Summary: Women are nearly twice as likely as men to develop Alzheimer’s disease, a disparity that can’t be fully explained by longevity alone. Researchers are exploring biological differences, focusing on X chromosome-linked genes and hormonal shifts like menopause.Declines in estrogen during menopause may leave the brain more vulnerable to the...

Summary: A new study reveals that metabolic health, particularly modest increases in blood sugar, plays a bigger role than age or testosterone in declining sexual and reproductive function in men. Researchers tracked 117 healthy men over six years, assessing hormones, semen quality, erectile function, and blood sugar.While hormone levels and...

Summary: New research suggests oxytocin, the so-called “love hormone,” may help protect women from mood disturbances caused by sleep disruption and hormonal changes during postpartum and menopause. In a controlled study, women with higher oxytocin levels before sleep fragmentation reported fewer mood symptoms the following day.Sleep interruptions were shown to...

Summary: Researchers have developed a long-acting weekly injection that delivers steady doses of levodopa and carbidopa, potentially transforming care for Parkinson’s disease. The biodegradable injectable maintains consistent drug levels, reducing the need for multiple daily pills and improving patient adherence.In lab tests, the gel released over 90% of the levodopa...

Summary: New research has identified the gene Egr-1 as a critical regulator of immune balance, offering hope for autoimmune disease therapies. In a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, loss of Egr-1 led to reduced regulatory T cell activity and heightened inflammation.The study showed Egr-1 directly boosts the expression of Foxp3,...

Summary: A comprehensive global review confirms that maternal depression undermines parenting, impairing mother-infant bonding and reducing sensitivity to a child’s needs. Researchers analyzed nearly a decade of observational studies, finding consistent links between depressive symptoms and lower involvement, commitment, and emotional connection.Mothers with depression were less likely to smile, touch,...

Summary: A new study questions whether playing youth football leads to harmful protein buildup in the brain. Researchers examined 174 donated brains, including former high school and college players, and found no link between contact sports and excess tau protein in a key memory region.Instead, the protein accumulation was tied...

Summary: Childhood maltreatment leaves profound and often unseen scars, affecting mental health, physical well-being, and social development long into adulthood. Traditional assessments are invasive and often miss the full scope of harm as it happens.Researchers have now shown that a widely used behavioral checklist, filled out by caregivers, can effectively...

Summary: Autistic adults describe nonverbal communication as an exhausting “unwritten language” they must decode in real time, according to a new study. Reviewing hundreds of firsthand accounts, researchers found that many struggle to interpret facial expressions and body language while trying to perform expected cues themselves.This mental effort often leads...

Summary: Scientists have identified how the brain protein cypin helps maintain strong connections between neurons, a discovery with implications for treating brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases. Cypin ensures proper protein tagging at synapses, allowing neurons to communicate effectively and support memory and learning.The research also revealed cypin slows protein breakdown...