Scientists at Stanford Medicine have discovered a treatment that can reverse cartilage loss in aging joints and even prevent arthritis after knee injuries. By blocking a protein linked to aging, the therapy restored healthy, shock-absorbing cartilage in old mice and injured joints, dramatically improving movement and joint function. Human cartilage samples from knee replacement surgeries also began regenerating when exposed to the treatment.

A survey from online loan service LendingTree released in December revealed an alarming trend: Among the more than 2,000 people who responded, 27 percent said that they’d deliberately not scanned items at retail self-checkout stations. This is up from 15 percent just two years ago. The main reason for the theft they reported was that essential items have become unaffordable (47 percent) and that prices have increased too much due to recent tariffs (46 percent). Over half of those who admitted to self-checkout theft said they’d probably do it again.

These motivations support recent data from the Consumer Food Insights Report (CFI), which found that the household food insecurity rate rose from 13.3 percent in October to 16 percent in November, the largest increase in all of 2025. (Food insecurity is when people don’t have enough to eat and aren’t sure where their next meal is coming from.) But while it’s tempting to think of shoplifting as a victimless crime, especially in tough economic times, retailers estimate that they’ll lose over $47 billion to shoplifting in 2025 alone.

A major new scientific review brings reassuring news for expectant parents: using acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol, during pregnancy does not increase a child’s risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability. Researchers analyzed 43 high-quality studies, including powerful sibling comparisons that help separate medication effects from genetics and family environment. Earlier warnings appear to have been driven by underlying maternal health factors such as fever or pain rather than the medication itself.

MIT engineers have developed a pill that can wirelessly report when it’s been swallowed. Inside the capsule is a biodegradable antenna that sends a signal within minutes of ingestion, then safely dissolves. The system is designed to work with existing medications and could help doctors track adherence for high-risk patients. Researchers hope it will prevent missed doses that can lead to serious health consequences.

Looking forward to being on your own when you start college? Independence is one of the biggest draws of life after high school, as a recent survey conducted by media website SheKnows reveals: 95 percent of its Teen Council members said they were most looking forward to “freedom” when envisioning life on campus.

But with independence comes skills and responsibilities you’ll be encountering for the first time, and unlike at home and in school your schedule won’t be set by your parents, teachers, and coaches. This can be a shock, not least because you’ll go from 40 hours a week in the classroom to fewer than 20. Experts say the shock is normal, though, and establishing a routine will make the adjustment easier. It may take some time, but as University of Cincinnati first-year student Emily Gehrke points out, “Consistency is key—when challenges arise, your established routines will provide a stable foundation to fall back on.”