The Abstract

Running and jogging are one of the most popular sports worldwide. Characterized simply as the aerial phase in which all feet are above the ground, an average of almost 60 million people run or jog yearly according to Statista. Now, one of the most important studies on the human foot explains the science behind the spring in our step, and what we need to keep up the pace.

Our first story fuels the ongoing debate over whether sports drinks and electrolyte supplements are overhyped for their ability to give athletes their edge. One study found that they don't do as much as we thought. Find out what you need to know about the best way runners can take care of their health -- and why experts say to reach for a bag of potato chips instead of a Gatorade.

Our second story explains why you’re able to run in the first place -- because of the transverse tarsal arch. We learn what makes our feet so uniquely human in what scientists are calling one of the most important studies on the foot.

Read more at: inverse.com/the-abstract

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Research says Americans have evolved to become more sedentary, with estimates suggesting we spend about 6.4 hours each day sitting. As we look to ramp up our metabolism, supplements known as “skinny drops" have grown increasingly popular on YouTube and TikTok. But if human beings evolved to chill, are “metabolism boosters” the answer to better health?

Our first story is about “metabolism drops,” the weight loss supplements that have gained popularity on the social web, an ecosystem that makes deceptive marketing easier than ever. But there’s no two ways about it: It’s very, very hard to gauge which health products are legit -- and which are scams. But “skinny drops” -- which are little dropper bottles that claim to “detox your body and promote weight loss,” remain totally unregulated because they are classified as dietary supplements, which fall under a different set of rules than food or drugs, according to a federal law passed in 1994. So it comes down to this: while metabolism is a buzzword in the murky world of wellness, the science behind so-called weight loss hacks is only a drop in the bucket.

Our second story digs deeper into the human evolution of physical activity. By examining the sedentary habits of the Hazda, a present-day hunter-gatherer society in Tanzania, researchers suggest that our true nature is to sit for prolonged periods of time. But while exercise and movement is beneficial to our health, it turns out relaxing isn't actually so bad -- we're just doing it wrong. 

Read more at: inverse.com/the-abstract

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Emerging science and technological advancements continue to change how we think about life itself. And as it turns out, how we think about death. First, a look at how TikTok, the app best-known for looping videos of dancing celebrities and teenagers, became home to an account that has more than 4.5 million followers — and human cadavers are the stars. Plus, a funeral concept is becoming increasingly accepted as a green alternative to traditional rites: human composting. Inverse’s Emma Betuel and Claire Cameron explain how science is altering our understanding of death.

Read more at inverse.com/the-abstract

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