The prenatal period is a critical window for brain development, yet few studies have examined the impact of air pollution exposure during pregnancy on child cognition. A new study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a center supported by the ”la Caixa” Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Barcelona (UB), shows that prenatal exposure to pollution is associated with lower cognitive performance in newborns. These findings highlight the importance of reducing air pollution exposure, especially during pregnancy, to protect neurodevelopment. The study, published in Environmental Pollution, included data from 168 mother-child ...

Talking to oneself is a trait which feels inherently human. Our inner monologues help us organize our thoughts, make decisions, and understand our emotions. But it’s not just humans who can reap the benefits of such self-talk. Published in Neural Computation, scientists from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) have demonstrated the potential of inner speech to improve AI learning, showing how AI models can generalize across different tasks more easily when supported by both inner speech and short-term ...

It might be less visible than dwindling lion populations or vanishing pandas, but the quiet crisis of small mammal extinction is arguably worse for biodiversity. These species are crucial indicators of environmental health, but they can be very hard to monitor, and many species with very different ecological niches look almost identical. But now scientists have developed a new way of identifying and monitoring these tiny mammals using their footprints, ...

From subarctic to subtropical, Japan’s varied climates present a challenge for energy-saving housing design. Adding the projected effects of climate change, with temperatures estimated to rise from 1.5 to 3.5°C by the close of the century, there currently is not a standard, one-size-fits-all solution. Therefore, climate-based building design solutions that consider regional differences, thermal comfort, and net-zero carbon goals are urgently needed. In ...

Gifu University scientists have uncovered how a brain-specific enzyme reshapes protein-linked sugar chains to facilitate the formation of complex glycans essential for normal brain function. These insights could inform future research into glycan-related brain disorders and open new avenues for therapeutic investigation. The study was published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry on Jan. 7. Proteins in the brain are modified by O-mannose glycans, specialized sugar chains that play key roles in neural structure ...

“Why can’t plasmons achieve quality factors as high as dielectrics?” “Because metals heat up easily—they’re inherently lossy.” This exchange is almost inevitable whenever plasmonic nanostructures come up in a discussion. Now, researchers from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and international collaborators have shown that this long-held limitation is not as fundamental as once believed. The research team has demonstrated a powerful new ...

Research Background Toad venom (Chansu), first documented in the "Yaoxing Lun" (Treatise on the Properties of Medicines), is a treasured traditional Chinese medicinal material. The "Bencao Gangmu" (Compendium of Materia Medica) records its efficacy in "treating boils, carbuncles, and all malignant swellings," with the effects of "opening orifices to awaken the spirit, detoxifying and reducing swelling." Zhang Jingye, a physician of the Ming Dynasty, noted in the "Jingyue Quanshu" that Chansu "excels at opening stagnation and breaking hard accumulations," emphasizing its unique role in promoting qi circulation and resolving ...

English has become a global language, dominating various sectors from science to tourism. One major way to learn English is through TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) teachers. However, early-career TESOL teachers face challenges related to confidence in their abilities, support from schools, and the status of foreign language teachers, making teaching more difficult. So, it is critical to understand their professional aspirations and struggles, as well as how they can take responsibility for their teaching in challenging school environments, to effectively support their growth. Moreover, their professional growth is ...

As the demand for safe, cost-effective energy storage solutions continues to grow, the limitations of traditional lithium-ion batteries in terms of safety and resource scarcity become more pronounced. Now, researchers from Zhejiang Wanli University, University of Waterloo, and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, led by Professor Xin Wang, Professor Aiping Yu, and Professor Dan Luo, have presented a breakthrough study on interfacial solvation engineering for aqueous zinc-ion batteries. This work offers valuable insights into the development of next-generation energy storage technologies that can overcome these limitations. Why Interfacial ...

As the demand for safe, low-cost energy storage continues to grow, the limitations of traditional lithium-ion batteries in terms of cost, safety, and resource availability become more pronounced. Now, researchers from Nanjing University of Science and Technology and Nanyang Technological University, led by Professor Wenyao Zhang and Professor Jong-Min Lee, have presented a comprehensive review on rational electrolyte structure engineering for highly reversible zinc metal anodes in aqueous zinc-ion batteries. ...

A new experimental study has found that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a widely used industrial chemical, can interfere with key biological processes required for successful embryo implantation, raising concerns about its potential impact on female fertility. Researchers from Iran University of Medical Sciences investigated how oral exposure to PFOA affects ovarian hormone production and endometrial receptivity during early pregnancy using a mouse model. Their findings, published in Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, show that PFOA reduces progesterone levels, alters the uterine surface, and suppresses critical implantation-related ...

Nitrate in drinking water linked to increased dementia risk while nitrate from vegetables is linked to a lower risk, researchers find      New research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) and the Danish Cancer Research Institute (DCRI) investigated the association between the intake of nitrate and nitrite from a wide range of different sources, and the associated risk of dementia.  Dementia is a complex disease shaped by both genetics and lifestyle, and Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at ECU’s Nutrition & Health Innovation Research Institute (NHIRI) ...

