Category: 8. Health

Sleep may not be passive rest. It may work as a protective reaction to energy overload. In a recent study from the University of Oxford, scientists found that sleep is triggered when certain neurons sense energy stress deep inside their mitochondria.

The researchers used fruit flies to reveal how a simple redox signal triggers a full sleep response.

The team included Professor Gero Miesenböck and Dr. Raffaele Sarnataro, both experts in brain circuitry and physiology from the University of Oxford.

Their central finding: a leak of electrons from mitochondria acts as the physical pressure to sleep. That leak creates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which push the brain to power down before damage spreads.

Energy stress triggers sleep

The researchers worked with a specific brain region in flies called dorsal fan-shaped body (dFB) neurons. These neurons help regulate sleep and wake states. Inside them, mitochondria play a central role.

When too many electrons build up, some escape from the mitochondrial chain. These stray electrons react with oxygen and form ROS. The redox balance, which reflects how reduced or oxidized a molecule is, then shifts. When the ratio tips too far, the neurons trigger sleep.

“You don’t want your mitochondria to leak too many electrons,” said Dr. Sarnataro. “When they do, they generate reactive molecules that damage cells.”

Changing cell energy changes sleep

The researchers used several tools to alter the electron load. They reduced mitochondrial respiration by knocking down proteins like cytochrome c oxidase subunit 5A. This caused more sleep, confirming that respiration affects redox status and sleep drive.

On the flip side, increasing electron flow by feeding flies sugar or boosting certain metabolic enzymes also raised sleep levels. Both cases overloaded the system and produced ROS.

Even replacing mitochondrial energy with light, using optogenetic proteins, caused the same sleep reaction. Energy, from any source, appears to tip the redox balance if not properly buffered.

“In certain sleep-regulating neurons, we discovered that mitochondria, the cell’s energy producers, leak electrons when there is an oversupply. When the leak becomes too large, these cells act like circuit breakers, tripping the system into sleep to prevent overload,” explained Professor Miesenböck.

Redox sensors signal when to sleep

The experts also identified a molecular sensor called DJ-1β in dFB neurons. This protein responds directly to changes in redox state. If oxidation increases, DJ-1β activates and drives a shift to sleep mode.

The team confirmed this by modifying DJ-1β to mimic its oxidized form. Flies with this mutant version slept significantly more, even when mitochondrial conditions were normal.

The results prove that sleep regulation is not just about energy quantity. It also depends on how well mitochondria maintain a chemical balance.

Understanding why we need sleep

The broader implications are striking. Sleep, fatigue, and lifespan might all stem from mitochondrial energy handling.

Small animals use more oxygen and generate more ROS. They also sleep more and age faster. The redox theory could connect these patterns.

People with mitochondrial disorders often report chronic fatigue. Their mitochondria may leak electrons more often. This study gives a physical explanation for why they feel exhausted even at rest.

“This research answers one of biology’s big mysteries,” said Dr. Sarnataro. “Why do we need sleep? The answer appears to be written into the very way our cells convert oxygen into energy.”

Sleep as an energy circuit reset

The research marks a major change in how scientists understand sleep. Instead of viewing sleep as a vague or passive process linked to rest or recovery, it now appears to be directly tied to the most fundamental parts of cellular biology.

The study places mitochondria – the cell’s main energy producers – at the center of this explanation. These tiny structures are not just background workers but active players in deciding when we need to sleep.

Rather than relying on broad ideas about brain fatigue or mental overload, the findings point to a specific physical process: a redox imbalance.

This means that the chemical balance inside mitochondria gets disturbed when too much energy is processed or stored. As the system becomes overwhelmed, electrons begin to leak, producing harmful molecules.

The leak works like a built-in alarm. When the energy handling within the cell becomes unstable, the mitochondria send out a clear signal. This alert reaches key neurons in the brain, prompting them to induce sleep.

The goal is not just rest but a full system reset, protecting the brain’s delicate energy network from harm before lasting damage occurs.

The study is published in the journal Nature.

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Goji berries are hyped as antioxidant powerhouses, but they’re imported, dehydrated, and expensive, often losing potency in transit. Amla (Indian gooseberry) is fresher, far richer in vitamin C, and a proven immunity booster. Consumed raw, in juices, or as murabba, amla strengthens digestion, detoxifies the body, and supports glowing skin, all at a fraction of the cost. While goji berries sell the “superfood” label, amla has been Ayurveda’s immunity champion for centuries, offering ten times the vitamin C of most fruits.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a deadly cancer with particularly high prevalence in East Asia. While immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment, many patients fail to respond—raising questions about hidden factors influencing therapeutic outcomes. Recent studies have turned attention to the tumor microbiome, which can interact with host immunity in complex ways. Oral pathogens such as F. nucleatum, long associated with periodontal disease, are now being implicated in cancer progression and immune escape. Their metabolites may serve as messengers, subtly rewiring the tumor’s immune landscape. Due to these challenges, in-depth research is needed to uncover microbial mechanisms that modulate immune responses in ESCC.

