Olive oil comes in several varieties, and the main distinction lies in how they are produced.
According to the University of Rovira i Virgili, extra virgin olive oil is produced mechanically, which preserves more of its natural compounds.
Refined olive oil, by contrast, is processed to extend its shelf life and create a more uniform taste.
This process also removes some of the compounds that naturally occur in olives.
As a result, the two types of oil do not necessarily share the same nutritional properties.
Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
A study cited by HealthDay and published in Microbiome followed 656 people aged 55 to 75 over a two-year period. All participants had an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers examined both their diets and their ability to think and remember. At the same time, their gut bacteria were analyzed to determine whether changes occurred over time.
The results showed that the composition of gut bacteria varied depending on the type of olive oil the participants consumed.
Gut bacteria and the brain
The study points to a link between certain gut bacteria and brain function.
One type of bacteria in particular was associated with better outcomes in some participants.
This association was primarily observed among those who consumed extra virgin olive oil.
The findings therefore suggest that the quality of dietary fat may influence both gut and brain health, and that differences between olive oil types play a role.
At the same time, JD Vance began exercising more. According to Health Digest, this happened after he found himself getting out of breath while playing with his children.
He started running and going to the gym. A study cited by CNN, based on research from Duke University, shows that a combination of cardio and strength training yields the best results.
Later, he also completed intensive training programs inspired by the military. These included running and strength exercises, which improved his endurance.
The importance of diet
Diet has also played a role. According to Health Digest, Vance has partially followed his wife’s vegetarian eating habits, which are rich in fiber.
Diet soda can seem like a smarter choice than regular soft drinks, but drinking it every day may affect more than just your calorie intake. According to Eat This, Not That!, research highlights several ways it can influence both your body and your habits over time.
Daily intake can have unintended effects
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Drinking diet soda every day, especially multiple cans, may have negative consequences for some people. While it contains no sugar, regular consumption can still influence how the body responds over time.
It starts with what’s inside the drink
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Diet soda contains artificial sweeteners like aspartame, along with ingredients such as phosphoric acid, caffeine, and caramel coloring that shape its taste and shelf life.
Approved ingredients don’t equal health benefits
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Although these components are considered safe within recommended limits, that does not necessarily mean they support long term health when consumed daily.
It can shift your taste preferences
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Over time, artificially sweetened drinks may alter how you perceive sweetness. This can make you more likely to crave sugary foods throughout the day.
Cravings may lead to more calories overall
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As cravings for sweet foods increase, total calorie intake may rise as well, meaning a zero calorie drink could indirectly contribute to higher energy consumption.
Your gut may also be affected
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Some research suggests that frequent intake may influence the balance of bacteria in the gut, which plays a role in overall health.
Blood sugar responses could change
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There are indications that artificial sweeteners may impact how the body regulates blood sugar, although the exact relationship is still being studied.
Possible links to metabolic health
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Higher consumption has been associated in some studies with an increased risk of metabolic issues, though lifestyle factors may also play a role.
The science is still evolving
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Many of these findings are not yet fully understood, and more research is needed to determine clear cause and effect relationships.
Caffeine can build up during the day
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Because diet soda contains caffeine, drinking several cans may affect sleep quality or increase feelings of restlessness in sensitive individuals.
Acidity may take a toll on teeth
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The acidic nature of the drink can gradually wear down tooth enamel, which may increase the risk of dental problems over time.
Moderation and alternatives matter
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Experts recommend limiting daily intake and choosing water, sparkling water, or other unsweetened drinks for regular hydration, especially if consumption has become a daily habit.
Not knowing how much time is left can be one of the hardest parts of serious illness. Families wait, watch, and wonder, while doctors rely on experience and subtle physical changes to guide decisions in those final hours.
According to research published in BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care and led by Dr Jung Hun Kang at Gyeongsang National University Hospital, a small physical response may help indicate when death is very close, reports Unilad.
The study focused on patients already receiving end-of-life care, where predicting timing remains difficult.
A quiet indicator
The research followed over 100 hospice patients with advanced cancer. Medical teams monitored typical signs such as breathing shifts, skin color changes and declining awareness.
Alongside these, they assessed a reflex linked to the eye, which normally causes an automatic blink when touched.
A clear pattern
The findings showed that patients who no longer reacted were far more likely to die within 24 hours.
This loss appeared to signal a breakdown in essential brain function during the final stage of life.
Researchers noted that while the sign was strongly linked to imminent death, it should not be used alone to make definitive predictions.
Looking ahead
Further studies are planned to confirm the results in broader populations. There is also growing interest in using technology to detect subtle physical changes earlier and more accurately.
