New Atlas

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Hormone-tracking sensor measures stress levels through a drop of bodily fluid

Nick Lavars May 27, 2019

Stress has some mysterious effects on the human body, with more and more research linking its presence to all kinds of negative health outcomes. Now scientists have developed a new kind of sensor that can be used to keep tabs on stress levels, requiring just single drop of bodily fluid.

University of Cincinnati research assistant Shima Dalirirad holds up a test strip that can measure stress ...

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Stress eating causes more weight gain than eating when calm

Rich Haridy April 25, 2019

A striking study has discovered that eating while stressed may lead to greater weight gain than if the same caloric load was consumed in a stress-free environment. The study reveals a molecular pathway activated by stress can alter the body’s metabolic processes and lead to increased weight gain.

Stressed mice were found to gain more weight from a high-calorie diet than mice eating the ...

Science

Stress in middle age found to shrink your brain and impair memory

Rich Haridy October 24, 2018

A new study has found a strong association between increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol and impaired memory in middle-aged adults. The research suggests that extended periods of stress while a person is in their 40s and 50s can result in reduced cognitive skills, and even brain shrinkage.

High levels of stress-induced cortisol have been associated with reduced brain volume and impaired memory

Health & Wellbeing

ECG patch is made to sniff out stress

Ben Coxworth October 19, 2018

It would be an understatement to say that a lot of people suffer from too much stress. Unfortunately, though, it can sometimes be difficult to determine just what the causes of that stress are. VivaLNK's new Vital Scout is designed to help you find out.

The Vital Scout patch is worn on the skin, over the heart

Health & Wellbeing

Breakthrough Stanford wearable detects stress levels through sweat

Rich Haridy July 22, 2018

A team has developed the first wearable skin sensor that can measure a person’s cortisol levels from their sweat. Cortisol, a hormone that spikes in response to stress, is an important biomarker for scientists that can help measure everything from emotional stress to metabolism and immune function.

A novel sweat sensor can detect cortisol levels in just seconds

Health & Wellbeing

Connection between stress and autoimmune disease affirmed by massive 30-year study

Rich Haridy June 19, 2018

A massive study spanning 30 years of data and examining a cohort of over one million people has found a strong association between persons suffering from stress disorders, including PTSD, and an increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and Crohn’s disease.

Does stress trigger the onset or development of autoimmune disease, or is the connection between stress ...

Biology

Is the placenta the missing link connecting genes, environment and schizophrenia?

Rich Haridy May 28, 2018

A compelling new study suggests that activity in the placenta could be the missing link connecting environmental factors with genetics in relation to the development of many behavioral disorders, including schizophrenia.

Stresses in the placenta could be key in triggering the onset of a variety of neurodevelopmental ...

Health & Wellbeing

Study links violent video games to increased calorie intake

James Holloway April 17, 2018

As an ageing, overweight player of video games, I've always assumed games are a significant part of my too-sedentary lifestyle. But recent research suggests that stress markers and associated food consumption could be a bigger factor in gaming than television-viewing.

The researchers compared Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (pictured), FIFA 2013 and episodes of Friends

Medical

New research sheds light on weight gain, stress and our circadian rhythms

James Holloway April 5, 2018

A recent study sheds new light on why people gain weight from long-term stress and disruption to their circadian rhythms. It also helps to explain weight gain from the use of glucocorticoid drugs, which are often used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and asthma.

New research helps to explain why long-term stress can be a cause of weight gain

Science

Need to calm down? Science says sniff your partner's shirt

Rich Haridy January 7, 2018

A new study from researchers at the University of British Columbia has revealed that the scent of a person’s partner can tangibly reduce feelings of stress and literally lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Taking in your partner's scent could calm you down according to a new study