Oral rehydration solution was developed in the 1960s in response to cholera deaths

Read a history of how oral rehydration solution was created

Experiments dating back to the 1940s eventually led to the creation and standardization of a mixture of sugar, salt, and clean water that is now widely used globally.

1 in 4 people around the world don't have access to clean water

Poor water sanitation puts people at risk of acquiring this diarrheal infection. Cholera infections are on the rise due to extreme weather events and conflict. In recent years there have been cholera outbreaks in locations that hadn't seen the disease in many years, including Haiti.

Pooping or puking out pathogens is sometimes recommended with food poisoning

Sometimes stopping food poisoning-linked diarrhea with over-the-counter medications is a bad idea because it may prolong illness. Doctors can advise you if your diarrhea or vomiting is severe about what medications to take and when, but generally doctors recommend trying to stay hydrated during a bout of food poisoning and letting the body naturally remove pathogens from the body via vomiting or diarrhea, as needed.

Gatorade was first designed for college football players in Florida heat

To help replenish crucial chemicals football players were losing fast to their profuse sweat in southern heat, researchers at the University of Florida developed a drink blended with salts and sugars that were easy to absorb. The drink, Gatorade, took its name from the school's mascot.

Cholera vaccines can protect people from disease for months—or even years

There are three recommended cholera vaccines on the market. The number of required shots and the period of protection they provide vary, but each of them can be life-saving.

Cholera was called the 'Blue Death'

In the mid-1800s—when John Snow identified cholera in London—the disease was known simply as the "Blue Death." That's because blood would thicken in patients' veins when they were struggling with extreme dehydration. As a result, their skin would turn a blueish hue as their blood was starved of oxygen.

Maryland required cholera researchers to fly a yellow warning flag—signifying quarantine dangers in the 1970s

University of Maryland Hospital researchers intentionally infected volunteers with the cholera bacterium in the late 1970s to further their understanding of the disease. They proceeded with this work following the recommendation of a US government panel. (Some users may encounter a paywall.)

How fecal transplants work

1,700 years ago, Chinese alchemist Ge Hong was renowned for his soup that could cure diarrhea-stricken patients. It had a surprising secret ingredient: feces. While it might seem unwise to consume feces, exciting new research suggests that taking...

Extreme heat puts people at risk of developing kidney stones

It's essential to remain hydrated in summer weather to keep your body healthy, but one reason is to help dilute minerals that naturally build up if they aren't excreted in our water-fueled urine. Doctors recommend people generally drink 64 ounces of water a day and also eat foods with salt to help ward off dehydration.

'Dirty soda' took off in Utah before exploding on TikTok

The concoction is a combination of Diet Coke, coffee creamer, and citrus. This Eater article delves into the history behind the sugary drink, pinpointing its start as a Mormon-friendly alternative to alcohol and caffeine. The explainer also explores why the drink became so popular on social media and offers helpful hints for crafting your own recipe.

Desalination involves costly, energy-intensive methods for producing freshwater

Thermal desalination heats saltwater to produce steam, and reverse osmosis forces saltwater through a membrane that only allows water through. In both cases, freshwater is collected and remineralized for consumption, while wastewater brine is often returned to the ocean, where it may harm marine organisms.

At the beginning of the 20th century, a group of young men ate standard American food—replete with food additives like borax and formaldehyde—as part of government research to better understand food safety.

The first major norovirus outbreak sickened half an elementary school

In 1968, 50% of an Ohio school got ill from this foodborne pathogen. The disease name is a nod to that original strain discovered in Norwalk, Ohio, when half the elementary school students became ill. Almost all kids reported nausea and vomiting. Everyone recovered.

Merck developed MDMA in the early 1900s as part of its effort to create a blood clotting drug

The company's chemists were attempting to synthesize a substance that could compete with an existing patent for the best clot medicine of that time, hydrastinine. MDMA was the byproduct of that effort.

Humans need vitamins, but research is mixed on taking supplements

When an organism needs an organic molecule to survive, but cannot synthesize enough of it itself, that molecule is called a vitamin. Typically, we consume vitamins through food, but many resort to supplements—a common and mostly unregulated practice.

How to create salad dressings with oil and water solutions that don't separate into layers

Such dressings, even when whisked together, often break within a few minutes, resulting in bites that are either harsh or oily. Small amounts of emulsifiers, such as mustard or mayonnaise, can stabilize and suspend oil droplets in water for longer periods because they possess both hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) ends.

Alkaline hydrolysis—dissolving the body—is one 'green' burial option

This approach, which is sometimes called flameless cremation, involves dissolving the body with water and chemicals. The remaining bone fragments can then be spread like ashes. It was reportedly incorporated into the funeral industry in 2011.

The US Navy prohibited sailors from toasting with water

A 1986 manual stated that "Tradition is that the object of a toast with water will die by drowning." The superstition is rooted in ancient Greek mythology, where the dead in the underworld drank from the River Lethe to forget their previous lives. As such, the Greeks believed toasting someone with water to be a way of cursing them to the underworld.

An Ebola vaccine was developed during the 2018 west African Ebola outbreak

A study found that Merck's rVSV-ZEBOV Ebola vaccine (called Ervebo) was 84% effective against infection during the 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak in the DRC. This effect was observed for both sexes and among children and adults. The vaccine is approved to help provide protection against one specific species of the Ebola virus. The 2026 Ebola outbreak is with a different species of the virus—not the one that the vaccine is approved to treat.

