Discovery helps fight against drug-resistant TB

Scientists at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and the University of California, Berkeley have identified two neighbouring regions in the human brain that appear to compete when a person decides whether to take a risk, and found that their activity can predict the decision nearly half a second before it is made.

Weight loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound may be linked to a higher risk of male pattern hair loss, with men already genetically predisposed to the condition facing a 7 per cent added risk, according to a new study led by researchers at NYU Langone Health.

A low-fat vegan diet may support weight loss without the need to count calories, reduce portion sizes, or constantly battle hunger. In a 16-week clinical trial, participants following a diet centred on fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes consumed around 357 fewer calories per day, despite eating nearly the same amount of food overall.

Researchers have discovered that a gene linked to congenital heart disease acts like an architect for the heart cell's DNA. Losing just one copy of TBX5 can cause the genome's carefully folded 3D structure to unravel, disrupting the genes needed to build a healthy heart.

Scientists have identified a molecular switch that may explain why the ageing brain becomes more vulnerable to neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and Huntington's. In worms, researchers found that the protein EPS8 accumulates with age, activating signaling pathways that promote the clumping of toxic proteins. These harmful aggregates damage neurons and shorten lifespan. However, reducing EPS8 activity prevented protein buildup, protected nerve function, and helped preserve healthy ageing.