Stress is in all of our lives. It seems to be everywhere. People talk about it all the time. It's really bad for our health. We're constantly hearing how stress is causing problems in this way and that way and the other way. We feel it. But when someone tells you to reduce your stress and you have to reduce stress, sometimes it's very difficult to understand how you can actually do that.

Artificial sweeteners and diet drinks have become part of daily life, but do we really understand their impact? While marketed as healthier alternatives to sugar, ongoing research raises questions about their effects on metabolism, long-term health, and even taste preferences. Could they be shaping our diets in ways we don’t realize?

This week's Newswise highlights feature groundbreaking research from top institutions:

• American Academy of Neurology – Microplastics in ocean water have been linked to higher disability rates in coastal communities, affecting memory, mobility, and daily activities.

• University of Florida – Research shows that violence can alter human genes for generations, with genetic changes observed in the grandchildren of those affected by historical conflicts.

• Rutgers University – Parenthood may help keep the brain young, as parents with more children show stronger connectivity in key brain networks.

• University of South Australia – Dating apps are driving an increase in cosmetic procedures, with around 20% of women influenced to use dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections.

• Tulane University – Experts outline steps to prevent bird flu from mutating into a human-transmissible virus, including increased screening, air filtration, and public health preparedness.

January and February’s Newswise highlights feature groundbreaking research from top institutions. Tufts University linked sugary drinks to millions of global diabetes and heart disease cases, while the Focused Ultrasound Foundation reported a new Alzheimer’s treatment that reduces brain plaques. Washington University in St. Louis found that weight loss drugs like Ozempic may also lower brain inflammation and heart disease risks. Meanwhile, the American Academy of Neurology confirmed that processed red meat is linked to cognitive decline, and researchers from the Biophysical Society discovered sweet taste receptors in the heart, suggesting sugar directly impacts heart function.

Additionally, a study from the American Psychological Association found that parental favoritism is real—parents tend to favor children who are more agreeable and cause fewer problems. And researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder explored a potential vaccine that could prevent weight gain, opening doors for new approaches to obesity management.

The era between the Great Depression and World War II was filled with intense debate among policymakers and intellectuals about how America should engage with the world. Many argued that the U.S. had a responsibility to ensure economic and political order, leading to a new vision of globalism that reshaped international relations. Today, we see a stark contrast, as political circles increasingly shift back toward isolationism, raising critical questions about the future of global power dynamics. 

Autism has become an increasing concern among parents and pediatricians, with rising rates of diagnosis in the past few decades. In 2023, that number has increased to 1 in 36. Scientists researching the causes of Autism are strongly motivated to identify the source, and potential treatment, for this complex disorder. We recently held a virtual press briefing with scientists from a research institute in Spain. They discuss the discovery of the origin of idiopathic autism, or autism that doesn’t have a genetic cause. They have found that a mutation is potentially responsible for the development of Autism.

Communicating science is about so much more than just providing information. Without proper context, most people still filter everything through their own personal biases and preconceptions. This is why professionals working in research communications study how people process new information, constantly refining techniques to effectively enlighten and inform the public. As the modern landscape of news and social media inundates us with content, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the volume of information to which we are exposed.

It’s that time of year again for back-to-school nights and PTA meetings. As our children head back into the classroom, national politics and education policy are in the spotlight. Families everywhere are faced with the dilemma over smartphones and social media and brings some uncomfortable topics into the conversation. How should parents, students, and teachers work together to navigate these touchy subjects?

How do you recognize a person, a word, or an object? We are constantly processing visual information and accessing parts of the brain that store meaning so quickly that it seems instantaneous. It all happens without us even thinking about it consciously. From studying the way we recognize patterns and learn language, researchers are able to understand how we interpret the complex electrical impulses of neurons firing in the brain.

The recent conflict in the Middle East has brought global attention to the use of advanced missile defense systems in the region. Israel’s system is known commonly as the “Iron Dome” and uses this kind of technology to protect itself against rocket fire launched from neighboring countries. The US is also providing support in the missile defense system. Even with American support, what are the limitations of Israel’s iron dome, and what other military systems are available to intercept and shoot down long-range missiles?