The report examines 39 countries' national elections in 2025, finding instances of mis- and disinformation in 62% of elections, gender-based violence in 22 countries, and campaign finance irregularities. Despite these pressures, election quality remained stable, with institutions adapting to challenges and innovating to strengthen conf...
The European College of Neuropsychopharmacology has launched the first Europe-wide expert working group on Artificial Intelligence in mental health to guide the development of AI in psychiatry and neuroscience. The group aims to provide a framework for understanding the risks and benefits of applying AI in mental health.
A population-based cohort study found no meaningful increase in the risk of major birth defects among pregnant people who used benzodiazepines during the first trimester. Researchers analyzed data from 4.2 million Medicaid and commercially insured pregnancies between 2000 and 2020, comparing outcomes between those who filled at least o...
A honey bee's detached stinger uses a unique double-piston mechanism to pump venom into its target, generating a continuous flow of venom. Researchers discovered the stinger's components, including a venom sac, pumping chamber, and valves that change shape to form a seal, delivering pressure for pumping while minimizing backflow.
Researchers studied elephant carcasses in Kruger National Park and found that decomposition creates nutrient hotspots that can persist for years, fueling microbial activity and plant vigor. However, these hotspots also reduce biodiversity, with only a few fast-growing species dominating the ecosystem.
A new study found that tau proteins have a single dominant hotspot that recruits other tau proteins to misfold and propagate, leading to cognitive decline. Blocking this hotspot could prevent misfolded tau proteins from spreading and may lead to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic agents.
A recent study published in JNeurosci found that people with early blindness and musicians exhibit similar improvements in pitch discrimination, which is attributed to reduced internal noise. This reduction in internal noise enables individuals to better distinguish between pitches, leading to enhanced hearing ability.
A new study found that Oregon's licensed psilocybin centers largely follow safety guidelines, offering reassurance about treatment practices. However, the high cost of treatment may limit access for many individuals struggling with mental health conditions.
A research team led by Georgetown University and the Buck Institute aims to predict and intervene in harmful protein changes before disease begins. The team will use artificial intelligence, computational modeling, and experimental measurements to develop new diagnostics and treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.
UCSF researchers analyzed 590,282 heart attack hospitalizations in California between 2011 and 2022 to find that specialized emergency services improve survival rates in communities with critical access gaps. In contrast, adding capacity where it already exists offers little benefit, highlighting the importance of resource distribution...
A new policy proposal prioritizes heart transplant candidates based on medical urgency, rather than treatment choices, to save more lives. The policy uses a score that considers objective laboratory-based measurements of heart failure, rather than subjective treatment decisions.
A Mediterranean-style diet during pregnancy significantly lowers the risk of infant colic and eczema, with each weekly serving of seafood reducing the risk by 25%. The study also found that mothers with a history of allergic conditions benefit the most from a healthy diet.
A new study from Tulane University researchers found that gay, lesbian, and bisexual teens who have someone to turn to with a serious problem have significantly better mental health outcomes. The study found that 61% of teens without a trusted person experienced depression, compared to 35% of those with at least one person to turn to.
A preclinical study from Duke University researchers suggests that the effectiveness of an experimental approach to limiting stroke-related brain injury may depend on the brain's collateral circulation. In mouse models of ischemic stroke, the researchers found that AZD1390, a brain-penetrant inhibitor of the ATM kinase, reduced acute i...
The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation published an updated guideline for tinnitus, which focuses on adults with persistent, bothersome tinnitus. The guideline recommends a comprehensive hearing evaluation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and sound enrichment to manage tinnitus, while discouraging the use...
A new review by University of East Anglia scientists reaffirms human-caused global warming, citing decades of climate fingerprint research and advances in attribution science. The study strengthens the scientific basis for the 2009 Endangerment Finding and emphasizes the need for policies to limit greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have created tiny robots called 'millirobots' that can deliver medicine directly to infected heart tissue, reducing treatment time from weeks to just hours. The robots use magnetic guidance and are designed to replace open-heart surgery and ineffective IV-drug therapy.
A study examining 2,018 adults across Italy, Korea, the UK, and the US found that perceived burdensomeness, defeat, and internal entrapment were strongly associated with suicidal ideation. The study's results suggest that understanding suicidal thoughts may require attention to both closely linked experiences and interconnected psychol...
A new study using historical weather records from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Belgium has found daily maximum, minimum, and average temperatures rose by tenths of a degree per decade between 1960 and 1990. The number of hot days nearly doubled, while cold days decreased, consistent with global trends.
A study published in the journal CANCER found that young women with breast cancer experience delays in care, with lower income and younger age being the most common factors. These delays can lead to later stages of disease and more extensive treatment, impacting quality of life.
Research shows that Indigenous communities may accept oil extraction despite its harms due to the uneven distribution of impacts and benefits. Dr. Julie Dayot's study found that communities see oil extraction as a means to address existing environmental problems and mitigate its effects on their livelihoods.