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A small preliminary study suggests that unsweetened sparkling water is much gentler on teeth than sugary soft drinks. Researchers found that while sparkling water caused a brief drop in the mouth’s acidity, saliva quickly restored normal pH levels, keeping acidity above the threshold associated with tooth enamel damage. In contrast, sugary soda produced a larger and longer-lasting decline in salivary pH, creating conditions that may increase the risk of enamel erosion. Although more research is needed, the findings indicate that plain sparkling water can be a more tooth-friendly alternative to sugary fizzy drinks when consumed as part of a balanced diet.

A large study analysing more than 3,700 dream and waking reports suggests that dreams are far from random. Researchers found that the dreaming brain blends memories, emotions, personality traits, imagined possibilities and familiar places to create new scenarios, rather than simply replaying daily experiences. The findings indicate that dreams may help the brain reorganise information, process emotions and explore different situations in a safe mental environment. While the exact purpose of dreaming remains unclear, the study adds to growing evidence that dreams reflect an active and meaningful process shaped by both our inner thoughts and real-world experiences.

A study from the University of Texas at Austin suggests that working memory can rapidly reorganise itself after unexpected distractions. In experiments involving 50 adults playing a modified version of the game Snake, participants memorised the locations of multiple targets before being interrupted by sudden new targets. After the distraction changed their position, they shifted their focus to the remembered target that was now most relevant and closest to them. Researchers found that this flexible reprioritisation helped participants continue their original task, although the ability became more limited when memory demands were higher. The findings offer new insights into how the brain manages distractions and updates priorities.

A small clinical trial suggests that limiting daily eating to an 8 to 9 hour window may offer cognitive benefits beyond weight loss. The study followed 47 women aged 50 to 79 with overweight or obesity, all of whom reduced their calorie intake. After six months, both groups lost similar amounts of weight, but those following time-restricted eating showed modest improvements in spatial planning and problem-solving, along with fewer errors in some memory and learning tests. Researchers say eating earlier and finishing meals around four hours before sleep may support brain health, although larger studies are needed to confirm whether this approach can reduce dementia risk.

Scientists are investigating whether autoantibodies, immune proteins that mistakenly target the body’s own molecules, could help explain why some people develop cancer while others with known risk factors do not. Researchers believe certain autoantibodies may either protect against cancer or influence tumour growth and how patients respond to immunotherapies such as checkpoint inhibitors and CAR T-cell treatments. A major research initiative will study autoantibodies in people with different cancer risks, including smokers who remain cancer-free, older adults, twins and patients receiving immunotherapy. Understanding these immune proteins could eventually improve cancer risk assessment, prevention strategies and personalised treatment.

Scientists have identified small loops of genetic material called circular RNAs, or circRNAs, that may help predict when Alzheimer’s symptoms are likely to appear. In a study involving more than 1,200 people, researchers found that elevated levels of 34 circRNAs were linked to Alzheimer’s disease and could predict progression to symptomatic disease more effectively than the established blood biomarker pTau217. The levels of these molecules appeared to change around two to four years before symptoms emerged, potentially offering a way to identify people nearing cognitive decline. Researchers are now working to develop blood tests that could help predict disease progression and monitor treatment responses.

Prebiotic sodas are gaining popularity as beverages marketed for gut health, but a new analysis suggests consumers should look beyond the health claims. Researchers found that these drinks contained around 2 to 9 grams of fibre per can, with an average of about 5 grams, while some products labelled “no added sugar” still contained significant total sugars from ingredients such as fruit juice. Many also contained non-nutritive sweeteners. Although prebiotic sodas generally had less sugar and fewer calories than regular soft drinks, experts caution that they should not be treated as a primary source of dietary fibre. Checking the nutrition label remains essential.

A 20-year study of more than 66,000 postmenopausal women found that those who followed the Planetary Health Diet more closely had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, stroke and heart failure. The diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and unsaturated fats while limiting red and processed meat, added sugars, refined grains and saturated fats. Women with the highest adherence had about a 28% lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared with those with the lowest adherence. Researchers say even moderate changes, such as eating more vegetables and replacing butter with healthier unsaturated fats, may support heart health.

A large long-term study suggests that coffee consumption may be linked to better liver health and a lower risk of serious liver disease. Researchers found that coffee drinkers had lower risks of cirrhosis, liver cancer and death from liver-related conditions. Liver scans and blood protein patterns also suggested less fat accumulation, inflammation and scarring among coffee drinkers. The potential benefits were observed even among people consuming one or two cups daily and appeared strongest at around three to four cups. However, coffee should be viewed as part of an overall healthy lifestyle, and more research is needed to fully understand how it may protect the liver.

A new study in mice has identified a possible link between prolonged high-fat diets, brain inflammation and depression-like behaviour. Researchers found that consuming a high-fat diet for at least 10 weeks disrupted gut microbiota and fatty acid balance, increasing levels of arachidonic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid linked to inflammation. This was associated with increased activation of inflammatory microglia in brain regions involved in mood and cognition. Notably, aspirin reduced the inflammatory response and reversed depression-like behaviours in the mice. However, the findings are preliminary and do not show that aspirin can treat depression in humans. Further research is needed to determine whether this pathway could lead to future therapies.