This brain scan sees Alzheimer’s coming—but only in some brains

USC researchers have found a promising new brain scan marker that could better detect Alzheimer’s risk — but only for some. The tau-based benchmark works in Hispanic and White populations when paired with another Alzheimer’s protein, amyloid, but falls short for Black participants, revealing critical gaps in current diagnostics.

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Why asthma often comes back—even with powerful drugs

Biological drugs have been a game-changer for people with severe asthma, helping them breathe easier and live more comfortably. But researchers at Karolinska Institutet have uncovered a surprising twist: while these treatments ease symptoms, they may not fully eliminate the immune cells that drive inflammation. In fact, some of these cells actually increase during treatment, suggesting the medication is managing symptoms without targeting the root cause. This could explain why asthma often returns when the drugs are stopped, raising questions about how long-term these treatments should be and whether we're truly solving the underlying problem.

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AI sees what doctors miss: Fatty liver disease hidden in chest x-rays

Researchers in Japan created an AI that can detect fatty liver disease from ordinary chest X-rays—an unexpected and low-cost method that could transform early diagnosis. The model proved highly accurate and may offer a fast, affordable way to flag this silent but serious condition.

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Acid-busting diet triggers 13-pound weight loss in just 16 weeks

Swap steaks for spinach and you might watch the scale plummet. In a 16-week crossover study, overweight adults who ditched animal products for a low-fat vegan menu saw their bodies become less acidic and dropped an average of 13 pounds—while the Mediterranean diet left weight unchanged. Researchers link the shift to lower “dietary acid load,” a hidden inflammation trigger driven by meat, eggs, and cheese.

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Hot tubs outperform saunas in boosting blood flow and immune power

Hot tubs don't just feel great, they may actually outperform saunas when it comes to health perks. A study found that soaking in hot water raises core body temperature more than dry or infrared saunas, triggering stronger heart, blood vessel, and immune responses.

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The pleasure prescription: Why more sex means less menopause pain

Keeping sex on the schedule may be its own menopause medicine: among 900 women aged 40-79, those active in the last three months reported far less dryness, pain, and irritation, while orgasm and overall satisfaction stayed rock-solid despite dips in desire and lubrication. The results hint that intimacy itself can curb genitourinary syndrome of menopause, a cluster of estrogen-related symptoms that erode quality of life.

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The molecule that might save your sight—and your heart

Washington University researchers found that raising a molecule called ApoM helps eye cells sweep away harmful cholesterol deposits linked to age-related macular degeneration, potentially preventing vision loss, and the same trick might aid failing hearts too.

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COVID-19 protein triggers immune attacks on healthy cells — but a common drug can stop it

Scientists have uncovered a stealthy tactic used by the SARS-CoV-2 virus: one of its proteins can leap from infected cells to healthy ones, effectively tricking the immune system into attacking the body’s own tissues.

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Recycled plastic is a toxic cocktail: Over 80 chemicals found in a single pellet

Recycled plastic pellets can release a hidden mix of over 80 chemicals into water, disrupting hormones and fat metabolism in zebrafish larvae. Researchers warn that unknown and toxic additives make current recycling practices dangerously unpredictable.

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Superbugs in your shrimp: Deadly colistin-resistance genes ride on imported seafood

Colistin, a last-resort antibiotic, is losing its power due to rising resistance—and the culprits might be hiding in your seafood dinner. A University of Georgia research team discovered colistin-resistance genes in bacteria found in imported shrimp and scallops from markets in Atlanta. These genes can hop between bacteria via plasmids, potentially turning once-curable infections into deadly threats.

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Myth-busting study shows controversial seed oils reduce inflammation

A new study is turning heads by challenging the popular belief that seed oils are harmful to health. Researchers analyzed blood markers from nearly 1,900 people and found that higher levels of linoleic acid — an omega-6 fat commonly found in seed oils — were linked to lower inflammation and better cardiometabolic health. The study used direct biomarkers instead of diet surveys, making its findings more robust. These results support a growing body of evidence that seed oils, far from fueling disease, may actually help protect against heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

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Iron overload: The hidden culprit behind early Alzheimer’s in Down syndrome

USC researchers have uncovered a hidden driver behind the early and severe onset of Alzheimer's in people with Down syndrome: iron overload in the brain. Their study revealed that individuals with both conditions had twice the iron levels and far more oxidative damage than others. The culprit appears to be ferroptosis, an iron-triggered cell death mechanism, which is especially damaging in sensitive brain regions.

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Cold sore virus hijacks human genome in 3D--and scientists found its weak spot

Cold sore-causing HSV-1 doesn't just hijack cells it reconfigures the entire architecture of our DNA to aid its invasion. Researchers discovered that it actively reshapes the 3D structure of the human genome within hours of infection, using host enzymes like topoisomerase I to gain access to crucial genetic machinery. Stunningly, blocking this single enzyme shuts the virus down completely.