People exposed to wildfire smoke have a higher risk of suffering a stroke, according to research published in the European Heart Journal [1] today (Tuesday). The researchers estimate that in the US alone, smoke from wildfires may be responsible for around 17,000 strokes each year. The research was led by Professor Yang Liu from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, US. He said: “Wildfires are becoming a major contributor to ambient air pollution. For example, in the Western US, wildfire ...

Cooking even very fatty food in an air fryer produces fewer airborne particles than other forms of frying, according to a new study from the University of Birmingham.   A paper published in the American Chemical Society’s journal ES&T Air is the one of the first studies detailing the spectrum of pollutants emitted from air frying, which consumer surveys suggest is fast becoming one of the most used appliances in UK homes*. The paper found that air frying different food produces fewer volatile organic ...

A new review including over 100 clinical trials has found that no induction method was clearly effective than low-dose vaginal misoprostol, although some methods were less effective and safety profiles varied. Induction of labour involves initiating labour using pharmaceutical or mechanical methods. It’s common in obstetrics, particularly when there are health risks for the mother and baby or when pregnancies go beyond 42 weeks. Many induction methods exist, but the evidence behind them has previously been fragmented and unclear. The review compared 13 different methods of induction using a statistical technique called ...

The adverse health impacts associated with emissions across the full life cycle of plastics could double by 2040 unless immediate action is taken, new research suggests. The research identified health harms at every stage of the life-cycle of the plastics we use: from the extraction of fossil fuels, the feedstocks for more than 90% of plastics, and material production to their eventual disposal or release to the environment. The study team, led by researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) with colleagues from the University of Toulouse and the University of Exeter, used modelling ...

Prompt, individual-based dose assessment is essential to protect people from the negative consequences of radiation exposure after large-scale nuclear or radiological incidents. However, traditional dosimetry methods often require expensive equipment or complex laboratory analysis. Now, researchers at Hiroshima University have developed a cost-effective, portable dosimetry system that can provide immediate on-site readings using radiochromic film and a smartphone. The study, published in Radiation Measurements, demonstrates ...

Menopause is linked to reductions in grey matter volume in key brain regions as well as increased levels of anxiety and depression and difficulties with sleep, according to new research from the University of Cambridge. The study, published today in Psychological Medicine, found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) does not appear to mitigate these effects, though it can slow the decline in reaction times. Menopause is a key period in a woman’s life when her periods stop, due to lower hormone levels. It typically affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, during which time they ...

An international group of experts has developed new guidelines to help veterinarians better recognize and diagnose canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS), commonly known as canine dementia. The condition affects many older dogs and can cause changes in behavior, sleep, learning, and daily routines, yet it is often overlooked despite its significant impact on animal welfare. The guidelines also highlight that research on canine dementia has the potential to contribute to our understanding of human dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. Many dogs older than eight years show signs of cognitive dysfunction, which are ...

Salt is usually something people are warned to limit in food, not drinking water. But a global analysis suggests sodium in tap water may be an overlooked contributor to high blood pressure, particularly in coastal regions.  The study, published in BMJ Global Health, found that higher salinity in drinking water was associated with higher blood pressure and an increased risk of hypertension.  The research was led by Florida International University scientists, including Rajiv Chowdhury, chair of the Department of Global Health at FIU’s Robert Stempel ...

MSU has a satellite uplink/LTN TV studio and Comrex line for radio interviews upon request. People experience psychosis when they lose touch with reality. This can involve hallucinations, delusions or difficulty deciphering what is real and truthful. Researchers at Michigan State University worked with a team across the globe to investigate cognitive testing and symptoms, finding that functional decline and negative symptoms appear to develop well before psychosis-risk syndromes are identified. The ...

Follow @Annalsofim on X, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and Linkedin              Below please find summaries of new articles that will be published in the next issue of Annals of Internal Medicine. The summaries are not intended to substitute for the full articles as a source of information. This information is under strict embargo and by taking it into possession, media representatives are committing to the terms of the embargo not only on their own behalf, ...

Original Research Study Compares Ways to Support Opioid Deprescribing in Primary Care Background: This study examined how different types of support for 32 primary care clinics affected opioid prescribing and overall costs using a 2 x 2 design. Clinics were divided into four groups: education about opioid prescribing and regular feedback on their prescribing patterns only; education and feedback plus help changing clinic workflows; education and feedback plus coaching for prescribers; or education and feedback plus both clinic ...

Original Research Primary Care Home Visits for Older Adults Declined After Payment Policy Changes and COVID-19 in Ontario, Canada Background: In Ontario, primary care home visits, which help older adults who are homebound or have difficulty getting to a clinic, increased during the 2010s but declined after a 2019 policy change reduced payment incentives and the COVID-19 pandemic began. This study examined how primary care home visits for adults aged 65 years and older changed from 2014 to 2024. What They Found: Researchers used population-level health administrative data and an interrupted time series analysis of monthly home visit rates for Ontario residents ...

Original Research  Linking Financial Incentives to Improved Blood Sugar Levels May Support Type 2 Diabetes Management Background: In this randomized controlled trial in Israel, researchers examined whether a contingent discount as a financial incentive on medication expenses could help people with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes better manage their blood sugar. The study included 186 adults from neighborhoods with low socioeconomic status and followed them for six months. Intervention participants received discounts on their diabetes medications if their blood sugar levels improved, while participants in the control group paid ...