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Getting active in midlife may boost brain resilience to Alzheimer’s

In cognitively healthy middle-aged adults at risk for Alzheimer’s disease, becoming physically active, especially in line with WHO guidelines, was linked to lower brain amyloid burden. Remaining sedentary was associated with reduced cortical thickness in brain regions vulnerable to AD.

1 May 2025

What predicts belief in the afterlife? A massive global study has answers

A large global study of over 202,000 adults in 22 countries found that belief in an afterlife is shaped not only by religious exposure in childhood, but also by early emotional and familial experiences. Weekly religious attendance at age 12 was the strongest and most consistent predictor of adult afterlife belief.

1 May 2025

Retinal exams show promise for early detection of Parkinson's disease

Could it be possible to diagnose Parkinson's disease with the help of a simple retinal exam? The idea should be seriously considered, according to a study published in the May issue of Neurobiology of Disease by researchers from Université Laval who discovered that the retina of people with Parkinson's disease responds differently to light stimuli than that of healthy people.

1 May 2025

Exploring the relationship between mitochondrial quality control mechanisms and atherosclerosis

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. Mitochondrial quality control (MQC) mechanisms - including biogenesis, dynamics, mitophagy, proteostasis, the unfolded protein response, and mitochondrial-derived vesicles - play critical roles in the development of atherosclerosis.

1 May 2025

COVID-19 restrictions linked to better birth timing but worse mental health

A global review reveals that while lockdowns helped reduce early births in some regions, they also worsened maternal mental health, highlighting the need for more tailored support during future health crises.

1 May 2025

Egg white proteins show promise in naturally lowering blood pressure

Hypertension is a major public health concern, affecting millions worldwide and increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.

1 May 2025

Study finds key genetic differences between male and female placentas

The genes of male and female placentas have marked differences in how they are expressed, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other institutions.

1 May 2025

Caffeine increases brain complexity during sleep and shifts it toward a critical state

Caffeine shifts brain activity during sleep by increasing EEG complexity and reducing long-range temporal correlations, particularly in non-REM (NREM) sleep. These changes reflect a movement toward a “critical regime” of neural processing, more pronounced in younger adults.

1 May 2025

Childhood health and family ties boost adult optimism, study finds

A large international study of 203,000 adults across 22 countries found that early-life experiences—such as childhood health, family relationships, and religious upbringing—significantly shape levels of optimism in adulthood. Cultural context also influenced whether factors like parental divorce had negative or positive effects.

1 May 2025

How much ultra-processed food is too much? This study has the answer

A meta-analysis across eight countries found that every 10% increase in ultra-processed food (UPF) intake was linked to a 2.7% rise in all-cause mortality. The study estimates up to 124,000 premature deaths annually in the U.S. alone may be attributable to high UPF consumption.

1 May 2025

TDP-43 dysfunction in brain blood vessels may drive Alzheimer's and ALS progression

Reduced levels of a critical protein are linked to devastating brain diseases like Alzheimer's, frontotemporal dementia, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Surprisingly, the protein shortage primarily affects the brain's blood vessels.

30 Apr 2025

Researchers identify blood biomarkers linked to Long COVID symptoms

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified biomarkers in the blood associated with symptoms of long COVID, particularly severe respiratory disorders.

30 Apr 2025

Researchers tie childhood vitamin D shortfalls to adult heart disease

Low childhood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were linked to a significantly higher risk of early adult-onset atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The association remained even after accounting for conventional childhood risk factors and persisted across multiple analyses.

30 Apr 2025

Study links impaired synaptic pruning to autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition in which affected individuals experience difficulties in social communication and exhibit restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior or interests.

30 Apr 2025

Clusterin identified as key marker for aging in blood stem cells

In recent years, there has been a growing trend of an aging patient population and an increasing prevalence of age-associated diseases, underscoring the need for advancing research into the biological mechanisms of aging.

30 Apr 2025

High fructose diets impair brain function and appetite control, study shows

Review highlights how excessive fructose intake disrupts brain energy balance, appetite regulation, and cognitive function. Processed sources, such as sugary drinks, may overwhelm metabolic pathways and induce neuroinflammation, particularly during adolescence.

30 Apr 2025

What’s missing in plant-based nutrition research? A new review explains

A new scoping review reveals major inconsistencies in how plant-based diet diversity is defined, measured, and linked to health outcomes in high-income countries. The findings highlight a critical need for standard definitions and validated assessment tools in future research.

30 Apr 2025

NR2F1 promotes cataract formation by activating STAT3 pathway

Cataracts are a prevalent ocular condition characterized by a progressive decline in vision, ultimately leading to blindness.

30 Apr 2025

Extreme temperatures drive people toward high-fat diets, study finds

Short-term exposure to extreme temperatures alters dietary patterns by increasing fat intake, even when total calorie consumption remains stable. This shift, driven by physiological appetite regulation, raises the risk of high-fat diets and diet-related diseases, especially among vulnerable groups.

30 Apr 2025

New protein target offers hope for treating high blood pressure and aortic aneurysms

Oxidative stress can occur when our cells are exposed to harmful molecules called "reactive oxygen species" over time. These reactive oxygen species can damage cells and are found in important disease states, such as high blood pressure and aortic aneurysms.

30 Apr 2025