In a letter-style study (DOI: 10.1093/procel/pwae063) published on October 29, 2024, in Protein & Cell, a research team from the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, etc. revealed how Fusobacterium nucleatum manipulates immune behavior in ESCC. Drawing from a cohort of 52 patient samples, the team conducted microbiome sequencing, transcriptome analysis, and metabolomics profiling. Their work uncovered a strong link between microbial colonization, immune receptor expression, and immune cell polarization—offering fresh insight into how bacteria might undercut the body’s cancer-fighting abilities.

The researchers divided ESCC patients into treated and untreated groups and profiled their tumors at multiple molecular levels. They found that F. nucleatum was significantly more abundant in untreated tumors and was associated with more advanced cancer stages. Transcriptome analysis revealed that patients with high levels of this bacterium also had increased expression of CLEC12A, a receptor found on immune cells like macrophages. These immune cells, when influenced by F. nucleatum, shifted toward the M2 state—a pro-tumor phenotype characterized by heightened expression of immunosuppressive markers (e.g., CD206, CD163).

Further analysis pointed to phenyllactic acid (PLA), a metabolite associated with the bacterium, as a key driver of this effect. Lab experiments confirmed that both F. nucleatum and PLA upregulated CLEC12A and boosted M2 macrophage markers in cultured immune cells. Silencing CLEC12A reduced the bacterium’s effect on M2 polarization and restored pro-inflammatory responses. These findings suggest a microbiota-driven mechanism that helps tumors escape immune surveillance by recruiting “tolerant” immune cells, and they highlight CLEC12A as a potential molecular bridge between microbial signals and immune modulation.

This study shines a light on the microbial dark matter of cancer, said Dr. Jing Zuo, one of the co-corresponding authors of the study. The research team has uncovered how F. nucleatum not only survives in tumor environments but actively changes how immune cells behave. By producing or associating with specific metabolites like PLA, the bacterium effectively reprograms macrophages into a tumor-supportive state. This opens up exciting possibilities for developing precision immunotherapy that takes a patient’s microbiome into account.

The findings open new frontiers in the battle against ESCC. With F. nucleatum and PLA shown to influence immune evasion, the study points to microbiome profiling as a potential predictive tool for immunotherapy success. Therapies that disrupt this microbial-immunological axis—such as targeting CLEC12A or modifying gut flora—could offer innovative ways to overcome treatment resistance. Additionally, these insights could extend beyond ESCC, prompting researchers to investigate similar microbial effects in other cancers. As the interplay between microbes and immunity becomes clearer, the future of cancer therapy may hinge on more than just genetics—it may depend on our microbial cohabitants as well.

SAN FRANCISCO — Patients who use GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) both before and after undergoing bariatric surgery experience greater weight loss than with surgery alone, new data suggested.

The real-world study of more than 500 adults who underwent bariatric surgery between 2019 and 2023 at a single institution is believed to be the first to examine both pre- and postoperative use of GLP-1 RAs in the immediate perioperative period surrounding bariatric surgery. Other studies have had varied results and focused on preoperative use only or postoperative use in terms of weight regain, lead author Angela Rao, MD, a recent endocrinology fellowship graduate from Stanford University, Stanford, California, told Medscape Medical News.

The findings suggest that “in the right patient, combining GLP-1RAs with bariatric surgery may lead to improved weight-loss outcomes, as well as expected improvement in other comorbidities. However, this should be balanced with the potential risks of nutritional deficiencies, loss of lean muscle mass, and other considerations such as cost,” Rao said.

She presented the findings at ENDO 2025: The Endocrine Society Annual Meeting.

Study co-author Dan E. Azagury, MD, chief of the Section of Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery at Stanford University and medical director of the Stanford Lifestyle and Weight Management Center, Palo Alto, California , told Medscape Medical News that the study group is “unique in being a joint effort between surgeons, medical weight-loss specialists, and endocrinologists all working together in an integrated clinic. This study is proof of the advantages of combined multidisciplinary management of obesity, being able to tailor treatments to each patient using all of the modalities available depending on the severity of disease, patient preferences, and medical history.”

Asked for comment, session moderator Olena Klindukhova, MD, assistant professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, told Medscape Medical News that her center also has endocrine and bariatric surgery “under the same roof” and that she often combines the two modalities in her practice. However, she cautioned, “The biggest limitation is the cost.”

