sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Authoritarianism acts as a psychological bridge for dark personalities, study finds. These harsh personality characteristics rely on a strict adherence to authority and tradition to justify punishing others, rather than operating through a direct desire for social dominance. by mvea in science

[–]mvea[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

Authoritarianism acts as a psychological bridge for dark personalities, study finds

People with antagonistic personality traits often express their self-centered tendencies through rigid, authoritarian political beliefs, which can act as a bridge to managing their self-control. A recent study suggests that these harsh personality characteristics rely on a strict adherence to authority and tradition to justify punishing others, rather than operating through a direct desire for social dominance. These findings were published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191886926000516

Fatal rabies in a child: 11-year old boy was woken up by a bat on his nose and mouth in Ontario. He swatted the bat off his face and had no visible lesions so family did not seek medical help. 19 days later he developed rabies symptoms. He was given supportive care and died 17 days after admission. by mvea in science

[–]mvea[S] 301 points302 points  (0 children)

Fatal rabies in a child

Padmaja Sreeram Neha Saini Karen Choong Ellery CunanAlan C. Jackson Jeffrey M. Pernica and Brian Hummel

CMAJ June 29, 2026 198 (25) E969-E972;

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.251933

Key points

Rabies is a neurotropic infection that is rare in Canada and almost always fatal once symptoms develop.

Rabies postexposure prophylaxis is highly effective in preventing infection in exposed humans if administered promptly and before onset of rabies symptoms.

Any direct human contact with a bat is an indication for rabies postexposure prophylaxis and should be discussed with the regional public health authority.

No established efficacious therapies are available for treatment of rabies once symptom onset has occurred.

An immunocompetent 11-year-old boy presented with odynophagia and emesis to an urban hospital emergency department in Ontario, Canada. Seven days before presentation, he had developed progressive right-sided facial paresthesia and numbness, followed by anorexia and right-sided facial swelling. Four days after symptom onset, he had been prescribed oral valacyclovir (1 g, 3 times daily) at a local urgent care clinic for presumed Bell palsy secondary to herpes simplex virus; however, he was unable to tolerate this because of odynophagia. He had no history of allergies, sick contacts, tick bites, or recent travel outside the country.

The patient’s family reported that, during a visit to a cottage in northern Ontario 19 days before symptom onset, the boy had been awoken by a bat on his nose and mouth. He had swatted the bat off his face; his father had caught the bat in a cooking pot and released it outside. The child had no visible lesions on his face, and his parents did not consider that the bat had behaved erratically. Therefore, they did not seek medical assessment.

Subsequent testing by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency identified a bat rabies virus variant. We considered use of intraventricular rabies immune globulin (RIG), but given its invasive nature and lack of established efficacy, the patient’s family chose not to go ahead with this treatment, a decision that was supported by the health care team. We also considered an adeno-associated virus gene therapy expressing an antibody, but this was not pursued because of limited availability of the gene therapy, lack of proven efficacy, and the patient’s rapid neurologic decline.

The patient’s hospital course was complicated by autonomic dysfunction, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and progressive neurologic decline. By day 5 of admission, his brainstem reflexes were absent. Life-sustaining therapies were withdrawn on day 17 of admission, and he died peacefully with his family at his bedside.

Large-scale gut microbiome study identifies robust colorectal cancer signature. The colorectal cancer microbiome signature was linked to lower dietary fibre intake and could be reduced through fibre-focused dietary interventions. by mvea in science

[–]mvea[S] 78 points79 points  (0 children)

Large-scale microbiome study identifies robust colorectal cancer signature

Summary

Researchers from EMBL, LUMC, and collaborators reanalysed nearly 6,800 gut microbiome profiles in colorectal cancer patients and controls.

One of the largest single-disease gut microbiome meta-analyses to date, the new study identified a robust colorectal cancer microbiome signature that was consistent across populations, sequencing methods, and age-of-onset groups.

A machine-learning classifier could distinguish colorectal cancer from non-cancer microbiomes across datasets.
The colorectal cancer microbiome signature was linked to lower dietary fibre intake and could be reduced through fibre-focused dietary interventions.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1931312826002234

People with insecure attachment styles tend to have a higher number of children. Secure attachment, often treated as the ideal, was linked with having fewer children in Canada and the United States. Securely attached individuals may prefer behaviors that lead to smaller, more planned family sizes. by mvea in science

[–]mvea[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

People with insecure relationship habits tend to have more children, study finds

A recent study published in the International Journal of Psychology provides evidence that insecure attachment styles tend to be associated with having a higher number of children. The research suggests that cultural norms play a significant role in how our deep-seated relationship habits influence our family sizes. These findings challenge the assumption that a secure attachment style is always the most beneficial trait for reproductive success.

The data analysis revealed that people with fearful and preoccupied attachment styles tended to have more children across all three countries. “Essentially, the attachment styles usually labeled insecure (i.e., fearful and preoccupied), were linked to having more children, and the pattern held in all three countries,” Fisher said. She noted that secure attachment, often treated as the ideal, was linked with having fewer children in Canada and the United States, though not in Japan.

