Scientists have uncovered a surprising new healing mechanism in injured cells called cathartocytosis, in which cells "vomit" out their internal machinery to revert more quickly to a stem cell-like state. While this messy shortcut helps tissues regenerate faster, it also leaves behind debris that can fuel inflammation and even cancer.

University of Minnesota researchers developed a 3D-printed scaffold that directs stem cells to grow into functioning nerve cells, successfully restoring movement in rats with severed spinal cords. This promising technique could transform future treatment for spinal cord injuries.

The overwhelming popularity of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs such as Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Saxenda for weight loss has always been undercut by the fact that, with a single exception (Rybelsus, a diabetes drug taken orally), they’re only available in injectable form.

Now, drug manufacturer Eli Lily and Company has announced promising findings with its experimental GLP-1 pill orforglipron. In an 18-month clinical trial, around 60 percent of participants lost at least 10 percent of their body weight when taking orforglipron on a daily basis, and an average weight reduction of more than 12 percent of body weight occurred in people with obesity. The pill is intended to be an alternative to the company’s popular Zepbound weekly injectable.

Researchers identified over 400 genes tied to various forms of frailty, offering fresh insight into why people age differently. The study highlights six distinct pathways of unhealthy aging, opening the door to more precise, targeted anti-aging interventions.

Researchers discovered that early puberty or childbirth doubles women’s risk for major diseases and accelerates aging, while later timing offers protective benefits. Genetic analysis reveals evolutionary tradeoffs, where reproductive advantages early in life create health burdens later.

Get ready to stretch, sprint, and sweat—because the President’s Physical Fitness Test is officially making a comeback in schools across the United States. The updated version will test flexibility, endurance, strength, and agility, much like the old-school sit-ups and shuttle runs your parents survived.

This move aims to boost teen health and get students more active in a fun, team-spirited way. Love it or dread it, the Fitness Test is here to challenge your limits and maybe even earn you a badge of honor.

Many foods we consume today are ultraprocessed, packed with unhealthy ingredients, and linked to major health risks. As consumption of these foods rises, so do chronic health issues, especially among lower-income groups. Experts are calling for clearer guidelines, better research, and systemic changes to reduce the impact of ultraprocessed foods on public health.

Sunniva Kwapeng struggled with lipoedema, a painful condition causing disproportionate fat accumulation, until finally being diagnosed in her 40s. An NTNU study found that a low-carb diet helped alleviate pain and resulted in more weight loss than a low-fat diet. Though compression garments provided relief, the overall treatment options for this poorly understood condition remain scarce.

Women who drank heavily, even though they strongly wished to avoid pregnancy, were 50% more likely to become pregnant than those who drank little or not at all, according to new research. Surprisingly, cannabis use didn t show the same risk.

Teens are increasingly using customizable social companion apps like Replika, CHAI, and Character.AI to duplicate the experience of having a close platonic friend or even a romantic partner. According to recent research by Common Sense Media, 72 percent of survey participants between the ages of 13 and 17 have used an AI companion at least once, and more than 50 percent use them a few times a month. These apps have become so popular that investment firm ARK Invest projects that the AI social companion market may reach as much as $150 billion in revenue by the end of the decade.

But while AI social companions can serve a similar function as mental-health chatbots, providing support and encouraging reflection, their emphasis on unwavering validation runs the risk of doing so at the expense of a nuanced understanding of human relationships. As Dr. Jodi Halpern, a psychiatrist and professor at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, notes, “We don’t want a perfectly smooth, frictionless thing as a relationship.” Despite some AI social companion apps being marketed to people as young as 13, the researchers at Common Sense Media recommend that teens avoid the apps until after they turn 18.

A new UK study shows that vaccinating pregnant women against RSV has led to a staggering 72% drop in hospitalizations of newborns with severe lung infections. By passing virus-fighting antibodies to their babies, vaccinated mothers are helping shield infants during their most vulnerable early months.

In a groundbreaking UK first, eight healthy babies have been born using an IVF technique that includes DNA from three people—two parents and a female donor. The process, known as pronuclear transfer, was designed to prevent the inheritance of devastating mitochondrial diseases passed down through the mother’s DNA. The early results are highly promising: all the babies are developing normally, and the disease-causing mutations are undetectable or present at levels too low to cause harm. For families once haunted by genetic risk, this science offers more than treatment—it offers transformation.

Kids who consume artificial and natural sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, and glycyrrhizin may face an increased risk of early puberty, especially if they carry specific genetic markers. This large-scale Taiwanese study links sweeteners to hormonal changes and gut bacteria imbalances that can speed up puberty, with effects differing between boys and girls. Early onset puberty has been tied to serious health consequences later in life, including emotional stress and metabolic disorders. The findings could reshape dietary recommendations and encourage genetic screening to mitigate long-term risks.

Midlife sleep habits may matter more than previously thought. A large study finds that poor sleep, alongside high blood pressure and nicotine use, sharply increases the risk of heart problems in menopausal women yet only 1 in 5 score well on overall heart health.

Summer jobs are harder to land this year, with fewer openings at places like restaurants, stores, and amusement parks. But teens across the country aren’t giving up. Many have been applying early and often, determined to earn money and gain real-world experience.

Even with challenges like competition from adults and more selective hiring, teens are getting creative—handing out résumés in person, picking up babysitting gigs, or joining programs like the Boys & Girls Clubs to boost their job skills. The job market may be cooling, but teen motivation is heating up.

A group of scientists studying pregnancy across six different mammals—from humans to marsupials—uncovered how certain cells at the mother-baby boundary have been working together for over 100 million years. By mapping gene activity in these cells, they found that pregnancy isn’t just a battle between mother and fetus, but often a carefully coordinated partnership. These ancient cell interactions, including hormone production and nutrient sharing, evolved to support longer, more complex pregnancies and may help explain why human pregnancy works the way it does today.

Researchers testing urine from 2- to 4-year-olds in four U.S. states uncovered 96 different chemicals, many of them unmonitored and linked to hormone and brain disruption. Legacy toxins like triclosan are slowly declining, yet replacements such as DINCH plasticizer and modern pesticides are rising. Toddlers—especially the youngest, later-born, and those from minority groups—often carried higher levels than their own mothers. Scientists urge expanded biomonitoring and stricter regulations before these invisible pollutants derail early development.

Teen vaping is changing fast — and not in a good way. A large national study found that more adolescents are vaping THC, CBD, and especially synthetic cannabinoids, which are often unregulated and far more dangerous. Even more troubling, many teens don’t know what’s in their vape pens at all. Researchers also found that girls are now more likely than boys to vape these substances. As these mysterious and risky chemicals gain popularity, scientists are sounding the alarm about the urgent need for better education, regulation, and awareness.

Teens are being misled by cannabis edibles dressed up like health foods. Bright colors, fruit imagery, and words like vegan make these products look fun, natural, and safe even when they re not. A WSU study warns that this could increase the risk of underage use and urges new packaging rules based on what actually appeals to teens.

With summer temperatures rising, health officials are reminding everyone to take precautions against heat-related illness. High heat and humidity make it harder for the body to cool itself, increasing the risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Teens, athletes, young children, and people with health conditions are especially at risk.

To stay safe, drink plenty of water, wear lightweight clothing, and avoid outdoor activity during peak heat hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Spend time in air-conditioned places when possible, and never leave people or pets in parked cars. Staying informed and prepared can prevent serious health problems.