Health & Medicine

1. DNA’s hidden power could transform how we make medicines

   Scientists found that DNA’s phosphate groups can direct chemical reactions to make the correct mirror-image form of drug molecules. This breakthrough simplifies chiral drug production, reducing waste and energy use. Using a new “PS scanning” method, the team pinpointed which DNA parts guide reactions. The approach could revolutionize green chemistry in pharmaceuticals.

2. Common antidepressant found to work in just two weeks

   Sertraline (Zoloft) may relieve emotional symptoms of depression and anxiety within two weeks, while physical side effects stabilize later. The research highlights how antidepressants can act on specific symptom networks rather than uniformly across all aspects of depression.

3. New laser treatment could stop blindness before it starts

   Aalto University scientists have created a laser-based treatment that uses gentle heat to stop the progression of dry macular degeneration. The approach stimulates the eye’s natural cleanup and repair systems to protect against blindness.

4. Scientists find brain cells that could stop Alzheimer’s

   Researchers have identified special immune cells in the brain that help slow Alzheimer’s. These microglia work to reduce inflammation and block the spread of harmful proteins. They appear to protect memory and brain health, offering a promising new direction for therapy.

5. Common pesticides may cause testicular damage and lower sperm counts

   A decade-long review by George Mason University researchers reveals growing evidence that neonicotinoid insecticides—the world’s most widely used class of pesticides—may harm male reproductive health. The findings, based on 21 animal studies, show consistent links between exposure and reduced sperm quality, hormonal disruption, and testicular damage.

6. COVID vaccine linked to fewer infections and allergies in kids with eczema

   New research suggests the COVID-19 vaccine could help children with eczema stay healthier overall. Vaccinated kids had lower rates of infections and allergies, including asthma and rhinitis, compared with unvaccinated peers. Experts believe the vaccine may help prevent allergic conditions from worsening, showing its value beyond protection from COVID-19.

7. A hidden cellular cleanup trick could reverse aging

   Researchers found that the body’s natural recycling system, the lysosome, plays a vital role in removing the protein that drives premature aging. When this system breaks down, aging speeds up. By reactivating it, scientists were able to help cells recover their youthful behavior. The discovery opens exciting possibilities for anti-aging treatments.

8. Stanford makes stem cell transplants safer without chemo

   A Stanford-led team has replaced toxic pre-transplant chemotherapy with a targeted antibody, allowing children with Fanconi anemia to receive stem cell transplants safely. The antibody, briquilimab, removes diseased stem cells without radiation, enabling nearly complete donor cell replacement. The approach also widens donor eligibility and could soon be applied to other bone marrow failure diseases.

9. Scientists find hidden brain damage from a common pesticide

   Prenatal exposure to the insecticide chlorpyrifos causes widespread brain abnormalities and poorer motor skills in children. Even after a residential ban, ongoing agricultural use continues to endanger developing brains.

10. Rare desert berry could transform diabetes treatment

    An extract from a desert berry used in traditional Chinese medicine restored insulin function and stabilized metabolism in diabetic mice. The findings hint at a powerful natural alternative for holistic diabetes treatment.

11. The hidden “Big Bang” that decides how bowel cancer grows

    Scientists have pinpointed a “Big Bang” moment in bowel cancer—when cells first evade the immune system. This early immune escape locks in how the cancer will behave as it grows. The discovery could help predict which patients respond to immunotherapy and lead to new vaccine strategies

12. Scientists discover how hair cells can help heal skin faster

    Rockefeller scientists uncovered how hair follicle stem cells can switch from growing hair to repairing skin when nutrients run low. The key lies in serine, an amino acid that activates a stress signal telling cells to conserve energy. When both injury and low serine occur, stem cells fully pivot to skin repair. The discovery could lead to dietary or medical ways to boost healing.

13. The bright colors in your food may be harming your kids

    Almost 20% of packaged foods and beverages in the US contain synthetic dyes, often paired with excessive sugar to attract children. These additives have been linked to behavioral issues, yet remain widespread among major brands like Mars and PepsiCo. Experts criticize the FDA for relying on voluntary reform, contrasting it with Europe’s stricter labeling laws. Growing state-level action offers hope for meaningful change.

14. Mini llama proteins show promise for Alzheimer’s treatment

    Miniature antibodies from camels and llamas can slip into the brain more easily than conventional drugs, offering a new way to treat disorders like Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia. Researchers say these “nanobodies” could reshape the future of brain medicine.

15. Common acne drug may protect against schizophrenia

    Scientists have discovered a surprising benefit of the acne drug doxycycline: it may lower the risk of schizophrenia. Teens prescribed the antibiotic were about one-third less likely to develop the condition as adults. The effect could stem from the drug’s ability to reduce brain inflammation. Researchers say the findings highlight an unexpected new direction in mental health prevention.