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Air pollution’s chemical punch alters immune markers in pregnant women, study finds

Personal exposure to nitrogen dioxide and the oxidative potential of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), but not PM2.5 mass, influenced immune biomarker levels in pregnant women. These findings suggest that the chemical reactivity of air pollutants may play a key role in maternal and fetal immune health.

22 May 2025

Social connection remains an overlooked health factor, research shows

Research confirms that social isolation and loneliness significantly impact health and mortality, even if not listed on death certificates.

22 May 2025

Early childhood weight patterns linked to future obesity risk

Not all children grow the same way. A new study from the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program suggests that body weight changes in early childhood may be associated with later obesity risk.

22 May 2025

Unlocking the secrets of human longevity and healthy aging

Human healthy aging and longevity are complex phenomena influenced by a dynamic interplay of genetic, epigenetic, metabolic, immune, and environmental factors.

22 May 2025

Blood and urine tests reveal how much ultra-processed food you really eat, study finds

Researchers developed and validated blood and urine metabolite scores that objectively measure ultra-processed food (UPF) intake in adults. These biomarker profiles accurately distinguished between high- and low-UPF diets and may transform nutrition research and public health monitoring.

21 May 2025

Uniform vape designs could decrease appeal among young non-smokers

Standardizing the color and branding of disposable vaping devices may deter young people who have never smoked or vaped from trying them in the first place, suggests a comparative study, published online in the journal Tobacco Control.

21 May 2025

Depression and loneliness predict future chronic pain in older adults

Researchers tracked more than 7,000 older adults in England and found that loneliness and depression increased years before the onset of chronic pain, and remained elevated long after pain began. Social isolation also rose with age, but differences between those with and without pain were minimal.

21 May 2025

Majority of U.S. workers report stress linked to job insecurity

A majority of U.S. workers (54%) said job insecurity has had a significant impact on their stress levels at work, and more than a third (39%) said they are concerned they may lose their job in the next 12 months due to changes in government policies, according to the American Psychological Association's 2025 Work in America survey.

21 May 2025

BMI changes in adolescence mediate the effect of air pollution on metabolic health

Changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) during adolescence play an important role in the association between air pollution exposure and insulin resistance, according to a new study led by investigators from the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

20 May 2025

Combined oral contraceptive use associated with threefold increase in stroke risk in young women

New research presented today at the European Stroke Organisation Conference (ESOC) 2025 revealed that the use of combined oral contraceptives (OCs) is associated with a threefold increase in the risk of cryptogenic ischaemic stroke (CIS) in young women.

20 May 2025

Pod-style electronic cigarettes found to be more addictive than nicotine gum

A new paper in Nicotine and Tobacco Research, published by Oxford University Press, finds that today's pod-style electronic cigarette devices are more addictive than nicotine gum, indicating that such devices have a very high potential for abuse.

20 May 2025

Air pollution fuels artery damage and accelerates heart disease, review finds

Researchers reviewed how air pollution, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5), drives the development and worsening of atherosclerosis, a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes. Their findings highlight robust links between air pollution exposure, early artery changes, and underlying biological mechanisms fueling cardiovascular risk.

19 May 2025

WHO honors tobacco control champions across the Americas

Researchers, activists, civil society organizations, and journalism organizations from Canada, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, the United States, and Uruguay, as well as government agencies from Brazil, have been recognized with World Health Organization (WHO) World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) 2025 Awards at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland today.

19 May 2025

Controlling key health risk factors can eliminate early death risk from high blood pressure

A new study led by researchers at Tulane University suggests that people with high blood pressure can significantly reduce - and possibly eliminate - their increased risk of premature death by controlling several key health risk factors at once.

19 May 2025

Higher McCance Brain Care Score linked to lower stroke risk in women

Women with a higher McCance Brain Care Score (BCS) – a score that measures physical, lifestyle, and social-emotional factors – have a lower risk of experiencing a stroke or other cerebrovascular event reducing blood flow to the brain, according to a new study conducted by experts from Mass General Brigham.

19 May 2025

New evidence ties ADHD traits to lower activity and higher smoking rates

Young adults with higher ADHD symptoms are more likely to avoid physical effort, smoke, and lead sedentary lifestyles. The study highlights the complex links between ADHD, motivation, and health-related behaviours.

19 May 2025

Study reveals high rates of cannabis use disorder in older US veterans

A large national study of U.S. veterans aged 65–84 found that 10.3% reported cannabis use in the past 30 days, with over one-third of these meeting criteria for cannabis use disorder. Frequent use and inhaled forms of cannabis sharply increased the risk.

19 May 2025

Study shows how lung capacity evolves from childhood to old age

A study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by "la Caixa" Foundation, in collaboration with the Clínic-IDIBAPS, has shown for the first time, how lung capacity evolves from childhood to old age.

15 May 2025

US hospitals see rising complications in patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy

A large US study found that takotsubo cardiomyopathy is associated with high in-hospital mortality and serious cardiovascular complications, with no improvements in outcomes over five years. Mortality is more than double in men compared to women, and risk factors include age, race, and hospital characteristics.

15 May 2025

Lower fitness before infection raises risk of long COVID, study finds

Adults who later developed long COVID had lower cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) before infection than those who did not. COVID-19 was not linked to accelerated or clinically significant declines in CRF, even among long COVID cases.

15 May 2025