https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/public_health/ Read about scientific research on a wide-array of public health issues. en-us Mon, 20 Apr 2026 03:08:31 EDT Mon, 20 Apr 2026 03:08:31 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/public_health/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260409101057.htm Earth’s nights are steadily getting brighter overall, but the changes vary dramatically by region. Rapid urban growth is lighting up countries like China and India, while parts of Europe are dimming due to energy-saving efforts and new lighting technologies. The most detailed satellite analysis yet shows these shifts happening faster and more unevenly than expected. Even global trends can mask sharp local contrasts, from war-related blackouts to deliberate reductions in light pollution. Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:50:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260409101057.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260403224505.htm Modern food systems may look stable on the surface, but they are increasingly dependent on digital systems that can quietly become a major point of failure. Today, food must be “recognized” by databases and automated platforms to be transported, sold, or even released, meaning that if systems go down, food can effectively become unusable—even when it’s physically available. Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:23:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260403224505.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260314030521.htm When the Asian financial crisis sent rice prices soaring in Indonesia in the late 1990s, the shock didn’t just strain household budgets—it left lasting marks on children’s bodies. Researchers from the University of Bonn found that kids exposed to the food price surge were more likely to experience stunted growth and, years later, a higher risk of obesity. The findings suggest that during crises, families often maintain calorie intake but cut back on nutrient-rich foods, creating hidden nutritional deficiencies that disrupt healthy development. Sun, 15 Mar 2026 04:53:48 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260314030521.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260313002645.htm In medieval Denmark, people could pay for more prestigious graves closer to the church — a sign of wealth and status. But when researchers examined hundreds of skeletons, they discovered something unexpected: even people with stigmatized diseases like leprosy were buried in these high-status spots. Instead of excluding the sick, many communities appear to have treated them much like everyone else. Fri, 13 Mar 2026 05:38:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260313002645.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260308201616.htm A prehistoric mass grave in Serbia reveals that more than 77 people—mostly women and children—were deliberately killed in a brutal act of violence about 2,800 years ago. Genetic evidence suggests the victims came from different communities, indicating the massacre may have been a calculated message during fierce territorial struggles in Iron Age Europe. Mon, 09 Mar 2026 02:51:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260308201616.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260306224232.htm A mysterious form of plague that spread across Eurasia thousands of years before the Black Death has finally revealed a crucial clue. Scientists analyzing ancient DNA discovered the bacterium Yersinia pestis in a 4,000-year-old domesticated sheep from a Bronze Age settlement in the Ural Mountains—the first time the pathogen has ever been found in a non-human host from that era. Because this early strain couldn’t spread through fleas like the medieval plague, researchers have long puzzled over how it traveled so widely. Sat, 07 Mar 2026 03:41:28 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260306224232.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260306224219.htm New research suggests seabird guano helped transform the Chincha Kingdom into one of the most prosperous societies in ancient Peru. Chemical clues in centuries-old maize show farmers fertilized their crops with guano gathered from nearby islands, dramatically boosting yields in the desert landscape. The resulting agricultural surplus fueled trade, population growth, and regional influence. Sat, 07 Mar 2026 19:02:30 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260306224219.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303145727.htm Iron Age teeth from southern Italy have become time capsules, preserving intimate details of childhood and diet. Growth lines in the enamel reveal moments of early-life stress, while hardened plaque holds microscopic remains of cereals, legumes, and fermented foods. The findings suggest a community with diverse food resources and strong Mediterranean connections. Even a small sample offers a striking glimpse into how people lived, grew, and ate nearly three millennia ago. Wed, 04 Mar 2026 17:41:14 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303145727.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303145705.htm A sweeping new study reveals that what’s on your plate may directly shape the pesticides circulating in your body. Researchers found that people who eat more fruits and vegetables known to carry higher pesticide residues—such as strawberries, spinach, and bell peppers—also have significantly higher levels of those chemicals in their urine. While produce remains a cornerstone of a healthy diet, the findings highlight how everyday food choices can drive real-world exposure to substances linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and developmental harm. Wed, 04 Mar 2026 13:09:52 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303145705.