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.