Even though human and chimpanzee DNA is very similar, our extremities are quite different– particularly when it comes to the wrist. In 2008, researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory discovered that humans begin to grow thumb and wrist structures during fetal development. Since our fingers, wrists and thumbs are far more agile and offer much … Read more
Over the span of a 24-hour day, your heart will beat around 115,000 times and pump about 2,000 gallons’ worth of blood. Since it’s important that your heart beats fast enough to keep your blood circulating but slow enough to allow your organs and cells to draw the energy and sustenance that they need, the … Read more
A human body without oxygen is like a fireplace without a fire. Even if your body has enough fuel, none of it will burn without O2. Just as fire converts wood into heat, oxygen transforms sugars and fatty acids into energy. No organ can survive for long without a constant supply of oxygen-rich blood. One … Read more
Fat likely played a vital role in the human race’s evolution. According to anthropologist William R. Leonard of Northwestern University, humans derive a much larger share of their dietary energy from fat compared to our closest biological ancestors. He believes that the main reason why humans crave fatty foods is that our large brains require … Read more
The humble human foot is actually quite remarkable. Its structure is far more efficient compared to non-human hominids, many of which have flat feet. According to a recent Mayo Clinic, there are a number of things that you can do at home to reduce plantar fasciitis pain. In addition to stretching and ice, you can … Read more
Your neck is one of the most critically important parts of your body. It not only houses the arteries that help transport blood from your heart to your brain, but also allows you to turn your head in all kinds of different directions. Without the complex network of muscles and bones in the neck that … Read more
Your body contains 60,000 miles of blood vessels. To put that number in perspective: the entire United States is only 2,802 miles across. Your blood vessels not only play a critical role in delivering oxygen and nutrients throughout your body, they also transport waste away from your muscles and organs. If the blood vessels in … Read more
Every time you sit or stand still, you assume a posture. Your body takes care of the details naturally– that’s why we don’t normally think about how we position ourselves when we’re still. Breathing and other automatic functions work just the same way. Of course, all this doesn’t mean that you have no control over … Read more