- newPecans found to improve cholesterol and boost heart health
A sweeping new scientific review suggests that pecans — America’s native nut — may pack more heart power than many people realize. After analyzing over 20 years of research, scientists found consistent evidence that eating pecans can improve key markers of cardiovascular health, including total cholesterol and “bad” LDL cholesterol, while also supporting antioxidant defenses.
- 21 hours ago 22 Feb 26, 7:22pm -
- newNew oxygen gel could prevent amputation in diabetic wound patients
Chronic wounds often spiral out of control because oxygen can’t reach the deepest layers of injured tissue. A new gel developed at UC Riverside delivers a continuous flow of oxygen right where it’s needed most, using a tiny battery-powered system. In high-risk mice, wounds healed in weeks instead of worsening. The innovation could dramatically reduce amputations—and may even open doors for lab-grown organs.
- 22 hours ago 22 Feb 26, 6:44pm -
- Flea and tick treatments for dogs and cats may be harming wildlife
Flea and tick medications trusted by pet owners worldwide may have an unexpected environmental cost. Scientists found that active ingredients from isoxazoline treatments pass into pet feces, exposing dung-feeding insects to toxic chemicals. These insects are essential for nutrient cycling and soil health. The findings suggest everyday pet treatments could ripple through ecosystems in surprising ways.
- 1 day ago 22 Feb 26, 11:54am -
- Frozen for 5,000 years, this ice cave bacterium resists modern antibiotics
Deep inside a Romanian ice cave, locked away in a 5,000-year-old layer of ice, scientists have uncovered a bacterium with a startling secret: it’s resistant to many modern antibiotics. Despite predating the antibiotic era, this cold-loving microbe carries more than 100 resistance-related genes and can survive drugs used today to treat serious infections like tuberculosis and UTIs.
- 1 day ago 22 Feb 26, 9:08am -
- “Celtic curse” hotspots found in Scotland and Ireland with 1 in 54 at risk
Researchers have mapped the genetic risk of hemochromatosis across the UK and Ireland for the first time, uncovering striking hotspots in north-west Ireland and the Outer Hebrides. In some regions, around one in 60 people carry the high-risk gene variant linked to iron overload. The condition can take decades to surface but may lead to liver cancer and arthritis if untreated.
- 2 days ago 21 Feb 26, 8:08pm -
- Scientists discover why high altitude protects against diabetes
Living at high altitude appears to protect against diabetes, and scientists have finally discovered the reason. When oxygen levels drop, red blood cells switch into a new metabolic mode and absorb large amounts of glucose from the blood. This helps the body cope with thin air while also reducing blood sugar levels. A drug that recreates this effect reversed diabetes in mice, hinting at a powerful new treatment strategy.
- 2 days ago 21 Feb 26, 7:13pm -
- Ultramarathons may damage red blood cells and accelerate aging
Running extreme distances may strain more than just muscles and joints. New research suggests ultramarathons can alter red blood cells in ways that make them less flexible and more prone to breakdown, potentially interfering with how they deliver oxygen throughout the body. Scientists found signs of both mechanical stress from intense blood flow and molecular damage linked to inflammation and oxidative stress.
- 2 days ago 21 Feb 26, 6:29pm -
- Generative AI analyzes medical data faster than human research teams
Researchers tested whether generative AI could handle complex medical datasets as well as human experts. In some cases, the AI matched or outperformed teams that had spent months building prediction models. By generating usable analytical code from precise prompts, the systems dramatically reduced the time needed to process health data. The findings hint at a future where AI helps scientists move faster from data to discovery.
- 2 days ago 21 Feb 26, 4:47pm -
- Common pneumonia bacterium may fuel Alzheimer’s disease
A common bacterium best known for causing pneumonia and sinus infections may also play a surprising role in Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that Chlamydia pneumoniae can invade the retina and brain, where it sparks inflammation, nerve cell death, and the buildup of amyloid-beta—the hallmark protein linked to Alzheimer’s. Higher levels of the bacterium were found in people with Alzheimer’s, especially those carrying the high-risk APOE4 gene, and were tied to more severe cognitive d…
- 2 days ago 21 Feb 26, 11:13am -
- Scientists reveal how exercise protects the brain from Alzheimer’s
Exercise may sharpen the mind by repairing the brain’s protective shield. Researchers found that physical activity prompts the liver to release an enzyme that removes a harmful protein causing the blood-brain barrier to become leaky with age. In older mice, dialing down this protein reduced inflammation and improved memory. The discovery points to a surprising body-to-brain pathway that could inspire new Alzheimer’s therapies.
- 3 days ago 20 Feb 26, 8:49pm -
- Scientists reveal why human language isn’t like computer code
Human language may seem messy and inefficient compared to the ultra-compact strings of ones and zeros used by computers—but our brains actually prefer it that way. New research reveals that while digital-style encoding could theoretically compress information more tightly, it would demand far more mental effort from both speaker and listener. Instead, language is built around familiar words and predictable patterns that reflect our real-world experiences, allowing the brain to constantly antic…
- 3 days ago 20 Feb 26, 7:53pm -
- Doctors implant dopamine-producing stem cells in Parkinson’s patients
A groundbreaking clinical trial is testing whether specially engineered stem cells can help the brain restore its own dopamine production in people with Parkinson’s disease. Because the condition is driven by the gradual loss of dopamine-producing cells—leading to tremors, stiffness, and slowed movement—researchers are implanting lab-grown cells directly into the brain’s movement center to replace what’s been lost.
- 3 days ago 20 Feb 26, 2:33pm -
- Air pollution linked to higher Alzheimer’s risk in 28 million older Americans
Breathing polluted air may do more than harm your lungs — it could also increase your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. In a sweeping study of nearly 28 million older Americans, researchers found that long term exposure to fine particle air pollution was linked to a higher likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s. The connection appeared to stem largely from pollution’s direct effects on the brain, rather than through related health conditions like hypertension or depression.
- 3 days ago 20 Feb 26, 12:17pm -
- Scientists find cancer-linked chemicals in popular hair extensions
A sweeping new study has uncovered a troubling mix of hazardous chemicals in popular hair extensions, including products made from human hair. Researchers detected dozens of substances linked to cancer, hormone disruption, reproductive harm, and immune system effects in nearly every sample tested. Some products contained flame retardants, organotins, and chemicals associated with increased breast cancer risk, and several exceeded European safety thresholds.
- 3 days ago 20 Feb 26, 10:01am -
- Scientists discover the body’s hidden “off switch” for inflammation
A new human study has uncovered how the body naturally turns off inflammation. Researchers found that fat-derived molecules called epoxy-oxylipins rein in immune cells that can otherwise drive chronic disease. Using a drug to boost these molecules reduced pain faster and lowered harmful inflammatory cells. The discovery could pave the way for safer treatments for arthritis, heart disease, and other inflammation-related conditions.
- 4 days ago 19 Feb 26, 8:46pm -