Researchers uncovered how fatty molecules called ceramides trigger acute kidney injury by damaging the mitochondria that power kidney cells. By altering ceramide metabolism or using a new drug candidate, the team was able to protect mitochondrial function and completely prevent kidney injury in mice.

Researchers found that runners who sleep poorly face nearly double the injury risk compared to those who rest well. The study highlights that sleep is not just recovery—it’s a key factor in preventing injuries. They stress that runners should prioritize rest alongside training. Simple habits like consistent bedtimes and limiting screens can make a big difference.

A teen in Gwinnett County, Georgia, has stepped up to help the people in his community who are impacted by the suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits caused by the ongoing government shutdown. Sixteen-year-old Jaeleon Hawkins-Jones of Snellville started a GoFundMe campaign in partnership with the Southeast Gwinnett Co-op Ministry to provide food boxes with rice, pasta, canned goods, cereal, peanut butter, and other essentials to affected residents. Jaeleon’s initial goal of $1,000 was quickly met and exceeded, so he plans to include gift cards recipients can use to put gas in their cars along with the food.

About 1.4 million people throughout Georgia receive SNAP benefits, and rely on the program to help them get enough to eat every month. As Jaeleon puts it, “When leadership fails to act, regular people like us have to step up.” Can you think of ways you could help your neighbors in need?

Researchers identified SGK1 as a key chemical connecting childhood trauma to depression and suicidal behavior. High SGK1 levels were found in the brains of suicide victims and in people with genetic variants linked to early adversity. Drugs that block SGK1 could offer a new kind of antidepressant, especially for patients resistant to SSRIs.

A sweeping review of existing studies finds no solid evidence that using acetaminophen (Tylenol) during pregnancy increases the risk of autism or ADHD in children. Researchers found that previous reviews often relied on weak or biased data, and most did not properly account for genetic or environmental factors shared by families. When these factors were considered, any apparent link between acetaminophen use and neurodevelopmental disorders largely disappeared.

When generative artificial intelligence (AI) company OpenAI released its text-to-video app Sora 2 in September of this year, it promised that “you are in control of your likeness end-to-end” in its cameos—short clips featuring users’ likenesses made from facial scans. However, a company called Reality Defender that detects deepfakes claims it was able to bypass Sora’s security safeguards within 24 hours of release, creating cameos of celebrities and CEOs using publicly available footage from the Internet.

This is a reminder not just to be careful before you post photos and videos of yourself, your family, and friends online, but also that creating AI content comes with a heavy responsibility. You should always consider the potential impact of any AI-generated images and videos you make available, and ensure that your work respects the rights and dignity of others. Failure to do so can spread misinformation, damage reputations, harm individuals’ privacy, and erode the trust you’ve built online.

Prenatal exposure to the insecticide chlorpyrifos causes widespread brain abnormalities and poorer motor skills in children. Even after a residential ban, ongoing agricultural use continues to endanger developing brains.

Scientists have discovered a surprising benefit of the acne drug doxycycline: it may lower the risk of schizophrenia. Teens prescribed the antibiotic were about one-third less likely to develop the condition as adults. The effect could stem from the drug’s ability to reduce brain inflammation. Researchers say the findings highlight an unexpected new direction in mental health prevention.

Novo Nordisk’s oral semaglutide 25 mg achieved up to 16.6% weight loss in a landmark study, rivaling injectable Wegovy. The pill also improved cardiovascular risk factors and physical activity levels. With a safety profile consistent with existing treatments, experts see it as a breakthrough for patients preferring oral options.

Research published this month in the journal Pediatrics revealed that peanut allergies in children fell from 0.79 percent from 2012 to 2015 to 0.45 percent from 2017 to 2020, with an overall decline of 43 percent. This dramatic drop is due in part to a change in the advice medical professionals give parents about feeding peanuts to their young children.

Based on the findings of a 2015 study called the Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) trial, pediatricians, allergists, and immunologists began encouraging parents to introduce peanut foods into their babies’ diets early. The new guidance proved so beneficial that a 2021 LEAP update broadened it to include other allergenic foods, such as milk and eggs.

