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Researchers at Florida International University successfully trained One Betta, a Dutch Shepard, and three other dogs to detect COVID-19 on face masks. The dogs got it right 96% to 99% of the time. Joe Raedle/Staff/Getty Images North America

Dogs can be trained to sniff out COVID-19 – a team of forensic researchers explain the science

Kenneth G. Furton, Florida International University; Julian Mendel, Florida International University, and Kelvin J. Frank Jr., Florida International University

Many clients come to therapy wanting to look beyond themselves – talking about relationships, values and even spirituality. SDI Productions/E+ via Getty Images

Think therapy is navel-gazing? Think again

Steven Sandage, Boston University

Our research investigates the connections among mental health, holistic well-being and relational virtues – ideas that many people think of as ethical or religious.
No matter its cause, diarrhea is uncomfortable. Rapeepong Puttakumwong/Moment via Getty Images

Why do people get diarrhea?

Hannibal Person, University of Washington

Poop comes in many shapes, sizes and textures. The kind that’s too runny might be the result of wayward germs, Crohn’s disease or lactose intolerance.
The concept of placebos – which are sometimes called “sugar pills” – has been around since the 1800s. Wladimir Bulgar/Science Photo Library via Getty Images

In research studies and in real life, placebos have a powerful healing effect on the body and mind

Elissa H. Patterson, University of Michigan and Hans Schroder, University of Michigan

Drug manufacturers often shun the use of placebos in clinical trials. But research suggests that placebos could play an important role in the treatment of depression, pain and other maladies.
Although the medical establishment is now recognizing that sex is not binary, society as a whole has been slow to embrace the concept. Vera Livchak/Moment via Getty Images

Not everyone is male or female – the growing controversy over sex designation

Carl Streed Jr, Boston University and Frances Grimstad, Harvard University

Millions of people do not fit neatly into male or female sex designations at birth, and wrong identification can set them up for a lifetime of physical and mental harm.
Gender norms can affect every aspect of a person’s life, including their health. YES BRASIL/iStock via Getty Images Plus

In countries more biased against women, higher COVID-19 death rates for men might not tell an accurate story

Yeva Aleksanyan, Colorado State University and Jason Weinman, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Some countries report higher rates of COVID-19 cases and deaths among men. This might be due to underreporting among women with limited health access.
Over the past two decades, researchers have gained a great deal of insight into the risks surrounding concussions – some of which has led to sweeping policy changes. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Sports via Getty Images

The risk of concussion lurks at the Super Bowl – and in all other sports

Steven P. Broglio, University of Michigan

Millions of sports-related concussions occur in the US every year. Many of them happen to high school and college athletes.
The list of SARS-CoV-2 variants – each with its own unique qualities that give it an edge – just keeps growing. Matt Anderson Photography/Moment via Getty Images

Alpha then delta and now omicron – 6 questions answered as COVID-19 cases once again surge across the globe

Sara Sawyer, University of Colorado Boulder; Arturo Barbachano-Guerrero, University of Colorado Boulder, and Cody Warren, University of Colorado Boulder

People are buzzing with questions about the omicron variant and whether it could help usher in herd immunity. A team of virologists deciphers the latest findings.
Exposure to videos of disasters can trigger post-traumatic stress symptoms in some children. Chokchai Poomichaiya / EyeEm via Getty Images

Disaster news on TV and social media can trigger post-traumatic stress in kids thousands of miles away – here’s why some are more vulnerable

Jonathan S. Comer, Florida International University and Anthony Steven Dick, Florida International University

Children don’t have to be in physical danger for disaster images to have a powerful psychological impact.

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Preliminary research suggests that the omicron variant may potentially induce a robust immune response. Olga Siletskaya/Moment via Getty Images

Is the omicron variant Mother Nature’s way of vaccinating the masses and curbing the pandemic?

Prakash Nagarkatti, University of South Carolina and Mitzi Nagarkatti, University of South Carolina

Some of the omicron variant’s unique properties – such as its ability to spread rapidly while causing milder COVID-19 infections – could usher in a new phase of the pandemic.
Exercise spurs the release of the body’s natural cannabinoids, which have myriad benefits for mental health and stress relief. Luca Sage/Stone via Getty Images

The ‘runner’s high’ may result from molecules called cannabinoids – the body’s own version of THC and CBD

Hilary A. Marusak, Wayne State University

A growing body of research points to the body’s natural cannabinoid system as the primary driver behind the runner’s high – and the mental health boost and stress relief following exercise.
Research shows that people who have flow as a regular part of their lives are happier and less likely to focus on themselves. Yulkapopkova/E+ via Getty Images

Why does experiencing ‘flow’ feel so good? A communication scientist explains

Richard Huskey, University of California, Davis

Research shows that people with more flow in their lives had a higher sense of well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scientists are beginning to explore what happens in the brain during flow.
Some vaccines use mRNA to make copies of the triangular red spike proteins to induce immunity. Juan Gaertner/Science Photo Library via Getty Images

How can scientists update coronavirus vaccines for omicron? A microbiologist answers 5 questions about how Moderna and Pfizer could rapidly adjust mRNA vaccines

Deborah Fuller, University of Washington

The new omicron variant of coronavirus has a number of mutations that may require manufacturers to update vaccines. The unique attributes of mRNA vaccines make updating them fast and easy.
The omicron variant possesses numerous mutations in the spike protein, the knob-like protrusions (in red) that allow the virus to invade other cells. Juan Gaertner/Science Photo Library via Getty Images

Will omicron – the new coronavirus variant of concern – be more contagious than delta? A virus evolution expert explains what researchers know and what they don’t

Suresh V. Kuchipudi, Penn State

It’s too early to say whether the newly identified omicron variant is going to overtake delta. But particular mutations in the new strain have researchers deeply concerned.