Germans thought they were immune to nationalism after confronting their Nazi past. They were wrong

BERLIN — When Sabine Thonke joined a recent demonstration in Berlin against Germany’s far-right party, it was the first time in years she felt hopeful that the growing power of the extremists in her country could be stopped. Thonke, 59, had been following the rise of the Alternative for Germany, or AfD, with unease. But … Read more

Smoking Alters Your Immune System for Years After You Quit

To figure out why and how the effect lasts for years after someone smokes their last cigarette, Duffy’s team turned to their donors’ DNA. Seemingly everything from wildfire smoke to your parents’ trauma has been linked to epigenetic changes—physical manipulations of the DNA molecule that switch genes on or off. Sure enough, the long-term effect … Read more

During Pregnancy, the Placenta Hacks the Immune System to Protect the Fetus

“The cell is effectively dressing up as an infectious agent,” Kagan said. “The result is that it convinces itself that it’s infected, and then operates as such.” Simmering Immunity Immune responses can be destructive, and antiviral responses especially so. Because viruses are at their most dangerous when they’re already inside a cell, most immune strategies … Read more

2023 showed cybersecurity isn’t immune from brutal layoffs

Despite a rise in cyberattacks and breaches, the cybersecurity industry is by no means exempt from the uncertainty inspired by the current economy. 2023 will likely be remembered as the “year of the layoff.” While many expected the tide to shift after a rough 2022 that saw more than 130,000 tech workers lose their jobs, … Read more

A cardiologist takes 3 supplements every day that can help prevent fatigue and boost immune function

Danielle Belardo has spent decades studying heart health. She takes three supplements regularly: folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. She recommends talking to your doctor before starting any new supplements. Danielle Belardo has dedicated her career to studying the heart, and helping her patients and the general public live healthier lives. A cardiologist based … Read more