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Gut bacteria patterns differ in autism and siblings and link to social symptoms

This sibling-controlled East Asian study found that autistic individuals, their unaffected siblings, and typically developing controls differ in gut microbiota diversity and composition, with the clearest separation between autism and typical development. Specific taxa, particularly the butyrate-producing genus Anaerostipes, were modestly associated with social communication and internalising symptoms, supporting a gut–behaviour link without implying causality.

15 Dec 2025

COVID 19 vaccination protects pregnant people and their babies

Pregnant people who received a COVID-19 vaccine were far less likely to experience severe illness or deliver their babies prematurely, according to a major new UBC-led study published in JAMA.

15 Dec 2025

Half of hospitalized COVID-19 patients developed long COVID

Research from Thailand shows high long COVID prevalence in hospitalized patients, with severe illness increasing risk and vaccination offering protection.

15 Dec 2025

A new trial investigates whether the MIND diet can be scaled for obesity management

This study protocol outlines a 12-week randomized trial testing whether a MIND diet intervention is feasible, acceptable, and sustainable for adults with obesity in Sweden. It will generate preliminary evidence on adherence, mental well-being, and gut microbiota changes to inform larger efficacy trials.

14 Dec 2025

Swapping high-carb snacks for tree nuts cuts food cravings in young adults at metabolic risk

Daily replacement of typical high-carbohydrate snacks with mixed tree nuts for 16 weeks reduced cravings for sweets and fast foods in young adults with early metabolic syndrome risk. This dietary swap improved overall diet quality, measured by the Healthy Eating Index, without increasing body weight or altering short-term glycaemic markers.

14 Dec 2025

Plant-based diets support healthy growth when properly planned for children

Vegetarian and vegan diets can support healthy growth when carefully planned with appropriate supplementation, finds a major new meta-analysis – the most comprehensive study to-date of plant-based diets in children.

12 Dec 2025

Increased epicardial fat volume linked to greater myocardial injury after infarction

Increased volume of epicardial adipose tissue, detected by cardiovascular imaging, was found to be associated with greater myocardial injury after a myocardial infarction.

12 Dec 2025

Teenagers with body image issues may develop eating disorders and depression later

Teenagers who are unhappy with their bodies are more likely to develop symptoms of eating disorders and depression in early adulthood, according to a new study led by UCL researchers.

11 Dec 2025

Early warning for diabetes: AI model identifies prediabetes risk with high accuracy

A Scientific Reports study developed a pattern neural network that integrates total antioxidant status with clinical and metabolic markers to predict prediabetes in Indian adults. The model achieved very high accuracy and highlighted oxidative stress and waist circumference as key predictors, supporting earlier detection before progression to type 2 diabetes.

10 Dec 2025

National study maps where food additives come from in children’s and adults’ diets

By analysing nationally representative diet data, researchers show that food additives rarely occur alone, with children and teenagers experiencing the highest exposure to complex additive mixtures largely driven by ultra-processed foods.

9 Dec 2025

Supportive marriages may shape appetite control through oxytocin and the brain–gut axis

Supportive marital relationships are associated with lower BMI, fewer food addiction symptoms, higher oxytocin, stronger frontal brain responses to food cues, and favorable gut tryptophan metabolites. These coordinated social, neural, hormonal, and gut pathways suggest a plausible biological link between emotional support and healthier eating regulation.

8 Dec 2025

Smoking fewer cigarettes does not eliminate cardiovascular disease risk

In a study funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, new research from Johns Hopkins Medicine adds to existing evidence that smoking fewer cigarettes does not eliminate cardiovascular disease risk, and quitting entirely is the most effective strategy for improving health.

5 Dec 2025

Emotional support in marriage associated with lower BMI and fewer food cravings

Strong social relationships, particularly high-quality marriages, may help protect against obesity by influencing a complex communication system between the brain and gut, according to new research by UCLA Health.

4 Dec 2025

Where you live affects your weight more than you think

Findings reveal a strong link between location and Body Mass Index, emphasizing the need for policies addressing food environments and health disparities.

4 Dec 2025

Preloading Instacart online grocery carts with healthy ingredients could help improve the diets of families

University at Buffalo researchers have shown that preloading Instacart online grocery carts with healthy ingredients could be a useful tool for improving the diets of families with young kids at risk for obesity.

4 Dec 2025

11 genetic loci that shape impulsive decision-making

Researchers identify distinct genetic loci involved in delay discounting and how these variants are involved in physical and psychiatric health outcomes.

3 Dec 2025

Alzheimer's disease blood biomarkers increase up to 95% faster in obese individuals

Researchers have conducted the first study evaluating the impact of obesity on Alzheimer's disease blood biomarkers (BBMs).

2 Dec 2025

Study finds measurable influence of living environment on body weight

A Curtin University-led study has found that where Australians live has a measurable influence on their body weight, with local food environments and neighbourhood design playing a big part in shaping health outcomes.

2 Dec 2025

WHO releases first guideline on the use of GLP-1 therapies for treating obesity

To address the growing global health challenge of obesity, which affects more than 1 billion people, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first guideline on the use of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) therapies for treating obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease.

2 Dec 2025

Older women with comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea show worse memory performance

New research among older adults with sleep apnea reveals that verbal memory performance is significantly worse in women - but not in men - who also have insomnia.

1 Dec 2025

Body Mass Index News and Research

Gut bacteria patterns differ in autism and siblings and link to social symptoms

COVID 19 vaccination protects pregnant people and their babies

Half of hospitalized COVID-19 patients developed long COVID

A new trial investigates whether the MIND diet can be scaled for obesity management

Swapping high-carb snacks for tree nuts cuts food cravings in young adults at metabolic risk

Plant-based diets support healthy growth when properly planned for children

Increased epicardial fat volume linked to greater myocardial injury after infarction

Teenagers with body image issues may develop eating disorders and depression later

Early warning for diabetes: AI model identifies prediabetes risk with high accuracy

National study maps where food additives come from in children’s and adults’ diets

Supportive marriages may shape appetite control through oxytocin and the brain–gut axis

Smoking fewer cigarettes does not eliminate cardiovascular disease risk

Emotional support in marriage associated with lower BMI and fewer food cravings

Where you live affects your weight more than you think

Preloading Instacart online grocery carts with healthy ingredients could help improve the diets of families

11 genetic loci that shape impulsive decision-making

Alzheimer's disease blood biomarkers increase up to 95% faster in obese individuals

Study finds measurable influence of living environment on body weight

WHO releases first guideline on the use of GLP-1 therapies for treating obesity

Older women with comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea show worse memory performance

Improving healthcare sustainability through carbon data

Managing vibration in IVF laboratories

A New Approach to Preventing Bladder Cancer Recurrence

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