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260302030637.htm Why do we tip—even when we know we’ll never see the server again? New research suggests it’s not just about rewarding good service, but about social pressure. Some people tip out of genuine appreciation, while others simply follow the norm. But here’s the twist: those who truly value great service tend to tip more than average, and everyone else adjusts upward to match them. Mon, 02 Mar 2026 03:06:37 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260302030637.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260215085001.htm Researchers tracked more than 400 toddlers to see whether mRNA COVID-19 vaccination during or just before pregnancy was linked to autism or developmental delays. After detailed assessments of speech, motor skills, behavior, and social development, they found no meaningful differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. Experts say the results provide strong reassurance about vaccine safety in pregnancy. Sun, 15 Feb 2026 09:51:05 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260215085001.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260212025612.htm A new scientific review challenges the headline-grabbing claim that Yellowstone’s returning wolves triggered one of the strongest trophic cascades on Earth. Researchers found that the reported 1,500% surge in willow growth was based on circular calculations and questionable comparisons. After correcting for modeling and sampling flaws, the supposed ecosystem-wide boom largely disappears. Thu, 12 Feb 2026 08:51:03 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260212025612.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260212023028.htm As cash transfer programs expand across the United States, critics often warn that giving people money could spark reckless behavior, leading to injuries or even deaths. But a sweeping 11-year analysis of Alaska’s long-running Permanent Fund Dividend program tells a different story. Researchers examined statewide hospital records and death data and found no increase in traumatic injuries or unnatural deaths after annual payments were distributed. Mon, 16 Feb 2026 21:29:23 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260212023028.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260206020847.htm A new study reveals that chemicals used to replace ozone-damaging CFCs are now driving a surge in a persistent “forever chemical” worldwide. The pollutant, called trifluoroacetic acid, is falling out of the atmosphere into water, land, and ice, including in remote regions like the Arctic. Even as older chemicals are phased out, their long lifetimes mean pollution is still rising. Fri, 06 Feb 2026 03:17:32 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260206020847.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260201062457.htm Middle age is becoming a tougher chapter for many Americans, especially those born in the 1960s and early 1970s. Compared with earlier generations, they report more loneliness and depression, along with weaker physical strength and declining memory. These troubling trends stand out internationally, as similar declines are largely absent in other wealthy nations, particularly in Nordic Europe, where midlife well-being has improved. Sun, 01 Feb 2026 10:25:53 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260201062457.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125083349.htm A 5,500-year-old skeleton from Colombia has revealed the oldest known genome of the bacterium linked to syphilis and related diseases. The ancient strain doesn’t fit neatly into modern categories, hinting at a forgotten form that split off early in the pathogen’s evolution. This pushes the history of treponemal diseases in the Americas back by millennia and shows they were already diversifying long before written records. Mon, 26 Jan 2026 06:04:05 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125083349.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260111214447.htm A new study warns that war in Gaza has pushed children to the edge, leaving many too hungry, weak, or traumatized to learn. Education has nearly collapsed, with years of schooling lost to conflict, hunger, and fear. Researchers say children are losing faith in the future and in basic ideas like peace and human rights. Without urgent aid, Gaza faces the risk of a lost generation. Sun, 11 Jan 2026 22:45:42 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260111214447.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260108231330.htm A new study finds that TikTok videos about gout frequently spread confusing or inaccurate advice. Most clips focus on diet changes and supplements, while barely mentioning the long-term treatments doctors say are essential for controlling the disease. Many videos also frame gout as a lifestyle problem, rather than a condition driven largely by genetics and underlying health factors. Researchers say the platform has huge potential—but only if accurate medical voices step in. Fri, 09 Jan 2026 02:21:43 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260108231330.