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PollinatorsPollinators are insects and animals that collect and carry pollen from one flowering plant to another, facilitating fertilization. Some scientists estimate that one out of every three bites of food we eat—everything from almonds and blueberries to bananas and cocoa—exists because of pollinators like bees, birds, and bats. These animals are lured by bright colors, fragrances, and sweet nectar into transporting pollen—which contains genetic material—from the male reproductive organs of one plant to the female organs of another. About 80% of flowering plants depend on this kind of animal pollination; the remaining 20% rely on wind to carry lightweight pollen grains through the air. Pollinator populations have declined significantly in recent decades due to habitat loss resulting from agricultural expansion and urbanization, the use of pesticides, and climate change. The populations of some North American species of wild bees have decreased by 96% over the last two decades, putting pollinator-dependent food production at risk.Explore Pollinators

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RNA is key to the dark matter of the genome − scientists are sequencing it to illuminate human health and disease The Conversation Invasive species can harm infrastructure and threaten human healthThe wildfires in Hawaii in 2022 were made worse by flammable invasive grasses introduced from Africa as livestock pasture, and Zebra mussels native to the Caspian and Black Seas have spread across Europe and the US, where they can clog power plant pipes. Invasive mosquitoes can carry diseases, such as dengue and malaria. World Economic Forum Learn about the various types of patience and how to cultivate themBaylor University professor of psychology and neuroscience, Sarah Schnitker, PhD, discusses why patience is not uniform and can vary across contexts and circumstances for the same individual. She also discusses where in human development patience first arises, the health impacts of impatience, and how strategies for regulating emotions can mitigate impatience. Speaking of Psychology De-extinction techniques create new species from existing organismsRather than recovering a genetic sample of a lost species and editing it with that of living creature—as has been depicted in science fiction—scientists begin with living cells from close genetic relatives and use tools like CRISPR to swap in extinct versions of specific traits to create new hybrid species. NOVA PBS Official Microgravity can alter the evolution of viruses and bacteriaExperiments conducted on the International Space Station have shown that microgravity environments can delay viral and bacterial infections and induce mutations not seen on Earth. These mutations could have implications for long-term space missions and human health and suggest space can serve as a testing ground for developing new therapeutic approaches. Space.com White patients waited 374 days for a kidney—Black patients waited 727 daysA 2022 congressionally mandated report highlighted racial inequities in the US organ transplant system, including disparities that made it more likely white people will be placed on organ wait lists than Black people. It spotlighted inequities such as racial differences in median kidney wait times identified in earlier research. The report, from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, recommended fixes including that the Department of Health and Human Services develop national performance goals for the system and achieve equity in the system in the next five years. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Natural toxins produced on plants or consumed by animals may cause food poisoningWhen humans eat plants with certain natural toxins on them—including a family of toxins called aflatoxins that fungi produce on crops like peanuts and corn— they can become ill with food poisoning. Toxins can still harm humans even if animals or plants appear fine to the human eye. The World Health Organization advises that we should throw away moldy or discolored foods, refrain from eating wild plants or mushrooms that aren’t definitively nonpoisonous, and remember that just because something is “natural” it’s not always safe to eat. World Health Organization Reporting food poisoning aids in limiting outbreaksIf you suspect you were sickened by meat or poultry or by other food products (or your pet was sickened), the US has different voluntary online reporting forms and hotlines you can call. There’s even one for concerns about potentially contaminated pet food products. If you were potentially sickened at a restaurant, however, you report that directly to state and local health departments, not the federal government. US Department of Health & Human Services Some medical schools have phased out human cadavers for digital alternativesAI-based anatomy tools and digital cadavers are increasingly used to teach students, bypassing the ethical and consent concerns around the use of real bodies. Digital cadavers have also become less expensive than real ones, though the tactile