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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.

Walking 10,000 steps a day is beneficial, but when you move may also affect your health. Experts say taking all your steps in one session may not fully offset the effects of sitting for long periods. Short walks after meals, especially lunch and dinner, can help muscles use glucose more efficiently and reduce post-meal blood sugar spikes. Regular movement breaks throughout the day may therefore support metabolic health more effectively than concentrating all activity into one walk. Morning walks remain valuable for fitness and well-being, but for people with prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes, spreading activity across the day and walking after meals may provide additional benefits.

Scientists have found that the longevity-linked APOE2 gene may help protect brain cells from the effects of ageing and Alzheimer’s disease. The gene appears to reduce DNA damage and help neurons recover from cellular stress, potentially strengthening the brain’s natural defence mechanisms. Researchers believe these findings could lead to new treatments designed to mimic the protective effects of APOE2 in people who have a higher genetic risk of Alzheimer’s. Although more research is needed, the discovery offers a promising new direction for understanding how certain genetic variants may support brain health and protect against age-related neurological decline.

Sleeping with pets is generally safe for most healthy adults and may provide comfort and reduce stress, but it can also worsen allergies, asthma and other respiratory conditions. Pet dander, saliva, dust, pollen and other allergens can accumulate on bedding and trigger sneezing, coughing, wheezing or breathing difficulties. Pets may also disturb sleep or carry dirt, parasites and bacteria into the bed. People with weakened immune systems should take extra precautions and consult a doctor. Experts recommend regular grooming, vaccinations, parasite prevention and veterinary check-ups. If your pet is healthy and does not disrupt your sleep, sharing a bed is unlikely to cause problems for most people.