💚 Health & Wellness
Today's top 5 stories, curated by Daily Direct.
Decades of research show that calorie restriction can extend lifespan and reduce disease across multiple species, from fruit flies to primates. The catch: push it too far and the benefits reverse, leaving animals more vulnerable to infection, infertile, and physically stunted. Scientists are now working to find the sweet spot that captures longevity gains without the biological cost.
Read article →A brief cognitive behavioral therapy program delivered in just six sessions is showing meaningful results for young lupus patients struggling with the physical and emotional toll of the disease. Childhood-onset lupus, which affects up to 10,000 U.S. youths, can trigger debilitating fatigue, chronic pain, and mood disruption during some of the most formative years of a person's life. The findings suggest that targeted psychological intervention — not just medical treatment — could be a critical piece of managing this complex condition.
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Trump has signed a directive ordering federal health agencies to fast-track access to psychedelic-assisted therapies and reconsider how substances like psilocybin and MDMA are classified under federal law. The move marks a significant shift for a Republican administration, aligning with a growing bipartisan push to address the mental health crisis through unconventional treatments. If agencies follow through, it could open the door to broader clinical use of psychedelics far sooner than the standard regulatory timeline would allow.
Read article →Maternal RSV vaccination reduces the risk of infant hospitalization by more than 80%, according to a major new study, marking a significant milestone in the fight against one of the world's leading causes of infant illness. RSV is responsible for severe respiratory conditions in newborns, including bronchiolitis and pneumonia, with long-term consequences ranging from asthma to impaired lung development. The findings strengthen the case for widespread maternal immunization as a frontline defense against a virus that strains pediatric healthcare systems globally.
Read article →Early folic acid supplementation cuts the risk of major birth defects nearly in half for women on antiseizure medication, according to a large Nordic register study. The protective effect hinges entirely on timing — supplementation must begin before conception, as starting after pregnancy is confirmed offers no measurable benefit. The findings carry significant clinical weight, given that antiseizure drugs are among the most commonly used teratogenic medications in women of childbearing age.
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