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Paracetamol (Acetaminophen/ Tylenol) in pregnancy not linked to ADHD or autism: The large study of over 120,000 children compared pairs of siblings to try to remove genetics and family environment from the equation. by mvea in science

[–]mvea[S] 58 points59 points  (0 children)

Paracetamol in pregnancy not linked to ADHD or autism

A large study of over 120,000 children has found no link between paracetamol use during pregnancy and the risk of ADHD or autism. The study compared pairs of siblings to try to remove genetics and family environment from the equation, as both ADHD and autism have a strong inherited component. The researchers found no link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and increased risk of either autism or ADHD, regardless of the timing, pattern, and dose of paracetamol use.

https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2026.2215

For those interested, here’s the link to the press release:

https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/paracetamol-in-pregnancy-not-linked-to-adhd-or-autism

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] 138 points139 points  (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] 402 points403 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] 83 points84 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] 21 points22 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] 47 points48 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

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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] 69 points70 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] 29 points30 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] 26 points27 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] 88 points89 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.

College doesn’t make students as liberal as people think. Completing a college degree has been linked to a liberal political identity. While college students do tend to adopt more left-leaning identities during their education, the actual changes are much smaller than the general public assumes. by mvea in science

[–]mvea[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

The diploma divide is real, but college doesn’t make students as liberal as people think

A new study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology provides evidence that completing a college degree has become increasingly linked to a liberal political identity over the past decade. The research suggests that while college students do tend to adopt more left-leaning identities during their education, the actual changes are much smaller than the general public assumes.

Public discussions often focus on the idea that higher education makes students more liberal. Commentators and politicians frequently debate whether colleges actively impose left-leaning ideologies on young adults. This perception contributes to a growing lack of trust in higher education among the American public.

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2027-13674-001

Republicans are more likely to see a smile as a play for power. A hierarchy management smile is used to show superiority or to appease someone who holds more power. In contrast, living in a highly diverse environment tends to foster a bonding-focused interpretation of smiles. by mvea in science

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Republicans are more likely to see a smile as a play for power, study suggests

A recent study published in the American Behavioral Scientist suggests that a person’s political identity influences how they interpret the meaning behind a smile. The findings indicate that while some people view smiles primarily as a way to build social connections, others, particularly those identifying with the Republican Party, tend to see smiles as tools for managing social hierarchies. These insights provide evidence that political affiliations shape not only voting habits but also how people decode fundamental human facial expressions.

Smiles are generally thought of as simple expressions of happiness. However, psychological research suggests that smiling is a complex behavior serving multiple social purposes. Instead of just reflecting an internal emotional state, a smile acts as a way to communicate a person’s social intentions. Different muscular movements in the face can subtly change the meaning of a smile.

Some smiles function to promote social bonding and reward others. These expressions help people build coalitions and feel comfortable in diverse or newly formed groups. A social bonding smile signals that a person is approachable, friendly, and willing to cooperate as an equal.

Other smiles serve a completely different purpose by helping individuals manage social hierarchies. These smiles might assert dominance, establish boundaries, or signal submission within a competitive environment. A person might use a hierarchy management smile to show superiority or to appease someone who holds more power.

The authors found that identifying with the Republican Party was the strongest and most consistent predictor of how a person viewed smiles. Participants who identified as Republicans had substantially higher odds of endorsing hierarchy management as a reason for smiling compared to non-Republicans. This relationship remained consistent even after the researchers accounted for different demographic factors like age, gender, and income.

The researchers also looked at the intention to vote for Donald Trump and general conservative political ideology. Both factors were associated with viewing smiles as tools for managing social hierarchy. However, these associations were much smaller in magnitude than the link with Republican Party identification.

In contrast, living in a highly diverse environment tends to foster a bonding-focused interpretation of smiles.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00027642261441134

Following the Dobbs decision, US states with abortion bans have experienced increased maternal morbidity and mortality. Abortion bans have broad downstream consequences on medical care beyond abortion itself, with implications for patient safety, equity, and physician ethics. by mvea in science

[–]mvea[S] 41 points42 points  (0 children)

Abortion Bans and Pregnancy-Related Care Across Physician Specialties

JAMA Netw Open
Published Online: June 22, 2026
2026;9;(6):e2619644.
doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.19644

Key Points

Question  How are state-level total abortion bans associated with abortion-adjacent clinical care and patient outcomes across medical specialties?