Sugar alcohols, a type of carbohydrate used as a sweetener, may elevate risk of heart attacks and strokes

Sold as erythritol, sorbitol, xylitol, and mannitol, these products—ones that aren't actually sugars or alcohol—are found naturally in certain fruits and vegetables. They are synthetically produced to be used at much higher levels as the sugar alternatives for sugar-free candies, cookies, and chewing gums. Erythritol and xylitol have been linked with elevated heart attack and stroke risks.

Drugs in space: the pharmacy orbiting the Earth

Researchers are developing pharmaceutical solutions for astronauts, whose bodies may not respond the same way in space as they would on Earth. Similar to how microgravity causes changes to astronaut physiology, the environmental shift enables new...

The history behind New Orleans' drive-thru daiquiris

New Orleans attracts millions of annual visitors with its freewheeling drinking culture, reaching its apex during the weeks-long Mardi Gras celebration. But even the most intemperate tourists might be confused by the city's drive-through daiquiri stands. This resource offers a brief history of the quirky staple and explains how it has survived changes in the law.

Read about coral reef restoration efforts, from coral IVF and cryopreservation

Researchers have collected coral eggs and sperm from healthy reefs, grown baby corals in lab pools, and released them to help repopulate damaged or lost reefs. Devices such as Coralclip® help attach these corals to existing structures, promoting growth without the use of chemical bonding agents. Corals near extinction can be frozen using liquid nitrogen for future restoration efforts.

Homology-directed repair is the DNA repair method used by cells

Environmental factors like X-ray exposure may break a strand of DNA, but cells can use a sister strand to patch the damage. Scientists exploit this system by introducing custom DNA templates, which cells use instead to make repairs.

If kids have ear tubes, over-the-counter ear drop solutions to clear buildup shouldn't be used

Mixes of acetic acid or alcohol to help speed water evaporation in the ears shouldn't be placed into children's ears if they have a hole in the eardrum or if they had ear tubes inserted—hollow cylinders made of plastic or metal that are inserted into the eardrum by a doctor to help drain fluid and improve airflow in the middle ear. Alcohol or acids can cause irritation to the middle ear and intense pain as they pass through the hole or tube.

What is salvia divinorum?

After centuries of use by Mexican spiritual healers, Salvia divinorum is surging in popularity in the U.S. — and the government has taken notice.

An Ebola vaccine was developed during the 2018 west African Ebola outbreak, but the 2026 Ebola outbreak is with a different species of the virus, not the one that the vaccine is approved to treat.

The use of fungi to detoxify land and water—a process known as mycoremediation—has been used to clean up natural resources affected by the 2025 California wildfires.

In 1945, Surrealist artist Salvador Dalí and legendary animator Walt Disney began collaborating on a short film that was not completed until 2003, years after both men had died.

The Great Salt Lake's distinct dual coloration results from high-salinity organisms that only live in the northern portion and produce a purple protein.

Hookworm infection, though risky, may help fight certain autoimmune conditions by tamping down the immune system's inflammatory response.

Artificial coral reefs have been 3D printed from nontoxic, biodegradable terracotta clay, which coral polyps have used as a foundation for rebuilding marine ecosystems.

The first line of 'immortal' human cells, which can divide indefinitely and are used in scientific research, was nonconsensually taken from a Black woman.

Between 10 million and 50 million people in the US develop rashes from poison ivy, poison sumac, and poison oak each year.

Telehealth demand for GLP-1s for weight loss is booming as consumers seek easier access.

The US first hosted the World Cup in 1994, a tournament that lives in soccer infamy for its poor planning and the murder of Colombian player Andres Escobar, who'd accidentally scored on his own net.

See images of medical cases of firework injuries shared on this 'Instagram for doctors.' (Warning: Graphic content)

The Dracula character, now seen as the vampire archetype, was inspired by a seafood-induced nightmare its creator experienced.

The boiling temperature of water decreases with increasing elevation because the molecules need less energy to overcome the lower atmospheric pressure associated with thinner air.

Studies suggest when you sleep is as important as how much you get, and syncing with your circadian rhythms may lead to less fatigue and improved long-term health outcomes

In recent years a child anxiety expert has created and tested a novel phobia and anxiety treatment approach for children, focused on changing how parents respond to the fears.

Sunflowers have long been a symbol of nuclear disarmament because they can extract large amounts of radioactive cesium from soil.

In its famous catalog, Sears sold $600 DIY house kits from 1908 through the 1940s, resulting in an estimated 100,000 'Sears and Roebuck homes.'

Long before Major League Baseball began allowing instant replay for balls and strikes, an umpire reluctantly used the technology to determine whether a hit was a home run, a move that inadvertently ushered in a new era for the sport.

Fast-casual restaurant Chili's is experiencing a resurgence, with its parent company recently reporting a nearly 32% increase in sales, thanks to passionate Gen Z fans on TikTok.

See how Budweiser's famous Clydesdales spend their days at Warm Springs Ranch, where roughly 70 to 80 of the beer brand's giant horses can be found at any given time.

All rainbows are 'raincircles' caused by water droplets separating white sunlight into a spectrum of colors, but Earth's surface blocks the bottom half of the circle from our line of sight.

In 2018, 26-year-old missionary John Allen Chau was killed by tribesmen after attempting to reach and evangelize on India's isolated North Sentinel Island

After the Boston Tea Party, colonists switched to coffee, which became the main morning drink for revolutionaries.

In 1939, baseball star Lou Gehrig delivered his inspirational 'Luckiest Man' speech after retiring due to the health condition that now bears his name.