Health & Medicine

1. People with eating disorders say cannabis and psychedelics help more than antidepressants

   A massive global survey has revealed that people with eating disorders often turn to cannabis and psychedelics like magic mushrooms and LSD to ease their symptoms, rating them more effective than traditional medications. Surprisingly, common prescriptions like antidepressants were seen as helpful for overall mental health but fell short for eating disorder relief.

2. Even without catching COVID, the pandemic may have quietly aged your brain

   Even people who never caught Covid-19 may have aged mentally faster during the pandemic, according to new brain scan research. This large UK study shows how the stress, isolation, and upheaval of lockdowns may have aged our brains, especially in older adults, men, and disadvantaged individuals. While infection itself impacted some thinking skills, even those who stayed virus-free showed signs of accelerated brain aging—possibly reversible. The study highlights how major life disruptions, not just illness, can reshape our mental health.

3. Scientists just resurrected the 1918 “Spanish Flu” virus—here’s what they found

   Scientists in Switzerland have cracked open a century-old viral mystery by decoding the genome of the 1918 influenza virus from a preserved Zurich patient. This ancient RNA revealed that the virus had already adapted to humans at the very start of the pandemic, carrying mutations that made it both more infectious and more immune-resistant. By pioneering a new method to recover fragile RNA from preserved tissue, researchers gained rare insights into how flu viruses evolve. The study not only revives the history of one of humanity's deadliest outbreaks but also arms us with critical knowledge to face future pandemics with smarter, science-based strategies.

4. A simple twist fooled AI—and revealed a dangerous flaw in medical ethics

   Even the most powerful AI models, including ChatGPT, can make surprisingly basic errors when navigating ethical medical decisions, a new study reveals. Researchers tweaked familiar ethical dilemmas and discovered that AI often defaulted to intuitive but incorrect responses—sometimes ignoring updated facts. The findings raise serious concerns about using AI for high-stakes health decisions and underscore the need for human oversight, especially when ethical nuance or emotional intelligence is involved.

5. Just two workouts a week could cut heart death risk by 33% in diabetics

   Even if you're cramming your workouts into the weekend, you might be doing your heart a big favor—especially if you have diabetes. A large study of over 50,000 adults with diabetes found that both “weekend warriors” and those who spread out their exercise during the week saw significant reductions in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risks. Surprisingly, the pattern of exercise didn’t matter as long as the total time met current health guidelines. That means squeezing in your 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity over one or two days can be just as beneficial as spreading it out over several sessions.

6. A deadly virus no one talks about — and the HIV drugs that might stop it

   HIV antivirals may be the key to stopping HTLV-1, a deadly virus with no cure. In a decade-long study, researchers successfully suppressed the virus in mice and discovered a way to kill infected cells, offering hope for the first preventative and curative treatments.

7. Breakthrough: How radiation helps the immune system kill cancer

   Radiation therapy, once thought of mainly as a local cancer treatment, is now showing power to awaken the immune system in surprising ways. Researchers discovered that combining radiation with immunotherapy can transform stubborn, unresponsive lung tumors into targets for immune attack—especially those considered “cold” and typically resistant. This happens through a rare and poorly understood effect where immune cells are activated systemically, not just at the radiation site. Patients whose tumors underwent this “warm-up” had significantly better outcomes, revealing a promising new strategy for fighting hard-to-treat cancers.

8. Cancer cells go up in flames—thanks to this deep-sea sugar

   Scientists have discovered a sugar compound from deep-sea bacteria that can destroy cancer cells in a dramatic way. This natural substance, produced by microbes living in the ocean, causes cancer cells to undergo a fiery form of cell death, essentially making them self-destruct. In lab tests and in mice with liver cancer, the compound not only stopped tumors from growing, but also activated the immune system to fight back. This finding could pave the way for entirely new cancer treatments based on sugars from marine organisms.

9. The fungus that makes bread better for you

   Scientists have discovered that pairing bread wheat with a special soil fungus can significantly enhance its nutritional value. This partnership leads to bigger grains rich in zinc and phosphorus—without increasing anti-nutrients that block absorption. As a result, the wheat becomes a healthier option for human diets. Researchers believe this fungal strategy could offer a natural, sustainable way to fortify global crops with essential nutrients.

10. New genetic test predicts obesity before you start kindergarten

    A groundbreaking study involving genetic data from over five million people has uncovered how our DNA can predict obesity risk as early as childhood. The new polygenic risk score outperforms previous methods, helping to identify high-risk children before weight issues develop paving the way for early lifestyle interventions.

11. Teen bats are spawning new viruses—here’s why scientists are paying close attention

    New research from the University of Sydney sheds light on how coronaviruses emerge in bat populations, focusing on young bats as hotspots for infections and co-infections that may drive viral evolution. By analyzing thousands of samples over three years, scientists discovered that juvenile bats frequently host multiple coronaviruses simultaneously—offering a real-time window into how new strains might arise. These findings, while involving non-human-infecting viruses, provide a powerful model to forecast how dangerous variants could eventually spill over into humans, especially as environmental pressures bring bats closer to human habitats.

12. Magic mushrooms rewind aging in mice—could they do the same for humans?

    A surprising discovery from Emory University shows that psilocin, the active metabolite of psychedelic mushrooms, can delay cellular aging and extend lifespan. Human cells lived over 50% longer, and mice treated with psilocybin not only lived 30% longer but also looked and aged better.

13. Scientists just discovered a secret code hidden in your DNA

    What scientists once dismissed as junk DNA may actually be some of the most powerful code in our genome. A new international study reveals that ancient viral DNA buried in our genes plays an active role in controlling how other genes are turned on or off, especially during early human development. These sequences, originally from long-extinct viruses, have evolved to act like tiny genetic switches. Using new analysis tools and large-scale experiments, researchers discovered that certain viral DNA fragments are especially strong at activating genes and may even have helped shape what makes humans different from other primates.

14. One pregnancy shot slashes baby RSV hospitalizations by 72% — and shields for months

    A new UK study shows that vaccinating pregnant women against RSV has led to a staggering 72% drop in hospitalizations of newborns with severe lung infections. By passing virus-fighting antibodies to their babies, vaccinated mothers are helping shield infants during their most vulnerable early months.

15. A tiny chemistry hack just made mRNA vaccines safer, stronger, and smarter

    What if mRNA vaccines could be made more powerful and less irritating? Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have found a way to do just that—by tweaking a key molecule in the vaccine’s delivery system. Using a century-old chemical trick called the Mannich reaction, they added anti-inflammatory phenol groups to the lipids that carry mRNA into cells. The result? A new class of lipids that reduce side effects, boost gene-editing success, fight cancer more effectively, and supercharge vaccines like those for COVID-19. This breakthrough could change how we build the next generation of vaccines and therapies.