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155040.htm UK experts are warning that access to new weight-loss drugs could depend more on wealth than medical need. Strict NHS criteria mean only a limited number of patients will receive Mounjaro, while many others must pay privately. Researchers say this risks worsening existing health inequalities, especially for groups whose conditions are often missed or under-diagnosed. They are calling for fairer, more inclusive access before gaps in care widen further. Sun, 04 Jan 2026 01:35:36 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155040.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251227082716.htm Stanford scientists have uncovered how mRNA COVID-19 vaccines can very rarely trigger heart inflammation in young men — and how that risk might be reduced. They found that the vaccines can spark a two-step immune reaction that floods the body with inflammatory signals, drawing aggressive immune cells into the heart and causing temporary injury. Sat, 27 Dec 2025 10:52:27 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251227082716.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251227004140.htm 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. Wed, 31 Dec 2025 22:23:07 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251227004140.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251226045345.htm 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. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 07:40:43 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251226045345.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251221043223.htm A philosopher at the University of Cambridge says there’s no reliable way to know whether AI is conscious—and that may remain true for the foreseeable future. According to Dr. Tom McClelland, consciousness alone isn’t the ethical tipping point anyway; sentience, the capacity to feel good or bad, is what truly matters. He argues that claims of conscious AI are often more marketing than science, and that believing in machine minds too easily could cause real harm. The safest stance for now, he says, is honest uncertainty. Wed, 31 Dec 2025 21:23:42 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251221043223.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251221043221.htm Sediments from a Roman latrine at Vindolanda show soldiers were infected with multiple intestinal parasites, including roundworm, whipworm, and Giardia — the first time Giardia has been identified in Roman Britain. These parasites spread through contaminated food and water, causing diarrhea, weakness, and long-term illness. Even with sewers and communal toilets, infections passed easily between soldiers. The discovery highlights how harsh and unhealthy life could be on Rome’s northern frontier. Sun, 21 Dec 2025 08:59:23 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251221043221.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251221043218.htm A major international review has upended long-held ideas about how top performers are made. By analyzing nearly 35,000 elite achievers across science, music, chess, and sports, researchers found that early stars rarely become adult superstars. Most world-class performers developed slowly and explored multiple fields before specializing. The message is clear: talent grows through variety, not narrow focus. Sun, 21 Dec 2025 10:05:31 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251221043218.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251220104557.htm Scientists have discovered a clever way to turn carrot processing leftovers into a nutritious and surprisingly appealing protein. By growing edible fungi on carrot side streams, researchers produced fungal mycelium that can replace traditional plant-based proteins in foods like vegan patties and sausages. When people sampled the foods, many preferred the versions made entirely with the fungal protein over those made with soy or chickpeas. Tue, 30 Dec 2025 20:39:29 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251220104557.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251219093317.htm Long before opioids flooded communities, something else was quietly changing—and it may have helped set the stage for today’s crisis. A new study finds that as church attendance dropped among middle-aged, less educated white Americans, deaths from overdoses, suicide, and alcohol-related disease began to rise. The trend started years before OxyContin appeared, suggesting the opioid epidemic intensified a problem already underway. Sat, 20 Dec 2025 10:39:49 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251219093317.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251129044502.htm Five hundred years ago, a Bible accidentally printed with a backwards map of the Holy Land sparked a revolution in how people imagined geography, borders, and even nationhood. Despite the blunder, the map reshaped the Bible into a Renaissance book and spread new ideas about territorial organization as literacy expanded. Over time, sacred geography evolved into political boundary-making, influencing not only early modern thought but modern attitudes about nation-states. Sun, 30 Nov 2025 09:01:30 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251129044502.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251128050512.htm Researchers have finally assigned a strange 3.4-million-year-old foot to Australopithecus deyiremeda, confirming that Lucy’s species wasn’t alone in ancient Ethiopia. This hominin had an opposable big toe for climbing but still walked upright in a distinct style. Isotope tests show it ate different foods from A. afarensis, revealing clear ecological separation. These insights help explain how multiple early human species co-existed without wiping each other out. Fri, 28 Nov 2025 09:48:15 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251128050512.