Men currently have only a few contraceptive options. The most commonly used methods are condoms and vasectomy.
According to Cornell University, researchers are now working on a new solution that could be both safe and reversible without causing permanent side effects.
The researchers are particularly interested in developing a hormone-free method, as hormone-based contraception has previously raised concerns about side effects.
Stops sperm production
In the new study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers examined a process in the body that plays an important role in the formation of sperm cells.
The researchers used a substance called JQ1 to temporarily stop this process in mice. After three weeks of treatment, sperm production had stopped completely.
Fertility returned
When the treatment was discontinued, the mice’s normal functions gradually began to return. After around six weeks, most of the mice were once again producing sperm cells.
The researchers then tested whether the mice were still able to have offspring. The results showed that they remained fertile and that the offspring were healthy.
Cornell University believes the method could potentially be used in the future as a new form of male contraception.
However, the researchers stress that the findings are still based on early animal testing.
Sources: SciTechDaily and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
For several years, Japanese scientists have investigated a condition known as TGCV.
In this disease, the fat substance triglyceride builds up inside cells in the heart and blood vessels, according to SciTechDaily.
The condition is seen especially in people with diabetes and patients undergoing dialysis. It can be difficult to detect because it resembles ordinary atherosclerosis.
Supplement tested
The study published in the European Heart Journal examined the dietary supplement tricaprin, which is sold in Japan.
The supplement is believed to help the body break down fat within the heart’s cells.
Two patients in their 60s with diabetes and severe chest pain took part in the trial. Their condition had not responded well to existing treatments.
After several months of using tricaprin, both patients experienced fewer symptoms. Scans also showed reduced fat accumulation in their blood vessels.
Possible change in treatment
The researchers stress that the findings are based on only two patients. Larger studies are therefore needed before the treatment can be used more widely.
A new clinical trial involving a tricaprin-based treatment has already been completed in Japan.
What makes the results particularly notable is that the researchers believe the supplement may not only relieve symptoms.
It may also have helped reduce the narrowing of the blood vessels themselves by improving the body’s ability to break down fat inside cells.
What you do before bedtime can have a major impact on both your sleep and your mood the next day.
Sleep experts told Verywell Mind about a number of simple habits that can help create calmer nights and happier mornings.
Plan your sleep
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Sleep neurologist Meredith Broderick explains to Verywell Mind that waking up in a good mood is often a sign of good sleep quality.
She recommends prioritising time to relax before bed and maintaining consistent sleep habits.
Keep a consistent sleep schedule
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According to the experts, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day helps regulate the body.
Regular routines can support the body’s internal clock and improve sleep quality.
Create a calm bedroom environment
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Sleep psychologist Jade Wu recommends keeping the bedroom cool, dark, and quiet, according to Verywell Mind.
Small changes to the environment can make sleep more restorative.
Use the bed only for sleep
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Annie Miller, a specialist in chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety, and trauma, told Verywell Mind that the bed should only be associated with rest.
She recommends avoiding emails, social media, and other activities in bed so the brain connects the bedroom with relaxation.
Get up if you cannot sleep
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If your thoughts are racing, Annie Miller recommends getting out of bed instead of lying awake.
A quiet activity in dim lighting can help until you feel sleepy again.
Create a consistent evening routine
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Jade Wu recommends following a calming routine before bedtime.This could include dimming the lights, putting screens away, or reading a book.
The goal is to help both the body and mind relax.
Avoid overstimulation before bed
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According to the experts, the time before sleep should be free from work and stressful activities.
Annie Miller suggests spending one to two hours winding down without to-do lists or other demanding tasks.
Limit food, alcohol, and caffeine
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Meredith Broderick recommends avoiding alcohol, caffeine, food, electronics, and bright lights close to bedtime, according to Verywell Mind.
She also says that she personally avoids eating after dinner.
Use relaxing sounds
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Meredith Broderick recommends calming soundscapes to help with relaxation.
She believes many people overstimulate their sense of sight through screens and artificial light.
Do not bring stress to bed
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Jade Wu suggests writing down thoughts or practising mindfulness if your mind feels busy at bedtime.
Annie Miller also recommends setting aside a specific time earlier in the day to deal with worries.
Make room for worries earlier in the day
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According to Annie Miller, spending 10 to 15 minutes on “worry time” earlier in the day can help reduce racing thoughts in the evening.
Be kind to yourself after a bad night
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The experts stress that nobody has perfect sleep habits all the time.
