Health & Medicine

1. Bacteria hidden inside tumors could help beat cancer

   Scientists have discovered that bacteria living inside tumors can produce a molecule that fights cancer and enhances chemotherapy. The molecule, called 2-methylisocitrate (2-MiCit), was found to make colorectal cancer cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy by damaging their DNA and disrupting their metabolism. Experiments using worms, flies, and human cancer cells confirmed its potent anti-cancer effects.

2. New research reveals what’s really hiding in bottled water

   A chance encounter with plastic waste on a tropical beach sparked a deep investigation into what those fragments mean for human health. The research reveals that bottled water isn’t as pure as it seems—each sip may contain invisible microplastics that can slip through the body’s defenses and lodge in vital organs. These tiny pollutants are linked to inflammation, hormonal disruption, and even neurological damage, yet remain dangerously understudied.

3. A psychedelic surprise: DMT helps the brain heal after stroke

   Scientists have discovered that DMT, a natural compound found in plants and even the human brain, can dramatically reduce brain damage caused by stroke. The psychoactive molecule, long known for its hallucinogenic effects, restored the blood-brain barrier and reduced inflammation in animal and cell studies. These findings suggest that DMT could complement existing stroke treatments, potentially transforming recovery outcomes.

4. Scientists finally reveal what’s behind long COVID’s mysterious brain fog

   Researchers in Japan have pinpointed a biological cause of Long COVID brain fog using advanced PET brain imaging. They discovered widespread increases in AMPA receptor density linked to cognitive impairment and inflammation. The findings confirm brain fog as a measurable, biological condition and reveal new targets for treatment. This could open the door to effective diagnostics and therapies.

5. Scientists find brain circuit that traps alcohol users in the vicious cycle of addiction

   Addiction often isn’t about chasing pleasure—it’s about escaping pain. Researchers at Scripps Research have discovered that a tiny brain region called the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) becomes hyperactive when animals learn that alcohol eases the agony of withdrawal. This circuit helps explain why people relapse: their brains learn that alcohol brings relief from stress and anxiety.

6. Nanotech transforms vinegar into a lifesaving superbug killer

   Researchers have enhanced vinegar’s antibacterial properties by infusing it with cobalt-based carbon nanoparticles. This nano-boosted solution kills harmful bacteria from both inside and outside their cells while remaining safe for humans. Tests on mice showed it healed infected wounds effectively. The discovery could be a breakthrough against antibiotic-resistant infections worldwide.

7. You don’t have to lose weight to lower your diabetes risk, scientists say

   A major study from Tübingen found that prediabetic individuals who normalized their blood sugar through healthy habits — even without shedding pounds — cut their risk of type 2 diabetes by 71%. Researchers discovered that improved fat distribution, particularly less abdominal fat, was key. The findings suggest that focusing solely on weight loss may overlook the true drivers of diabetes prevention.

8. Scientists find hidden brain damage behind dementia

   A University of New Mexico scientist is revealing what might be one of the most overlooked causes of dementia — damage in the brain’s tiny blood vessels. Dr. Elaine Bearer has created a new way to classify these changes, showing that many people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s also suffer from vascular damage that quietly destroys brain tissue. Even more surprising, she’s finding microplastics inside the brain that appear linked to inflammation and memory loss.

9. It’s not just genes — parents can pass down longevity another way

   Scientists studying tiny roundworms have uncovered how the secrets of a long life can be passed from parents to their offspring — without changing DNA. The discovery shows that when certain cellular structures called lysosomes change in ways that promote longevity, those benefits can travel from body cells to reproductive cells. This information is carried by histones, special proteins that help organize DNA, allowing the “memory” of those changes to be inherited.

10. Why ultra-processed foods aren’t the real villain behind overeating

    Researchers from Leeds found that overeating is driven more by what people believe about food than by its actual ingredients or level of processing. Foods perceived as fatty, sweet, or highly processed were more likely to trigger indulgence. Surprisingly, the “ultra-processed” label explained almost none of the difference in overeating behavior. The findings suggest that perception and psychology may be more important than packaging or processing.

11. Would you eat yogurt made with ants? Scientists did

    In a remarkable blend of science and tradition, researchers have revived an old Balkan and Turkish yogurt-making technique that uses ants as natural fermenters. The ants’ bacteria, acids, and enzymes transform milk into a rich, tangy yogurt while showcasing the diversity and complexity lost in modern, industrialized yogurt strains.

12. Nearly half of drivers killed in crashes had THC in their blood

    Over 40% of fatal crash victims had THC levels far above legal limits, showing cannabis use before driving remains widespread. The rate didn’t drop after legalization, suggesting policy changes haven’t altered risky habits. Experts warn that the lack of public awareness around marijuana’s dangers behind the wheel is putting lives at risk.

13. Brain cancer that eats the skull stuns scientists

    A new study shows glioblastoma isn’t confined to the brain—it erodes the skull and hijacks the immune system within skull marrow. The cancer opens channels that let inflammatory cells enter the brain, fueling its deadly progression. Even drugs meant to protect bones can make things worse, highlighting the need for therapies that target both brain and bone. The discovery reframes glioblastoma as a whole-body disease, not just a brain disorder.

14. Why the brain’s GPS fails with age, and how some minds defy it

    Stanford scientists found that aging disrupts the brain’s internal navigation system in mice, mirroring spatial memory decline in humans. Older mice struggled to recall familiar locations, while a few “super-agers” retained youthful brain patterns. Genetic clues suggest some animals, and people, may be naturally resistant to cognitive aging. The discovery could pave the way for preventing memory loss in old age.

15. Think light drinking protects your brain? Think again

    A massive new study combining observational and genetic data overturns the long-held belief that light drinking protects the brain. Researchers found that dementia risk rises in direct proportion to alcohol consumption, with no safe level identified.