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Streamline screening using automated microbial plating

Explore the QPix FLEX for automated microbial plating and picking for streamlined screening.

From Molecular Devices UK Ltd 17 Jul 2025

Bacterial Risks at Beaches and Evidence-Based Safety Strategies

Beaches face escalating risks from microbial contamination due to climate change and human activity, increasing the burden of waterborne illnesses for swimmers. Integrating advanced monitoring technologies, improved public education, and policy reforms is essential for protecting beachgoers’ health.

21 Jul 2025

Is Watermelon a Superfood? Examining the Scientific Evidence

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a nutrient-dense fruit rich in lycopene and L-citrulline, with demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, vascular, metabolic, and ergogenic benefits.

21 Jul 2025

GLP-1 and Diet: Evidence-Based Strategies for Better Weight Loss

GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide and liraglutide promote significant weight loss and improved glycemic control, particularly in patients with type 2 diabetes, when combined with tailored dietary strategies. Optimizing macronutrient intake, fiber, hydration, and meal timing can enhance the therapeutic benefits of GLP-1 RAs and mitigate common gastrointestinal side effects, supporting sustainable clinical outcomes.

13 Jul 2025

What Happens to Your Body When You Skip Meals?

Meal skipping, whether intentional or unintentional, triggers complex physiological, cognitive, and behavioral adaptations that influence glycemic control, appetite, and metabolic health. While certain intermittent fasting protocols show potential metabolic benefits, habitual meal omission is linked to inconsistent health outcomes and increased risk of nutrient deficiencies.

13 Jul 2025

Saffron’s Evolving Place in Modern Medicine - From Tradition to Evidence

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a highly valued spice with potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and potential anticancer properties, driven by bioactive compounds such as crocin and safranal. While clinical studies support its efficacy for mood, cognition, and metabolic health, further research and standardization are essential to establish optimal dosing, long-term safety, and quality assurance.

12 Jul 2025

Dry Brushing: What Are the Health Benefits and Potential Risks?

Dry brushing is a mechanical exfoliation technique using a stiff, natural-fiber brush on dry skin, promoted for improved circulation and lymphatic flow. However, scientific evidence supporting health benefits remains sparse, and dermatologists advise cautious, infrequent use to prevent skin irritation.

11 Jul 2025

Thimerosal in Vaccines: Myths vs. Medical Facts

Thimerosal is an organomercury preservative used in vaccines and other biological products, distinguished by its rapid metabolism and clearance as ethylmercury, which is not linked to neurotoxicity at clinical exposure levels. Decades of epidemiological research and regulatory reviews confirm the safety of thimerosal in vaccines, refuting claims of its association with autism and supporting its continued use in multi-dose immunization strategies.

7 Jul 2025

Is Spirulina the Next Anti-Aging Superfood?

Spirulina is a nutrient-dense cyanobacterium rich in proteins, phycobiliproteins, carotenoids, and polyphenols that deliver potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and DNA-protective effects. Evidence from preclinical studies highlights Spirulina's potential to support cellular resilience, metabolic health, and eco-friendly nutraceutical innovation.

7 Jul 2025

Do Popular Skincare Ingredients Like Niacinamide and Retinol Actually Work?

This article critically reviews leading cosmeceutical ingredients, including niacinamide, retinoids, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and sunscreens, focusing on their evidence base, mechanisms, and clinical effects. It highlights efficacy, safety profiles, formulation challenges, and areas where robust research is needed to support dermatological recommendations.

6 Jul 2025

What Are the Health Benefits of Mung Beans?

Mung beans are a nutrient-dense, drought-tolerant pulse widely consumed in Asia for their high-quality protein, fiber, and micronutrient content. Modern and traditional evidence support their roles in improving glycemic control, cardiovascular health, satiety, and immunity, but large-scale trials are still needed.

9 Jul 2025

What is the TLC Diet?

The Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet, developed by the NIH, targets cardiovascular risk reduction through precise dietary adjustments, increased fiber, and plant sterol intake. Evidence shows that the TLC diet effectively lowers LDL cholesterol and supports vascular health, with additional benefits when combined with physical activity.

6 Jul 2025

Neem - Evidence-Based Health Benefits

Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a traditional medicinal plant now widely studied for its antimicrobial, antiviral, immunomodulatory, and metabolic effects. Contemporary research supports neem’s use in infection control, chronic disease management, dermatology, and oral health, while highlighting the need for standardization and clinical trials.

6 Jul 2025

Tridecanoic Acid (C13): The Odd-Chain Fatty Acid With Big Implications

Tridecanoic acid (C13) is a rare, odd-chain saturated fatty acid produced mainly by gut and rumen microbes, entering metabolic pathways via β-oxidation to support gluconeogenesis and the TCA cycle. Although scarcely detected in plasma, emerging research suggests C13 could serve as a sensitive biomarker for diet-microbiome interactions and may have distinct metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects.

2 Jul 2025

Does Eating Sea Moss Provide Health Benefits?

Sea moss (Chondrus crispus) is a red macroalga lauded for its rich mineral content, prebiotic fibers, and potential health benefits, including support for thyroid function, gut health, and immune modulation. However, clinical evidence remains limited, and concerns persist regarding heavy metal contamination and regulatory inconsistencies.

1 Jul 2025

Rhodiola Rosea: Evidence-Based Health Benefits and Clinical Insights

Current research highlights Rhodiola rosea’s potential to reduce stress and fatigue, enhance cognition, and support physical performance, while emphasizing the need for rigorous studies and product quality assurance.

30 Jun 2025

Appendix Cancer on the Rise: Implications for Diagnosis and Patient Care

Appendix cancer is a rare but increasingly recognized malignancy, often discovered incidentally during surgery for presumed appendicitis. Advances in imaging, molecular profiling, and classification have improved diagnosis, management, and spurred ongoing research into targeted therapies.

29 Jun 2025

How Do I Know if Social Media Is Affecting My Mental Health?

Repeated exposure to distressing content on social media platforms is linked to secondary trauma, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation, especially in youth and heavy users. Science-based interventions, such as digital detox, mindfulness, and digital literacy, are urgently needed to promote resilience and mental health in the digital era.

23 Jun 2025

How Millennials and Gen Z Are Driving Evidence-Based Wellness Trends

Millennials and Gen Z are driving the global wellness economy toward personalized, science-backed products and services, heavily influenced by digital technology and social media. Evidence-based interventions and regulatory oversight are increasingly crucial as consumers demand transparency and safety in wellness offerings.

23 Jun 2025

Tackling the Dual Epidemics of HIV and Addiction

This article explores the complex interplay between drug addiction and HIV, highlighting how integrated harm reduction strategies and multisectoral collaboration can reduce transmission and improve public health outcomes. It reviews global best practices and calls for stigma-free, data-driven, and equitable prevention models.

22 Jun 2025