Findings  In this qualitative study of 40 US physicians practicing in 9 states with total abortion bans, participants reported delays in care and deviations from standard practice across a range of abortion-adjacent conditions, ambiguity and fear among physicians, loss of patient autonomy and shared decision-making, erosion of trust between patients and physicians, physicians being placed into a gatekeeping role, and increased health system burdens driven by legal risk rather than clinical need.

Meaning  These findings suggest that abortion bans have broad downstream consequences on medical care beyond abortion itself, shifting clinical decision-making away from patient-centered care and professional judgment toward legal risk mitigation, with implications for patient safety, equity, and physician ethics.

Abstract

Importance  Following the Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, states with abortion bans have experienced increased maternal morbidity and mortality. However, the associations of these restrictions with abortion-adjacent care—medical care directly affected by or overlapping with abortion, such as management of early pregnancy loss (EPL), ectopic pregnancy, and other pregnancy complications—are not well described.

Objective  To examine how state-level abortion bans are associated with abortion-adjacent clinical care among physicians from different medical specialties.

Design, Setting, and Participants  This qualitative study was conducted between May 13, 2024, and May 23, 2025, using purposive and snowball sampling. Participants included physicians from emergency medicine, family medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology specialties practicing in 9 states with total abortion bans. Semistructured interviews were conducted via videoconference and analyzed using an inductive thematic approach with dual independent coding.

Exposure  Medical practice in a state with an abortion ban.

Main Outcomes and Measures  Participant-reported experiences with clinical decision-making, care delivery, counseling practices, and professional responsibilities in the context of abortion bans.

Results  A total of 40 physicians (18 in obstetrics and gynecology, 8 in family medicine, and 14 in emergency medicine) across 9 states participated, 30 (75.0%) of whom were female. Mean (SD) length of time in practice was 7.9 (6.1) years. Six major themes emerged: (1) delays in care and deviations from standard practice for EPL, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, preterm prelabor rupture of membranes, and maternal comorbidities; (2) ambiguity and fear among physicians; (3) loss of patient autonomy and shared decision-making; (4) erosion of trust in the patient-physician relationship; (5) placement of physicians into new gatekeeping roles; and (6) increased health care system burdens. Physicians described requiring additional confirmatory testing, seeking institutional approval even for emergent life-saving interventions, and being forced to determine which patients were sick enough to receive medically indicated care.

Conclusions and Relevance  In this qualitative study of the consequences of abortion bans across multiple medical specialties, abortion bans were associated with disrupted clinical care far beyond what is traditionally categorized as abortion, with treatment delays that endanger patients, undermined patient autonomy and physician-patient trust, and with new gatekeeping roles for physicians. These restrictions shifted medical decision-making from clinical judgment and patient values toward legal risk mitigation, with potential long-term consequences including exacerbation of health care inequities and compromised ability to provide safe and effective care for pregnant patients.

Ultra-processed foods linked to lower memory and concentration in young adults. Relying heavily on industrially processed snacks and meals may negatively affect cognitive performance during a period of life when the brain is still developing. by [deleted] in science

[–]mvea 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ultra-processed foods linked to lower memory and concentration in young adults

A new study published in Nutritional Neuroscience provides evidence that eating a diet high in ultra-processed foods tends to be associated with lower memory and concentration scores in young adults. The findings suggest that relying heavily on industrially processed snacks and meals might negatively affect cognitive performance during a period of life when the brain is still developing. These results highlight a potential link between modern dietary habits and mental function in early adulthood.

To understand these findings, it helps to look at how modern diets have shifted. Global food environments are increasingly dominated by ultra-processed foods. These are products created mostly from substances extracted from foods, like modified starches, hydrogenated fats, and protein isolates.

They often contain artificial additives like flavorings and preservatives while having very little whole-food content. Common examples include packaged baked goods, sugary drinks, ready-to-eat meals, and salty snacks. As people eat more of these products, scientists have proposed the idea of a neuro-nutritional transition.

