The psychological strains of the pandemic can be powerful tinder for political unrest and violence, researchers warn. “The pandemic has disrupted our normal way of living, generating frustrations, unprecedented social exclusion, and a range of other concerns,” said study author Henrikas Bartusevičius, a researcher with the Peace Research Institute Oslo in Norway. “Our investigations show…  read on >  read on >

Barnacles may be the bane of ships, but they could point to new ways to quickly halt severe bleeding, researchers report. Barnacles are small crustaceans that attach to rocks, ship hulls and even other animals, such as whales. Their ability to cling to surfaces that are often wet and dirty caught the attention of researchers…  read on >  read on >

In a study conducted in Scandinavia, loss of height among middle-aged women was linked to an increased risk of early death from heart attack and stroke, researchers report. Some loss of height goes along with aging, and previous studies have suggested it may boost the odds of death from heart disease. While women tend to…  read on >  read on >

When a suspicious skin lesion sends you scurrying to a dermatologist, asking for a full-body skin check could save your life. Dermatologists are twice as likely to find skin cancer with a full-body check, a new study reveals. More than half of the skin cancers discovered were not in the location the patient was concerned…  read on >  read on >

Emmy award-winning actress Christina Applegate revealed Monday night that she is battling multiple sclerosis. She is perhaps best known for her starring roles in “Married With Children,” “Dead to Me” and “Samantha Who?” “A few months ago I was diagnosed with MS,” Applegate tweeted. “It’s been a strange journey… It’s been a tough road. But…  read on >  read on >

A diet rich in fresh veggies, fruit and fiber has meaningful benefits for people with diabetes, a new research review confirms. Doctors have long recommended this kind of “low-glycemic” eating regimen to help patients manage their diabetes and keep blood sugar levels steady. The new review of findings from 29 different trials lends support for…  read on >  read on >

Surprisingly, patients who isolate before surgery to protect themselves from COVID-19 actually have a higher risk of lung complications after their operation than those who don’t isolate, a new study reports. The findings conflict with current guidelines that recommend isolation before surgery, researchers noted. “Our evidence suggests that removing preoperative isolation strategies is unlikely to…  read on >  read on >