Researchers from UC San Diego School of Medicine found that testing for lipoprotein(a) — a genetic risk factor for heart disease — remains uncommon in the United States, despite modest increases over the past decade.

PTSD affects about 12 million U.S. adults, with veterans hit especially hard – and many also grappling with alcohol use disorder and chronic pain. These conditions often overlap and fuel each other, making treatment complex and largely ineffective. Using rat models, researchers tested a new drug, PPL-138, designed to target both PTSD and alcohol misuse. Early results are promising: the drug significantly reduced stress and alcohol-related behaviors, pointing to a potential breakthrough for those facing this difficult trio of disorders.

Scientists at Université de Montréal’s affiliated hospital research centre (CRCHUM) are testing out a mobile application to help young adults who have a first episode of psychosis to support safer cannabis consumption.

In a new study titled “Enteric Viruses and Free-Living Amoebae: Protozoa as Potential Reservoirs and Transport Vessels for human Norovirus and Adenovirus,” published in Water & Ecology, an international team of researchers demonstrated that human norovirus (HNoV) and adenovirus (HAdV) can reside within environmental free-living amoebae (FLA) for up to 12 days. Viruses remained infectious within amoebae while encapsulated, protected from amoebal digestion and structural degradation. The detection of HAdV mRNA further suggests possible viral replication. These findings indicate that FLA may serve as environmental reservoirs and transmission vessels for enteric viruses—challenging the current water treatment efficacy and underscoring the need for updated public health guidance.

A professional musician’s ability to regulate their emotional state plays an important role in guaranteeing a successful performance. Previous studies have explored how anxiety affects the nervous system, leading to lower performance quality. However, the characterization of the optimal pre-performance state was unclear and required further exploration. Now, however, researchers have examined the role of unique, positive life events in modulating nervous system activities of musicians and how they positively influence performances.