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251124025654.htm Ultra-processed foods are rapidly becoming a global dietary staple, and new research links them to worsening health outcomes around the world. Scientists say only bold, coordinated policy action can counter corporate influence and shift food systems toward healthier options. Mon, 24 Nov 2025 03:07:46 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251124025654.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251121090744.htm Hunter-gatherers at Poverty Point may have built its massive earthworks not under the command of chiefs, but as part of a vast, temporary gathering of egalitarian communities seeking spiritual harmony in a volatile world. New radiocarbon data and reexamined artifacts suggest far-flung travelers met to trade, worship, and participate in rituals designed to appease the forces of nature. Mon, 24 Nov 2025 13:14:54 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251121090744.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251111005957.htm Historians have traced myths about the Black Death’s rapid journey across Asia to one 14th-century poem by Ibn al-Wardi. His imaginative maqāma, never meant as fact, became the foundation for centuries of misinformation about how the plague spread. The new study exposes how fiction blurred with history and highlights how creative writing helped medieval societies process catastrophe. Tue, 11 Nov 2025 10:43:22 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251111005957.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251110021048.htm In Peru’s mysterious Pisco Valley, thousands of perfectly aligned holes known as Monte Sierpe have long puzzled scientists. New drone mapping and microbotanical analysis reveal that these holes may once have served as a bustling pre-Inca barter market—later transformed into an accounting system under the Inca Empire. Mon, 10 Nov 2025 09:46:48 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251110021048.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251105050722.htm Most U.S. adults don’t realize alcohol raises cancer risk, and drinkers themselves are the least aware. Scientists say targeting these misbeliefs could significantly reduce alcohol-related cancer deaths. Wed, 05 Nov 2025 11:42:37 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251105050722.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103093016.htm Researchers found that embodying a digital, childlike version of one’s own face helps unlock vivid childhood memories. This illusion strengthens the connection between bodily self-perception and autobiographical recall. The findings suggest that memory retrieval is not purely mental but deeply linked to how we perceive our own bodies. Such insights could lead to tools for recovering forgotten memories or treating memory loss. Mon, 03 Nov 2025 22:44:15 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103093016.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205019.htm Scientists have discovered that a “longevity gene” found in people who live beyond 100 can reverse heart aging in models of Progeria, a devastating disease that causes children to age rapidly. By introducing this supercentenarian gene into Progeria-affected cells and mice, researchers restored heart function, reduced tissue damage, and slowed aging symptoms. The discovery opens the door to new therapies inspired by the natural biology of long-lived humans—possibly reshaping how we treat both rare diseases and normal aging. Mon, 03 Nov 2025 01:11:53 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205019.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251030075136.htm People living in socially and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods may face higher dementia risks, according to new research from Wake Forest University. Scientists found biological signs of Alzheimer’s and vascular brain disease in those from high-burden areas, particularly among Black participants. The results suggest that social and environmental injustices can alter brain structure and function. Improving community conditions could be key to protecting brain health. Fri, 31 Oct 2025 11:09:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251030075136.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251026021749.htm Researchers found that life expectancy growth in wealthy nations has dramatically slowed since 1939. Once driven by major reductions in child mortality, longevity gains are now limited by slower progress in older-age survival. The study suggests no generation since 1939 will live to 100 on average, reshaping how societies must plan for aging and pensions. Sun, 26 Oct 2025 23:58:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251026021749.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251013040314.htm Vast amounts of valuable research data remain unused, trapped in labs or lost to time. Frontiers aims to change that with FAIR² Data Management, a groundbreaking AI-driven system that makes datasets reusable, verifiable, and citable. By uniting curation, compliance, peer review, and interactive visualization in one platform, FAIR² empowers scientists to share their work responsibly and gain recognition. Mon, 13 Oct 2025 08:46:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251013040314.