A new study has identified a potential link between hearing impairment and an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Researchers analyzed data from over 159,000 individuals, finding that every 10-decibel increase in hearing loss corresponded to a 57% higher risk of Parkinson’s.

Researchers are investigating how the brain combines visual and auditory cues to improve speech comprehension in noisy environments. The study focuses on how visual information, like lip movements, enhances the brain's ability to differentiate similar sounds, such as "F" and "S."

Researchers have identified how cerebrovascular disease (CeVD) disrupts brain connectivity, contributing to cognitive decline and neurodegeneration alongside Alzheimer’s disease (AD). By studying brain networks and blood biomarkers in older adults, they discovered distinct but additive effects of CeVD and AD-related markers on cognition and brain atrophy.

Researchers have developed a flexible, biodegradable electrode capable of stimulating neural precursor cells (NPCs) in the brain, offering a safer and more precise alternative for neural repair. The electrode dissolves naturally after seven days, eliminating the need for surgical removal while promoting tissue regeneration.

New research finds that the lifetime risk of dementia after age 55 in Americans is 42%, significantly higher than previous estimates. Women face a higher risk (48%) than men (35%) due to their longer life expectancy. Risk factors include genetic predisposition, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and limited physical activity.

A new study reveals that older adults experience the least attention difficulties when home temperatures remain between 68–75 ˚F (20–24 ˚C). Deviations beyond this range double the risk of attention lapses, highlighting how even current climate conditions may harm cognitive health.

A recent study examined the physical traits of NCAA football players, revealing significant differences in body composition, strength, and power across positions. Linemen showed higher body mass, while skill players exhibited greater efficiency in force transfer during jumps.

Parvalbumin (PV) interneurons in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) have been identified as key players in encoding pain intensity and driving gamma oscillations, according to a study. Cross-species experiments confirmed that gamma oscillations in S1 selectively reflect pain levels in humans and are linked to PV interneuron activity in rodents. Optogenetic manipulation of these interneurons demonstrated their ability to modulate pain-related behaviors, solidifying their role in pain processing.

Exposure to long-wavelength red light significantly reduced blood clot formation in both mice and human studies. Red light was associated with lower inflammation, reduced immune system activation, and fewer clot-promoting mechanisms, such as neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and platelet activation. Unlike blue or white light, red light influenced clotting through optic pathways, suggesting its effects are mediated by neural mechanisms rather than direct blood exposure.

Fiber digestion produces short-chain fatty acids like propionate and butyrate, which directly alter gene expression with anti-cancer effects, according to new research. The study found that these fatty acids influence genes involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, key processes that control tumor growth. Researchers demonstrated these epigenetic changes in human cells and mouse models, highlighting fiber's systemic impact on health.

A study analyzing Cambrian fossils uncovered that the ancestral ecdysozoan likely had a single ventral nerve cord, challenging long-standing views about the evolution of these structures. Fossil impressions from early Scalidophora species reveal similarities to modern priapulid nerve cords, supporting the single-cord hypothesis. This finding suggests that paired nerve cords in arthropods, kinorhynchs, and loriciferans evolved independently, linked to body segmentation and movement complexity.

Over half of 23-year-olds display restrictive, emotional, or uncontrolled eating behaviors, with delayed brain maturation playing a significant role. The research linked structural brain differences, mental health challenges, and genetic predispositions to the development of disordered eating behaviors from adolescence to adulthood. MRI data showed delayed cortical thinning in unhealthy eaters, especially in regions like the cerebellum, which regulates appetite.