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Exercise benefits mental health, so why is the genetic evidence so mixed?

A systematic review of 61 Mendelian randomization studies found limited and inconsistent genetic evidence that general physical activity causally improves mental health or cognitive outcomes; 30 studies reported only null or directionally opposite findings. More consistent evidence emerged for aerobic exercise and reduced depression risk, and for physical fitness traits, particularly muscle strength and muscle mass, in relation to better mental and cognitive health, although methodological limitations prevent definitive causal conclusions.

11 Nov 2026

The way food feels in your mouth could change how much you eat

A scientific review examines how food texture and mouthfeel interact with oral sensory receptors, saliva, and brain pathways to influence food preferences, eating speed, appetite, and fullness. The authors suggest that understanding these mechanisms could help develop healthier, more satisfying foods, although their long-term effects on metabolic health require further investigation.

11 Nov 2026

Exercise benefits people with chronic disease, but does the type matter?

A meta-analysis of 48 studies found that physical activity improved several chronic disease-related health indicators, particularly blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiorespiratory fitness, with significant benefits among people with hypertension and diabetes. Aerobic exercise had the strongest statistical evidence in the primary analysis, but no exercise type proved superior, and substantial variation between studies limited the certainty of the findings.

11 Nov 2026

Ice massage, massage guns or rest? Runners tried three ways to recover

In a randomized trial of 80 recreational runners, repeated ice massage, percussive massage, and combined treatment improved reactive strength, reduced muscle soreness, and produced greater reductions in calf and Achilles tendon stiffness over 72 hours than passive rest. Combined treatment produced the largest improvement in reactive strength, although its advantage over individual treatments was based on exploratory comparisons, and none of the interventions showed a sustained benefit for the biochemical marker LDH.

11 Nov 2026

Prenatal cannabis use disorder linked to higher postpartum psychiatric emergency visits

Women diagnosed with cannabis use disorder during pregnancy were more likely to end up in an emergency room for a psychiatric problem in the year after giving birth, according to a study of more than 2 million California deliveries.

11 Nov 2026

Breakthrough RNA blood test identifies hidden ovarian cancer warning signs

Hoag researchers announced a first in the world discovery of a molecular warning signal in the blood that identifies serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC), an early, precancerous stage of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC).

11 Nov 2026

Chemotherapy may accelerate biological aging in breast cancer survivors

Chemotherapy helps many women survive breast cancer, but new research suggests that chemotherapy may also accelerate biological aging beyond chronological age and increase the risk of earlier death from other causes.

10 Nov 2026

PMDD symptoms follow three distinct patterns, study finds

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a common mood disorder associated with the menstrual cycle. A new study published in Nature Communications shows that PMDD does not follow any universal pattern, and that there are three subtypes with different patterns of symptoms.

10 Nov 2026

Not all narcissism is alike. A study of 1,524 students reveals why that matters

Two studies involving 1,524 German university students found that narcissistic rivalry was associated with poorer psychological well-being, greater self-doubt, and lower academic satisfaction, while narcissistic admiration was associated with higher life satisfaction and better mood. Admiration also showed selective positive associations with academic satisfaction, particularly study content, although the cross-sectional findings cannot establish cause and effect.

10 Nov 2026

Scientists scanned people's brains before and after 45 days of yoga. Here's what changed

In a randomized controlled trial involving 139 healthy adults, 45 days of a standardized yoga program improved mood, self-reported sleep quality, and selected short-term memory measures compared with a waitlist control group. Brain scans from 43 participants also revealed changes in functional connectivity across networks involved in movement, attention, language, and cognitive processing, although the long-term significance remains uncertain

10 Nov 2026

Eating too much ultra-processed food? A study links it to worse PMS symptoms

A cross-sectional study of 607 young adult women in Turkey found that higher ultra-processed food consumption scores were associated with more severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms, while non-judgmental and non-reactive mindful eating behaviors were linked to lower symptom severity. Mediterranean diet adherence was not independently associated with PMS severity, and the researchers cautioned that the findings cannot establish cause and effect.

10 Nov 2026

Could eating more mushrooms help protect your brain as you age?

A review of existing research suggests that ergothioneine, a natural antioxidant found primarily in mushrooms, may protect brain cells against oxidative stress, inflammation, and damage associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Although laboratory and animal studies show promising neuroprotective effects, human evidence remains limited, and larger clinical trials are needed to determine whether supplementation can prevent or slow neurodegeneration.

10 Nov 2026

Artery scans detect “silent atherosclerosis” in 1 in 13 adults under 30

Researchers studying 16,808 adults aged 18 to 70 found that silent atherosclerosis was detectable in early adulthood, with plaque present in 57.1% of those who completed imaging across three arterial territories. Plaque prevalence and burden were higher in older age groups, with men showing earlier evidence of disease than women, while conventional cardiovascular risk scores identified relatively few people with existing plaque.

10 Nov 2026

Your Instagram photos may reveal more about loneliness than you think

Researchers analyzing Instagram data from 415 US college students found that photographs, language, and online activity provided moderately useful indicators of subjective loneliness but were less informative about social isolation. Social loneliness was associated with lower interpersonal engagement, while emotional loneliness was linked to negative language, sad or angry facial expressions in profile photographs, and late-night posting.

9 Nov 2026

Drinking 2–3 cups of coffee a day? A study of 495,000 adults links it to lower AF risk

In a prospective study of 495,269 UK Biobank participants followed for approximately 13 years, researchers found that coffee consumption was associated with a 7% to 11% lower risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), with the strongest association observed at 2–3 cups daily. Tea consumption showed a more modest and less consistent association, with the authors reporting a 5% lower AF risk at 2–3 cups daily, although the observational findings cannot establish causation.

9 Nov 2026

Animal study raises questions about semaglutide safety during pregnancy

They're the blockbuster drugs transforming weight loss, helping millions of people to shed unwanted kilos.

9 Nov 2026

Breast milk contains urea. Researchers think it may play an unexpected role

Researchers found that urea concentrations in breast milk change during lactation, with evidence suggesting that the mammary gland regulates its transport independently of measured maternal dietary and blood urea levels. Laboratory experiments showed that different urea concentrations favored the growth of different bacterial strains, suggesting a possible role in shaping the infant gut microbiome and raising questions about the composition of infant formula.

9 Nov 2026

Could a single brain scan reveal how quickly your body is aging?

Researchers examined whether DunedinPACNI, an MRI-derived measure of brain aging, was associated with blood-based indicators of biological aging in 746 adults across two independent midlife cohorts. Faster DunedinPACNI was associated with higher levels of multisystem biological aging in both cohorts and greater changes in aging-related blood biomarkers over 7–15 years in a longitudinal subgroup of 224 participants.

9 Nov 2026

Exercise, diet or stress? One lifestyle habit stood out in a heart disease study

A hospital-based case-control study involving 495 adults in Iran found that higher healthy lifestyle scores were associated with lower odds of cardiovascular disease, even after adjustment for demographic and socioeconomic factors. Physical activity and recreation showed the strongest numerical association per questionnaire point, although the observational design could not establish whether healthier habits prevented cardiovascular disease.

8 Nov 2026

Can Instagram-worthy healthy food compete with tempting fast food photos?

In a study of 203 Indian adolescents, researchers found that visually appealing Instagram images of healthy foods were significantly associated with a greater willingness to eat them, particularly for millet and pulse dishes. Although participants reported generally favorable attitudes and intentions toward healthy foods, most changes in eating behavior were not statistically significant, and nutritional captions provided no measurable additional benefit.

8 Nov 2026