Author: healthtost

The altered presence of tiny fragments of neuronal genes, called microexons, causes hyperexcitability in zebrafish. This is the main conclusion of an international study led by Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) and the Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG). An abnormal pattern of presence of neural microexons leads to a state of hyperarousal characterized by increased neural activity and insomnia, usually associated with stress but also with neurodevelopmental disorders. Arousal regulation is highly conserved in evolution. Therefore, this finding could help to understand the mechanism behind some human neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism and schizophrenia, conditions associated with microexon mutations. To survive,…

Technically, you don’t actually “hit” menopause until a year has passed since your last period. In the United States, this happens around age 51, on average. As women move past their reproductive years they may experience many physical and emotional changes.Despite the negative stereotypes, as well as some real difficulties that women can face during this time, many women report that once they reach menopause they feel more confident, stronger and energetic than before. At this time in their lives, many women have fewer child-rearing responsibilities and can use this time to take care of themselves. Women no longer have…

June 18, 2026 · By Amy Suzanne Upchurch, Founder + CEO of Pink Stork, Certified Health Coach, INHC Yes — and the evidence for why gets more compelling every decade after 30. After 30, women begin to lose muscle mass at a rate that accelerates with age, creatine stores decline in tandem, and the cognitive demands of work, caregiving, and life don’t decrease to compensate. Creatine monohydrate is one of the most extensively studied supplements available, with a strong evidence base to support muscle strength, cellular energy, and emerging evidence for cognitive function specifically in women. The question isn’t really…

Almonds are a healthy snack and contain calcium, but they are not actually a high calcium food. A small handful of almonds gives you about 80 mg of calcium, which is helpful, but not enough to meet your daily needs on its own. So almonds can be part of a calcium-rich diet, but you’ll also need other foods with higher calcium content. How much calcium do you need per day? Calcium recommendations vary slightly from country to country. In the UK, adults are recommended to get around 700mg of calcium a day. In the US, the recommended amount is usually…

When H5N1 bird flu began infecting US cattle in early 2024, the diagnosis was unclear because in cows, the disease looked completely different. Instead of affecting the lungs, as H5N1 does in other species of mammals, it caused severe infection in the udders of cows, largely causing the lungs. A study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health published today in the Advances in Science provides the first mechanistic explanation for this strange new guise for H5N1, which now affects more than 100 species of birds and mammals worldwide. The study also establishes a new way…

As we age, the body produces lower levels of key sex hormones. In men, this is sometimes referred to as andropause or androgen decline in the older male (ADAM). In women, this is known as menopause. Both testosterone and estrogen naturally decrease, resulting in sexual dysfunction, urinary system problemsmuscle loss, loss of bone density (osteoporosis), hair loss, and an increased risk of heart problems and type II diabetes. Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)also known as systemic testosterone replacement, it is used to restore the body’s natural testosterone levels to the normal range in people with testosterone deficiency. This can help improve…

During my own three pregnancies, I learned how even the smallest skin irritations can add up. Pregnancy had a way of making me aware of every sensation in my body. Most of the skin problems I had during pregnancy were minor irritations, like dry skin and acne, and they eventually went away. This was not the case with my hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). HS didn’t take a break just because I was pregnant. So what happens when the discomfort is something more chronic, something that doesn’t come and go with a specific week or quarter, but comes up again and again,…

Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna, in collaboration with ETH Zurich, the Technical University of Munich and the Medical School of Belgrade, have developed a wearable neurorobotic system that combines electrical neurostimulation with hand exoskeletons. In a clinical trial involving 14 patients with hand disabilities caused by neurological injury, the technology supported finger mobility, tactile perception and grip control. The results demonstrate the potential of personalized support systems for people living with the consequences of a spinal cord or brain injury. The study was recently published in the journal Science Advances. Hand movements and the sense of touch…

Lara Kerner makes music with a rare universality—shaped by life across Europe, the US, Africa and now the UK, and grounded in a fearless commitment to truth. Lara Kerner creates acoustic, folk and pop music that resonates on a deeply human level. Moving between London and her roots, her work—like her original piece “My Destiny”— weaves personal narrative into sweeping, universally familiar melodies. Photo: Amel GuelatyModel & Stylist: Lara KernerCopyright: Lara Kerner Born and raised in France, Lara’s path spans true athletic rigor—competitive skiing and swimming, glacier off-piste running, tennis, horseback riding, combat sports, dance, and yoga—along with serious scholarship,…

Castor oil is a powerhouse of a natural oil. I’ve posted about castor oil when it comes to its cleansing powers in oil cleansers and hair growth abilities in hair serums, but until recently I hadn’t heard how beneficial it actually is for the skin in general. I’ve seen so many natural skin care companies sell an eye serum that only contains castor oil and frankincense essential oil, so I was intrigued to do some research to find out why. I’m impressed with what I found and had to share. I think you’ll want to make your own DIY castor…