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251012054606.htm Overdose deaths from fentanyl mixed with stimulants have skyrocketed among seniors, increasing 9,000% in just eight years. Once thought to affect mainly the young, the opioid epidemic’s fourth wave now engulfs older adults too. Cocaine and methamphetamine are the leading culprits, and experts warn that multi-drug use makes these overdoses especially lethal. Doctors are urged to educate patients and caregivers on prevention and safer pain management. Mon, 13 Oct 2025 02:47:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251012054606.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251010091600.htm A University of Toronto study found that nearly one in four adults aged 60+ who reported poor well-being were able to regain optimal wellness within three years. The research highlights that physical activity, healthy weight, good sleep, and emotional and social support play crucial roles in recovery. Those with strong psychological wellness at the start were five times more likely to bounce back. Fri, 10 Oct 2025 09:16:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251010091600.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251010091550.htm Men’s heavy drinking is fueling a hidden crisis affecting millions of women and children worldwide. The harms, from violence to financial instability, are especially severe where gender inequality is high. Experts warn that alcohol policies must include gender-responsive strategies to protect vulnerable families. They call for reforms combining regulation, prevention, and community action. Fri, 10 Oct 2025 09:15:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251010091550.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251001092216.htm BMJ Group has pulled a widely reported apple cider vinegar weight-loss study after experts uncovered major flaws in its data and analysis. Attempts to replicate the results failed, and irregularities raised questions about the trial’s reliability. The authors admitted mistakes and agreed to the retraction, while editors stressed the importance of transparency and warned against citing the discredited findings. Wed, 01 Oct 2025 23:34:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251001092216.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250929054915.htm Researchers found that middle-aged adults, especially women, are far more likely to be addicted to ultra-processed foods than older generations. Marketing of diet-focused processed foods in the 1980s may have played a major role. Food addiction was linked to poor health, weight issues, and social isolation, highlighting long-term risks. Experts warn that children today could face even higher addiction rates in the future. Mon, 29 Sep 2025 09:57:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250929054915.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250924012222.htm Researchers reviewing 46 studies found evidence linking prenatal acetaminophen (Tylenol) exposure with higher risks of autism and ADHD. The FDA has since urged caution, echoing scientists’ advice that the drug be used only at the lowest effective dose and shortest duration. While important for managing fever and pain in pregnancy, prolonged use may pose risks to fetal development. Experts stress careful medical oversight and further investigation. Wed, 24 Sep 2025 02:00:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250924012222.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250923021156.htm AI-powered analysis of routine blood tests can reveal hidden patterns that predict recovery and survival after spinal cord injuries. This breakthrough could make life-saving predictions affordable and accessible in hospitals worldwide. Tue, 23 Sep 2025 08:33:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250923021156.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250920214459.htm New studies reveal that lifestyle changes—such as exercise, healthy eating, and social engagement—can help slow or prevent cognitive decline. Experts say this low-cost, powerful approach could transform dementia care and reduce its crushing toll on families and health systems. Sun, 21 Sep 2025 09:42:01 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250920214459.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250917221004.htm Nitazenes, a powerful and largely hidden class of synthetic opioids, are quickly becoming a deadly factor in the overdose crisis. Over 20 times stronger than fentanyl, these drugs often go undetected on routine drug tests, making overdoses harder to diagnose and reverse. Cases from Tennessee reveal a disturbing pattern of fatalities, with nitazenes frequently mixed into counterfeit pills alongside fentanyl and methamphetamine. Thu, 18 Sep 2025 09:03:33 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250917221004.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250915202839.htm Preschoolers with ADHD are often given medication right after diagnosis, against medical guidelines that recommend starting with behavioral therapy. Limited access to therapy and physician pressures drive early prescribing, despite risks and reduced effectiveness in young children. Tue, 16 Sep 2025 05:10:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250915202839.