The aim is to give patients and families clearer guidance, helping ensure comfort and dignity at the end of life.
A quiet routine many people barely think about—getting enough vitamins—might hold more influence over serious illness than expected.
For those navigating cancer treatment, even small daily habits can feel like they carry enormous weight.
According to research from São Paulo State University, funded by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP), scientists are now looking closely at something surprisingly simple, reports Science Daily.
A simple addition
In a clinical study involving 80 women over 45, researchers tested whether adding vitamin D to chemotherapy could make a measurable difference.
Participants were divided into two groups, with one receiving a daily supplement while the other took a placebo.
All patients underwent chemotherapy before surgery, a standard approach aimed at shrinking tumors.
After six months, the group receiving vitamin D showed notably stronger outcomes. A significantly higher proportion experienced complete disappearance of detectable cancer compared to those without supplementation.
Why it matters
Vitamin D is commonly associated with bone strength, but its role in immune defense is gaining attention.
Many cancer patients begin treatment with low levels of the vitamin, which may influence how the body responds to therapy.
Researchers highlighted several possible advantages:
Supports immune system activity
May enhance response to treatment
Widely available and low-cost
This positions vitamin D as a potentially accessible support tool, especially compared to more expensive medical interventions.
Still early days
Despite promising results, scientists emphasize that the study was relatively small. Larger trials are needed to confirm how much impact vitamin D truly has on chemotherapy effectiveness and whether results apply broadly.
The findings suggest potential—but not certainty. For now, experts see this as a starting point rather than a finished solution.
It happens dozens of times a day without much thought. Hands move from phone to keyboard, from door handle to table surface, carrying invisible traces along the way.
Most of it goes unnoticed, but the idea that everyday objects could actively fight back against microbes is beginning to shift how researchers think about hygiene.
According to researchers at RMIT University in Australia, a new type of plastic may soon turn common surfaces into active barriers against viruses, rather than passive carriers, reports Science Daily.
A surface that fights back
The team has developed a transparent, ultra-thin plastic layer designed to physically damage viruses the moment they land. Instead of relying on chemical coatings, the material works through its structure.
Its surface is covered in microscopic pillars, far too small to see, which interact directly with viral particles. When a virus touches the film, these structures stretch its outer layer until it breaks apart.
This approach marks a shift from traditional antiviral materials, which often depend on metals or chemical agents that can wear off or require maintenance.
Tested in the lab
In controlled experiments using a respiratory virus linked to illnesses like pneumonia, the material showed strong results. Within an hour, the vast majority of viral particles were no longer able to infect cells.
The researchers highlight that the material is based on acrylic, making it flexible and suitable for large-scale production.
This could allow it to be applied to everyday items such as screens or medical equipment.
Key findings from the study include:
Around 94% of virus particles were neutralized within 60 minutes
Performance depended heavily on the spacing of microscopic structures
The material can be manufactured using existing industrial methods
Why spacing matters
One of the most important discoveries was not the height of the tiny pillars, but how closely they are arranged.
When positioned tightly together, multiple pillars can act on a single virus at once, increasing the mechanical stress.
The most effective configuration involved spacing of roughly 60 nanometers. When that distance increased, the antiviral effect dropped significantly.
The research builds on earlier work with rigid materials but shows that flexible plastics can achieve similar, or even better, outcomes when engineered correctly.
Researchers say the goal is practical use, from consumer electronics to healthcare environments, where reducing surface transmission could have a meaningful impact.
Almonds are not only an easy snack but are also linked to several health benefits.
According to Verywell Health, research particularly points to a positive effect on blood pressure with regular consumption.
High blood pressure is a serious risk factor
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Elevated blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease, among other conditions.
Effect on blood pressure
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Several scientific studies show that regular consumption of almonds can lower blood pressure, especially diastolic blood pressure, which is the lower number.
Magnesium and potassium
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These minerals in almonds help dilate blood vessels, contributing to lower blood pressure.
Healthy fats
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Almonds contain unsaturated fats that promote the production of nitric oxide, helping blood vessels relax.
Vitamin E reduces stress in the body
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Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and reduces oxidative stress, which can otherwise lead to narrower blood vessels.
Analysis from 2020
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A review of 16 studies involving more than 1,000 participants, published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine, showed that almonds reduced diastolic blood pressure by an average of 1.3 mmHg.
Effect at lower doses
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The 2020 study also found that individuals with low systolic blood pressure experienced improvements even with smaller amounts of almonds.
