New research from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences provides evidence that sensitive skin syndrome (SSS) is biologically distinct from rosacea, helping clarify a long-standing debate in dermatology and potentially guiding more targeted treatment approaches.

Researchers at UC San Francisco and Imperial College London have shown that a single dose of psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms, causes likely anatomical brain changes that last for up to a month after the experience.   

About The Study: In this cross-sectional survey study of 988 Lifeline leaders, results suggested that most centers struggled to find resources to keep the center fully staffed. If staffing challenges persist, centers could face risks to staff well-being and service quality. Financing and operational strategies that support recruitment and retention will be critical to sustaining the quality and accessibility of 988 Lifeline centers.

About The Study: In this retrospective comparative effectiveness research study of Medicare beneficiaries, hospital at home was associated with lower in-hospital mortality and emergency department use within 30 days of discharge, but not hospital readmissions within 30 days, compared with traditional inpatient care. These findings support hospital at home as an approach that may maintain similar or better short-term outcomes among appropriately selected patients; future studies should evaluate implementation and equity.

A new study by researchers at UCLA and the University at Buffalo shows that Indigenous Andean populations carry unusually high numbers of a gene involved in starch digestion, an adaptation shaped by natural selection during the transition to high-altitude living and major dietary shifts 6,000–10,000 years ago. Those with roughly 10 copies or more of salivary amylase genes, or AMY1, had a 1.24% survival or reproductive advantage per generation, the researchers found. The findings highlight how culture, diet and environment interact to shape human genomes, with implications for understanding metabolism, the microbiome and gene–diet interactions relevant to human health.

Mass General Brigham study tested advanced footwear technology on elite distance runners

 

Researchers at Mass General Brigham have found that although advanced footwear technology (AFT), commonly known as “super shoes,” may improve performance in elite runners, they also cause subtle changes in running mechanics linked to bone stress injuries. The findings are published in PM&R, the official scientific journal of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Researchers used AI to analyze whole-body MRI scans from more than 66,000 participants to create the most detailed reference map to date of how fat and muscle are distributed in the human body across age, sex and height. Results of the study show that the quality and amount of skeletal muscle, not just visceral fat, are strong predictors of diabetes, major cardiovascular events and mortality.