HEALTH

Sleeping naked might improve your sleep quality.

Should You Sleep in the Nude? Here’s What the Experts Say

Sleeping in your birthday suit may feel good, but is it good for you?

8 Common Fears You (Probably) Don't Need to Worry About

There are things we’re all a little (or lot) afraid of, but the numbers tell us we don’t need to be. Read on for more statistically soothing details about some of the most common, but not commonly occurring, concerns.

What Happens When an Astronaut Gets Sick in Space?

Sick astronauts on a space mission can’t just pop down to Earth to see a doctor. Here’s how they deal with bumps, bruises, and worse.

Civil War medical officers including Jonathan Letterman, a surgeon who pioneered the ambulance-to-ER transport of wounded patients during the Civil War.

5 Medical Innovations from the Civil War

Civil War surgeons learned fast. Here are a few of the MacGyver-like medical solutions that have had a lasting impact.

The truth is, sometimes the answer varies.

Does Bagged Lettuce Still Need to Be Rinsed?

Are bagged salads and other leafy greens safe to eat without rinsing off first? Find out whether pre-washed produce still needs to be cleaned off beforehand, plus more.

20 Great Songs to Use for CPR

From Taylor Swift's "22" to Missy Elliott's "Work It," these CPR songs will help you find a life-saving tempo.

An illustration of the vagus nerve’s location in the human body.

9 Fascinating Facts About the Vagus Nerve

The vagus nerve does it all—tells your lungs to breathe, controls your heart rate, and even forms the foundation for a whole new medical field.

Customers will have to hold off on bulk-buying eggs for a while.

These 6 Grocery Chains Are Placing Limits on Egg Purchases

Avian influenza is causing top grocery chains to put restrictions on egg purchases.

Nurse Agnes from Uganda’s Bwindi Community Hospital prepares a vaccination against measles.

7 Facts About Measles

Before the measles vaccine, there were between 3 and 4 million cases in the U.S. per year. Now, it’s less than 500.

A detail of Edvard Munch’s ‘The Sick Child,’ a portrait of his sister who died of tuberculosis at age 15.

12 Facts About Tuberculosis, the Victorian “Robber of Youth”

Tuberculosis may seem like a historic malady, but it’s still the world’s deadliest infectious disease. Here’s what you need to know about its past and current outbreaks.

You’re Probably Brushing Your Teeth All Wrong

It’s easy to make these common mistakes when you're brushing your teeth, but here’s how to do it the right way.

A 19th-century illustration of a human heart.

11 Fit Facts About the Heart

Technically, your heart isn’t made of gold. And don't wear it in on your sleeve—you’ll make a mess. Here are 11 scientific facts about your ticker.

Where Are They Now? Diseases That Killed You in ‘Oregon Trail’

Spoiler alert: They’re still around.

Do Pillows Really “Expire”?

Pillows work tirelessly to hold your head up. Here's how to know when they've had enough.

Several factors make people more susceptible to the flu in winter.

Why Is the Flu Seasonal?

Like clockwork, flu viruses seem to strike more people in winter than in any other season—and there are several reasons for that.

The OneCourt tablet permits fans with no or low vision to experience a game in real time.

“Braille for Sports”: This Tech Makes It Easier for Blind Fans to Follow Games in Real Time

A new tablet uses haptic feedback to put live plays into the hands of sports fans with no or low vision.

The burnout is real—but so are these solutions.

7 Ways To Follow the News Without Experiencing Media Burnout

Has the news cycle got you stressed? Here are some crucial tips for how to balance your mental health while still staying top of current events.

How Thomas Edison Jr. Shamed the Family Name

Asked to evaluate his son's abilities as an intellectual, the elder Edison said that he was, “absolutely illiterate, scientifically and otherwise.”

7 Vital Facts About Blood

George Washington died after his physician treated his sore throat with bloodletting, but don't let that stop you from learning more about the human circulatory system.