Digestive system

A life without burps might sound like a blessing, but a new study shows it’s anything but. Researchers interviewed patients with the rare condition retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction (R-CPD), which makes them unable to burp or belch, about how it affected their daily life. Not only did patients report unpleasant symptoms like constant farting and gas, they also often felt embarrassed, depressed, and socially awkward.Gizmodo’s Top Five Gadgets of 2023Burping plays an important biological function. When food and water…

The hangover cure of the future just might be a chuggable probiotic. In research out this week, scientists in China detail the creation of bacteria that can produce an enzyme meant to help the body break down alcohol faster. Alcohol-fed mice that were given the probiotic beforehand experienced less drunkenness and recovered more quickly, the study found.La Borinqueña’s Connection to Puerto Rico | io9 InterviewFun as the acute effects of ingesting alcohol can be, too much can be dangerous, even deadly. To protect us, the…

An illustration of norovirus particles. Illustration: Shutterstock (Shutterstock)A nasty but short-lasting stomach bug may have lingering consequences for an unlucky few. Researchers have found evidence in mice and human cells that norovirus infection can trigger Crohn’s disease in people already genetically predisposed to it. The findings may also help scientists one day find better treatments for the chronic gut condition.Crohn’s is one of two major types of inflammatory bowel disease. In Crohn’s, this inflammation…

Image: Shutterstock (Shutterstock)Experts at Harvard and elsewhere are proposing a new type of bank be set up nationwide: a poop bank. In a paper this week, they argue that it should be possible for people to deposit a fecal sample relatively early on in life, which can then be stored indefinitely and later used to restore their unbalanced gut microbiome if needed. But theyadd that there would be many challenges involved in creating this system, such as finding the optimal storage conditions and cost.Fecal microbiota…