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250913232936.htm GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic have transformed weight loss in the U.S., with nearly 12% of Americans having tried them, according to a new RAND report. Usage is especially high among women aged 50 to 64, while men catch up in older groups. Despite effectiveness, side effects like nausea and diarrhea are common, and most Americans say they don’t plan to take them. Sun, 14 Sep 2025 09:59:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250913232936.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250909031513.htm What we eat as we age may determine how many chronic illnesses we face later in life. A 15-year study of more than 2,400 older adults reveals that diets rich in vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and healthy fats slow the accumulation of diseases like cardiovascular problems and dementia—while inflammatory diets heavy in red meat and sugary drinks speed it up. Researchers now aim to pinpoint the most effective dietary recommendations to promote longer, healthier lives. Tue, 09 Sep 2025 23:31:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250909031513.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250901104654.htm Once a universal feature of human psychology, the “unhappiness hump” in midlife has disappeared, replaced by a new trend: mental health is worst in youth and improves with age. Data from the U.S., U.K., and dozens of countries suggest today’s young people are driving this shift, facing deeper struggles than previous generations. Tue, 02 Sep 2025 07:26:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250901104654.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250828002415.htm Scientists have finally uncovered direct genetic evidence of Yersinia pestis — the bacterium behind the Plague of Justinian — in a mass grave in Jerash, Jordan. This long-sought discovery resolves a centuries-old debate, confirming that the plague that devastated the Byzantine Empire truly was caused by the same pathogen behind later outbreaks like the Black Death. Sat, 30 Aug 2025 04:47:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250828002415.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250826081915.htm Knee osteoarthritis is a major cause of pain and disability, but routine X-rays often do more harm than good. New research shows that being shown an X-ray can increase anxiety, make people fear exercise, and lead them to believe surgery is the only option, even when less invasive treatments could help. By focusing on clinical diagnosis instead, patients may avoid unnecessary scans, reduce health costs, and make better choices about their care. Tue, 26 Aug 2025 09:27:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250826081915.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250825234019.htm Researchers uncovered that the Maui wildfires caused a spike in deaths far higher than reported, with hidden fatalities linked to fire, smoke, and lack of medical access. They warn that prevention rooted in Native Hawaiian ecological knowledge is critical to avoiding another tragedy. Mon, 25 Aug 2025 23:57:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250825234019.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250820000803.htm In a health system where speed often replaces empathy, researchers highlight the life-changing power of listening. Beyond simple questions, values-driven listening—marked by presence, curiosity, and compassion—can transform both patients and providers. Wed, 20 Aug 2025 10:50:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250820000803.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250813083611.htm Cats can naturally develop dementia with brain changes strikingly similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans, including toxic amyloid-beta buildup and loss of synapses. A new study shows these similarities could make cats valuable natural models for research, potentially leading to treatments that benefit both species. The research also revealed that brain support cells may contribute to synapse loss, and findings could help owners recognize and manage dementia symptoms in aging pets. Thu, 14 Aug 2025 02:23:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250813083611.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250803233104.htm New research led by Mass General Brigham reveals that people facing social challenges—like food insecurity, financial strain, and limited healthcare access—are two to three times more likely to develop long COVID. Mon, 04 Aug 2025 07:33:05 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250803233104.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250801020106.htm Women who drank heavily, even though they strongly wished to avoid pregnancy, were 50% more likely to become pregnant than those who drank little or not at all, according to new research. Surprisingly, cannabis use didn t show the same risk. Fri, 01 Aug 2025 02:01:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250801020106.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250726234429.htm Between 2020 and 2024, COVID-19 vaccines saved 2.5 million lives globally, preventing one death for every 5,400 doses. A groundbreaking worldwide study led by researchers from Università Cattolica and Stanford University reveals that most lives were saved before individuals were exposed to the virus, particularly during the Omicron period and among those aged 60+. The researchers also calculated 14.8 million years of life saved, with the elderly gaining the majority of these benefits. Sun, 27 Jul 2025 10:17:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250726234429.htm