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Two Decades Later, Brain Training Still Lowers Dementia Risk
A landmark 20-year study of nearly 3,000 older adults finds that a short course of computerized brain training can lower dementia risk decades later. The results suggest that it may never be too late to start strengthening cognitive skills.
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Daily Coffee or Tea Linked to Lower Dementia Risk, Sharper Mind
A massive decades-long study suggests that 2–3 cups of coffee or 1–2 cups of tea a day are linked with lower dementia risk and better cognitive function. Researchers say caffeine may play a key role, but it is only one piece of a broader brain-health puzzle.
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Family Dinners Linked to Lower Teen Substance Use, With One Big Caveat
A national Tufts study suggests that regular, high-quality family dinners are linked to lower substance use for many teens, but not for those facing serious childhood adversity. Researchers say families and practitioners need more tailored, trauma-informed supports for the most vulnerable youth.
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Monthly Therapy May Ease Life for Kidney Transplant Patients
A new pilot study points to a future where kidney transplant patients may swap daily pills for a monthly infusion, potentially reducing toxic side effects and protecting donor organs. Researchers now plan larger trials to confirm the early results.
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New Blood Test Tracks Epigenetic Instability to Spot Early Cancer
Johns Hopkins scientists have developed a blood test that looks for epigenetic instability in DNA, rather than fixed genetic changes, to flag early cancers. The approach could one day complement existing screening tools and help doctors decide who truly needs invasive follow-up tests.
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Simple Add-On Surgery Slashes Deadly Ovarian Cancer Risk
A prevention strategy pioneered in British Columbia shows that removing the fallopian tubes during routine gynecologic surgery can dramatically reduce the risk of the most lethal form of ovarian cancer. Researchers say the simple add-on could prevent thousands of cases worldwide.
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MIT’s Portable 3D Ultrasound Could Transform Breast Cancer Screening
MIT researchers have created a smartphone-sized 3D ultrasound system designed to make breast cancer screening more frequent, affordable and accessible. The portable device could help catch aggressive tumors earlier, especially for people far from major hospitals.
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New UVA Platform Aims to Deliver Pandemic Vaccines in Weeks
A University of Virginia team is pioneering a vaccine platform designed to slash development time from months to weeks while cutting costs and easing distribution. The approach could help protect people and animals worldwide, including in low-resource and remote regions.
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Antibody-Producing Cells May Predict Who Benefits From Cancer Immunotherapy
A Mount Sinai study finds that a specific type of antibody-producing immune cell, the IgG1 plasma cell, helps determine which patients benefit from PD-1 cancer immunotherapy. The work could lead to better prediction of treatment response and new combination strategies like cancer vaccines.
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How Targeting the Gut’s Immune System Could Slow Parkinson’s
New research in mice suggests Parkinson’s disease may spread from the gut to the brain with help from the immune system. Targeting gut immune cells could open the door to earlier diagnosis and new treatments.