Health
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To many, she became a kind of typhoid witch, spreading illness wherever she went, not through bacteria but through malevolent intent.
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While the worst abuses of Bedlam are now behind us, the institution’s long history serves as a stark reminder of the importance of treating people with dignity, compassion, and respect, no matter their mental state.
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Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) is a plant rich in folklore, superstition, and historical significance, with a long history of use in medicine. Known for its delicate, creamy-white flowers and sweet scent, meadowsweet has been revered and utilized in various cultures throughout history.In folklore, meadowsweet was often associated with love and beauty. The plant was sometimes referred…
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Roses find practical use in skincare and cuisine, enriching rituals and celebrations with their profound symbolism.
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The Earth’s geomagnetic activity has garnered attention for its potential influence on human brain function and perception of paranormal phenomena. Studies suggest that fluctuations in geomagnetic activity can alter neural processing and affect mood, cognition, and perception. While the mechanisms are poorly understood, advanced neuroimaging techniques may provide further insights into this intriguing relationship.
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The character of the Mad Hatter from Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” is one of the most iconic and enigmatic figures in literary history. Often remembered for his whimsical, nonsensical behavior and peculiar speech, the Mad Hatter has become a symbol of eccentricity and madness. However, the true inspiration behind this character lies in…
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The Salem witch trials of 1692 have intrigued historians. Recent investigations propose a link between ergot-contaminated rye and hallucinatory experiences during the trials. Environmental conditions in Massachusetts may have fostered ergot growth. While the hypothesis adds a scientific dimension, skeptics urge caution, noting the influence of social, religious, and cultural factors.
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Kirst M D’Raven. *Introduction:* Electromagnetic fields (EMF) have long been associated with paranormal experiences, leading researchers to explore the potential links between EMF exposure, transmarginal inhibition (TMI), and the perception of the supernatural. In this article, we delve into scientific research and supporting evidence to understand the intricate connections between these phenomena. *EMF and the…
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Home pregnancy tests are kind of magical—they’re like those litmus test things from junior high science, except they can tell you whether you’ve got a baby in there. These tests work by detecting trace levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the urine; hCG is present after egg implantation, which occurs six…
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153 years ago, Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man, was born. From the age of 13, he was a society reject and these photographs show his actual skeleton, together with post mortem casts of his head and limbs, giving a never before seen insight into his features. read more: How the Elephant Man ACTUALLY looked: Staggering…
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Napoleon famously quipped that an army marches on its stomach, and a fellowship of the ring is no different. Throughout the series of fantasy novels by J.R.R. Tolkien, we are treated to complaints about the lack of food to meet a hobbit’s voracious appetite. Now, thanks to a study by Skye Rosetti and Krisho Manaharan…
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He was notorious for terrorising shipping in the west Atlantic, but treasures discovered among the wreckage of Blackbeard’s ship suggest the feared pirate may have had a caring side. Marine archaeologists have found evidence of medical equipment used to heal the sick and wounded on board the pirate captain’s flagship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge. The…
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We know that the brains of people with depression are different from the brains of healthy people in both their chemical balance and structure, but despite the fact that roughly 10 percent of the U.S. population struggle with the disease, scientists know startlingly little about why these changes occur. read more Why This Psychologist Thinks…
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A study published last month in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface compared M.R.I.s of the brains of subjects injected with psilocybin with scans of their normal brain activity. The brains on psilocybin showed radically different connectivity patterns between cortical regions the parts thought to play an important role in consciousness. The researchers mapped…
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Accidental awareness under general anaesthetic, a surgical complication “greatly feared” by patients, occurs in about one in every 19,000 cases, a major new study in Ireland and the UK suggests. read more Accidental ‘waking’ under anaesthetic occurs in one in 19,000 surgeries, report finds.
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When a woman checked herself into the PLA General Hospital in China’s Shandong Province, she reported symptoms of dizziness and nausea. She’d had a shaky walk for most of her life, and unlike most people, who learn to walk when they’re very young infants, she was only able to master this skill at seven years…
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As the deadly Ebola virus continues to spread in Liberia, religious leaders there are claiming that “immoral acts” are responsible for the catastrophic outbreak. Christian leaders meeting at the Liberian Council of Churches unanimously agreed: “God is angry with Liberia.” The statement released by the council declared: “Ebola is a plague. Liberians have to pray…
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At 8 years old, I had my first experience of true terror, when I awoke to a man at the end of my bed. This man was definitely not my brother. He was a luminescent figure. No distinguishing features, just a glowing silhouette of light. I was frozen with fear, I couldn’t move. I couldn’t…
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C’mon, admit it. You’ve wondered. You’ve mused. You’ve pondered. At some point in your life — probably after watching a science-fiction movie — you’ve found yourself asking that all important question: What happens if you find yourself in space without a spacesuit? read more Boil, Burn Or Explode? How You Die In Space : 13.7:…
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A widespread belief in witchcraft is hampering efforts to halt the Ebola virus from spreading, a British doctor has claimed. Benjamin Black, who is volunteering with Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in Sierra Leone, told the Telegraph that some people in west Africa are not seeking medical treatment because they blame sorcerers for the recent…
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The current outbreak of Ebola virus disease has been all over the news lately, and of course, many rumors and much misinformation has been spread. Here are ten questions regarding the outbreak that will set the record straight about what is going on in West Africa: read more Ten Things You Really Should Know About…
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Exoskeletons helping the paralyzed to walk, tiny maggot-inspired devices gnawing at brain tumors, machines working tirelessly as hospital helpers: In many respects, the future of medicine is already here.Experts say that at the experimental level, human skills are already being enhanced or replaced by robots and other high-tech substitutes — and these may become commonplace…
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It’s hard to imagine being the first human being to look at a plant like, say, a stinging nettle and think, “I probably shouldn’t eat this, on account of the general agony it would cause me. But what if I cooked it first?” So you prepare it and nervously drop it down your gullet—and luckily…
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The number of zombie apocalypse movies has been growing over the last few years, introducing “fast-moving” zombies and new kinds of swarming behaviors for the undead. The causes of the zombie apocalypse range from viral to supernatural, but the general awareness of biotechnology’s ability to create monsters is undeniable. Meanwhile, Mother Nature herself is creating…
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WHAT do you see before you die: angels, a bright light or your life on replay?A Belgium researcher has interviewed 190 people who have reported near-death experiences and their answers were surprisingly similar.“We found the near-death experiences were richer and more real than real than any other experience,” Steven Laureys, of Liege University Hospital, told…