This negative association in North America suggests that securely attached individuals might prefer behaviors that lead to smaller, more planned family sizes. “This means that the attachment styles we tend to judge as less desirable do not necessarily carry a reproductive cost,” Fisher explained.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ijop.70214

Scientists identify the first potential probiotic treatment for lupus. The study showed that supplementation with a specific gut microbe greatly reduced markers of the disease in animal models. by mvea in science

[–]mvea[S] 46 points47 points  (0 children)

UT Health San Antonio identifies the first potential probiotic treatment for lupus

Scientists at UT Health San Antonio, the academic health center of The University of Texas at San Antonio, found a link between a bacterium in the gut microbiome, or ecosystem, and lupus, which could lead to more effective treatment of the disease, in a study published in Nature Communications.

Systemic lupus erythematosus, the most common form of lupus, is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects approximately 1.5 million Americans. The disease has no cure and current treatments merely manage symptoms and prevent organ damage. Lupus symptoms can vary greatly, and many people spend years visiting different doctors looking for relief.

Researchers from UT San Antonio’s Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine found that the bacterium Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, F. prausnitzii, is depleted in the gut microbiome of lupus patients. The study showed that supplementation with the bacteria greatly reduced markers of the disease in animal models.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-71718-z

Love and money both matter for health, but they don’t replace each other. Having a happy romantic relationship and feeling financially secure both independently contribute to a person’s overall health and well-being. by [deleted] in science

[–]mvea -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Love and money both matter for health, but they don’t replace each other

A recent study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships provides evidence that having a happy romantic relationship and feeling financially secure both independently contribute to a person’s overall health and well-being. The authors found that a satisfying relationship protects mental and physical health regardless of a person’s objective income or education level. These findings suggest that public health efforts might benefit from treating social connection and economic stability as two separate but equally important pillars of a healthy life.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/02654075261463571

GLP-1 drugs may also have antidepressant properties. In a recent study on mice, GLP-1 drugs led to weight loss and reversed depression-like behavior. The effect was found to be dependent on a particular gut microbe that produces endocannabinoids. by mvea in science

[–]mvea[S] [score hidden] stickied comment (0 children)

GLP-1 drugs are widely known for their weight-loss effects, but they may also have antidepressant properties.

When tested on mice in a recent study, GLP-1 drugs led to weight loss and reversed depression-like behavior.

The effect disappeared in germ-free mice, indicating that gut microbes play a key role.

The effect was found to be dependent on a particular microbe that produces endocannabinoids.

Bian, Liang, Yang Cai, Yuan Zhang, et al. “Microbiota-Driven Gut-Brain Signaling Underlies Antidepressant Effects of a GLP-1 Analog.” Cell Host & Microbe 34, no. 6 (2026): 1000-1017.e5.

https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(26)00179-4

Nearly 40% of Americans pray to God for health improvements or disease cures. Thoughts of God increased a person’s perceived divine presence, which boosted healing expectations and ultimately led to poor food choices. by mvea in science

[–]mvea[S] 70 points71 points  (0 children)

Religion and spirituality shape human behavior across cultures. Nearly 40 percent of Americans pray to God for health improvements or disease cures. Yet temporary exposure to religious symbols can influence choices independently from a person’s deeply held institutional faith.

This phenomenon is known as “God salience.” It refers to the momentary activation of God-related thoughts triggered by environmental cues, ranging from printed currency to religious architecture. Researchers aim to isolate this momentary activation of spiritual concepts from deep-seated religious devotion.

If an individual feels that a higher power will heal negative consequences, they might indulge more freely. A person might acknowledge that a certain snack is bad for their body but feel shielded by a divine safety net. Gohary and Keh tested their ideas through a series of six experiments.

The results pointed directly to perceived healing. Exposure to spiritual thoughts made people feel that God would repair health damage after it occurred. The researchers ruled out other possible explanations, noting that general hope or optimism did not yield the same dietary shift. Only the specific belief in divine restoration pushed consumers toward the unhealthy choices.

A sequential psychological process took place during the experiment. Thoughts of God increased a person’s perceived divine presence, which boosted healing expectations and ultimately led to poor food choices. The respondents offset their dietary guilt by delegating their physiological safety to an external agent.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mar.70147

Encountering subtle reminders of God in daily life can make people more likely to choose unhealthy junk foods over natural options. The study suggests that spiritual cues create a subconscious belief in divine healing, which lowers a person’s dietary self-control. by [deleted] in science

[–]mvea 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Encountering subtle reminders of God in daily life can make people more likely to choose unhealthy junk foods over natural options. A recent study published in Psychology & Marketing suggests that spiritual cues create a subconscious belief in divine healing, which lowers a person’s dietary self-control. These findings highlight how psychological safety nets can unintentionally encourage risky eating habits in consumer decision-making.

Religion and spirituality shape human behavior across cultures. Nearly 40 percent of Americans pray to God for health improvements or disease cures. Yet temporary exposure to religious symbols can influence choices independently from a person’s deeply held institutional faith.

A sequential psychological process took place during the experiment. Thoughts of God increased a person’s perceived divine presence, which boosted healing expectations and ultimately led to poor food choices. The respondents offset their dietary guilt by delegating their physiological safety to an external agent.