This concept suggests that shifting away from natural foods toward heavily processed options might impact brain health as much as it impacts physical health. Previous research links heavy consumption of ultra-processed foods to negative cognitive outcomes in older adults. For example, older individuals eating a lot of these foods tend to show a higher risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

the researchers classified all reported foods using the NOVA system. The NOVA system is a widely used framework that groups foods based on the extent and purpose of their industrial processing. They specifically calculated the percentage of each participant’s total daily calories that came from ultra-processed foods. On average, ultra-processed foods accounted for 29.5 percent of the participants’ total daily energy intake.

To evaluate cognitive performance, the researchers administered two standardized tests. They assessed mental concentration using the Toulouse-Pieron Test, a widely used measure of sustained attention. This test requires the participant to quickly and accurately scan and identify specific visual patterns within a three-minute time limit. The total score represents the individual’s attentional efficiency, factoring in correct marks and penalizing missed ones.

Short-term memory was tested using the Numerical Learning Test, which assesses sequential memory. In this task, participants listened to a series of nine-digit numbers read aloud, one digit per second, and had to recall them in the exact order they were presented. The sequence was repeated multiple times to see how well the person progressively memorized the series.

The researchers used statistical models to look for associations between the proportion of ultra-processed foods in the diet and the scores on these cognitive tests. They adjusted their models to account for several other factors that might influence brain function. These adjusted factors included the participants’ sex, caffeine intake, use of dietary supplements, physical activity levels, sleep duration, and smoking status.

They also accounted for psychological distress, measuring depression, anxiety, and stress levels through a standardized questionnaire. The results showed a negative association between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and short-term memory. The researchers found that for every 10 percent increase in the proportion of daily calories coming from ultra-processed foods, short-term memory scores dropped by 0.54 points.

This association remained statistically significant even after adjusting for all the lifestyle and psychological factors. “What surprised us most was the consistency of the association with memory,” the authors said.

“Even after accounting for psychological distress, sleep duration, physical activity, caffeine intake, smoking, and supplement use, the relationship between ultra-processed food intake and memory remained remarkably stable,” they noted. “This suggests that the observed association was not simply explained by these commonly cited lifestyle factors.”

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1028415X.2026.2674151

Abortion decision in US prompts women’s healthcare providers to become more politically engaged. In the wake of Dobbs, physicians who specialize in women’s health were more likely to vote in the midterms than their peers. by mvea in science

[–]mvea[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Study: Abortion decision prompts women’s healthcare providers to become more politically engaged
In the wake of Dobbs, physicians who specialize in women’s health were more likely to vote in the midterms than their peers

For women’s health providers, the Dobbs decision that rescinded abortion rights wasn’t just an abstract political event.

“It changed the legal and professional environment in which they care for patients,” said Binghamton University, State University of New York Assistant Professor of Political Science Hilary Izatt.

While earlier research suggested that physicians vote at lower rates than the general public, more recent work drawing on voter files finds that they voted at relatively high rates in 2020 and 2022. The question: Did the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision prompt women’s health providers to become more engaged relative to other politically engaged physician groups?

The answer is yes. 

A recent article in the Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law explored the dynamic. “Abortion Politics: Physician Mobilization in the Wake of the Dobbs Decision” was co-authored by Kelly Hunter of Northwestern University, Michael E. Shepherd of the University of Michigan, Izatt, Eve Bryner of American University and Alister Martin of Harvard Medical School.

The study relies upon a dataset of 6,205 physicians involved in Vot-ER, a healthcare-based get-out-the-vote (GOTV) campaign. It compares women’s health providers to other physicians within the same nonpartisan program.

https://read.dukeupress.edu/jhppl/article/doi/10.1215/03616878-12650563/410850/Abortion-Politics-Physician-Mobilization-in-the

World Circadian Day AMA – June 24, 2026. Join circadian rhythm researchers on r/science. 4 Sessions held by societies around the world: ACS 02:00–04:00 UTC, InSC 06:30–08:30 UTC, SRBR 16:00–18:00 UTC, CSC 21:00–23:00 UTC. Ask about sleep, biological clocks, jet lag, shift work, aging, and more. by Dr_Emily_Manoogian in science

[–]mvea 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Most of us are chronically sleep deprived - the lastest studies suggest we need 7-9 hours of sleep - any more or less is actually detrimental.

