Neat News - Neat things do happen

A vegetarian diet has many health benefits such as a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, or type 2 diabetes. However, a new study finds that for people of 80 years or older, there are physiological changes in the body and there seems to be an advantage of eating at least some meat in order to make it to an age of 100. Why this is so is not well understood yet. Possibly the calcium and the proteins in the meat may reduce the risk of fractures and of malnutrition.

related: #meat #food #age

In a new study it has been found that frying in an air fryer produces far fewer toxic particles than frying the traditional way, either shallow frying or deep fat frying.

related: #fry #air_fryer

In a new publication the health benefits of green tea are described. Its consumption can alleviate cognitive decline and muscle loss in seniors, hyperuricemia, bacteria or virus-induced diseases, and oxidative stress and inflammation in tissues. It is best consumed without sugar or artificial sweeteners, and care should be taken that it is not contaminated by pesticides.

related: #tea #health

It is still not clear how the giant stones were brought to Stonehenge, partly all the way from Scotland. However, it has now been ruled out that glaciers did it, since they would have left some mineral trace on their way, which cannot be found. It is concluded that humans must have found a way to transport them.

related: #Stonehenge #transport

A particular cancer antigen vaccine given around 18 years ago to a small group of patients with advanced breast cancer seems to be still effective in them and provide them with a lasting immune memory response. All patients are still alive.

related: #cancer #vaccine

In a study with more than 3800 participants in the USA, gerontologists found that old people with a shingles vaccination typically show a lower biological age than those who were unvaccinated.

related: #vaccination #shingles #biological_age

New research found that low doses of THC, one of the active substances in cannabis, can help patients with HIV without causing intoxication. In experiments with animals THC had many positive effects, among them it reduced inflammation, lowered cholesterol, and boosted serotonin.

related: #THC #HIV #cannabis

The House of Commons has decided to introduce a deposit on plastic bottles and metal cans in England from 2027 to encourage recycling and to reduce plastic waste.

related: #bottles #recycling #England

Scientists found a way to grow helper T cells from stem cells. The discovery could pave the way to develop new immune-based cancer therapies.

related: #T_cell

The UN "Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction" is in force and until 2030, 30 percent of the area of the oceans is to be protected. By now, 80 states have ratified the treaty.

related: #ocean #protection #UN

In an article of the BBC it is summarized how important physical activity is for mental health and lowering the risk of premature death (with many pointers to original research). One exercise - standing on one leg - seems to be particularly useful, and the ability to stand on one leg for 10 seconds seems to be linked to a lower risk of dying in the next seven years.

related: #balance #fitness #mortality

New research finds that compounds in roasted coffee can inhibit an enzyme that is linked to type 2 diabetes. Some molecules found in coffee seem to be more potent than standard drugs against diabetes.

related: #coffee #blood_sugar #diabetes

A new study has found that heart attacks are linked to 99 percent to 4 risk factors: high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, high blood sugar levels, and smoking. Avoiding these risks means not only preventing most heart attacks, but also avoiding most strokes.

related: #heart_attack #blood_pressure #cholesterol #blood_sugar #smoking

For Darwinists homosexual behaviour in animals has been difficult to explain since it seems not to offer a genetic advantage. However, a new study finds that it actually seems to enhance survival, in particular for species that live in harsh or complex environments.

related: #homosexuality #darwinism

In experiments with mice it has been shown that inhibiting the protein 15-PGDH, which becomes more abundant when people get older, can reduce inflammation and repair tissue. Clinical tests are still to be done.

related: #arthritis #protein_blocker

In 2025, 59 percent of the electricity in Germany was produced in a renewable way, with wind (27 percent) and solar (18 percent) making up the biggest parts. The latter has overtaken brown coal (14 percent) for the first time.

related: #renewable #electricity #Germany

In an article, the importance of even mild weekly strength training is stressed for mobility in old age. Building up and maintaining muscle mass and strength can be achieved by one weekly session of lighter-weight strength training, thereby building up a buffer on a "muscle savings account" that may be needed in old age or if unexpected issues arise from illness, surgery, or injury.

related: #strength_training

France has almost completely banned so-called forever chemicals from the start of 2026. Only few exceptions are made in areas where there are not yet alternatives available.

related: #France #ban #forever_chemicals

Preliminary results using data from more than 1000 patients show that patients who get immunotherapy treatment against advanced lung or skin cancer may benefit from a Covid-19 mRNA vaccination given at most 100 days before starting the immunotherapy, since they have a significantly improved survival rate. A corresponding result was not found for other vaccinations looked at.

related: #cancer #covid_vaccination

Some types of plastic, consisting of artificial polymers, do never disintegrate, but form forever chemicals. However, natural polymers never show this property. Now the reason for this difference is understood so that also artificial polymers can produced which disintegrate after a specified amount of time.

related: #plastic #disintegration

New research finds that magnesium plays an important role in regulating vitamin D levels. It can help to raise the vitamin D level of people with a low level and lower it in those with too high a level. The insight may also help to explain why vitamin D supplements do not work for everybody.

related: #vitamin_D #magnesium

New research finds that eating fruits with a lot of vitamin C such as two kiwifruits a day leads to thicker and healthier skin. Digesting vitamin C is more beneficial than applying it on the outside in a creme, for instance.

related: #vitamin_C #skin_health