Neat News - Neat things do happen

In the 1970s, a treatment for heart problems has been developed that looks now obsolete: external counterpulsation (ECP), in which calves, thighs, and buttocks are compressed to propel blood back to the heart. Now it has been found that it can improve the blood flow to the brain and may be beneficial to counteract early signs of dementia.

related: #ECP #external_counterpulsaton #blood_circulation #brain

A new study finds that patients with precancerous blood disorders and early stage blood cancers that take 1000 mg vitamin C on a daily basis have an improved survival rate compared to those who do not. More research is needed.

related: #blood_cancer #vitamin_C #survival

In experiments with mice, scientists find that a particular protein called TIMP2 plays an important role in clearing brain cells from debris. As a consequence, the protein may play a role in rejuvenating ageing brain and fighting Alzheimer's disease.

related: #protein #brain #rejuventation #TIMP2

In a new study it has been found that regularly eating blueberries or blueberry powder leads to an improvement in the gut microbiome and in the mood. However, because of the small size of the study the results are not statistically significant and more research is needed.

related: #blueberry #mood

Carpal tunnel syndrome affects 5 to 10 percent of all people and is often treated with corticosteroids. Now a small study found that freeing the nerve from surrounding adhesions and tissue attachments by injecting saline around the nerve can have similarly good results, but can reduce unwanted side-effects.

related: #carpal_tunnel_syndrome #saline

In experiments with mice it has been found that taking some olive oil before eating carbohydrates helps to prevent the blood sugar level to increase too much. It does so by inducing a hormone called GLP-1 which is related to the new appetite suppressing drug Ozempic.

related: #olive_oil #blood_sugar #GLP1

The number of giant tortoises on the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles has recovered from fewer than a thousand to now more than 180,000 due to conservation efforts.

related: #giant_tortoise #Seychelles

Scientists found that vanillin, the component of vanilla that gives it its flavour, has a surprising wound healing potential and may reduce inflammation and improve wound care.

related: #vanilla #wound #healing

Navi Pillay from South Africa wins the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her life long fight for human rights, starting with defending anti-apartheid activists in South Africa, her work in the International Criminal Court, as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and as Head of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

related: #Nobel #Prize #Peace #Navi_Pillay

A new study found that many effects of fasting occur only after three days, including a full body response. For instance, proteins that support neurons in the brain change after three days.

related: #fasting

A new study finds that young married couples that work out together - even if it is just a walk - strengthen their marriage this way. A reason for this may be that by exercising together they have the opportunity to communicate and resolve conflicts peacefully.

related: #marriage #exercising #together

This year's Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine has been awarded to three researcher that have developed methods to stimulate neurons by a combination of optics and genetics. The approach may be used in the future to treat conditions such as blindness, depression, addiction, and dementia.

related: #Nobel #medicine #neuron

The Right Livelihood Awards 2026 are awarded to people and organization from Pakistan; Southern Africa; Georgia; and the USA for their fights for human rights; for defending land, seed, and bodily autonomy; for defending democracy and civic power; and challenging concentrated power in artificial intelligence, respectively.

related: #Right_Livelihood_Award

In experiments with mice, researchers found that strength training for a week leads already to measurable improvements in breaking up dangerous visceral fat that is packed around internal organs. This is well before visible results show, for instance, in form of weight loss.

related: #strength_training #visceral_fat #health

New research found that following the so-called MIND diet can delay the ageing of the brain and brain shrinkage by about 2.5 years. The Mediterranean-Dash Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diet (MIND) consists of grains, vegetables, lentils, nuts, berries, and olive oil, for instance.

related: #MIND #diet #brain