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One shot to stop HIV: MIT's bold vaccine breakthrough

Researchers from MIT and Scripps have unveiled a promising new HIV vaccine approach that generates a powerful immune response with just one dose. By combining two immune-boosting adjuvants alum and SMNP the vaccine lingers in lymph nodes for nearly a month, encouraging the body to produce a vast array of antibodies. This one-shot strategy could revolutionize how we fight not just HIV, but many infectious diseases. It mimics the natural infection process and opens the door to broadly neutralizing antibody responses, a holy grail in vaccine design. And best of all, it's built on components already known to medicine.

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MIT uncovers the hidden playbook your brain uses to outsmart complicated problems

When faced with a tricky maze task involving hidden information, humans instinctively toggle between two clever mental strategies: simplifying in steps or mentally rewinding. MIT researchers showed that people shift methods based on how reliable their memory is echoed by AI models mimicking the same constraints.

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Black coffee, longer life: The science behind your morning perk

Coffee might be doing more than fueling your morning routine it could be extending your life. A large-scale study by Tufts University suggests that drinking one to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily is associated with lower overall mortality, particularly from cardiovascular causes. But there s a catch: the benefits drop when sugar and saturated fats like cream are added in excess.

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Your brain has a hidden beat — and smarter minds sync to it

When we focus, switch tasks, or face tough mental challenges, the brain starts to sync its internal rhythms, especially in the midfrontal region. A new study has found that smarter individuals show more precise and flexible coordination of slow theta waves during key decision-making moments. Using EEG recordings and cognitive testing, researchers discovered that it s not constant brainwave synchronization that matters most, but the brain s ability to dynamically adapt its rhythms like a well-tuned orchestra. This flexible neural harmony seems to be a hidden engine behind attention, reasoning, and intelligence.

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Single psilocybin trip delivers two years of depression relief for cancer patients

Psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, might just revolutionize how depression and anxiety are treated in cancer patients. In a groundbreaking trial, a single dose combined with therapy significantly reduced emotional suffering, and these effects often lasted over two years. As follow-up studies expand the research to multiple doses and larger samples, scientists are eyeing a possible new standard of care that merges psychedelics with psychological support.

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Brain food fight: Rutgers maps the hidden switch that turns cravings on and off

Rutgers scientists have uncovered a tug-of-war inside the brain between hunger and satiety, revealing two newly mapped neural circuits that battle over when to eat and when to stop. These findings offer an unprecedented glimpse into how hormones and brain signals interact, with implications for fine-tuning today's weight-loss drugs like Ozempic.

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Invisible ID: How a single breath could reveal your health—and your identity

Scientists have discovered that your breathing pattern is as unique as a fingerprint and it may reveal more than just your identity. Using a 24-hour wearable device, researchers achieved nearly 97% accuracy in identifying people based solely on how they breathe through their nose. Even more intriguingly, these respiratory signatures correlated with traits like anxiety levels, sleep cycles, and body mass index. The findings suggest that breathing isn t just a passive process it might actively shape our mental and emotional well-being, opening up the possibility of using breath training for diagnosis and treatment.

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The hunger switch in your nose: How smells tell your brain to stop eating

A team of scientists has discovered a direct link between the smell of food and feelings of fullness at least in lean mice. This brain circuit, located in the medial septum and triggered by food odors, helps animals eat less by making them feel satiated even before taking a bite. But intriguingly, obese mice lacked this response, highlighting how excess weight may interfere with this satiety mechanism. The finding could have major implications for how we think about the role of smell in appetite and offer new strategies to combat overeating.

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Smart nanoparticles launch genetic attack on lung cancer and cystic fibrosis

A scientific team has unlocked a new way to treat serious lung conditions by using specially designed nanoparticles to deliver genetic therapies straight to lung cells. This innovation could transform care for patients with cystic fibrosis or lung cancer. With a powerful combination of gene editing and RNA delivery, the system has already shown promise in animal trials. The streamlined approach not only enhances precision but also avoids harmful side effects, making it a bold leap forward in respiratory medicine.

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Pincer plot twist: How female earwigs evolved deadly claws for love and war

Female earwigs may be evolving exaggerated weaponry just like males. A study from Toho University found that female forceps, once assumed to be passive tools, show the same kind of outsized growth linked to sexual selection as the male's iconic pincers. This means that female earwigs might be fighting for mates too specifically for access to non-aggressive males challenging long-standing assumptions in evolutionary biology.

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Scientists discover natural cancer-fighting sugar in sea cucumbers

Sea cucumbers, long known for cleaning the ocean floor, may also harbor a powerful cancer-fighting secret. Scientists discovered a unique sugar in these marine creatures that can block Sulf-2, an enzyme that cancer cells use to spread. Unlike traditional medications, this compound doesn t cause dangerous blood clotting issues and offers a cleaner, potentially more sustainable way to develop carbohydrate-based drugs if scientists can find a way to synthesize it in the lab.

