Author: healthadmin
From the Mediterranean diet to probiotics, scientists reveal how rebuilding the gut microbiome can help protect brain function and highlight why timing is critical to slowing cognitive decline. Research: Association between gut microbiota and cognitive decline: a systematic review of the literature. Image credit: Toa55/Shutterstock.com The gut-brain axis is gaining importance as a factor regulating the health of brain function. recent papers nutrition research synthesized evidence from Literature shows multiple approaches to manipulating the gut microbiome share common biological pathways to improve cognitive performance in adults aged 45 and older Have cognitive impairment or are at risk of dementia. Aging…
Simple fiber supplements may reshape the gut microbiome, stabilize blood sugar spikes, and even prevent premature birth in high-risk pregnancies, providing a promising new avenue for precision prenatal care. study: Dietary fiber supplementation reduces the risk of gestational diabetes and preterm birth through modulation of the gut microbiota: a randomized controlled trial. Image credit: dilyaz/Shutterstock.com new research in Frontiers of endocrinology We evaluated the effectiveness of soluble dietary fiber supplementation in altering glucose metabolism and pregnancy outcome during pregnancy by modulating gut microbiota. Gestational diabetes and fiber-mediated microbiome regulation during pregnancy Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a type of high…
When people develop Alzheimer’s disease, they not only lose their sense of time, but also their sense of place. Are time and place two sides of the same coin? Approximately 55 million people worldwide currently have dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease, and that number is expected to triple by 2050. At the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences at the University of Oslo, researchers are working to get closer to understanding what happens in the brain so that the onset of such diseases can be prevented or delayed. All memory is made up of various components. I remember not only…
New research shows that on an incredibly small scale, the components inside asteroid Bennu are not evenly mixed. Instead, organic matter and minerals are divided into three distinct chemical realms. These discoveries will help scientists understand how liquid water once changed the asteroid’s composition over time. Bennu is known as a carbonaceous asteroid and is rich in carbon-based materials, including organic compounds. These compounds are important because they resemble chemical components necessary for life. The asteroid itself is made up of fragments of a much larger parent body that broke apart long ago. Bennu orbits relatively close to Earth, making…
The global community of heart rhythm experts will gather in Paris from 12 to 14 April 2026 for EHRA 2026, the annual meeting of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), a branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Professor Natasha de Groot, Co-Chair of the EHRA Scientific Program Committee, explained: “With around one in three to one in five people likely to develop a heart rhythm disorder during their lifetime, it has never been more important to bring together heart rhythm experts to expand our knowledge and discuss the latest advances.” This year’s program, with the theme ‘Unraveling…
A new global initiative launched today aims to fill a critical gap in ALS/MND drug discovery, impacting both the researchers developing treatments and the people urgently awaiting them. Current cell models used to test treatments do not reflect the diverse nature of the disease. ALS Therapeutic Development Institute (ALS TDI), LifeArc, and Axol Biosciences announced the launch of the Patient-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)-Based Sporadic ALS Modeling Improvement Study (PRISM), a joint effort to expand access to high-quality patient-derived stem cell models that better reflect the biological complexity of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a heterogeneous disease. 10-15% of…
Nearly 15 years after discovering MXenes, a versatile class of two-dimensional conductive nanomaterials, researchers at Drexel University have developed a method to create one-dimensional versions known as MXene nanoscrolls. These ultra-thin structures are about 100 times thinner than a human hair and are even more conductive than flat structures, potentially enabling significant improvements in technologies such as energy storage devices, biosensors, and wearable electronics. Research published in journals advanced materialspresent a scalable method to fabricate these nanoscrolls from MXene precursors with precise control over their shape and chemical composition. “Two-dimensional morphology is very important in many applications, but there are…
Squids and cuttlefish are some of the ocean’s most fascinating animals, known for their discolored skin and jet-like movements. For decades, scientists have been trying to understand how these unusual creatures evolved. Their limited fossil record and complex genomes have slowed progress. Now, new research finally has a clear answer. Research published in natural ecology and evolution Researchers at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) combined a large genomic dataset with three newly sequenced squid genomes. The study reveals a “long fusion” pattern that explains how squid and cuttlefish, together known as decapod (deca-limbed) cephalopods, evolved into…
New research suggests that loving-kindness and compassion meditation, as well as long periods of meditation, may lead to reduced anxiety over time by cultivating self-compassion and loosening the grip of distressing thoughts. Research: Frequent loving-kindness meditation reduces anxiety in long-term practitioners through greater self-compassion and cognitive flexibility. Image credit: chayanuphol / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal scientific reportresearchers investigated how long-term loving-kindness and compassion meditation (LKCM) practice affects anxiety through self-compassion and cognitive fusion, while considering the role of practice frequency. Background and long-term benefits of LKCM What if practicing kindness towards yourself could reduce anxiety?…
UnitedHealthcare announced Thursday that it has launched a generative artificial intelligence companion to improve care coordination for members. The AI companion, called Avery, allows users to find information about coverage, personal benefits, appointment schedules, claim approval status, benefit descriptions, and more. Eligible members can access the tool through the UnitedHealthcare app or myuhc.com. Craig Kurzweil, United Healthcare’s chief data and analytics officer, told Fierce Healthcare that Avery was trained using “tremendous amounts of data” across the system. A UnitedHealthcare spokesperson said the patterns are created using conversations and voice calls with advocates, and the AI bot is “fine-tuned” until it…