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Monsoon season doesn't just cool things down, it also creates perfect conditions for viral conjunctivitis, or pink eye, to spread through humidity, rain, and crowded spaces. Contrary to popular belief, you can't catch it just by looking at someone infected; it actually spreads through contaminated hands, towels, phones, and door handles. Symptoms usually start in one eye before moving to the other, bringing redness, tearing, and irritation that typically clears up in one to two weeks. The best defence is simple: wash your hands often, avoid touching your eyes, skip shared towels or makeup, and see an ophthalmologist if you notice severe pain, blurred vision, or discharge that won't quit. Don't self-medicate with random eye drops; it can make things worse.

A drug already sitting in medicine cabinets for constipation may have a surprising second job: clearing the mental fog that often sticks around after depression lifts. In a small clinical trial, people with a history of depression who took prucalopride for about a week did noticeably better on tests of memory, attention, and thinking speed compared to those given a placebo, and researchers reported no significant side effects. The drug works on a serotonin receptor found in both the gut and the brain, which may explain why it reaches beyond digestion into cognition. It's a small study, but repurposing an existing, well-tolerated drug could offer a faster path to helping people think clearly again.

For years, nobody could explain exactly how a common gut bacterium linked to colorectal cancer actually damages the colon, but researchers have finally found the answer: the bacterial toxin latches onto a receptor called claudin-4, and that's its way in, tearing through the colon's protective barrier and opening the door to inflammation and tumor growth. Here's the encouraging part. Knowing the toxin's exact target let scientists build a decoy protein designed to intercept it before damage occurs, and in mouse studies, that decoy worked, blocking the toxin from reaching its target. It's early days, but this gives researchers a real starting point for therapies that could stop colon cancer before it takes hold.

A new study suggests that metabolic syndrome - a combination of conditions including high blood sugar, high blood pressure, excess abdominal fat, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and high triglycerides - may speed up brain aging. Researchers analyzed brain scans from more than 27,000 adults and found that people with metabolic syndrome had brains that appeared up to 2.3 years older than their actual age, with risk increasing as more metabolic abnormalities were present. The study also linked chronic inflammation and poor blood vessel health to this accelerated brain aging. Researchers say healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and quality sleep, may help protect both metabolic and brain health.

Researchers have developed a sustainable, plant-based wound dressing that can deliver antibiotics directly to wounds during the critical early stages of infection. The innovative two-sided dressing rapidly releases the antibiotic tetracycline within four hours, reducing bacterial biofilm formation by more than 90% in laboratory tests. One side targets the wound with antibiotics, while the other acts as a protective barrier that helps maintain an ideal healing environment. Made from renewable plant-derived polymers, the dressing also showed good compatibility with human skin cells. Although further testing is needed before clinical use, the technology could lead to more effective and environmentally friendly wound care.

A new study suggests that intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS), a fast, noninvasive form of magnetic brain stimulation, can reduce symptoms of major depressive disorder within days. After 10 daily treatment sessions, patients receiving iTBS showed greater improvement than those given a placebo treatment, with benefits appearing as early as the fifth session. However, the advantage faded within four weeks as the placebo group caught up. The findings indicate that while iTBS may provide rapid symptom relief, a longer or modified treatment schedule may be needed to achieve lasting benefits. Researchers say further studies are required to determine the most effective long-term treatment approach.

Health officials are investigating lettuce and other salad greens as the leading suspected source of a growing multistate Cyclospora outbreak, a parasitic infection that causes watery diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. While early evidence points to leafy greens, investigators have not yet identified a specific product, grower, or supplier, and other food sources have not been ruled out. Cyclospora is typically spread through contaminated food or water rather than person-to-person contact. Experts advise consumers to wash fresh produce thoroughly, practice good food hygiene, and seek medical attention if persistent diarrhea develops. The investigation remains ongoing as health authorities work to identify the exact source.

Researchers have identified a promising new strategy to combat obesity-related leukemia by combining GLP-1 weight-loss drugs with anti-inflammatory medications. The study found that obesity promotes leukemia growth by triggering chronic inflammation and disrupting normal metabolic signaling. In mouse models, combining a GLP-1 drug with an IL-17A-blocking therapy reduced leukemia burden, improved immune function, and slowed disease progression. Because both types of drugs are already approved for other conditions, the findings could accelerate future clinical trials. While the results are encouraging, further research is needed to confirm whether this combination therapy is safe and effective in people with obesity-associated leukemia.

A large review of existing studies suggests that people who consume the highest amounts of chili peppers may have an increased risk of esophageal cancer. However, the researchers stress that the findings show an association rather than a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Evidence linking chili pepper consumption to stomach and colorectal cancers was less consistent, highlighting the need for further research. It also remains unclear whether moderate chili intake carries the same risk. Until more definitive evidence is available, experts recommend maintaining a balanced diet and considering overall dietary patterns rather than focusing on a single food when assessing cancer risk.

Eating one avocado daily may help reduce a key risk factor for heart disease in adults with obesity, according to a new study. Researchers found that regular avocado consumption lowered the number of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles in the blood, corresponding to an estimated 4% reduction in heart disease risk. Unlike LDL cholesterol alone, a higher number of LDL particles is linked to greater cardiovascular risk because smaller particles can more easily build up in artery walls. While the benefit is modest, researchers say adding an avocado to a balanced diet could be a simple, practical step toward improving heart health without requiring major dietary changes.