Scientists have discovered an enzyme in the liver that increases with exercise. Enzymes are protein molecules inside living organisms that speed up chemical reactions, like digesting food or healing wounds. Research suggests that this particular enzyme may help the brain grow and function better. Its discovery could one day lead to a medicine that helps people benefit from the enzyme’s brain boosting impact, even without exercise. Listen to hear about the research scientists conducted and learn about the promise and the limits of their discovery.
Story Length: 3:33
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May 30, 2019
5:26
Everyone feels stress, which can have a significant impact on health. A new book explains how and why stress affects the body and describes what people can do to lower the negative effects of stress on their health. Listen to this interview with the authors to learn about the evolutionary value of stress and how to keep it from causing burnout in today’s modern world.
Read MoreMay 16, 2019
5:43
Baseball is arguably the oldest professional sport in the U.S. Though the sport has been around for a while, women have never played baseball in the major leagues. Advocates for girls in baseball say there is no inherent reason why women should not play baseball, but rather that societal norms are behind their absence at the highest level of the game. Listen to this story to learn about Jackie Mitchell, the woman who struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, and to hear about the prospects for girls in baseball.
Read MoreFebruary 27, 2019
2:52
In order to better understand head injuries and their risks, researchers from Washington University in St.Louis have been investigating the kinds of impacts that soccer players experience when heading the ball. To understand how much of that force of impact reaches the brain, they use a specialized MRI machine. Listen to this story to hear what the researchers learned about how our anatomy protects our brains and which types of impact cause the most damage.
Read MoreApril 20, 2018
5:25
New technology can help athletes gain a deeper understanding of how their bodies work. By submitting their DNA, athletes can see the results of their genetic fitness assessment. This can help athletes personalize their training routine, gain information about their ability to build muscle, or find out how prone they are to joint injuries. The results are organized in categories to let people know what they need to work on. Listen to learn more about this new technology and then debate: Should DNA determine the sport you play?
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