Top Health News — ScienceDaily Top stories featured on ScienceDaily’s Health & Medicine, Mind & Brain, and Living Well sections.
- Scientists reversed biological age in older adults in just 4 weekson September 16, 2026 at 1:35 am
Older adults who changed the balance of fat, carbohydrates, and animal protein in their diets showed signs of reduced biological age after just four weeks. The strongest result appeared in participants eating an omnivorous, lower-fat, higher-carbohydrate diet.
- Smelling chocolate helped men complete more reps without feeling more tiredon September 15, 2026 at 3:03 pm
Simply smelling chocolate helped men complete more leg extension repetitions without making the workout feel harder, with dark chocolate producing the strongest effect. The researchers think familiar food aromas may influence appetite and motivation by making the brain anticipate eating.
- Scientists discover a major brain shift between ages 50 and 75on September 15, 2026 at 2:28 pm
Scientists have uncovered sweeping changes in how the human brain controls and organizes its genome beginning in midlife, offering new clues to why aging sharply increases the risk of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. One of the biggest shifts occurred between about ages 50 and 75, when many of the brain’s original immune cells declined and were replaced by cells with more inflammatory characteristics. Researchers also found weakening of cells that help maintain the blood-brain barrier, along with widespread deterioration in the genome’s three-dimensional organization.
- The U.S. Eradicated this flesh-eating parasite. Now it’s backon September 15, 2026 at 10:39 am
The flesh eating New World screwworm has returned to the United States, threatening livestock, wildlife, pets and potentially people as it spreads north. A new UC San Diego tracking system aims to predict where the parasite could strike next while officials revive the eradication strategy that defeated it decades ago.
- Nearly 10,000 patients reveal what works best for knee arthritis pain reliefon September 15, 2026 at 3:57 am
A major analysis of 139 clinical trials involving nearly 10,000 people suggests that some of the simplest treatments may work best for knee osteoarthritis. Knee braces ranked highest overall for reducing pain, stiffness, and mobility problems, while water-based therapy was especially effective for pain and regular exercise consistently improved both pain and physical function. More high-tech approaches, including ultrasound, generally performed worse.
- Tiny cell “antennas” may help explain why some babies are born with heart defectson September 15, 2026 at 3:20 am
A newly discovered communication system in the microscopic “antennae” of cells may help explain how some congenital heart defects develop. When genetic mutations disrupt this system, the effects may extend beyond the heart to organs including the brain, kidneys, and skeleton.
- Plague was killing entire families thousands of years before the Black Deathon September 15, 2026 at 2:54 am
Ancient DNA reveals that plague was already killing hunter-gatherers in Siberia 5,500 years ago, long before cities and flea-driven epidemics. The prehistoric strains may have been especially dangerous because they carried a genetic factor capable of provoking severe immune reactions.
- Cancer is rising in younger adults. Faster biological aging may help explain whyon September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Cancer rates are rising in adults under 55, and new research suggests accelerated biological aging may be one piece of the puzzle. Scientists found that people from more recent generations tended to have bodies that appeared biologically older than those of earlier generations at the same chronological age. Greater biological age acceleration was linked to a higher risk of early onset cancers, with specific patterns seen for lung, gastrointestinal, uterine and colorectal cancers.
- Hidden brain wiring may help keep the mind sharp as gray matter shrinkson September 14, 2026 at 2:23 pm
Scientists have discovered that the brain’s short-range wiring may help protect cognition even as gray matter shrinks with age. Healthier connections just beneath the brain’s surface were linked to better language skills and appeared to weaken the impact of gray matter loss.
- Scientists find a hidden cause of high blood pressure that routine tests can misson September 14, 2026 at 1:57 pm
A wearable device has revealed nighttime hormone surges that may expose a frequently missed cause of high blood pressure. The discovery could help explain why primary aldosteronism often escapes standard blood tests and point toward a more accurate way to diagnose it.