The Latest Breaking News from Katie Edwards

Why humans care so much about body odour, and what it really tells us

Humans spend a great deal of time trying to smell good. We wash, deodorise and perfume our bodies daily, suggesting body odour must matter. Yet scientifically, the picture is far less straightforward.

The Conversation · May 26

Skin mites explained: harmless passengers or health problem?

Almost everyone carries microscopic mites on their skin. They live inside pores and hair follicles, feeding on skin oils and dead cells.

The Conversation · Mar 12

From period scooping to menstrual masking: the strange science of viral period hacks

Period scooping sounds like something you would only hear in a biology lab, not while doom-scrolling TikTok. Yet earlier this year, videos claiming you can “scoop out” your period to avoid the mess and shorten the whole thing racked up millions of views. Some people were pushing in the shower…

The Conversation · Mar 10

Vagus nerve stimulation: from TikTok tips to clinical trials

The vagus nerve has quietly shaped how our bodies function for thousands of years. Recently, it has moved into the spotlight, especially in wellness culture, where manipulating it is often described as a way to calm the body, reset the nervous system or even treat a wide range of conditions.

The Conversation · Feb 11

Why ‘activating’ your vagus nerve has become the latest wellness trend

The vagus nerve has become the internet’s favourite body part.

The Conversation · Feb 10

Why do our joints crack, pop and crunch and should we worry about it?

Many of us have noisy joints. Knees crack on the stairs, necks pop when we stretch, and knuckles seem to crack almost on demand. These sounds can be startling and are often blamed on ageing, damage or the looming threat of arthritis.

The Conversation · Feb 3

Is cracking your neck bad? And why can it feel so good to crack your back, knuckles and knees?

Joint cracking is one of those habits most of us acquire without thinking about it. A knuckle popped mid-sentence. A back twisted as we stand up. A neck gently crunched while the kettle boils. It is common, oddly satisfying and, for anyone sitting nearby, faintly alarming.

The Conversation · Feb 3

Stone baby: the rare condition that produces a calcified foetus

For some women, pregnancy is a time of profound loss. Not all pregnancies progress as expected. One serious complication is ectopic pregnancy, a condition in which a fertilised egg implants somewhere other than the uterus.

The Conversation · Jan 27

Tonsils, kidneys and gall: where and why your body makes stones

The human body, it turns out, is surprisingly good at making stone.

The Conversation · Jan 27

What detox really means, and why most detox diets miss the point

After the indulgence of festive treats, the idea of starting the year with a clean slate can be appealing. Detox powders, pills, teas and juice “cleanses” all promise a fast reset, often with bold claims about flushing toxins from the body.

The Conversation · Jan 21