Author: Emily Nguyen Le

Smallpox, one of history’s most devastating viral infections, caused severe fever and an unmistakable skin rash. By the early 20th century, smallpox outbreaks wreaked havoc, with the virus claiming the lives of 3 out of every 10 infected individuals. Survivors often bore lifelong reminders of their struggle, with scars frequently etched into their faces. For illustrative purposes only The variola virus was responsible for this highly contagious and deadly disease. In response, scientists developed a groundbreaking vaccine using a live virus called vaccinia, closely related to variola but not capable of causing smallpox. The vaccine spurred the immune system to…

In today’s fast-paced world, stress and poor sleep often go hand in hand. One subtle yet surprisingly common symptom of disrupted rest is waking up with a dry mouth during the night. While it may seem like a minor annoyance, frequently experiencing dry mouth while sleeping can signal underlying health issues that shouldn’t be ignored. For illustrative purposes only This condition often occurs in the second half of the night and can stem from a variety of causes. Here are eight common reasons why you might be waking up parched: 1. Digestive Issues Late-night snacks might feel satisfying, but eating greasy,…

Standing in the church that morning, my heart thumped with joy. After months of planning, the big day had finally arrived. I could picture Karl, the love of my life, waiting at the altar—nervous, excited, ready to begin our life together. I never imagined that behind the scenes, a different plan was already unfolding. Unbeknownst to me, my father, Hubert, had cornered Karl in the men’s dressing room. “You’ll leave this church immediately and never come back. Do you understand me, boy?” he growled. For illustrative purposes only Karl’s voice trembled, but he stood his ground. “I’m not a boy,…

In an age of fast scrolling and visual overload, one trend continues to captivate audiences across social media platforms: optical illusion personality tests. These fascinating images don’t just offer a momentary distraction—they serve as surprising tools for introspection, built on decades of psychological research. Unlike traditional questionnaires, these tests rely on your instinctive perception. What you spot first is believed to reveal something deeper about how you think, feel, and relate to the world. While they may seem lighthearted at first glance, these tests often stem from real psychological principles, such as Gestalt theory (which explores how we perceive visual…

Goosebumps are a fascinating, primitive reaction most of us experience without a second thought. Whether it’s a chilly breeze brushing against your skin, a moving piece of music, or a sudden fright during a horror film, goosebumps are typically a normal and harmless response. But in rare cases, this bodily reaction can point to underlying health concerns that shouldn’t be ignored. For illustrative purposes only What Are Goosebumps? Goosebumps—medically known as piloerection—occur when tiny muscles at the base of your hair follicles (called arrector pili) contract. This causes the hairs to stand upright and the surrounding skin to form tiny bumps.…

A TikTok creator has gone viral after posting about the surprising aftermath of his hair transplant, humorously claiming the swelling makes him look like “an alien.” Kanah Flex, a dancer and artist, shared his experience with the cosmetic procedure on TikTok, where his candid and lighthearted take quickly drew attention. He made it clear from the start that he didn’t travel abroad for the surgery. Photo Credit: kanahflextv/Tiktok “For anyone wondering, no, I didn’t go to Turkey for this,” Kanah said. “I got the procedure right here in Wembley, Kenton, Harrow, to be exact.” Kanah explained that his day at…

Note: We are re-sharing this story, which first appeared in the news in May 2023. Most people have a long list of things they’re looking for when they begin house-hunting. Some people want a set number of bedrooms, for example, others prefer a sizable backyard or a big garage. Yet though taste and preference differ from potential buyer to potential buyer, I think we can all agree there are certain things none of us want from/in a new home. When Amber Hall walked into a four bedroom, two bathroom house for sale in Centennial, Colorado, she thought she’d found her…

Dwarfism is a rare condition that affects between 1 in 15,000 to 1 in 40,000 people. People with dwarfism often face discrimination and indifference from society. However, more and more people with this condition are sharing their life stories to combat prejudice against it. © charlikateadams / Instagram Charli, an Australian woman with achondroplasia, the most common type of dwarfism, tied the knot with Cullen in 2012, who has achromic dysplasia, a condition that hinders his physical growth. From the very first moment, the couple shared a dream of building a family together. Aware of the potential challenges Charli might…

Lisa and Mark always considered their dog, Lila, more than just a pet—she was family. With her soft, caramel-colored fur and kind, intelligent eyes, Lila had been by their side through every high and low. So, when baby Jacob was born, they were thrilled to see Lila instantly bond with him. She would sit quietly by the crib, a silent, watchful guardian, her eyes filled with warmth and love. For illustrative purposes only. But everything changed one quiet night. Lisa was suddenly jolted awake by a strange, low growl coming from the baby monitor. Her heart pounded as she rushed…

A sudden eyelid twitch may seem like a harmless annoyance, but according to health experts, it could be your body’s subtle way of alerting you to a larger issue. Known medically as myokymia, eyelid twitching is typically benign and temporary. However, when it occurs frequently or persists over time, it can signal underlying problems that deserve attention. For illustrative purposes only. Stress and Fatigue: The Leading Causes One of the most common reasons behind eyelid twitching is stress. “Stress affects the body in many ways, and involuntary muscle spasms—like those in the eyelid—are a frequent response,” says Dr. Rachel Lin, a neurologist…