Health and Nutrition
Puberty, pregnancy, and menopause are accompanied by distinct patterns of brain plasticity
A new brain imaging study indicates that puberty and pregnancy are associated with widespread gray matter reductions in the female brain. In contrast, the menopausal transition co…
‘An intense caramelised toffee flavour’: the best supermarket maple syrup, tasted and rated
Which supermarket syrups ooze with potential? We put 10 of the finest, grade-A bottles to the test• The best supermarket runny honeyThough today’s maple syrups vary dramatically i…
Common antidepressant boosts engineered virus treatment for brain cancer in mice
An experimental brain cancer treatment using a modified measles virus becomes more effective in mice when combined with a common antidepressant, which helps release trapped immune…
What neuroscientists thought was a biological signature for IQ might actually be socioeconomic privilege
A large analysis of children's brain scans reveals that socioeconomic status is the primary factor shaping brain organization. The findings suggest that brain patterns previously …
‘Everyone assumed it represented a poo emoji!’ 27 writers on the greatest cake of their life
From the blissful threat of ‘death by chocolate’, to a book made of sponge and the lemon drizzle to end them all, these are the bakes that left the biggest impressionsThe Sorting …
Musical compatibility often outshines personality matching in romantic couples
A recent study suggests that romantic couples share musical tastes much more than personality traits or personal values. Additionally, having similar music preferences is modestly…
After 20 years of my school dinners campaign, I’m a happy man. At last, we’re going to feed kids properly | Jamie Oliver
This week’s government announcement on school food standards is huge. It’s based on common sense and science. Beautiful!More than 20 years ago, when I started the campaign and TV …
Henry Harris’ recipe for tomatoes, creme fraiche and herbs
Sumptuous, late-summer tomatoes cooked with cream and served on toast? Supper is served in 10 … OK, maybe 15 minutesForty years ago, an antiquarian bookseller recommended to me Ed…
Why relying on university students skews global psychological research
A new study of 95 countries reveals that higher education—not wealth—makes individuals globally more culturally similar to Western nations. This raises concerns about the accuracy…
Screen time isn’t linked to language delays in autistic children, large U.S. study finds
Unlike in neurotypical kids, screen time does not appear to hinder language development in young autistic children. Instead, a new study suggests that frequent shared book reading…
STAT+: Trump touts pharma deals to offer cheaper drugs to state Medicaid programs
Every state will participate in the GENEROUS program, but many of the details are unknown.
Watering plants lowers blood pressure and anxiety in older adults
New research shows that just 10 minutes of watering indoor plants can lower blood pressure and induce a state of alert relaxation in older adults, offering a simple way to boost m…
Do antidepressants actually alter brain structure? A massive neuroscience study weighs in
A sweeping new study of nearly 8,700 brain scans found that subtle structural differences in people taking antidepressants are mostly explained by the severity of their illness an…
Ros Chown obituary
My wife, Ros Chown, who has died aged 71, spent most of her working career as a sexual health adviser (SHA) in genito-urinary medicine in Cambridge, Wakefield and Torbay. She was …
STAT+: In a fight over denied claims, HCA sues out-of-state Blue Cross Blue Shield plan
Several Texas hospitals are suing an out-of-state Blue Cross for unpaid medical claims, highlighting the varying standards for whether care is medically necessary.
Will even one of the U.N.'s 17 'sustainable development goals' be met by 2030?
The 17 goals agreed upon by world leaders are incredibly ambitious. Are we even close to achieving any of them? If we don't, is the project a failure?
Lithium supplementation does not slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease, meta-analysis finds
A new meta-analysis reveals that common lithium treatments do not slow memory loss in older adults with Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment, despite previous laborato…
Weight-loss drug semaglutide accelerates recovery from brain inflammation in mice
The diabetes and weight-loss medication semaglutide can accelerate the resolution of brain inflammation. By mapping cellular changes in mice, researchers discovered how the drug e…
Dark personality traits predict support for violence by both Israel and Hamas
A new study indicates that psychopathy and sadism predict support for violence on both sides of the Israel-Hamas conflict. While ideology usually drives partisan loyalty, these da…
STAT+: Roche expands its Boston footprint with new research center
A gene therapy approved for Sanfilippo syndrome, good and bad news for Xenon Pharma, and more biotech news
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings
From new hires to departures, promotions and transfers, here are the latest comings and goings in the pharmaceutical industry.
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about licensing deals with China, making drugs in space, and more
The U.S. is working on rules for investing in China that would likely preserve pharma's ability to strike most licensing deals for Chinese drugs
Who supports policies for ‘health equity’? It depends on how you’re asking
Kennedy speaks at the Children's Health Defense, medical facilities under attack in Sudan, and more health news form Morning Rounds
High intelligence may exacerbate impulsivity in children with ADHD
A large study reveals that while high intelligence in children with ADHD is associated with better focus, it is also linked to greater impulsivity, challenging the idea that a hig…