and sensory experiences of real dissection may be irreplaceable. Smithsonian Magazine The Social Security Administration (SSA) accounted for 22.4% of all federal spending in 2024The SSA is an independent executive branch agency that is primarily responsible for administering Social Security benefits. In fiscal year 2024, The SSA, ranking second among federal agencies in terms of total spending, behind only the Department of Health and Human Services. USAFacts Vitamins are micronutrients human bodies need but don't naturally produceEach vitamin is found in specific portions of a normal human diet and supports normal human functioning in distinct ways. Vitamin A is found in red meat, carrots, and potatoes and supports vision and skin health, while Vitamin D (common in fish and mushrooms) helps absorb calcium. See sources and uses of each vitamin with this chart. EatingWell Pig-to-human transplants have raised concerns about pig living conditionsPigs are the current first choice for xenotransplantation procedures, yet such work gives some researchers and animal welfare advocates pause. Concerns include that pigs would have a poor quality of life since the animals must live in a strictly-controlled, hyper-clean environment to avoid risky pathogens. National Institutes of Health Fungi make people sick when they invade and survive in otherwise healthy human tissueWe breathe in airborne spores frequently, but they often don't make us sick. This video details how certain concerning fungal changes can occur and discusses the role of mycologists—scientists who study fungi—in helping to improve human health. The MRC Centre for Medical Mycology 19 fungal pathogens are of key concern to world health officialsIn 2022, this global health body issued its first-ever list of top fungal threats to human health. It said fungal threats are spreading and occurring more frequently. The WHO’s list included 19 fungal pathogens to watch, and said that the most dangerous ones to public health are Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, and Candida auris. There are only a handful of classes of medication currently available to combat fungal pathogens, with few others in the pipeline even though antimicrobial resistance is growing. World Health Organization Social jetlag—differing weekend and weekday schedules—is physiologically similar to jet lagRecovering from schedules that drastically differ between weekends and weekdays, something that was first described in academic work in 2006, is a growing concern in public health as more research shows that consistent daily routines are important for human health. National Library of Medicine Circadian rhythm disruption can influence various mental health disordersThis 2020 research overview surveys the relationship between disrupted circadian clocks and disorders including schizophrenia, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. It incorporates findings and therapeutic approaches drawing from human night shift studies and jet lag studies alongside animal research. Nature Gut microbiome rewrites may help reduce allergiesResearchers are investigating different strategies to determine if one day they could give people a combination of gut microbes to set them up for fewer allergies. In animal research, scientists have already prevented severe allergic responses in allergy-prone mice—supplying them with gut microbes from healthy, non-allergic human babies. Knowable Magazine An engineer tracked his moods for decades and helped researchers identify SADCivil engineer Herb Kern had bipolar and would record his moods dating back to 1967. He noticed the seasons were a major factor in the increase and severity of his episodes. By reaching out to researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health, Kern became the first human to confirm increased melatonin levels during winter and to receive bright light therapy. Wellcome Collection Civilians on short-term space flights can experience long-term astronaut health impactsA collection of 44 studies, primarily based on data from a 2021 tourist trip to low-Earth orbit, identified immune system disruption and some kidney damage in tourists, with women appearing to recover from space travel faster than men. Return trips from Mars may require human travelers to be on dialysis. Smithsonian Magazine What we can learn from animal societies' ethicsFor millennia before we showed up on the scene, social animals—those living in societies and cooperating for survival—had been creating cultures imbued with ethics. NOEMA The Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention regulates toxic substancesThis office evaluates and manages risks from industrial chemicals and pesticides. It reviews new chemicals before they enter the market, restricts hazardous substances, and promotes safer alternatives to protect human health and the environment. EPA Deep sea fish rely on a molecular strengthener to prevent being crushedTrimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) stabilizes hydrogen bonds and prevents water and proteins within organisms from being misshapen under immense pressure. Compounds