Insight

A new experimental drug called IC7Fc could help treat both diabetes and heart disease by lowering cholesterol and reducing inflammation in the arteries, researchers have found. In tests on mice prone to cardiovascular disease, the drug significantly reduced blood fats (triglycerides) and cholesterol while slowing the build-up of fatty deposits in arteries that can cause [...]

Tango dancers have brains that appear more than seven years younger than their actual age, with creativity linked to slower brain ageing across all art forms, new research has found. Musicians and visual artists showed brains about five to six years younger, while gamers’ brains appeared around four years younger, according to research examining how [...]

Asian and Black people with long-term health conditions are more likely to underreport anxiety, depression and daily activity difficulties than white populations, new research shows. The findings, based on data from 2.6 million people in England, raise concerns about how health outcomes are measured and how services are designed for diverse communities. Researchers found that [...]

Hospices in England have cut around 300 beds and reduced staff as nearly two-thirds reported deficits, despite rising demand for end-of-life care, a new report has revealed. Services have been reduced across the country, creating what campaigners describe as a postcode lottery in access to palliative care — specialist support for people with life-limiting conditions. [...]

Men must exercise nearly twice as long as women to achieve the same 30 per cent reduction in heart disease risk, according to new research. Women who exercised for 250 minutes a week saw their coronary heart disease risk fall by 30 per cent, while men needed about 530 minutes — nearly nine hours — [...]

Older adults who frequently engage with music may have up to a 39 per cent lower risk of developing dementia, according to new research. Regularly playing an instrument was linked to a 35 per cent reduced risk, while those who both listened to and played music showed a 33 per cent lower risk. The findings [...]

US adults scored an average of 60 out of 100 on the new Longevity Preparedness Index (LPI), indicating that most are underprepared to live well as they age. The index measures readiness across eight areas: social connection, daily activities, care, home, community, life transitions, health and finance. Care preparedness scored lowest at 42, while community [...]

Swapping just 30 minutes of sitting for light activity, such as walking or housework, can improve mood and energy the following day, new research suggests. A study involving more than 350 young adults found that on days when participants spent less time sitting and more time doing light activity, they felt happier and more energised [...]

Bright light at night raises the risk of heart attack by 47 per cent and heart failure by 56 per cent, according to research involving nearly 89,000 people. Being exposed to bright light at night could significantly increase the chances of developing serious heart problems, including heart attacks, strokes and heart failure. The largest study [...]

Semaglutide reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke by 20 per cent, regardless of weight lost, according to the largest study of 17,604 patients. The drug, the main ingredient in Wegovy, reduced the risk of major adverse cardiac events — including deaths from heart disease, heart attacks or strokes — by 20 per cent, [...]