Just four minutes of daily strengthening exercise dramatically increases key factors in quality of life for aging adults, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State College of Medicine. Results published in PLOS One showed that strength — which impacts fall risk, longevity, independent living and more — significantly improved for adults aged 65 and older in as little as 12 weeks.

Jennifer Rossen, MD, a pediatric ophthalmologist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, recently received a $1 million five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health/National Eye Institute (NIH/NEI) to study the genetics of cataracts in children.

Pediatric cataracts are often inherited and can be associated with over 200 syndromes. Dr. Rossen will evaluate all candidate genes for pediatric cataracts to develop a comprehensive AI-assisted, web-based, open access database of genes along with potential associated diseases. Her research aims to improve genetic testing and clinical outcomes for children with cataracts.

A new study from Penn State College of Medicine to be presented at the SLEEP 2026 annual meeting found that excessive daytime sleepiness is associated with higher odds of both prevalent and incident hypertension, and taking 30 minutes or longer to fall asleep further increases that risk.

A new study to be presented at the SLEEP 2026 annual meeting found that people place different financial values on sleep, with those differences linked to factors such as age, income, and existing attitudes about sleep.

Some people taking GLP-1 drugs for diabetes and obesity experience mental health benefits—particularly, a decrease in symptoms of depression. In a mouse model study in the Cell Press journal Cell Host & Microbe publishing on June 10, researchers report that these mental health improvements appear to result from changes in the gut microbiome that lead to an abundance of a microbe strain known to have a favorable effect on neurons related to stress.  

About The Study: In this serial survey study, wearable device use increased among U.S. adults, but daily use and clinician-directed data sharing remained limited. These findings suggest that there is a need for approaches to help realize the potential of wearable devices as health care tools, both by broadening uptake and promoting consistent use.

About The Study: The convergent data in this study support a prospective clinical trial of low-dose lithium orotate to slow disease progression in mild cognitive impairment. Such an approach would prioritize established neuroprotective mechanisms while potentially mitigating the kidney and thyroid risks associated with higher-dose carbonate formulations. If low-dose lithium can indeed meaningfully alter disease trajectory, it would represent a much-needed, accessible, and inexpensive treatment that may be especially relevant in low- and middle-income countries. 

About The Study: By analyzing multiple polygenic scores together with simulated expectations, this study could disambiguate among competing hypotheses about scenarios that may be associated with increased rates of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses. Findings support broadening diagnostic criteria as an explanation for increasing rates, with implications for understanding changes in risk factors and clinical practice.