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Shining a light on the dark matter of our genome

Health Shining a light on the dark matter of our genome New research unveils powerful mapping tool that may help transform treatment of genetic disease Yahya Chaudry Harvard Correspondent October 31, 2025 5 min read Heejin Roh (left), Brian Liau, and Simon Shen. Veasey Conway/Harvard Staff Photographer Understanding how cells turn genes on and off…

Can revenge be addictive?

Health Can revenge be addictive? Getty Images Max Larkin Harvard Staff Writer November 3, 2025 5 min read Psychiatrist explains how humans are hardwired to crave payback and why forgiveness is the ultimate antidote Alongside painkillers, food, and technology, one psychiatrist worries about the addictive potential of getting back at people — or even thinking…

COVID in pregnancy raises child’s risk for developmental disorders

Health COVID in pregnancy raises child’s risk for developmental disorders Infection poses greatest threat during third trimester, according to study analyzing more than 18,000 births during pandemic peak Mass General Brigham Communication October 31, 2025 2 min read Getty Images Children born to mothers who had COVID-19 while pregnant face an elevated risk of developmental…

Walking 3,000-5,000 steps a day may delay Alzheimer’s

Health Walking 3,000-5,000 steps a day may delay Alzheimer’s Findings could explain why some older adults at risk for the disease decline faster than others Mass General Brigham Communications November 4, 2025 4 min read Increasing your steps by even a little bit may help slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease among people at…

Are you getting enough sleep? Probably not.

Health ‘Harvard Thinking:’ Are you getting enough sleep? Probably not. Illustrations by Liz Zonarich/Harvard Staff Samantha Laine Perfas Harvard Staff Writer November 5, 2025 long read In podcast, experts discuss how to tap into powerful but often neglected key to health and well-being From medications to supplements to meditation apps, the market is flooded with…

Odds of surviving cancer drop drastically when credit score dips

Health Odds of surviving cancer drop drastically when credit score dips Benjamin James. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer Anna Gibbs Harvard Correspondent November 13, 2025 9 min read Study explores links between financial stress, mortality risk While past studies have explored how cancer patients’ financial health influenced their risk of mortality, new research digs in deeper…

Researchers link ultraprocessed foods to precancerous polyps

Health Study links ultraprocessed foods to precancerous polyps in younger women Mass General Brigham Communications November 13, 2025 4 min read Risk aligns with quantity in research that might offer clue to rise in under-50 cancer cases Colorectal cancer diagnoses have become increasingly common in adults 50 or younger in recent years, particularly in high-income…

How habits in your 20s shape your heart for life

Health How habits in your 20s shape your heart for life Jacqueline Mitchell BIDMC Communications November 18, 2025 3 min read Young adulthood offers critical window to greatly reduce future risk of cardiovascular disease, according to new study Patterns of cardiovascular health during young adulthood strongly predict the risk of heart disease, stroke, and death…

Cognitive shuffling: A mental trick to help you quiet racing thoughts and fall asleep

Summary Cognitive shuffling, a technique developed by cognitive scientist Dr. Luc Beaudoin, helps quiet racing thoughts for better sleep. The method involves mentally conjuring random, non-emotionally charged words and corresponding images for each letter. Though research is limited, the technique mimics natural sleep onset when the brain experiences fragmented thought patterns. Practitioners typically report falling…

Alzheimer’s risk rises when amount of deep sleep falls, study suggests

Summary Insufficient deep sleep in slow-wave and REM stages may accelerate brain deterioration linked to Alzheimer’s disease. The brain’s inferior parietal region shrinks with inadequate deep sleep, according to a new study. During deep sleep, the brain removes toxins while REM sleep processes emotions and consolidates memories. Adults should spend 20% to 25% of sleep…

Yawning may be more dangerous than you think, experts say

Find yourself yawning a lot? Do you need that third or fourth cup of coffee to make it through the afternoon at work? Such signs of sleepiness may be a red flag of a serious sleep deficit that could put you in physical danger and harm your long-term health, according to a new position paper…

Don’t let politics ruin your sleep. Use these expert tips instead

Summary Political and societal upheavals can disrupt sleep and trigger insomnia in vulnerable individuals, according to sleep experts. Chronic insomnia may lead to serious health complications including heart attacks and stroke. Doomscrolling, caffeine consumption and anxiety about sleep can create vicious cycles that perpetuate sleep problems. Try setting a news curfew and avoiding substances like…

A couple tried for 18 years to get pregnant. AI made it happen

AI Maternal health Women’s health See all topics Facebook Tweet Email Link Link Copied! Follow After trying to conceive for 18 years, one couple is now pregnant with their first child thanks to the power of artificial intelligence. The couple had undergone several rounds of in vitro fertilization, or IVF, visiting fertility centers around the…

World’s premier cancer institute faces crippling cuts and chaos

Cancer Federal agencies Donald Trump See all topics Facebook Tweet Email Link Link Copied! Follow The Trump administration’s broadsides against scientific research have caused unprecedented upheaval at the National Cancer Institute, the storied federal government research hub that has spearheaded advances against the disease for decades. NCI, which has long benefited from enthusiastic bipartisan support,…

How long does it take to see benefits from your new workout regimen?

Editor’s note: Before beginning any new exercise program, consult your doctor. Stop immediately if you experience pain. Summary Seeing benefits from new exercise routines typically takes at least two to four weeks, according to experts. Changes can require six to 12 weeks depending on factors like age, sex and metabolism. Exercise immediately improves blood flow…

Why you should take a week off from working out, according to science

If you were to think about the key to getting fit, you’d probably imagine you need to spend plenty of time in the gym. But many fitness influencers assert that taking time away from the gym every six to eight weeks — known as a “deload week” — is actually the key to improving fitness…