Annie Miller believes self-compassion is important because the way people react to poor sleep can affect both their mood and the following night’s sleep.
Many people occasionally notice small dots or wavy shapes drifting across their vision.
The phenomenon is known as “floaters” and is especially noticeable against bright backgrounds or in strong light.
According to the NHS, they are often caused by changes in the eye’s vitreous gel.
The condition occurs when the gel inside the eye changes structure with age. The NHS describes it as a common and usually harmless process.
However, ophthalmologist Daniel Polya from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists told Daily Mail Australia, according to LADbible, that new visual disturbances should be examined promptly.
Collagen in the eye
According to Daniel Polya, floaters occur when collagen fibers in the vitreous gel clump together and cast shadows on the retina.
These shadows are what people perceive as moving lines or spots.
He explains that the vitreous makes up around 80 percent of the eye and that these changes often become more noticeable with age.
Some patients become accustomed to the symptoms, but the expert points out that larger or bothersome floaters can, in some cases, be treated with laser therapy. However, the treatment carries risks.
Risks may be discovered too late
Although floaters are typically harmless, in some cases they can lead to retinal tears.
According to Daniel Polya, there is around a five percent risk that the condition may develop into a retinal tear.
If a tear occurs, he estimates that the risk of a subsequent retinal detachment is approximately 50 percent.
For this reason, the expert emphasizes the importance of an early examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist when symptoms first appear.
For years, dieting has focused on reducing calories and eating smaller portions.
However, researchers now point out that the body also reacts to how much food is actually placed on the plate.
According to National Geographic, many people feel hungrier when portions become too small.
This is especially true for ultra-processed foods such as chips, cakes, and ready-made meals, which contain many calories without providing long-lasting fullness.
At the same time, it can take up to 20 minutes for the body to register fullness. As a result, people may quickly overeat before the brain signals that it is time to stop.
Filling foods
According to National Geographic, researchers believe that protein and fiber may support weight loss because they create a greater feeling of fullness.
This includes foods such as vegetables, beans, oatmeal, yogurt, and soups.
A study published in the Journal of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome found that high-protein meals may help both with weight loss and with maintaining a stable weight.
Researchers from Duke Health and the University of Minnesota studied small molecules in the blood of people over the age of 71, according to SciTechDaily.
The molecules are known as piRNA and may help show how the body ages.
The study was published in the journal Aging Cell and is based on more than 1,200 blood samples.
Researchers used artificial intelligence to analyze both health data and small RNA molecules.
The results showed that certain piRNA molecules could predict short-term survival better than factors such as age, cholesterol levels, and physical activity.
Lower levels linked to better outcomes
Researchers found one particularly clear connection: people with low levels of certain piRNA molecules often lived longer.
According to the researchers, the molecules may be linked to the body’s immune system and its ability to repair cells.
However, they emphasized that more research is still needed to understand their exact function.
The research team tested the findings on an additional group of older adults and found the same pattern.
Could be used in the future
Six specific piRNA molecules alone were able to predict two-year survival with an accuracy of up to 86 percent.
Researchers will now investigate whether medication or lifestyle changes can affect piRNA levels in the blood.
In the long term, the blood test could potentially be used as a tool to detect health problems earlier in older adults.
According to The Oregonian, 36 experts in neurology and psychiatry have signed a letter concerning the American president.
The letter was submitted to Congress’s official archives by two Democratic senators from Rhode Island.
The experts argue that Donald Trump shows signs of poor judgment, weakened impulse control, and cognitive difficulties.
Official assessments
The criticism contrasts with official statements regarding Trump’s health. Last year, his personal physician stated that the 79-year-old Republican was in very good condition.
A medical examination conducted in April 2025 also concluded that he was fit to serve as the United States’ commander in chief.
At the same time, the group of experts emphasizes that none of them has personally examined Donald Trump.
Instead, their assessment is based on his public appearances and statements over the past year.
Warning to the United States
In the letter, the group also points to the responsibility that comes with holding the office of president.
Among other things, they highlight that America’s nuclear weapons can be deployed directly on the president’s orders.
One of the signatories is psychiatrist George Drinka of Oregon Health & Science University.
The group’s main message is that they consider Donald Trump mentally unfit to serve as president of the United States and believe the matter should be addressed quickly.
Butter is a staple in many refrigerators and is used for everything from frying to spreading on bread and serving with potatoes.
However, eating butter every day can affect the body in both the short and long term, according to Parade.
