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Medicine & Health

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 14-Jun-2026 21:16 ET (15-Jun-2026 01:16 GMT/UTC)

New research examines financial value people place on sleep

American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Reports and Proceedings

A new study to be presented at the SLEEP 2026 annual meeting found that people place different financial values on sleep, with those differences linked to factors such as age, income, and existing attitudes about sleep.

Journal: SLEEP
Funder: Sleep Research Society Foundation
Meeting: SLEEP 2026

GLP-1s may alleviate depression in mice through the microbiome

Cell Press
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Some people taking GLP-1 drugs for diabetes and obesity experience mental health benefits—particularly, a decrease in symptoms of depression. In a mouse model study in the Cell Press journal Cell Host & Microbe publishing on June 10, researchers report that these mental health improvements appear to result from changes in the gut microbiome that lead to an abundance of a microbe strain known to have a favorable effect on neurons related to stress.

Journal: Cell Host & Microbe
Funder: Ministry of Science and Technology of China, National Natural Science Foundation of Distinguished Young Scholars, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Ministry of Education of China, Major Science and Technology Projects in Jiangsu Province, Natural Science Foundation Outstanding Youth Fund of Jiangsu Province, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Jiangsu Province High-Level Hospital Construction Funds of Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing U35 Strong Foundation Program

Wearable devices and data sharing in the US

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: In this serial survey study, wearable device use increased among U.S. adults, but daily use and clinician-directed data sharing remained limited. These findings suggest that there is a need for approaches to help realize the potential of wearable devices as health care tools, both by broadening uptake and promoting consistent use.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

Changes in genetic contributions to ASD and ADHD by year of diagnosis

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: By analyzing multiple polygenic scores together with simulated expectations, this study could disambiguate among competing hypotheses about scenarios that may be associated with increased rates of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses. Findings support broadening diagnostic criteria as an explanation for increasing rates, with implications for understanding changes in risk factors and clinical practice.

Journal: JAMA Psychiatry

The 25-year evolution of lithium as a disease-modifying agent in dementia

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: The convergent data in this study support a prospective clinical trial of low-dose lithium orotate to slow disease progression in mild cognitive impairment. Such an approach would prioritize established neuroprotective mechanisms while potentially mitigating the kidney and thyroid risks associated with higher-dose carbonate formulations. If low-dose lithium can indeed meaningfully alter disease trajectory, it would represent a much-needed, accessible, and inexpensive treatment that may be especially relevant in low- and middle-income countries.

Journal: JAMA Psychiatry

Cells have a secret power line: Scientists discover how the nucleus gets its own private energy supply

Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)
Peer-Reviewed Publication

University of Arizona and CNIC researchers find that the cell’s tiny power plants plug directly into the nucleus — like docking a charger — to fuel the genes that build hearts, brains and bodies

Journal: Nature
Funder: American Heart Association, Fundación Alfonso Martín Escudero, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, Leducq Foundation through the network “Redox Regulation of Cardiomyocyte Renewal”, Army Research Office, National Medical Research Council of Singapore, SingaSingapore’s Ministry of Education Academic Research Fund

Integrated telehealth rehabilitation and quality of life in mechanically ventilated adults

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: In this study, an integrated telehealth-based rehabilitation strategy delivered across intensive care unit, hospital, and postdischarge phases improved 90-day health-related quality of life, potentially influenced by reduced mortality.

Journal: JAMA

Aging muscle follows different genetic programs in mice and humans

Impact Journals LLC
Peer-Reviewed Publication

BUFFALO, NY — June 10, 2026 — A new research paper was published in Volume 18 of Aging on May 18, 2026, titled “Transcriptional programs diverge in aging mouse and human skeletal muscle.”

Journal: Aging-US

One in three middle-aged adults struggle with basic, ‘everyday’ health tasks

Northwestern University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new Northwestern University study has found one in three middle-aged American adults ages 35 to 64 cannot consistently read prescription instructions correctly, understand medical forms or recall details from doctor visits involving chronic condition diagnoses. These skills — often referred to as health literacy — are critical for managing common conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, which commonly emerge in midlife.

The study author said, “This work is not about pointing out what people can't do, but rather, can we confuse patients less?”

While previous research has found more than half of adults 65 and older have a difficult time engaging with the health care system, this is the first study to focus on middle-aged adults.

Journal: Journal of General Internal Medicine

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