- newMyth busted: Your body isn’t canceling out your workout
Being active boosts your daily calorie burn more than previously thought. Researchers found that increased physical activity raises total energy use without triggering the body to conserve energy elsewhere. Basic functions keep running at full speed, even as movement increases. The result: exercise truly adds to your energy output rather than being metabolically “offset.”
- 5 hours ago 2 Jan 26, 2:18am -
- newA key Alzheimer’s gene emerges in African American brain study
Scientists studying Alzheimer’s in African Americans have uncovered a striking genetic clue that may cut across racial lines. In brain tissue from more than 200 donors, the gene ADAMTS2 was significantly more active in people with Alzheimer’s than in those without it. Even more surprising, this same gene topped the list in an independent study of White individuals. The discovery hints at a common biological pathway behind Alzheimer’s and opens the door to new treatment strategies.
- 9 hours ago 1 Jan 26, 9:53pm -
- newThis 100-year-old teaching method is beating modern preschools
A first-of-its-kind national trial shows that public Montessori preschool students enter kindergarten with stronger reading, memory, and executive function skills than their peers. These gains don’t fade — they grow over time, bucking a long-standing trend in early education research. Even better, Montessori programs cost about $13,000 less per child than traditional preschool. The results suggest a powerful, affordable model hiding in plain sight.
- 13 hours ago 1 Jan 26, 6:10pm -
- newMIT study shows high-fat diets give liver cancer a dangerous head start
A high-fat diet does more than overload the liver with fat. New research from MIT shows that prolonged exposure to fatty foods can push liver cells into a survival mode that quietly raises the risk of cancer. Faced with ongoing metabolic stress, these cells abandon their normal roles and revert to a more primitive state that helps them endure harsh conditions. Over time, that shift leaves the liver less functional and far more vulnerable to tumor formation, helping explain why fatty liver diseas…
- 22 hours ago 1 Jan 26, 9:19am -
- newNearly 70% of U.S. adults could now be classified as obese
A major update to how obesity is defined could push U.S. obesity rates to nearly 70%, according to a large new study. The change comes from adding waist and body fat measurements to BMI, capturing people who were previously considered healthy. Many of these newly included individuals face higher risks of diabetes and heart disease. The findings suggest that where fat is stored may be just as important as overall weight.
- 22 hours ago 1 Jan 26, 8:53am -
- Researchers find ADHD strengths linked to better mental health
New research reveals a brighter side of ADHD, showing that adults who recognize and use their strengths feel happier, healthier, and less stressed. People with ADHD were more likely to identify traits like creativity, humor, and hyperfocus as personal strengths. Across the board, using these strengths was linked to better quality of life and fewer mental health symptoms. The study suggests that embracing strengths could be a game-changer for ADHD support.
- 1 day ago 31 Dec 25, 9:21pm -
- Microplastics are leaking invisible chemical clouds into water
Microplastics in rivers, lakes, and oceans aren’t just drifting debris—they’re constantly leaking invisible clouds of chemicals into the water. New research shows that sunlight drives this process, causing different plastics to release distinct and evolving mixtures of dissolved organic compounds as they weather. These chemical plumes are surprisingly complex, often richer and more biologically active than natural organic matter, and include additives, broken polymer fragments, and oxidize…
- 1 day ago 31 Dec 25, 9:17pm -
- Even one drink a day may raise mouth cancer risk
New research suggests that even light alcohol use may carry serious risks. A large study in India found that drinking just one standard drink a day is linked to a roughly 50% higher risk of mouth cancer, with the greatest danger tied to locally brewed alcohol. When alcohol use overlaps with chewing tobacco, the effect becomes especially severe, potentially explaining nearly two-thirds of all cases nationwide.
- 2 days ago 31 Dec 25, 7:28am -
- What cannabis really does for chronic pain
Cannabis products with higher THC levels may slightly reduce chronic pain, particularly nerve pain, according to a review of multiple clinical trials. The improvement was small and short-lived, while side effects were more common. Products with little or no THC, including CBD-only formulations, showed no clear benefit. Researchers say more long-term studies are needed.
- 2 days ago 31 Dec 25, 7:14am -
- Swearing may unlock hidden strength, study finds
Letting a swear word fly when you’re struggling might do more than blow off steam—it could actually make you stronger. Research published by the American Psychological Association found that people who swear during physical challenges can push themselves harder and last longer. The boost seems to come from swearing’s ability to lower inhibitions, increase confidence, and help people slip into a focused “flow” state.
- 2 days ago 31 Dec 25, 6:27am -
- Where you live may be fueling aggressive breast cancer
New research shows that women living near Superfund sites are more likely to develop aggressive and metastatic breast cancers. The studies found higher risks for hard-to-treat subtypes like triple-negative breast cancer, especially in areas with greater air pollution. Scientists also discovered molecular tumor changes linked to neighborhood deprivation. The findings point to environmental exposure and social conditions as key factors shaping cancer outcomes.
- 2 days ago 31 Dec 25, 3:26am -
- MIT scientists find a way to rejuvenate the immune system as we age
As the immune system weakens with age, scientists have found a way to restore some of its lost strength. By delivering mRNA to the liver, they created a temporary source of immune-boosting signals that normally come from the thymus. Older mice treated this way produced more effective T cells and responded far better to vaccines and cancer treatments. The strategy could one day help extend healthy years of life.
- 3 days ago 30 Dec 25, 4:10am -
- The brain has a hidden language and scientists just found it
Researchers have created a protein that can detect the faint chemical signals neurons receive from other brain cells. By tracking glutamate in real time, scientists can finally see how neurons process incoming information before sending signals onward. This reveals a missing layer of brain communication that has been invisible until now. The discovery could reshape how scientists study learning, memory, and brain disease.
- 3 days ago 30 Dec 25, 3:35am -
- After the LA fires hospitals saw a sudden surge in illness
After the January 2025 LA wildfires, hospitals recorded a surge in serious health problems. Emergency visits for heart attacks, lung illness, and general sickness rose sharply in the following three months. Researchers believe fine particles from wildfire smoke, along with stress, may have triggered these effects. Unusual blood test changes point to hidden health impacts that lingered well beyond the fires themselves.
- 3 days ago 30 Dec 25, 3:18am -
- Mini brains reveal clear brain signals of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
Tiny lab-grown brains are offering an unprecedented look at how schizophrenia and bipolar disorder disrupt neural activity. Researchers found distinct electrical firing patterns that could identify these conditions with high accuracy. The discovery opens the door to more precise diagnoses and personalized drug testing. Instead of guessing medications, doctors may one day see what works before treating the patient.
- 5 days ago 28 Dec 25, 6:14pm -