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Prenatal acetaminophen linked to higher risk of autism and ADHD

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have found that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen may increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in children.

14 Aug 2025

Helping others regularly slows cognitive decline in older adults

In the latest evidence that meaningful social connections bolster health, a team from The University of Texas at Austin and University of Massachusetts Boston has found that regular time spent helping outside the home significantly slows cognitive decline in middle-age and older adults.

13 Aug 2025

Study identifies why stroke impairs ability to use word meanings in reading

A key discovery about the impact of stroke on a person's ability to read reveals why a deficit occurs – a finding that presents a possible opportunity for new therapeutic strategies to help people recover one of the most important life skills.

13 Aug 2025

Research shows GLP-1 drugs safeguard vision despite small retinopathy risk

A large study of over 185,000 adults with type 2 diabetes found that GLP-1 receptor agonist use was linked to a slight increase in new diabetic retinopathy cases but fewer severe eye complications, including a reduced risk of blindness. Patients with existing retinopathy on these drugs also needed fewer invasive eye treatments over two years.

13 Aug 2025

Microbes found to play a key role in shaping early brain development

New research from Michigan State University finds that microbes play an important role in shaping early brain development, specifically in a key brain region that controls stress, social behavior, and vital body functions.

13 Aug 2025

High-dose vitamin D in pregnancy likely cuts childhood wheeze risk, but infant supplements fall short

A Cochrane review of 18 randomized trials found that high-dose vitamin D during pregnancy likely reduces the risk of childhood wheeze, a key early symptom of asthma. However, vitamin D supplementation in infants and young children showed uncertain benefits for asthma prevention.

13 Aug 2025

Pregabalin raises heart failure risk in older adults compared to gabapentin, study finds

A large Medicare cohort study found that older adults prescribed pregabalin had a significantly higher risk of developing heart failure compared to those prescribed gabapentin. The elevated risk was most pronounced in individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular disease, especially women and White patients.

13 Aug 2025

Pandemic left measurable changes in teen brains, hormones, and immunity

Adolescents assessed after COVID-19 lockdowns showed lower daily cortisol, higher inflammation, and reduced prefrontal cortex activity compared to matched pre-pandemic peers, suggesting widespread stress-related biological changes. These alterations mirror patterns seen after prolonged early-life stress, raising concerns about long-term health risks.

13 Aug 2025

Curcumin activates SIRT3 to protect bone structure in diabetic mice

In a new Scientific Reports study, curcumin protected bone-forming cells from high-glucose damage by activating the SIRT3/FoxO3a/NRF2 antioxidant pathway and restoring mitochondrial health. In diabetic mice, curcumin improved bone density and oxidative balance, highlighting its potential in osteoporosis prevention.

13 Aug 2025

Disrupting dopamine pathway stops threadworms from burrowing into the skin

Threadworms, which are a type of parasitic nematode, spend a lot of time crawling around on human skin, poking and prodding to find the best place for entry before burrowing in.

13 Aug 2025

Clinicians more likely to express doubt in medical records of Black patients

Clinicians are more likely to indicate doubt or disbelief in the medical records of Black patients than in those of White patients-a pattern that could contribute to ongoing racial disparities in healthcare.

13 Aug 2025

New research sheds light on what makes the human brain unique

Research from scientists at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have shed new light on an age-old question: what makes the human brain unique?

13 Aug 2025

Extreme heat and humidity greatly increase heart emergency risk

Extreme heat can be hard on your heart. As temperatures rise, the heart pumps faster to move blood toward the skin to cool the body.

13 Aug 2025

New mouse model reveals key role of osteocytes in osteogenesis imperfecta

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) refers to a group of rare genetic bone disorders that results in the formation of fragile bones. In patients with OI, the matrix that makes up the bone has been found to be abnormal, leading to an increased risk of fractures.

13 Aug 2025

Leading organizations announce research initiative to uncover why ALS affects high-performing populations

Answer ALS, in collaboration with ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) and Augie's Quest, today announced plans to launch Champion Insights, an ambitious research initiative designed to uncover critical genetic and metabolic mechanisms that may explain the significantly higher incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) among endurance athletes, military service members, and potentially other high-performing populations.

13 Aug 2025

Primary care could help meet growing needs of cancer survivors

Thanks to new advances in cancer care, more and more people are surviving cancer, with a projected total of 22.5 million survivors by 2032.

13 Aug 2025

Low screening rates linked to higher cervical cancer deaths in rural counties

Women in counties with repeatedly lower cervical cancer screening rates suffer nearly double the rate of cervical cancer diagnoses, particularly of late-stage disease, and death from cervical cancer, according to a new analysis from researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center.

13 Aug 2025

Study identifies a promising new strategy for treating alcohol use disorder

Researchers have identified a promising new strategy for treating alcohol use disorder (AUD). A novel study found that the dopamine-boosting drug tolcapone increases activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during self-control tasks.

13 Aug 2025

Quitting smoking linked to better recovery from drug and alcohol addiction

Adults who smoke cigarettes and are addicted to alcohol or other drugs were more likely to achieve sustained remission of their substance use disorder symptoms if they also quit smoking, according to scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). `

13 Aug 2025