Some might think masturbation is all about self-pleasure, but scientists now claim it’s far more significant than that. Their new findings suggest it could serve an important role in evolution. An ancient trait in primates, masturbation — at least for the males of the species — increases their reproductive success while also helping them avoid…  read on >  read on >

Millions of stray cats roam the world over, and surgical sterilization has long been the primary method of population control. But a small new study shows promising results for a one-and-done contraceptive injection. Researchers say this first-of-its-kind approach appears safe and effective. “A non-surgical contraceptive that could result in lifetime sterility following a single injection…  read on >  read on >

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies like ChatGPT someday may make a big difference for people seeking answers to questions such as “How can I stop smoking?” They may even offer resources to someone who was sexually assaulted. But they’re not quite there yet, a new study reveals. Researchers wanted to see how well ChatGPT performed for…  read on >  read on >

There’s a “loneliness epidemic” in the United States, and feelings of isolation have been linked to heart disease, stroke and other health conditions. Now, new research suggests that cancer survivors who feel lonely may be more likely to die than survivors who have more social support. “Loneliness may be linked to worse survival following a…  read on >  read on >

Many men will put off going to the doctor unless they are really sick, but men’s health screenings help catch problems before symptoms appear. So, how can you tell if a health screening or preventive care appointment is right for you? The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…  read on >  read on >

Summer vacation has begun for some families and screen use may already feel like too much. A psychiatrist from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston offers some tips for making sure smartphones and tablets are put to good use and not used to excess. Dr. Laurel Williams, a professor in the department of psychiatry and…  read on >  read on >

Ticks are extremely resilient even when temperatures vary wildly, according to scientists who are working to better understand the spread of Lyme disease. In their new study, black-legged ticks, notorious for carrying pathogens, were very good at surviving both extreme cold and high heat, the scientists found. This was true both for nymph and adult…  read on >  read on >

The most common screening test for prostate cancer so often returns a false positive result that it’s no longer recommended for men older than 70, and it’s offered as a personal choice for younger men. But researchers think they’ve found a way to make the blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) accurate enough to significantly…  read on >  read on >

Erectile dysfunction (ED) has been tied to an increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Now, research suggests that erectile woes during late middle age may also be linked to a man’s chances of developing memory issues later on. “Because subtle changes in erectile function were related to memory decline, our results…  read on >  read on >