Rachel Fairbank

Houston

Science Writer at Freelance

Freelance science writer, essayist, fan of the sweet science. Opinions, of which I have many, are all mine. she/her

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Articles

Can you trust your gut? The pros (and cons) of intuition-according to science

1 week ago | nationalgeographic.com | Rachel Fairbank

There are many times in life when we have to make decisions without having all of the information—whether that’s a split-second decision during a crisis or a major life decision such as accepting a new job. In these situations, we often find ourselves relying on our intuition, in the hope that our unconscious knowledge can help us choose the right path. Intuition is the ability to attain knowledge or make decisions without evident rational thought and inference.
The shingles vaccine may reduce your dementia risk-here's why

2 weeks ago | nationalgeographic.com | Rachel Fairbank

Shingles, a viral rash, can be incredibly painful. Vaccination can help prevent the infection, but new research is showing the vaccine may also have another benefit: protecting against the development of dementia. In April, a study published in Nature observed the risk of dementia in adults who received the shingles vaccine versus those who had not. Researchers found that those who were vaccinated against shingles had a 20 percent lower chance of developing dementia.
Most Wearables Prompt You to Move More. This One Helps You Avoid Overdoing It.

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Rachel Fairbank

Wearables such as watches and rings are most often embraced by people who are motivated to move more or faster, or to train harder. But tracking metrics such as heart rate and heart-rate variability can also help people to better understand when to slow down and prioritize rest. Striking a balance between the two is the concept behind Visible, a platform meant to help people with energy-limiting conditions avoid overexertion.
O que acontece com seu corpo quando você deixa de beber por um mês

1 month ago | flipboard.com | Rachel Fairbank
Por que não é uma boa ideia dar ao seu filho adolescente aquele gole de cerveja

1 month ago | flipboard.com | Rachel Fairbank
Por que quem bebe chá vive mais, segundo os cientistas

2 months ago | flipboard.com | Rachel Fairbank
Vision Zero aims to reduce traffic deaths through better road design

2 months ago | harvardpublichealth.org | Rachel Fairbank

Quanisha Ball’s commute to work involved catching an employee shuttle just a few blocks from her apartment in Decatur, Georgia. She mapped out the safest route to the shuttle, but there was no avoiding Scott Boulevard, with its seven lanes of traffic and a speed limit of 45 miles per hour. There, on November 17, 2022, she was hit and killed by a car.
A Simple 10-Minute Workout to Improve Mobility

Jan 17, 2025 | nytimes.com | Rachel Fairbank |Theodore Tae

You don't have to be an athlete to face daily athletic challenges. Whether lifting your luggage into an overhead compartment or squatting on the floor to play with your kids, many daily movements require a combination of strength, stability and flexibility. And like an athlete, you have to train if you want to do these things without injury. But life is busy. If you're short on time, consider a workout that focuses on mobility, or how strong a joint is through its entire range.
Here’s what happens to your body when you drink tea

Jan 9, 2025 | nationalgeographic.com | Rachel Fairbank

Tea is one of the world’s most popular drinks, second only to water, and for good reason. This nutritional powerhouse is celebrated for its calming effects, bold flavors, and impressive health benefits. “Tea is calorie-free and very rich in antioxidants,” says Whitney Linsenmeyer, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. These properties help lower the risk of stroke, improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and boost immune function.
Autism is more common than you think, and symptoms might surprise you

Nov 22, 2024 | nationalgeographic.com | Rachel Fairbank

When Serenity Kiser was 48, she was diagnosed as autistic. Her diagnosis was both a surprise, and an answer to questions she’d had all her life. As a child, Kiser was constantly told that she was “too much,” that her laughter was too loud, that her movements were off, that she said the wrong things at the wrong time. At the age of 11, she was institutionalized twice, for reasons that she couldn’t quite understand.