Together Is Better: GLP-1 RAs Before and After Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss

Of 675 patients who underwent bariatric surgical procedures (sleeve gastrectomy or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) at Stanford Health Care, Stanford, California, between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2023, 424 had not been prescribed a GLP-1 RA within 2 years before or after surgery (control group). Of the rest, 21 had taken GLP-1 RAs within 2 years prior to surgery but not after (group 1), 68 had used GLP-1 RAs within 2 years after surgery but not before (group 2), and 47 had used GLP-1 RAs within 2 years before and 2 years after surgery (group 3). The remaining 115 were excluded because either the prescription was not filled or the duration of therapy was less than 4 months.

Compared with the control group, those who had used GLP-1 RAs perioperatively had significantly higher baseline BMIs (49.4 vs 45.7; P < .001). Other demographic characteristics didn’t differ, but those who had received GLP-1 RAs were also significantly more likely to have type 2 diabetes (53.7% vs 26.2%; P < .001), hypertension (62.5% vs 46.9%; P = .005), and gastroesophageal reflux (69.9% vs 59.9%; P = .003). 

Total percentage body weight loss, based on the minimum postoperative weight subtracted from the maximum preoperative weight within 2 years of surgery, was 30.3% for bariatric surgery alone (control group), 29.7% for surgery with preoperative GLP-1 RA (group 1), 30.7% for surgery with postoperative GLP-1 RA (group 2), and 33.0% for surgery with both pre- and postoperative GLP-1 RA (group 3). The difference between group 3 and the control group was significant (P < .05).

Thus, the maximum weight loss was achieved by those who were on GLP-1 RAs both before and after bariatric surgery, while neither perioperative use nor preoperative use alone led to significant weight loss compared with the control group, Rao noted, adding that individuals with the highest BMI (> 50) appear to be the most likely to benefit from starting GLP-1 RAs in the preoperative period and continuing postoperatively.

“GLP-1 RA usage in the perioperative period may prime patients for more effective weight loss, potentially by inducing behavioral or physiological changes that complement the metabolic effect of surgery,” she said.

The decision of whether to continue GLP-1 RAs postoperatively “should be individualized and take into account factors including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obstructive sleep apnea. This should be balanced with potential risks of nutritional deficiencies and sarcopenia,” Rao advised.

Commenting on the study, Klindukhova said that for preoperative use, she’d like to see additional short-term data on other outcomes such as tolerability and hospital length of stay and to see long-term data for both pre- and postoperative GLP-1 RA use. For patients not already taking them presurgically, “I don’t think I would put them on GLP-1s right after bariatric surgery but would consider doing so sooner rather than later if they’re losing weight too slowly or if they’re behind the curve. This study gives more validation for maybe being a little bit more proactive.”

Rao and Klindukhova reported no disclosures. Azagury reported being a consultant for Form Health, GI Windows Surgical, and Endolumik.

Miriam E. Tucker is a freelance journalist based in the Washington, DC, area. She is a regular contributor to Medscape Medical News, with other work appearing in the Washington Post, NPR’s Shots blog, and Diatribe. She can be reached on X @MiriamETucker and on BlueSky @miriametucker.bsky.social.

Eggs have been a part of the human diet since before modern humans existed. While they are rich in nutrients, affordable, and widely available, their role in health has long been debated.

A recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition may help restore eggs’ positive reputation. Researchers found that consuming one egg per week was linked to a 47% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to eating eggs less than once a month, reported Medical News Today.

The study also revealed that those who included eggs in their diet had less accumulation of harmful proteins tied to Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s, the most common type of dementia, remains without a cure despite years of research. Effective treatments to slow its progression are also limited. This has led scientists to explore lifestyle factors, such as diet, that may influence risk.

Previous studies have highlighted the importance of choline—a nutrient vital for brain function—and suggested a connection between moderate choline intake and a lower risk of dementia. Eggs, as noted by the study’s authors, are the best dietary source of choline and therefore merit attention.

Choline supports various critical functions: it’s needed to produce the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, is key to building cell membranes, and has protective effects on the brain. The nutrient also influences gene expression related to memory and cognition through epigenetic mechanisms.

Although the body can produce choline, it doesn’t make enough on its own, so dietary intake is necessary. In addition to choline, eggs are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining brain health with age. Unfortunately, many adults in the US don’t get enough of these healthy fats.

In summary, the study suggests that eating at least one egg per week may help lower Alzheimer’s risk. The authors believe that the combination of choline and omega-3s in eggs may work together to support cognitive health as we grow older.

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Researchers in Israel have shown that individuals possess distinctive patterns of breathing – fingerprints – which can be used to identify them with near-perfect accuracy. The team’s findings also indicate that these nasal breathing patterns may offer insights into both physical and mental health.

The study was conducted by a team at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. They developed a lightweight wearable device that recorded nasal airflow over a 24-hour period, using soft tubes positioned beneath the nostrils. While breathing is typically measured in short bursts to assess lung function, the researchers sought to capture a more complete physiological profile by recording over an extended duration.