called piezolytes protect cellular membranes from being crushed in regions like the Mariana Trench, where pressures are 1,100 times greater than surface atmospheric pressure. IFLScience Prolonged space travel significantly impacts multiple human body systemsAstronauts can lose 20% of their muscle mass after two weeks and 10% of their bone mass after six months in space. Decreased sharpness of eyesight and changes in neural connectivity, brain structure and gut bacteria have also been observed. BBC Dsup slightly unwinds DNA and changes shape to better cling to the moleculeThe damage suppressor protein, which is exclusively found in tardigrades, has also been modeled as coating DNA and shielding it from radiation and the toxic byproducts of radiation damage. Dsup may become a fundamental ingredient in future DNA storage technologies. The Conversation Noise pollution from humans and technology alters animal behaviorAnimals may experience chronic stress and health issues due to noise pollution, which often interferes with their mating sounds. Due to traffic, nightingales sing louder on weekday mornings, and birds near airports start singing earlier to avoid upticks in takeoffs and landings. Smithsonian Magazine Watch how dozens of everyday human tasks are performed in spaceThis playlist features clips of astronauts aboard the International Space Station explaining how they cook, eat, sleep, and conduct research in microgravity. Other activities to pass the time, including watering plants and playing soccer, are also shown. VideoFromSpace Without liver bile, human poop would be a pale silver colorStomach acid and enzymes break down food into smaller particles, expelling a semi-fluid mass called chyme into the small intestine, where bile is added. As the intestines absorb nutrients and water, the chyme solidifies and changes color. ScienceAlert Human records of influenza stretch back more than two millenniaAccounts of flu-like illness appear as early as 412 BCE, when Hippocrates described a sudden wave of cough and fever. Centuries of recurring outbreaks culminated in the first clearly documented pandemic in 1580, spreading from Asia into Europe and Africa. OMG Medical History Broken or neglected air conditioners are risky for respiratory healthA well-maintained air conditioner can typically keep out unwanted pathogens, but units that are dusty or water-logged can foster germs and cause harm. AC units also remove moisture from the air, potentially causing mucus membranes to dry out and become vulnerable to infection. The Conversation How power plants deal with extreme surges in demandDuring big power surges—like on hot summer days—power plants have to adjust their power generation to keep up with the demand. Plants run by coal, oil, or renewables like wind and solar take time to make such adjustments, making a reduction in power across the grid more likely. Natural gas, on the other hand, can be tuned more quickly. Popular Science Environmental determinism links human traits and societal progress to geographyAlso known as climatic determinism, the theory states that the latitudes where people are located influence their emotional and intellectual capabilities. Originating in Ancient Greece, these ideas were used throughout history to justify racial hierarchies. UNC The Dog Aging Project uses information from over 50,000 dogs to explore longevityThe study gathers health, lifestyle, and genetic data to understand what helps dogs live longer, healthier lives. Findings could also provide human health insights due to our shared surroundings and biology. NPR Optimal human functioning requires movementThere is now ample evidence to back the centuries-old hypothesis that exercise is critical to human health. This review article explores the latest discoveries in exercise science, including how exercise is intrinsic to maintaining our organ systems throughout life. Frontiers Beyond DNA, Franklin's legacy extends into modern virology and steel productionWhile remembered for her critical but under-credited role in uncovering parameters for the structure of DNA, Rosalind Franklin made significant contributions across coal chemistry and virus structure. Her research helped improve fuel efficiency, wartime protective equipment, and foundational knowledge in molecular biology. Nature Microplastics are infiltrating the human body with unclear but concerning effectsScientists have linked microplastics to immune system damage, hormone disruption, inflammatory diseases, and even cancer—yet most of their health impacts remain unknown due to limited research. Studies suggest we ingest about a credit card's worth of plastic weekly. National Geographic Microplastics are entering human food chains through fertilized farmlandMicroplastics from sewage sludge used as fertilizer contaminate agricultural soil and eventually enter our bodies through the food supply of carrots, wheat, and other foodstuffs. In Europe, farmland may absorb up to 710 trillion microplastic particles yearly. BBC Make America Healthy Again (HHS Report, 2025)Read the full 69-page report from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., detailing