Top Health News — ScienceDaily Top stories featured on ScienceDaily’s Health & Medicine, Mind & Brain, and Living Well sections.
- Nearly half of dementia cases may be linked to risks you can changeon August 6, 2026 at 10:23 am
A long-term brain study found that common risks such as smoking, high blood pressure, heart disease, and high blood lipids were strongly linked to damage associated with vascular dementia. The findings suggest that healthier lifestyle choices could help delay dementia by reducing several harmful brain changes at once.
- A drug already used for osteoporosis blocked spinal damage in a new studyon August 6, 2026 at 9:50 am
Genetic changes may set off a chain reaction that causes the spine’s natural shock absorbers to harden and deteriorate. Zebrafish with a faulty collagen-related gene developed mineral buildup and spinal fusion similar to human disc disease. Researchers were able to reduce the damage using an existing osteoporosis drug and by targeting fat metabolism. The discovery points to several exciting possibilities for future back pain treatments.
- Dirty air may trigger painful rheumatoid arthritis flareson August 6, 2026 at 3:32 am
Tiny pollution particles from smoke, soot, and dust may worsen rheumatoid arthritis and raise the risk of painful flares, particularly after prolonged exposure. The findings suggest that avoiding poor air quality could become an important part of managing the disease.
- THC medication made PTSD nightmares disappear for more than a third of patientson August 6, 2026 at 3:16 am
A prescription form of THC helped many people with PTSD escape recurring trauma-related nightmares, with more than one-third reporting that the nightmares disappeared completely after ten weeks. The results could point toward a long-awaited treatment for one of PTSD’s most distressing and stubborn symptoms.
- Sitting up straight may improve your mood and decision-makingon August 5, 2026 at 12:38 pm
A simple change in posture may subtly affect how people feel and make decisions. Participants who sat upright reported greater feelings of pride and took more successful risks in a virtual balloon game than those who hunched over. Most did not realize researchers had influenced their posture, helping rule out the possibility that they were merely responding to expectations. The results suggest workplace ergonomics could influence more than physical comfort.
- Scientists discover the brain cells that keep you motivatedon August 5, 2026 at 12:09 pm
A group of brain cells called orexin neurons appears to help us keep working when reaching a reward becomes increasingly difficult. Blocking their activity weakened motivation in rats, pointing to a possible new target for understanding why people sometimes struggle to sustain goal-directed behavior.
- Stanford scientists discover immune cells that explode like microscopic bombson August 5, 2026 at 5:10 am
Stanford researchers discovered immune cells in flatworms that explode within minutes, killing nearby bacteria and foreign cells before vanishing completely. Their unusually fast and localized attack could offer clues for developing targeted treatments against infections and cancer.
- Cancer-fighting chewing gum cuts HPV levels by up to 93%
- A common sugar may help cancer cells break free and spreadon August 4, 2026 at 5:15 am
Chemotherapy-surviving ovarian cancer cells may release fructose to help neighboring tumor cells loosen, escape, and spread. The discovery suggests that sugary diets and cholesterol-lowering drugs could influence cancer progression, though the effects have not yet been confirmed in patients.
- Your brain may be wired to regain lost weighton August 4, 2026 at 3:38 am
Weight loss is not simply a test of willpower. The human brain evolved to protect body fat during times of scarcity, and it can treat a previously higher weight as the new normal, triggering stronger hunger, cravings, and lower energy use after weight loss. This biological “memory” helps explain why many people regain weight after dieting and why medications such as Wegovy and Mounjaro can help by reducing appetite signals, although their effects may fade when treatment ends.