Professor Noam Sobel, the study’s senior author, explained that the research was originally driven by curiosity about olfaction and its close connection with the brain.

“You would think that breathing has been measured and analysed in every way,” he said.

 “Yet we stumbled upon a completely new way to look at respiration – we consider this a brain readout,” he added.

The team equipped 100 healthy young adults with the device and allowed them to go about their daily routines. Analysing the airflow data, the researchers were able to identify individuals with 96.8 per cent accuracy. This level of precision was maintained across repeated tests conducted over a two-year period and was comparable to that of advanced voice recognition technologies.

“I thought it would be really hard to identify someone because everyone is doing different things, like running, studying or resting. But it turns out their breathing patterns were remarkably distinct,” said Timna Soroka, co-author of the paper.

Beyond identification, the study found correlations between these respiratory signatures and a person’s body mass index, circadian rhythm, emotional state, and behavioural characteristics.

For example, participants who reported higher levels of anxiety tended to have shorter inhalations and more irregular breathing pauses during sleep. Although none of the participants had clinical diagnoses, the findings suggested that long-term monitoring of nasal airflow might serve as a sensitive indicator of health and mood.

“We intuitively assume that how depressed or anxious you are changes the way you breathe. But it might be the other way around,” Sobel added.

“Perhaps the way you breathe makes you anxious or depressed. If that’s true, we might be able to change the way you breathe to change those conditions.”

The researchers acknowledged limitations in their current device, which only measures nasal – not oral – breathing, and may shift during sleep. Moreover, the visible tubing might deter potential users due to its resemblance to medical oxygen equipment. A more discreet and practical version is in development.

Looking ahead, the team hopes to explore therapeutic applications.

“We definitely want to go beyond diagnostics to treatment, and we are cautiously optimistic,” said Sobel.

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For further reading please visit: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.05.008 

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Groundbreaking research has revealed that music therapy could be a game-changer in the treatment of dementia, potentially reducing distress in those living with the condition

A recent study conducted at ARU has demonstrated the profound impact of personalised music sessions in significantly alleviating distress and agitation in dementia patients, underscoring the potential of this simple yet potent therapeutic approach.

A new study from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) suggests that personalised music therapy could play a key role in easing distress and agitation among people living with dementia. By tailoring musical sessions to individual preferences, researchers found a meaningful reduction in challenging behaviours, offering a non-invasive and compassionate approach to dementia care.

The research has been published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry.

Using music therapy on dementia wards

Researchers from ARU and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust have piloted a music therapy approach called MELODIC across two dementia wards. This follows the rise of alternative therapies to psychotropic medication to support dementia patients who experience severe distress.

Trained therapists administer music therapy, a comprehensive approach that encompasses singing, playing, or listening to music. These therapists are adept at identifying specific ways that families and carers can incorporate music into an individual’s daily care routine, thereby enhancing the overall care experience.

This study explored how distress is experienced and managed on NHS inpatient mental health wards for people with dementia, and the role that music, including music therapy, can play in this process. Through interviews and focus groups with patients, their families, staff, music therapists, and managers across 17 wards, the researchers found that patients often experience high levels of distress due to their complex health needs.

Improved quality of life for dementia patients

During the study, patient data indicated a slight improvement in quality-of-life scores among patients, along with a reduction in the severity of distress symptoms and disruptiveness; however, agitation scores increased slightly.

There were no increases in routinely reported incidents, and no adverse events related to music therapy interventions were reported. This is relevant for future research on mental health dementia wards, where limited studies have been conducted to date.

“People with dementia on inpatient mental health wards are often experiencing very high levels of distress, and staff are under immense pressure to manage this in ways that are safe and compassionate.

“Our study yielded promising results and importantly showed that the MELODIC tool can be used effectively in these highly complex settings, giving an alternative option to current ways of managing severe distress, such as psychotropic medication,” commented Lead author Naomi Thompson, a researcher at ARU’s Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research.

The approach was shaped by interviews with 49 healthcare professionals, patients, and their families about their experiences managing distress on dementia wards and using music in everyday care and life to inform the development of the intervention.

Significantly, the intervention, which has been co-designed by clinicians, researchers, and individuals with lived experience, costs just £2,025 per month for the therapist and a £400 initial outlay for equipment, suggesting a low-cost, scalable model.

“Some people with dementia can get so confused and distressed that we need to admit them to hospital to keep them safe. It can be challenging to manage distress in a ward environment, and it is hard for patients, families, and staff.

“I am very excited that it may now be possible for NHS staff to improve their experience on dementia wards using the power of music, and we look forward to working with ARU to develop this further,” added Dr Ben Underwood, Research and Development Director and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist at CPFT.