Contains fats
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Butter is a source of fat that helps the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins from other foods. It can also make meals feel more filling and satisfying.
Vitamins
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Dietitian Alissa Rumsey explains to Parade that butter can help the body absorb nutrients such as vitamin A more effectively when eaten together with foods like sweet potatoes.
Downsides of butter
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Although butter has nutritional benefits, Alissa Rumsey points out that it is also high in saturated fat, which should be limited.
These people should be extra careful
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People with familial hypercholesterolemia may have difficulty processing saturated fat. This can lead to elevated cholesterol levels.
Inflammation
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Dietitian Danielle LaFata explains to Parade that saturated fat is generally considered more inflammatory than unsaturated fats found in foods such as oils and fish.
High in saturated fat
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One tablespoon of unsalted butter contains seven grams of saturated fat. That equals half of the daily limit recommended by the American Heart Association.
The effect depends on the person
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How butter affects the body depends on factors such as activity level, overall health, eating habits, and how much butter is consumed.
Using butter
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There is a difference between eating vegetables with a small amount of butter and eating fried dishes cooked with large amounts of butter every day.
Low energy
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According to Alissa Rumsey, meals that are high in fat but low in carbohydrates or protein can lead to energy crashes in some people.
Weight gain
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Danielle LaFata emphasizes that butter is calorie-dense. If a person consumes more energy than the body needs, it can lead to weight gain.
The heart may be affected
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A high intake of butter over a long period may increase the risk of high cholesterol and heart disease due to its saturated fat content.
Alternatives
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To better protect heart health, experts recommend fat sources such as olive oil, avocado oil, sesame oil, and walnut oil.
Margarine may be a better choice
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According to Mayo Clinic, margarine is often better for the heart than regular butter because it mainly consists of unsaturated fats.
Not all margarine is the same
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Parade emphasizes that some types of margarine are healthier than others, which is why consumers should read nutritional labels carefully.
Everything in moderation
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Experts stress that eating a little butter from time to time will not necessarily harm the body, but consuming large amounts over time may become problematic.
Sources: Parade, American Heart Association, and Mayo Clinic.
Hay fever can cause symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose.
Many people use antihistamines to relieve their symptoms during pollen season, according to The Sun.
According to the NHS andBolt Pharmacy, several types of juice can negatively affect the medication. This includes orange juice, grapefruit juice, and apple juice.
Experts explain that these drinks can make it harder for the body to absorb the medicine properly. As a result, the tablets may not work as effectively as usual.
Ongoing symptoms
The issue mainly affects the allergy medication fexofenadine, which is commonly used to treat allergies.
Bolt Pharmacy states that orange juice can, in some cases, reduce the body’s absorption of the medicine by up to 70 percent.
This means that symptoms such as sneezing and watery eyes may continue, even when people are taking their medication.
However, according to the NHS, the problem does not apply to all types of allergy medication. Nasal sprays and eye drops are not affected in the same way.
The safest choice
Alcohol may also cause problems when combined with certain antihistamines. The NHS warns that the combination can increase drowsiness and dizziness.
Health authorities therefore recommend taking the medication with water instead of juice or alcohol.
This may help ensure that the treatment works as effectively as possible during pollen season.
Obesity is a growing problem in many OECD countries.
The OECD is an international organization that works with more than 100 countries to develop knowledge, analysis, and policy solutions aimed at creating stronger, fairer, and more sustainable societies.
According to a new study presented at the annual European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2026) and reported by News-Medical, the United States had the highest obesity rate in 2022, while Japan had the lowest.
Researchers examined data from 33 OECD countries between 1990 and 2022. The figures came from sources including the OECD, the WHO, and the World Bank.
The researchers found major differences between countries.
Several Latin American countries had higher obesity rates than a number of European countries, even though they consumed less fat and fewer calories on average.
More than diet
The study suggests that obesity is not only about food and exercise. Working conditions and economic factors may also play a major role.
According to the researchers, long working hours can lead to less time for exercise, higher stress levels, and a greater reliance on fast food and unhealthy meals.
At the same time, the analysis showed that higher income is often associated with lower obesity rates.
Fewer working hours
The results showed that fewer working hours were linked to lower obesity rates. If working hours decreased by 1 percent, obesity rates fell by an average of 0.16 percent.
The connection was strongest among men. Researchers therefore believe that a better work-life balance may be important for public health.
Sources: News-Medical and European Congress on Obesity 2026.
