Health & Medicine

1. Eating Mediterranean could be the secret to healthy gums

   Eating more like the Mediterranean—rich in vegetables, legumes, fruits, and olive oil—may do more than just support heart health. A new King’s College London study suggests it also protects against gum disease by lowering inflammation markers in the blood.

2. Why so many young kids with ADHD are getting the wrong treatment

   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.

3. New drug could be first to stop deadly fatty liver disease

   Scientists at UC San Diego have identified a new drug, ION224, that could transform the treatment of MASH, a dangerous form of fatty liver disease tied to obesity and diabetes. By blocking a key liver enzyme, the drug reduces fat and inflammation, halting the root causes of liver damage. In a year-long clinical trial, patients showed major improvements without serious side effects, offering hope to millions affected worldwide.

4. Stress measured in hair could predict depression and anxiety in children

   Researchers from the University of Waterloo discovered that measuring long-term stress through children’s hair samples can reveal early signs of mental health risks in those living with chronic physical illnesses. Children with persistently high cortisol were more likely to struggle with anxiety, depression, and behavioral challenges, while those whose stress markers declined showed fewer problems.

5. Scientists test an anti-aging cream that actually works

   A 28-day trial showed that pterostilbene cream improved wrinkles, skin firmness, collagen, and pore size far better than a control emulsion. The results highlight pterostilbene as a promising natural ingredient for next-generation anti-aging skincare.

6. Millions have diabetes without knowing it

   A sweeping global study reveals that nearly half of people with diabetes don’t even know they have it, with young adults being the most overlooked. While most diagnosed patients receive treatment, less than half achieve proper blood sugar control, leaving only about one in five with well-managed diabetes.

7. Guava’s secret molecule could fight liver cancer

   Nature has long been the source of lifesaving medicines, from willow bark’s natural aspirin to new discoveries in tropical fruits. Now, chemists at the University of Delaware have pioneered a way to recreate powerful molecules from guava plants that show promise against liver cancer. Their method provides a low-cost, scalable recipe for scientists worldwide, sparking collaboration and potentially transforming cancer treatment.

8. Daily eye drops could make reading glasses obsolete

   Eye drops combining pilocarpine and diclofenac helped patients read extra lines on vision charts, with effects lasting up to two years. The treatment could revolutionize presbyopia care as a safe, non-surgical alternative to glasses.

9. Half of adults suffer from dry eyes, but most never get help

   Dry eyes are far more common than previously believed, with over half of adults in the US and Europe experiencing symptoms, yet most remain undiagnosed for years. The large-scale NESTS study reveals that sufferers often endure daily discomfort that disrupts work, driving, and even surgery outcomes. Many accept the condition as part of aging, unaware that simple treatments could provide relief.

10. Cannabis use may quadruple diabetes risk

    A massive study of over 4 million adults has revealed that cannabis use may nearly quadruple the risk of developing diabetes. Despite some earlier suggestions that cannabis might have metabolic benefits, this large analysis found significantly higher diabetes rates among users, even after adjusting for other health factors.

11. Being too thin can be deadlier than being overweight, Danish study reveals

    New research from Denmark challenges long-held assumptions about body weight and health, revealing that being overweight—or even moderately obese—does not necessarily increase the risk of death compared to those at the upper end of the "normal" BMI range. In fact, those who are underweight or at the lower end of the so-called healthy spectrum faced higher risks.

12. 1 in 8 Americans have already tried Ozempic and similar weight loss medications

    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.

13. Sleepless nights may raise dementia risk by 40%, Mayo Clinic reveals

    Chronic insomnia may do more than leave you groggy, it could speed up brain aging. A large Mayo Clinic study found that people with long-term sleep troubles were 40% more likely to develop dementia or cognitive impairment, with brain scans showing changes linked to Alzheimer’s. Those reporting reduced sleep showed declines comparable to being four years older, while certain genetic risk carriers saw even steeper drops.

14. AI can now predict who will go blind, years before doctors can

    Researchers trained AI on tens of thousands of eye scans, enabling doctors to predict which keratoconus patients need early treatment and which can be safely monitored, cutting down on unnecessary procedures while preventing vision loss.

15. Most quit breakthrough weight-loss drug within a year

    A massive Danish study reveals that despite the remarkable weight-loss benefits of semaglutide, more than half of adults without diabetes stop using it within a year. High costs, unpleasant side effects, and underlying medical or psychiatric conditions play major roles in the dropouts. Younger users and men are especially prone to quitting, raising concerns since discontinuation often leads to weight regain.