Health & Medicine

1. Popular brain supplement linked to shorter lifespan in men

   A massive study of more than 270,000 people has uncovered a surprising link between a common amino acid and how long men live. Researchers found that higher levels of tyrosine—an amino acid found in protein-rich foods and often marketed as a focus-boosting supplement—were associated with shorter life expectancy in men, potentially trimming nearly a year off lifespan.

2. PFAS found in most americans linked to rapid biological aging

   “Forever chemicals” known as PFAS have quietly infiltrated everything from nonstick pans to food packaging—and now new research suggests some of them may be speeding up the aging process itself. In a nationally representative U.S. study, two lesser-known PFAS compounds, PFNA and PFOSA, were found in 95% of participants and strongly linked to faster biological aging in men aged 50 to 64.

3. Hidden architecture inside cellular droplets opens new targets for cancer and ALS

   Biomolecular condensates were long believed to be simple liquid blobs inside cells. Researchers have now uncovered that some are actually supported by fine protein filaments forming an internal scaffold. When this structure is disrupted, cells fail to grow and divide properly. The discovery suggests scientists may one day design drugs that target condensate architecture to fight cancer and neurodegenerative disease.

4. Just two days of oatmeal cut bad cholesterol by 10%

   Eating nothing but oatmeal for just two days might sound extreme, but it delivered a striking payoff in a new clinical trial. People with metabolic syndrome who followed a short, calorie-reduced oat-based plan saw their harmful LDL cholesterol drop by 10%, along with modest weight loss and lower blood pressure. Even more surprising, the cholesterol benefits were still visible six weeks later.

5. Study finds vegetarians over 80 less likely to reach 100

   Avoiding meat might slightly lower the odds of reaching 100 — but only for frail, underweight seniors. In very old age, staying strong and maintaining muscle matters more than long-term disease prevention. Older adults who included fish, eggs, or dairy were just as likely to become centenarians as meat eaters, suggesting that key nutrients may make the difference. The takeaway: nutrition needs change dramatically with age.

6. Massive review suggests exercise may do little for osteoarthritis pain

   A sweeping new analysis of the evidence suggests that exercise therapy — long promoted as a first-line treatment for osteoarthritis — may offer only small and short-lived relief, and in some cases might be no better than doing nothing at all. After reviewing dozens of clinical trials involving more than 13,000 participants, researchers found that benefits for knee osteoarthritis pain were minimal and tended to shrink in larger or longer-term studies.

7. The more you fear aging, the faster your body may age

   Worrying about getting older—especially fearing future health problems—may actually speed up aging at the cellular level, according to new research from NYU. In a study of more than 700 women, those who felt more anxious about aging showed signs of faster biological aging in their blood, measured using cutting-edge “epigenetic clocks.” Fears about declining health had the strongest link, while concerns about beauty or fertility didn’t appear to have the same biological impact.

8. Popular acid reflux medication linked to anemia and bone loss

   Popular acid reflux drugs such as Prilosec, Nexium, and Protonix may carry hidden risks when taken long term. A new study found that extended use disrupted iron and calcium levels in rats, changes associated with anemia and osteoporosis risk. Researchers also observed shifts in mineral balance across multiple organs. Experts say the medications are effective, but prolonged use without medical guidance could have unintended consequences.

9. Shingles vaccine may slow biological aging and reduce inflammation

   A shingles shot might do more than prevent a painful rash — it could actually help slow down the aging process. In a large national study of more than 3,800 Americans age 70 and older, those who received the shingles vaccine showed slower biological aging compared to those who didn’t. Researchers found lower levels of chronic inflammation and slower changes in gene activity linked to aging, suggesting the vaccine may calm the body’s “inflammaging” — the low-grade inflammation tied to heart disease, frailty, and cognitive decline.

10. New drug target discovered for devastating “brain on fire” disease

    Scientists have zeroed in on a critical weak spot behind a rare but devastating brain autoimmune disorder often known as “Brain on Fire.” The disease strikes when the immune system attacks NMDA receptors—key molecules involved in memory and thinking—leading to psychiatric symptoms, seizures, and even death.

11. Scientists discover hidden sugar layer behind psoriasis

    A gel-like sugar coating on immune cells has been found to play a starring role in psoriasis. Researchers discovered that immune cells shed this outer layer to help them exit the bloodstream and enter inflamed skin. This challenges the long-held idea that only blood vessel walls changed during this process. The finding could help guide new therapies aimed at controlling harmful inflammation.

12. Microplastics found in 90% of prostate cancer tumors, study reveals

    Researchers have detected microplastics in nearly all prostate cancer tumors examined in a new study. Tumor tissue contained about 2.5 times more plastic than nearby healthy prostate tissue. Scientists say this is the first Western study to directly measure plastic particles in prostate tumors. More research is needed, but the findings suggest microplastic exposure could play a role in cancer development.

13. Alzheimer’s may begin with a silent drop in brain blood flow

    Subtle changes in brain blood flow and oxygen use are closely linked to hallmark signs of Alzheimer’s, including amyloid plaques and memory-related brain shrinkage. Simple, noninvasive scans may one day help spot risk earlier—by looking at the brain’s vascular health, not just its plaques.

14. New brain stimulation approach could treat depression in just 5 days

    A weeklong, high-intensity version of TMS may work nearly as well as the standard six-week treatment for depression. In a UCLA study, patients who received five sessions a day for five days experienced meaningful symptom relief comparable to those on the traditional schedule. Some who didn’t improve immediately showed strong gains weeks later. The findings hint at a faster, more accessible path to recovery.

15. Scientists engineer bacteria to eat cancer tumors from the inside out

    Researchers are engineering bacteria to invade tumors and consume them from the inside. Because tumor cores lack oxygen, they’re the perfect breeding ground for these microbes. The team added a genetic tweak that helps the bacteria survive longer near oxygen-exposed edges — but only once enough of them are present to trigger the change. It’s a carefully programmed biological attack that could one day offer a new way to destroy cancer.