Analysis from 2022
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An analysis of 26 studies involving more than 1,700 participants, published in Phytotherapy Research, confirmed that almonds have a clear effect in lowering diastolic blood pressure.
Fiber affects gut bacteria
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The fiber in almonds promotes beneficial gut bacteria, which produce compounds that may help lower blood pressure, according to a study published in Current Hypertension Reports.
Increases satiety
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The combination of protein, fat, and fiber makes almonds filling, which can support weight loss, according to a study published in Nutrients, and may thereby indirectly lower blood pressure.
Low salt content
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Almonds naturally contain very little salt, which is important, as high salt intake can increase blood pressure.
Improves cholesterol levels
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Almonds can lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, reducing buildup in the blood vessels and supporting healthy blood pressure.
Diet plays an important role
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Lifestyle changes, including diet, are central to both the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure.
The DASH diet
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The DASH diet recommends nuts, fruits, and vegetables, along with limited salt intake, to help lower blood pressure.
Almonds fit in
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Almonds contain many of the nutrients that characterize the DASH diet and also have a low content of salt and saturated fat.
Recommended amount of almonds
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Research suggests that around 35 almonds can provide health benefits.
Choose unsalted varieties
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It is recommended to choose unsalted or lightly salted almonds to keep salt intake low.
Be aware of allergies
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People with nut allergies should avoid almonds, as they are a tree nut.
Sources: Verywell Health, Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Phytotherapy Research, Current Hypertension Reports, and Nutrients.
For many people, bread with a spread is a staple part of the diet. Butter, cheese-based spreads, and avocado are often the go-to options.
However, according to Teknologijos.lt, there is growing interest in trying new alternatives.
The focus is particularly on adding variety to the diet without making it more complicated.
At the same time, there is increasing demand for options that also provide beneficial nutrients.
What does it contain?
A paste made from sunflower seeds is highlighted as a nutritious choice. It contains plant-based protein, which is important for the body, especially with age.
In addition, it provides vitamins such as E and B, which are important for both the nervous system and metabolism.
Minerals such as iron, magnesium, and zinc also play a role in the body’s functions.
The healthy fats found in the seeds are associated with supporting both heart and brain health.
At the same time, certain compounds are mentioned that may help regulate cholesterol levels.
Easy to make
According to the article, the paste can be prepared by soaking and blending sunflower seeds with ingredients such as dried tomatoes, garlic, and oil.
This creates a smooth mixture that can be used on bread or in other dishes.
One advantage is that you control the ingredients yourself, making it possible to adjust both taste and nutritional content.
This type of spread is presented as an alternative to classic dairy products and, in some cases, as a substitute for cottage cheese.
A study published in BMJ Open has analyzed five widely used chatbots and their responses to medical questions.
According to the study, around half of the answers were assessed as problematic, while a smaller proportion constituted serious errors.
Only a few questions were rejected by the systems.
The results also showed that performance varied depending on the topic.
Areas with a strong research base, such as cancer and vaccines, produced fewer errors, while nutrition and exercise more often led to imprecise answers, according to The Conversation.
Issues with sources
A central challenge lies in the use of references. The study documents that citations were often incomplete or misleading.
The average completeness of references was around 40 percent, and no chatbot consistently provided accurate source lists.
According to the researchers, this can be particularly problematic, as structured references may create an impression of credibility even when the content is not verified.
At the same time, open-ended questions were identified as a significant risk factor, as they more often led to misleading answers.
The role of humans
Other studies support this picture. Research from Nature Medicine shows that chatbots can often generate correct answers, but users reach correct conclusions in less than a third of cases.
Researchers from Högskolan Dalarna and the Karolinska Institutet have reviewed 18 international studies and published the results in the journal Pain, according to Forskning.se.
They examined a potential connection between pain and disease.
The researchers combined the findings and conducted new calculations across the studies.
The focus is on individuals who have experienced pain in multiple parts of the body for at least three months without a clear cause.
This type of pain is often compared to fibromyalgia, according to Högskolan Dalarna.
Twice the risk
People with long-term body pain have nearly twice the risk of developing a heart attack or stroke compared with individuals without pain, the study shows.
When it comes to the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, the results are more uncertain. Some studies indicate an increased risk, but not all point in the same direction.
At the same time, this type of pain is not yet included in official guidelines for assessing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Possible implications for treatment
The researchers believe that healthcare systems should pay greater attention to individuals with long-term pain.
This could, for example, mean more frequent monitoring of blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels in this group.
Early detection is important, as many cardiovascular diseases can be prevented through treatment and lifestyle changes.