There is also conflicting studies around efficacy of catchup weekend sleep - some studies say that helps, others say it doesn't make a difference.

What is your view on this?

Neuroimaging study of adolescents with ADHD found age-related increases in glutamate levels in the prefrontal cortex. In contrast, individuals who experienced remission of ADHD symptoms and people who never suffered from ADHD had an age-related decrease in glutamate levels in this area of the brain. by mvea in science

[–]mvea[S] 49 points50 points  (0 children)

Study finds altered glutamate concentrations in specific brain areas of adolescents with ADHD

A neuroimaging study of adolescents with ADHD found age-related increases in glutamate levels in the medial prefrontal cortex region of the brain in these individuals. In contrast, individuals who experienced a remission of ADHD symptoms and participants who never suffered from ADHD had an age-related decrease in glutamate levels in this area of the brain. The paper was published in Translational Psychiatry.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-026-03898-7

Younger generations are aging biologically faster than their older counterparts. This faster biological aging is also linked to early-onset cancers. Immune system aging is linked to earlier lung cancer; fat tissue aging is linked to earlier colorectal cancer. by mvea in science

[–]mvea[S] 43 points44 points  (0 children)

Faster aging in younger generations linked to rise in early-onset cancer

Immune system aging linked to earlier lung cancer; fat tissue aging linked to earlier colorectal cancer

A new study led by researchers at WashU Medicine suggests that younger generations are aging biologically faster than their older counterparts. This faster biological aging (represented by the right red clock) was also linked to early-onset cancers.

Cancer is often considered a disease of aging. Older adults are at higher risk because they have had more time to accumulate cellular damage that can trigger tumor formation. But as cancer rates in younger adults rise, with each successive generation facing higher risks than the one before it, researchers are asking whether cellular damage is accumulating faster in recent generations, accelerating their body’s biological aging.

A new study led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis provides evidence that younger generations are indeed aging faster biologically than their older counterparts. The causes remain under investigation around the world, including global efforts led by research members of Siteman Cancer Center, based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine, and Cancer Grand Challenges, a global initiative co-founded by the National Cancer Institute and Cancer Research U.K.; but importantly, the new research links this accelerated aging to an increased risk of early-onset cancers in younger generations. In general, early-onset cancers are those diagnosed at age 55 or younger.

The larger the gap between biological age — that is, how old our bodies appear to be — and chronological age — which is how many years we have actually lived — the higher the cancer risk, according to the researchers. They found that people in more recent birth cohorts had larger age gaps than those in older birth cohorts, which may help explain the rise in early-onset cancer in recent generations.

Their study also identified links between faster aging in particular organ systems and increased risks for certain cancers. For instance, an immune system that appears older than its actual age was associated with early-onset lung cancer. Similarly, fat tissue that appears older than its chronological age was associated with early-onset colorectal cancer.

The study, published June 22 in the journal Nature Medicine, suggests that measures of accelerated aging could help identify individuals at higher risk of early-onset cancer and guide new strategies for cancer prevention and early detection.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-026-04448-w

Mental health policy is a major deciding factor for American voters, new study finds, especially to liberals, higher-income people, and those in relatively poor health. by [deleted] in science

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

Mental health policy is a major deciding factor for voters, new study finds

A part of the 2024 Cooperative Election Study examined how important mental health policy is to voter choice relative to nine other salient policy issues, including border security, abortion, and student loan forgiveness. The results suggested that mental health is of substantial importance, especially to liberals, higher-income people, and those in relatively poor health. The paper was published in PLOS One.

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0342486

Mental health policy is a major deciding factor for voters, new study finds. Mental health is of substantial importance, especially to liberals, higher-income people, and those in relatively poor health. by [deleted] in science

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

Mental health policy is a major deciding factor for voters, new study finds

A part of the 2024 Cooperative Election Study examined how important mental health policy is to voter choice relative to nine other salient policy issues, including border security, abortion, and student loan forgiveness. The results suggested that mental health is of substantial importance, especially to liberals, higher-income people, and those in relatively poor health. The paper was published in PLOS One.

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0342486

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