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Long-term use of melatonin among people with chronic insomnia may be associated with a significantly higher risk of heart failure, according to a large preliminary study. Researchers found that people who used melatonin over an extended period had roughly a 90% higher risk of developing heart failure during five years of follow-up. However, the findings do not prove that melatonin itself causes heart problems. Other factors associated with chronic insomnia or supplement use could also contribute to the observed risk. The results highlight the need for more research into the long-term safety of melatonin, which is widely used as a sleep aid. People considering prolonged use should discuss their options with a healthcare professional.

A ketogenic diet may offer significant benefits for people dealing with obesity, prediabetes and fatty liver disease, according to a recent clinical trial. Participants following keto, Mediterranean and low-fat diets all lost around 10% of their body weight. However, the keto group experienced a much larger reduction in liver fat, with levels falling by 67%, compared with about 45% among those following the other diets. Around half of the participants on the keto diet also no longer met the criteria for prediabetes after four to five months. While the results are promising, longer-term research is needed to understand the benefits and risks of ketogenic diets. Individual dietary choices should also be guided by healthcare professionals.

A wavelength of light that is largely absent from modern indoor LED lighting may play an important role in protecting developing eyes from nearsightedness, or myopia. Researchers found that exposure to indigo light completely prevented myopia in tree shrews, whose eyes share several important characteristics with human eyes. The findings suggest that the light environment children experience indoors could influence how their eyes develop. If future research confirms similar effects in humans, indoor lighting may one day be redesigned to more closely resemble the natural spectrum of sunlight. Such changes could potentially offer a new approach to reducing the growing problem of childhood myopia.

A natural compound found in turmeric may help protect blood vessels from damage linked to Type 1 diabetes. In a study involving rats, curcumin was found to reduce inflammation, improve cellular signaling, and restore vascular function to levels similar to those seen in non-diabetic animals. The findings suggest that curcumin could potentially help reduce some of the long-term cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes. However, these results are based on animal research, and it is not yet known whether the same benefits will occur in humans. Clinical trials will be needed to determine whether curcumin could eventually become part of strategies for protecting blood vessel health in people with diabetes.

For decades, many people have believed that taking large doses of vitamin C can prevent the common cold. The idea became popular more than 50 years ago after Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling promoted high-dose vitamin C. However, research since then suggests that vitamin C does not prevent most people from catching a cold. There is, however, a small potential benefit. Regular vitamin C intake may slightly reduce how long a cold lasts or make symptoms somewhat milder, particularly in some people. This means vitamin C can be part of a healthy diet, but it should not be viewed as a guaranteed shield against infections. A balanced diet and good general health remain more important for supporting the immune system.Read more at ScienceDaily

Eating large amounts of ultra-processed foods may be linked to a higher risk of prostate cancer, according to new research. A nationally representative study involving more than 17,000 U.S. men found that those who consumed more ultra-processed foods had approximately a 24% to 31% greater risk of developing prostate cancer. The foods included soft drinks, packaged snacks, breakfast cereals and processed meats. Researchers accounted for several factors, including age, smoking, race and ethnicity, and poverty status. While the findings show an association rather than proving that these foods directly cause cancer, they add to growing concerns about diets high in heavily processed products. Choosing more whole, minimally processed foods may support better overall health.

After a heart attack blocks a coronary artery, the heart may have a remarkable way to restore blood flow. A new Science study found that tiny capillaries can transform into larger, mature arteries that act as natural bypasses around damaged areas. Researchers called this process capillary arterialization and found that about 85.7% of cells in newly formed collateral vessels came from capillaries in their mouse models. When these vessels were removed, the injured hearts developed more scarring and lost significant function. The researchers also identified a molecular pathway involving VEGF-A, YY1, SETD1A and HES1 that drives this transformation. Brief VEGF-A delivery using modified mRNA boosted collateral vessel formation in adult mice, suggesting a potential future approach to heart repair.

Eating may seem simple, but it requires incredibly precise coordination between the brain, neurons and muscles. A new Nature Neuroscience study in fruit flies (Drosophila) has revealed how motor neurons choreograph feeding movements with millisecond precision. Researchers found that five motor neurons fire in a strict front-to-back sequence, triggering a wave of throat muscle contractions that pumps liquid toward the esophagus. Glutamate plays a crucial role by activating muscles while simultaneously switching off inhibitory “brakes,” allowing the next motor neuron to fire. Remarkably, this sequence remains consistent even when feeding speed changes. The findings show that motor neurons are more than simple messengers—they actively organize complex, rhythmic movements needed for essential behaviors such as feeding, swallowing and breathing.

Cancer and the nervous system are far more connected than scientists once thought. The emerging field of cancer neuroscience explores how nerves, neurotransmitters and neural signals can influence tumor growth, immune responses and metastasis. Tumors can even release molecules such as NGF and BDNF that encourage new nerve fibers to grow into the tumor, creating a feedback loop that may support cancer progression. Nerves can also provide pathways for cancer cells to invade surrounding tissues, while stress-related hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline may promote tumor growth and immune evasion. Researchers are now investigating whether targeting nerve-tumor communication could complement existing cancer treatments, opening a promising new direction in oncology.

Scientists have uncovered a surprising form of teamwork that helps bacteria survive antibiotic treatment. NIH-funded researchers found that some bacteria release tiny sacs called vesicles, packed with proteins, which are then taken up by nearby bacteria. Antibiotics appear to trigger some cells to become “donors,” while others enter a dormant state and become “recipients.” The recipient bacteria can absorb these protein-filled vesicles, increasing their chances of surviving the antibiotic attack. Published in Science on June 25, 2026, the study reveals that bacterial survival may depend not only on sharing genes but also on sharing proteins. Blocking this protein-transfer process could potentially make antibiotics more effective against resistant infections.