A new study led by Krista Varady tested how one weight-loss method — intermittent fasting — affects hormones and symptoms in patients with PCOS. Published in Nature Medicine, the research shows that restricting eating to a six-hour daily window decreased testosterone without negatively affecting female hormones. The study also showed that weight loss through calorie counting decreased testosterone. 

Los Angeles, CA – March 30, 2026 – The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation is proud to announce that Dr. Yangzhi Zhu has been received a prestigious Career Development Award from the American Heart Association (AHA). The award will provide a total of $231,000 over three years to support his research in translational biosensing and organ health assessment.

Concrete harbors distinct microbial zones whose signatures survive the heat of routine core sampling, a discovery researchers say could one day put structural health diagnostics within reach of general maintenance staff and even residents.

Preterm birth is a major cause of neonatal illness and death, especially among women with a history of premature delivery. Researchers in Japan explored whether taking probiotics early in pregnancy could help reduce the risk of spontaneous preterm delivery (sPTD). In a multicenter clinical trial, women who consumed probiotics containing Clostridium butyricum showed lower recurrence rates compared with national averages, suggesting that probiotic therapy may offer a simple strategy to help prevent premature births.

Treatment-resistant depression affects a large proportion of people with major depressive disorder, and while ketamine offers rapid relief, its antidepressant effects fade within a few weeks. Now, researchers from Japan have identified the enzyme NOX-1 as a key molecular target to prolong ketamine’s antidepressant effects. Their findings shed light on key molecular and brain circuit mechanisms and point to new research directions for developing longer-lasting treatments for depression.