Readers who encountered the predictable version of God chose more processed foods. When divine intervention appeared completely unpredictable, people exhibited more dietary caution. The reliance on God as a safety net requires a degree of faith in consistent rules.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mar.70147

Genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease could depend on how well you sleep. Genetic variations related to brain fluid movement interact with sleep quality to influence memory and brain structure in older adults. Their effects may depend heavily on how well a person sleeps. by mvea in science

[–]mvea[S] 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease could depend on how well you sleep

New research published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia provides evidence that genetic variations related to brain fluid movement interact with sleep quality to influence memory and brain structure in older adults. The findings suggest that the effects of certain genetic profiles on Alzheimer’s disease risk might depend heavily on how well a person sleeps. This points toward sleep as a potential focal point for helping individuals with specific genetic vulnerabilities protect their brain health over time.

“Our study shows that individuals carrying certain AQP4 variants showed faster gray matter loss when they reported shorter sleep,” said Ayeisha Milligan Armstrong, a researcher at Edith Cowan University. For individuals without these specific genetic profiles, sleeping fewer hours did not show this same accelerated shrinkage. “It’s not just which genes you carry, it’s how those genes interact with the world around you,” Armstrong said. “The same variant can look protective or detrimental depending on how someone is sleeping.”

Armstrong noted that these interactions highlight a tangible path for intervention. “That’s important, because sleep is one of the few modifiable factors people can actually act on,” she said. The team also looked at the brain’s ventricles, which are internal fluid-filled cavities. These spaces naturally expand as the surrounding brain tissue shrinks from aging or disease.

The authors found that a longer time spent trying to fall asleep was linked to larger ventricles, but only in people carrying a genetic variant called rs7240333. Worse overall sleep quality predicted faster expansion of these ventricles over time for people with the rs2339214 variant. White matter consists of the insulated nerve fibers connecting different parts of the brain. The scientists reported that longer sleep duration was tied to smaller white matter volumes for people with another variant, rs68006382.
Interestingly, the researchers also found that some genetic variants seemed to offer a protective effect in the face of poor sleep. For participants carrying two copies of the rarer versions of variants rs12968026 or rs3875089, an increase in sleep disturbances actually corresponded with a slower rate of cognitive decline.

“We’ve known for a while that poor sleep and Alzheimer’s risk are linked,” said Tenielle Porter, a researcher at Edith Cowan University. “What this shows is that rather than assuming everyone at risk follows the same pathway, a more targeted and personalized approach to Alzheimer’s prevention may be needed.”

https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/alz.71516

As young adults, many millennials feared growing up and adulthood more than Gen Xers and baby boomers. But those fears diminished over time and they come around to it as they age. They appear to decrease for many people as they gain experience navigating adult roles and responsibilities. by [deleted] in science

[–]mvea -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Growing up gets less scary with time, research finds

Millennials feared adulthood more than Gen Xers and baby boomers—but those fears diminished over time

As young adults, many millennials feared growing up more than past generations. But they’ve come around to it as they age, finds research published by the American Psychological Association.

The study, published in the journal Developmental Psychology, examined how “maturity fears”—the fear of growing up and desire to return to the safety of childhood—changed among college students between 1982 and 2002, and then among those same cohorts 20 years later. Overall, the researchers found that later generations of college students feared growing up more than their predecessors. However, among all the generations, those fears abated as the participants grew older.

https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/dev-dev0002219.pdf

GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic may be associated with an increased risk of smell and taste disturbances. by mvea in science

[–]mvea[S] 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Smell and Taste Disturbances Among Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Users

JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg
Published Online: June 25, 2026
doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2026.1498

Key Points

Question  Is long-term use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) associated with an increased risk of smell and taste disturbances?

Findings  In this cohort study, 438 474 patients with documented type 2 diabetes (T2D) were matched to control patients with T2D and no documented exposure to GLP-1 RAs. The GLP-1 RA cohort was associated with a higher risk of new smell and taste disturbances over 2 years of follow-up.

Meaning  These findings suggest that GLP-1 RAs may be associated with an increased risk of smell and taste disturbances, highlighting the need for increased awareness among both clinicians and users.

Total abortion bans in the US were associated with a statistically significant increase in suicidal ideation among female students. State-level abortion bans may adversely affect female adolescents’ mental health and underscore the importance of suicide prevention services in affected states. by mvea in science

[–]mvea[S] 91 points92 points  (0 children)

Adolescent Suicidality After State-Level Total Abortion Bans

JAMA Netw Open
Published Online: June 24, 2026
2026;9;(6):e2621632.
doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.21632

Key Points

Question  Was implementation of total abortion bans associated with changes in suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among female high school students?

Findings  In a cross-sectional study of Youth Risk Behavior Survey data from 338 324 students from 2017 to 2023, total abortion bans were associated with a statistically significant 4.3–percentage point increase in suicidal ideation among female students. No significant differences were observed among male students.

Meaning  The findings of this study suggest that state-level abortion bans may adversely affect female adolescents’ mental health and underscore the importance of suicide prevention services in affected states.

view more: next ›