Features - The Malaysian Insider

The many health impacts of climate change

Medical experts say climate change affects human health in direct ways, by the spread of water- and mosquito-borne diseases for example, and indirectly, such as through hunger. Here is a...

We’re more honest when little effort is involved, study says

A new Canadian study says it's easier to be honest when the situation requires little or no effort, especially when financial gain is at stake. In situations of moral conflict, we are more...

Study shows low-sugar diet makes food taste sweeter

A new study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that adults who stick to a low-sugar diet find that food tastes sweeter. The study looked at adults who consumed two or more...

‘Angelina effect’ doubles preventative mastectomies in the UK

Two years after the actress Angelina Jolie went public about having a gene mutation linked to breast cancer and her preventative double mastectomy, a new UK study shows that the number of...

First trips into space planned before 2020

Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Richard Branson, the respective bosses of Amazon, Tesla and Virgin, all cherish the dream of being part of the space tourism boom by putting paying passengers in...

What’s the carbon footprint of an email?

A long list of seemingly harmless everyday actions contribute to emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other climate-altering greenhouse gases. Driving a car and flipping a light switch have a...

Top 3 major causes of stress

Money, self-pressure and lack of sleep are the top three major causes of stress across the world, it has been revealed. According to a 22-country survey from GfK, money is the main source of...

Sleeping on the right side of bed makes us grumpy, study says

That's the conclusion of a recent UK study. In other research, scientists and psychologists have carefully examined sleeping positions as a means of revealing personality traits and analysing...

UN says doubling numbers on HIV drugs could ‘break’ epidemic

The United Nations (UN) on Tuesday urged countries to "break the AIDS epidemic" by doubling the number of people receiving HIV treatment within the next five years. In a new report, UNAIDS...

Scientists have located the happiness centre in the brain

Using MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), a team of Japanese scientists have located the part of the brain linked to feeling happy. Do we really know what happiness is, and most importantly,...

Viewing Malaysia through political satire and comedy

Actress, director and writer Jo Kukathas may be known as the co-founder of the successful and popular Instant Cafe Theatre Company and a household name in theatre circles, but the theatre veteran...

Walking barefoot can prevent some injuries

Walking barefoot helps to improve balance, posture and prevent common foot injuries, according to an American researcher. Patrick McKeon, a professor at Ithaca College's School of Health...

How to snap perfect family shot at Xmas

Whether you're snapping your children receiving their gifts next to the Christmas tree or the grandparents sitting around the table for Christmas dinner, some basic rules apply. Here are a few,...

Fostering the love for traditional dance in children

Leaving a satisfying 15-year corporate career was surprisingly easy for Fazlin Abu Hassan Shaari, especially when she discovered a calling that tied in perfectly with a passion for the arts and,...

Neurogastronomy, when the brain helps create flavours

Neurogastronomy is a relatively new phenomenon in the worlds of neurology and culinary expertise. It seeks to understand why one taste is preferred to another and how the experience of eating...

Stick to the same sleeping routine for better health

If possible, it is better to go to bed and get up at the same time during the week and at the weekend, says a new US study which has established a link between changes to sleeping schedules and...

Researchers have developed a new tool for diagnosing diabetes

Researchers at the UK's University of Exeter have developed a new genetic test for diagnosing diabetes in young adults, which will help doctors determine how likely a person is to have either...

Seniors can walk their way towards better health, says study

A team of researchers at Tufts University, in the US state of Massachusetts, have found that walking longer or faster can have cardiovascular health benefits for older adults, even for those...

Malaysia, Singapore mark 50-year relationship with cross-border cultural fest

Malaysia and Singapore marked 50 years of diplomatic ties today with the launch of a 3-month-long cross-border arts and cultural festival featuring some 400 artistes from both countries. Titian...

Why diets may not work

A healthy food for one person may lead another to gain weight, according to a study out Thursday that suggests a one-size-fits-all approach to dieting is fundamentally wrong. For instance, one...