Author: healthadmin

A ban on disposable e-cigarettes in the UK could lead to young people switching to alternative products, including cigarettes, new research led by the University of Bristol has found. In response to growing concerns about e-cigarettes among young people, the UK government last year introduced a ban on disposable e-cigarettes (from 1 June 2025). The ban is aimed at curbing use by minors, but the impact it may have on the approximately 2.5 million adults in the UK who rely on disposable e-cigarettes is unclear. New qualitative research PLOS Global Public Health Today (March 11), young people revealed how they…

Photoreceptors are specialized cells in the eye that convert light energy into nerve signals. Several diseases that cause irreversible vision loss, such as age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and retinal detachment, are associated with the death of photoreceptors. Although there are many molecular pathways that lead to cell death, there are also many molecular pathways that try to keep cells alive. In a new study published in cell death and diseasea research team at the University of Michigan has discovered that functional mitochondria are key to the recovery of dying photoreceptor cells. Apoptosis is the main pathway by which cells…

The relationship between social connectedness and cognitive performance is particularly complex during perimenopause, when women transition from the reproductive period to menopause. New research suggests that loneliness and social isolation are not only independently associated with declines in subjective cognitive function during perimenopause, but also show a joint relationship. The research results will be published online today. menopauseJournal of the Menopause Society. Perimenopause, which usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, is a time of many changes due to the gradual decline in ovarian function and fluctuating estrogen levels. Common physical symptoms include hot flashes and trouble sleeping.…

Countries that generate more electricity from wind, solar and other renewable sources will be better protected from global energy shocks, experts say, as escalating conflict in the Middle East disrupts global markets. The war has escalated since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran more than 10 days ago. Critical infrastructure in the region has come under attack and the risk of an Iranian attack has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway used to transport 20% of the world’s oil and gas. The disruption means fuel could be difficult to reach countries that rely on…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Global warming is disrupting the reproductive timing of plants and animals, causing flowers to bloom too early and pollinating bees to arrive too late, usually bad news for interdependent species. But researchers have discovered a rare creature that is activated by this change: the king penguin.A new study of 19,000 king penguins living on sub-Antarctic islands has found that they are beginning to breed 19 days earlier than in 2000. Mating earlier increased reproductive success by 40 percent, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances.The study of timing in nature is called phenology.…

Drinking two to three cups of coffee a day may be the best way to lower your risk of anxiety and depression. A new analysis of hundreds of thousands of adults has found that moderate coffee consumption is associated with improved mental health, but drinking too much can reverse the effect. The results of this research have recently Affective Disorders Journal. Mental health conditions such as depression and severe stress affect millions of people around the world. Public health experts are increasingly focusing on daily diet as a way to manage or prevent these conditions. Previous research on coffee and…

Fierce Healthcare’s Fierce 15 is one of our most popular projects every year. Now in its eighth year, the list highlights companies that are bringing new ideas and innovation to some of health care’s most enduring challenges. In this episode, members of the Fierce Healthcare editorial team discuss the 2026 Fierce 15 and the trends shaping this year’s winners, from AI-powered clinical tools to companies working on claims, behavioral health integration, and early cancer detection. The conversation also highlights what these companies are revealing about the direction of healthcare, including the growing role of AI, driving accountability across the system,…

An international team of scientists has discovered a surprising molecular strategy used by a group of rare land plants. The discovery could one day help researchers redesign important crops such as wheat and rice to convert sunlight into food much more efficiently. The study was led by scientists from the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI), Cornell University, and the University of Edinburgh. This addresses a major limitation in agriculture involving Rubisco, an enzyme that captures carbon dioxide from the air during photosynthesis. Rubisco and the limits of photosynthesis Rubisco plays a central role in life on Earth, but it has a…

Smoking marijuana may not only blur your memory. It can actually change the way memories are formed and recalled. A new study from Washington State University found that people who took THC were more likely to recall words that were never shown to them and had more difficulty completing everyday memory tasks, such as remembering to do something later. Published in Journal of Psychopharmacologythis study provides one of the most detailed investigations to date into how cannabis affects memory. The results show that cannabis affects not only simple recall, such as remembering a list of words, but also several forms…

Recent research published in PNAS suggest that having difficult people in your close social circle is associated with a measurable increase in biological aging. Scientists have found that people who report having “nuisances” in their lives tend to have faster cellular aging and an increased risk of a variety of health problems. These findings provide evidence that promoting healthy aging requires not only strengthening supportive relationships but also reducing chronic interpersonal stress. “This study was motivated by a simple observation: most of what we know about social relationships and health focuses on the protective power of friends and family to…