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SCIENTISTS FINALLY WORK OUT WHAT CAUSES UNUSUAL ITCHING
BBC Science Focus
|New Year 2024
And it's worse than you think
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Right now, somewhere on your body, you've probably got an itch caused by nothing in particular... or so it seems. Because scientists at Harvard Medical School in the US have discovered the cause: bacteria living in your skin.
A new paper published in the journal Cell reveals that Staphylococcus aureus (seen below) releases a chemical that activates a protein in our nerves. This sends a signal from our skin to our brain, which perceives it as an itch.
Denne historien er fra New Year 2024-utgaven av BBC Science Focus.
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FLERE HISTORIER FRA BBC Science Focus
BBC Science Focus
DO I HAVE ALEXITHYMIA?
We can all struggle to find the words to explain ourselves, but if you regularly experience feelings that you can't identify, you might have alexithymia.
1 mins
October 2025
BBC Science Focus
SHOULD I KEEP MY CAR KEYS IN A FARADAY BOX?
Potentially, yes. The invention of keyless entry means we can unlock our cars upon approach, something particularly helpful when you want to open the boot, but have your hands full of shopping.
2 mins
October 2025
BBC Science Focus
SHOULD I START SNIFFING ROSEMARY?
Is there any truth to the Shakespearean phrase 'rosemary for remembrance'? Actually, yes.
1 min
October 2025
BBC Science Focus
Groundbreaking footage captures hidden moment of human fertility
Observing the crucial step in human development could help improve fertility and IVF
1 min
October 2025
BBC Science Focus
THE GIANT PHANTOM JELLYFISH
Conjure in your mind a giant, deep-sea predator, and I bet there's a colossal squid lurking in there, perhaps with an even bigger sperm whale chasing after it.
2 mins
October 2025
BBC Science Focus
EDITOR'S PICKS...
This month's smartest tech
4 mins
October 2025
BBC Science Focus
'Clearest sign' of alien life on Mars found by NASA
Strange 'leopard spot' markings on a Martian rock could finally be the sign we've been waiting for that alien microbes once lived on the Red Planet
4 mins
October 2025
BBC Science Focus
Human brains emit a bizarre glow
Subtle light shines through our skulls in patterns that depends on what we're doing
1 mins
October 2025
BBC Science Focus
"Far from being the bad guy, cortisol is a hormone that's vital for our bodies and brains"
To complicate matters further, cortisol is also released in bursts, about every hour or so.
2 mins
October 2025
BBC Science Focus
HOW MANY ORGANS COULD I SURVIVE WITHOUT?
The annals of medical history prove that the average human meat sack is surprisingly resilient.
1 mins
October 2025
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