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Ginger vs. Cancer: Natural compound targets tumor metabolism

Scientists in Japan have discovered that a natural compound found in a type of ginger called kencur can throw cancer cells into disarray by disrupting how they generate energy. While healthy cells use oxygen to make energy efficiently, cancer cells often rely on a backup method. This ginger-derived molecule doesn t attack that method directly it shuts down the cells' fat-making machinery instead, which surprisingly causes the cells to ramp up their backup system even more. The finding opens new doors in the fight against cancer, showing how natural substances might help target cancer s hidden energy tricks.

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This overlooked supplement could help you think sharper and age better

Creatine is gaining recognition far beyond its roots in athletic performance. Once seen as a gym-only supplement, it's now understood to play a vital role in cellular energy, cognitive function, and healthy aging. From boosting memory and reducing fatigue to preserving muscle mass over time, creatine is emerging as a powerful tool for everyday wellness. Despite persistent myths about bloating or safety risks, a vast body of research shows it's both safe and effective for nearly everyone especially those who don t get enough from diet alone.

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Krakencoder predicts brain function 20x better than past methods

Scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine have developed a new algorithm, the Krakencoder, that merges multiple types of brain imaging data to better understand how the brain s wiring underpins behavior, thought, and recovery after injury. This cutting-edge tool can predict brain function from structure with unprecedented accuracy 20 times better than past models and even estimate traits like age, sex, and cognitive ability.

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5-minute STI test poised to transform sexual health diagnostics

A revolutionary STI test developed by UK-based Linear Diagnostics is on track to dramatically reduce the time it takes to detect infections like gonorrhea and chlamydia. Built on ultra-fast EXPAR DNA amplification technology, the platform can deliver lab-accurate results in as little as five minutes, without sending samples to centralized labs.

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Hidden in your dna: The mutation combo that raises clot risk by 180%

Genetic research in Sweden has unveiled three new gene variants that dramatically increase the risk of venous blood clots, sometimes by up to 180%. These discoveries build on existing knowledge of Factor V Leiden and suggest that genetics plays a bigger role than previously thought, especially for clots in the legs that can lead to life-threatening pulmonary embolisms.

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The Hidden DNA Repair System That Could Transform Cancer Treatment

A powerful new discovery reveals that Nup98 a protein once thought to only ferry molecules through the nucleus plays a vital role in safeguarding the most vulnerable areas of DNA. By forming droplet-like 'bubbles' around damaged DNA within dense regions called heterochromatin, Nup98 safely escorts the damaged segments to repair zones and times the involvement of risky repair proteins. This precise choreography prevents genetic errors that could trigger cancer or speed up aging.

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Why your diet might be making you sad—Especially if you're a man

New research reveals a surprising downside to calorie-cutting diets: a link to higher levels of depressive symptoms, especially in men and those who are overweight. Despite popular beliefs that healthy eating boosts mental wellness, real-life restrictive diets may be nutritionally unbalanced, potentially harming emotional and cognitive health.

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Clinical trial finds diabetes pill reduces liver scarring

A diabetes drug may soon double as a treatment for liver disease. Dapagliflozin, an SGLT-2 inhibitor typically used for type 2 diabetes, significantly improved liver inflammation and scarring in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) during a clinical trial in China. Participants on the drug saw better liver outcomes and fewer side effects than those on a placebo. Although more research is needed, especially in diverse populations, this finding hints at a transformative role for existing medications in tackling liver diseases.

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Early driver of prostate cancer aggressiveness

Researchers have identified a gene that plays a key role in prostate cancer cells that have transitioned to a more aggressive, treatment-resistant form. The gene can be indirectly targeted with an existing class of drugs, suggesting a potential treatment strategy for patients with aggressive subtypes of prostate cancer.

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Record high: Study finds growing cannabis use among older adults

Marijuana use among older adults in the US has reached a new high, with 7 percent of adults aged 65 and over who report using it in the past month, according to a recent analysis.

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Insect protein blocks bacterial infection

Scientists have reported use of antibacterial coatings made from resilin-mimetic proteins to fully block bacteria from attaching to a surface. A protein that gives fleas their bounce has been used to boot out bacteria cells, with lab results demonstrating the material's potential for preventing medical implant infection.

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Researchers use deep learning to predict flooding this hurricane season

A team led by Virginia Tech graduate student Samuel Daramola developed a deep learning model called LSTM-SAM that predicts extreme water levels from tropical cyclones more efficiently and accurately, especially in data-scarce coastal regions, to offer a faster, low-cost tool for flood forecasting.

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