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Can diet influence thyroid disease? A major review points to Mediterranean-style eating

This review found that thyroid health depends on more than iodine alone, with selenium, iron, zinc, vitamins, omega-3s, and overall eating patterns all shaping thyroid function and autoimmunity. It also concluded that Mediterranean-style diets are linked to more favorable thyroid outcomes, while unnecessary restrictive diets offer little benefit without a clear medical indication.

7 Apr 2026

Waterfowl movement patterns influence spread of avian influenza outbreaks

The movement patterns of waterfowl, including ducks, swans and geese, may affect the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in bird populations, according to a new study from the University of Georgia.

7 Apr 2026

Navigated TMS significantly boosts combat PTSD recovery rates

An advanced version of a procedure using magnetic fields to stimulate brain nerve cells in treating depression was significantly effective for 85% of active military and veterans suffering from combat post-traumatic stress disorder enrolled in a recent study, when added to psychotherapy.

7 Apr 2026

WSU researchers use spice extracts to enhance medical bone implants

An extract of turmeric and ginger helps bone implants bond strongly while killing bacteria and cancer cells, according to new research from Washington State University with implications for millions of patients with joint replacements and bone cancer.

7 Apr 2026

Analysis reveals long-term male bias in European meat access

Access to nutritious food is a fundamental pillar of human success, but such access has been unequal throughout history. In pre-industrial European societies, meat was a highly sought-after food, and access to it was often related to a higher social status.

7 Apr 2026

Challenging processed meat risks for dry-cured ham consumption

The effects of dry-cured ham on cardiometabolic health are nuanced, with evidence suggesting it may not adversely affect key health markers in moderation.

7 Apr 2026

New technique can simultaneously treat lung cancer and muscle-wasting condition

Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a technique for simultaneously treating lung cancer and a serious muscle-wasting condition that often accompanies it.

6 Apr 2026

Immigrant seniors lose Medicare coverage despite paying for it

Rosa María Carranza leaned forward to hold a 3-year-old's back as the girl climbed a rock in the forested hills of northeast Oakland.

6 Apr 2026

Study reveals bile as reservoir for microplastics in humans

Plastic pollution has become one of the defining environmental issues of modern life, and microplastics are now known to enter the body through food, drink, and air.

6 Apr 2026

Pediatric experts say plain yogurt is safe from 6 months and belongs in a baby’s diet

An expert panel review says plain, whole yogurt with no added sugar or sweeteners can be introduced from 6 months as part of complementary feeding, provided it does not replace breast milk or infant formula as the main source of nutrition. It also explains that yogurt provides live microorganisms and key nutrients, is generally well tolerated, and helps address common myths about inflammation, mucus, acne, sugar, and safety.

2 Apr 2026

Salt-adding behavior varies by gender and lifestyle factors

Salt has been used as seasoning and food preservative for thousands of years, but having too much of it can lead to various diseases, including high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and kidney disease.

2 Apr 2026

High-dose flu shots inked to lower Alzheimer's dementia risk in older adults

A large US claims-based study found that adults aged 65 and older who received a high-dose flu vaccine had a lower observed risk of Alzheimer dementia than those who received a standard-dose vaccine, with the association lasting up to 25 months in per-protocol analyses and 28 months in intention-to-treat analyses. The signal appeared stronger and more sustained in women, though the authors stress that the findings are observational and need confirmation in longer prospective studies.

2 Apr 2026

Moderate wine intake tied to slower biological aging in men

Researchers studying 22,495 adults in Southern Italy found that men with moderate wine intake in the traditional Mediterranean diet range showed slightly slower biomarker-based biological aging, with the lowest estimated aging signal at about 170 mL per day. The study also found that overall ethanol intake did not show the same moderate-level pattern, and higher total alcohol intake was linked to faster biological aging in dose-response analyses.

2 Apr 2026

Researchers find 25 ways to rate meals and diets for both health and environmental impact

This systematic review identified 25 food-based indices, termed NECIs, that combine nutritional value and environmental impact to classify or rank meals and diets. It found wide methodological variation across 27 approaches, suggesting a need for more harmonized tools to support healthier and more sustainable food choices.

2 Apr 2026