the agency's view on the cause of a wide range of chronic childhood conditions and diseases. Department of Health and Human Services Menopause symptoms and reliefWomen going through perimenopause may experience some common physical and mental symptoms at varying degrees. Some symptoms include hot flashes, bladder control issues, brain fog, and vaginal dryness. This article dives into some of the most common symptoms women might expect during perimenopause, plus what they can do to relieve them. Read it here. Office on Women's Health - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are most at risk from falling pollinator numbersResearchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that declines in pollinator populations would lead to higher rates of nutritional deficiencies, particularly in developing nations. Nations with large populations, such as China and India, would also be significantly impacted. Harvard University AI can aid fertility treatments, from helping select egg candidates to laboratory automationReproductive AI technologies are already here, from processing vast amounts of data to helping clinicians identify the healthiest embryos for implantation. It could be a boon to the fertility industry, and help mitigate the shortage of experienced embryologists. National Institutes of Health Biohacking: The effort to optimize health and extend life through technologyBiohacking seeks to optimize human health and performance through everything from simple lifestyle adjustments to more radical interventions like body modifications and experimental technology. At its core, biohacking covers a wide spectrum—ranging from improving sleep and focus to implanting devices that integrate technology with the human body. 1440 Zoonotic diseases: Pathogens that jump from animals to humansSuch diseases may be caused by a variety of pathogens—viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites—and can originate in creatures ranging from ticks and mosquitoes to pigs and bats. Because they develop in animals and are often new to human immune systems, zoonotic diseases have severe consequences for public health. 1440 Animal-to-human pathogens constitute 75% of emerging infectious diseasesZoonotic diseases encompass more than 200 diseases transmitted from animals to humans, wherein humans are usually accidental hosts. Ranging from rabies to HIV to monkeypox, this overview lists some of the most common viral threats. National Institutes of Health Health span: The number of years one is active and disease-freeAs scientific advances continue to extend the average human lifespan, many are now turning their attention toward extending "health span." The ultimate goal would be to extend one's health span to match one's lifespan, which would necessitate a shift in focus toward the pursuit of healthy aging. (Some users may experience a paywall.) National Geographic Doctors shift focus from extending lifespan to lengthening health spanAs scientific advances extend the average human lifespan, many are turning their attention toward extending "health span." Health span refers to the number of years one is active and disease-free. The ultimate goal is to extend one’s health span to match one’s lifespan. The Guardian Limb regeneration research may lead to treatments for arthritisFor scientists pursuing the cure for arthritis, the holy grail of discoveries lies in how to regrow healthy cartilage inside human joints. While this feat has so far resisted our best scientific attempts, there are plenty of other human tissues—such as the liver and fingertips—that will successfully regenerate. The New Yorker Fecal transplants can help treat infectionsFecal transplants aim to transplant healthy gut bacteria into ill patients by transferring (literally) samples of human waste from a healthy patient to a sick patient. The technique has been shown to cure otherwise deadly Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infections and is being studied for a range of other uses. Knowable Magazine Some animals have little or no bacterial populations in their gutGut microbiomes are essential to human health, but many animals have a much smaller, transient, or even nonexistent microbiome. The discoveries have advanced our understanding of the evolution of the human microbiome. Quanta Magazine The strange endurance of consuming blood for healthBlood's importance to humanity is best summarized this way: without it, we die. This importance naturally begets assumptions about its medicinal properties, many of which appear accessible through drinking or eating the fluid connective tissue. This article details the history of blood drinking, from ancient Roman gladiators to modern-day sanguinarians. Atlas Obscura A brief history of human blood groupsThe blood group that determines whether you have type A, B, AB, or O blood was discovered near the turn of the 20th century. This short academic article dives into three main theories about the evolution and emergence of blood groups, the exact nature of which remains unclear. National Institutes of Health

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