…

Is there a non-surgical alternative to knee replacement that addresses the cause and offers only beneficial side effects? The largest study in history of the health effects of being overweight, analyzing data from more than 50 million people from nearly 200 countries, found that excess body weight is responsible for the premature deaths of approximately four million people each year. Most of those deaths came from heart disease, but the researchers “found conclusive or probable evidence” linking obesity to 20 different disorders—a veritable alphabet soup of potential health concerns. In the ABCs of the health consequences of obesity, A it’s…

Wearable fitness technology has come a long way in recent years, transforming from simple pedometers to powerful tools that guide, monitor and optimize our health journeys. In 2025, wearables are no longer just accessories—they’re personal trainers, health coaches, and motivators that wrap around our wrists. Leveraging real-time analytics, customized training plans and advanced health tracking, they are redefining how we set, track and achieve our personal fitness goals. Real-time analytics: Instant feedback for smarter workouts One of the most important developments in wearables is their ability to provide real-time analytics. Whether you’re running, cycling or lifting weights, the wearable…

A new set of guidelines has been developed to help diagnose and manage serious blood cancers in pregnancy. About 12.5 pregnancies per 100,000 are affected by blood cancers, such as acute leukemia and aggressive lymphomas, and their incidence is increasing. Between 1994 and 2013, they increased by 2.7 percent annually, due to factors such as women having children later, improved diagnostic techniques and increased engagement in the health system. An Australian working group has now published a new position statement in its latest version THE Lancet Hematologybased on current evidence and expert consensus. It is a practical guide for physicians,…

New research unlocks the cellular secrets of aging, with groundbreaking single-cell data mapping how neurons, glial cells and the immune system remodel the aging brain. Study: Brain-wide cell type-specific transcriptional signatures of healthy aging in mice. Image credit: Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal Naturescientists from the Allen Institute for Brain Science in the United States investigated how different types of cells in the mouse brain change at the genetic level with age. By analyzing more than 1.2 million single-cell transcriptomes from young and old mice, the researchers identified key gene expression changes…

As we head into 2025, do you want to know all about a fast-growing sex trend? Celibacy. That’s right: researchers asked New Yorkers about their interest in celibacy (which rose 433% in the last year), Angelenos (up 350%), and Londoners (up 235%)*. Suffice it to say – it’s a thing. Why celibacy? Perhaps more of us are reevaluating our relationship with sex. Perhaps we are at a sexual impasse with our partners and want to create intense tension. Maybe we want sex worth havingand the day off gives us space to think about what that looks and feels like. We…

Bleeding during pregnancy is not unusual, but it does not necessarily mean that it is dangerous and causes problems with your pregnancy. 1 in 4 of you may experience vaginal discharge during pregnancy. During pregnancy, pink discharge can be caused by vaginal discharge and other factors. In addition to pink discharge in the first, second and third trimesters, pink-brown discharge is of great importance. What are the reasons for pinkish brown discharge in early pregnancy? Light brown-pink discharge in pregnancy is another name for light spotting, which starts around 3 or 4 weeks. Here are some of the reasons for…

The stress-gut connection: How stress makes digestive problems worseIt may not be obvious to everyone, but it’s important to note that your gut and brain are connected, and when you’re under stress, both your gut and brain are affected. It’s most obvious that your brain and mental well-being are affected when stress is high, but we now know that gastrointestinal (GI) health and stress are also closely linked. The way stress affects digestion is influenced by the gut-brain axis, which is a network of nerves that help communicate between the brain and the digestive system. This connection can be disrupted…

Blood sugar doesn’t just affect your energy levels—it plays a critical role in your overall health. In this guide, we’ll break down the basics of blood sugar, its connection to chronic disease, and practical strategies for maintaining balance through diet and lifestyle. Whether you’re dealing with diabetes or just aiming for better health, understanding blood sugar is essential.Blood sugar, also known as blood glucose, plays a key role in health, weight loss, performance, disease risk, and life itself. When blood sugar drops too low, we fall into a coma and eventually die. Conversely, if blood sugar levels remain high, it…