More screen time among children and teens is linked to higher risks of heart and metabolic problems, particularly when combined with insufficient sleep. Danish researchers discovered a measurable rise in cardiometabolic risk scores and a metabolic “fingerprint” in frequent screen users. Experts say better sleep and balanced daily routines can help offset these effects and safeguard lifelong health.

For the first time in the U.S., the cost of pre-owned electric vehicles (EVs) is nearly the same as that of used gasoline-engine cars. According to industry service provider Cox Automotive, in August of this year the average list price for a used EV was just under $35,000, down 2.6 percent from the same time last year even without the $4,000 federal tax credit that ended on September 30. This put used EVs within $900 of the average list price for a pre-owned gas-powered car—the lowest gap on record.

Of course there’s more to consider when buying your first car than price alone, like insurace costs and maintenance fees. But over the life of the car electric vehicles are cheaper to own and maintain by as much as 60 percent and 40 percent respectively, according to Consumer Reports. And with battery prices shrinking from year to year they only promise to become more affordable.

An international team of scientists recently determined that autism isn’t a single condition with one underlying cause. Their research, published this month in the journal Nature, used genetic data taken from more than 45,000 people in Europe and the United States and found differences between those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder before age 6 and those diganosed after age 10.

People diagnosed earlier typically show behavioral difficulties from a very early age, while behavioral problems in people diganosed later are more likely to show up during adolescence. This latter group is also more prone to mental health issues like depression, and the test data revealed that their condition is genetically closer to ADHD and PTSD than to what is thought of as the “classical” autism found in young children. These findings could affect future treatments for people with the disorder.

In many schools, students are weighed during gym or health class to calculate BMI, a measure often used to track health. Supporters say this can help identify health risks early and encourage conversations about fitness and nutrition.

But critics argue that weigh-ins may do more harm than good, especially if they embarrass students or lead to body image issues. Experts suggest that if schools choose to weigh students, it should be done privately, respectfully, and alongside support for mental and physical well-being.

Finasteride, a common hair-loss drug, has long been tied to depression and suicide, but regulators ignored the warnings. Prof. Mayer Brezis’s review exposes global data showing psychiatric harm and a pattern of inaction by Merck and the FDA. Despite its cosmetic use, the drug’s effects on brain chemistry can be devastating. Brezis calls for urgent regulatory reforms and post-marketing studies to protect public health.

Women who undergo C-sections are more likely to experience debilitating pain and sleep disorders in the months after giving birth. Researchers found both qualitative and large-scale data supporting this link, including a 16% increase in sleep disorder diagnoses. Proper pain management and healthy sleep habits can reduce these risks, helping new mothers recover more smoothly and avoid complications like depression and fatigue.

Scientists have pinpointed Y1 receptor neurons in the brain that can override chronic pain signals when survival instincts like hunger or fear take precedence. Acting like a neural switchboard, these cells balance pain with other biological needs. The research could pave the way for personalized treatments that target pain at its brain source—offering hope for millions living with long-term pain.

What was intended to be a funny trend on TikTok has taken a serious turn. The new “Sleepytime Swirl” challenge, where teens mix cold meds like Benadryl and cough syrup to try to “nap hard,” has landed teens in the hospital with serious side effects like seizures and slowed heart rates.

Health experts say combining these drugs can lead to overdose or long-term damage. They are urging teens to skip risky challenges and to understand that misusing cold medicine isn’t harmless—it’s a form of drug abuse with potentially life-altering consequences.

Over 40% of fatal crash victims had THC levels far above legal limits, showing cannabis use before driving remains widespread. The rate didn’t drop after legalization, suggesting policy changes haven’t altered risky habits. Experts warn that the lack of public awareness around marijuana’s dangers behind the wheel is putting lives at risk.

Stanford scientists found that aging disrupts the brain’s internal navigation system in mice, mirroring spatial memory decline in humans. Older mice struggled to recall familiar locations, while a few “super-agers” retained youthful brain patterns. Genetic clues suggest some animals, and people, may be naturally resistant to cognitive aging. The discovery could pave the way for preventing memory loss in old age.