Gut microbes reveal a surprising tie to cortisol spikes during acute stress

The gut microbiome influences numerous physiological processes. Researchers at the University of Vienna have now demonstrated for the first time that, in healthy adults, the diversity of gut bacteria and their capacity to produce certain metabolites are associated with the acute stress response—particularly stress reactivity. Higher microbial diversity was associated with stronger hormonal and subjectively perceived stress reactivity. The results suggest that the gut microbiome may play a role in regulating the acute stress response. The study was published in Neurobiology of Stress.

The subtle science behind safer brain implants

In a recent publication appearing in Advanced Science, researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience challenge the assumptions surrounding the design and materials used for brain implants. Softer, flexible implants are gentler than older ones, but they are not completely harmless. By carefully studying these effects, researchers can begin to design safer implants, and bring long-term, reliable implants closer to reality.

Menstrual cycle reshapes nearly 200 blood proteins, offering a broader view of women’s health

It is a process as old as humanity itself, yet there is still much we do not know about women's menstrual cycle and the impact it has on the entire body. Now, a team of researchers from the Department of Clinical Medicine at Aarhus University has, for the first time, demonstrated that the cycle affects a wide range of proteins in the female body, explains Associate Professor Jonas Ghouse, one of the researchers behind the study. The study is published in the journal Nature Medicine.

New research challenges 4-decades old obesity theory as to why and how body composition varies in young children

In new research being presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, Turkey (12–15 May) and published in The Journal of Nutrition, a 42-year-old theory as to why children's body mass index (BMI) decreases post-infancy before then rising continuously from age 6 years—"the adiposity rebound"—is refuted using new analyses—rather than decreasing body fat, the real reason is proposed as increasing muscle mass.

High-precision human immune aging clock identifies RUNX1 as key target for T cell senescence

The immune system acts as a critical sentinel of organismal aging, integrating the sensing of physiological states with the execution of defense and clearance functions. Immunosenescence not only reflects systemic functional decline but also serves as a central driver of multiple age-related diseases. However, owing to the high heterogeneity and complexity of the immune system, accurately quantifying its aging status and identifying actionable intervention targets have been major scientific challenges in the field.