PLOS One

A study found that plasma vitamin C levels in older adults correlate with gray matter structural integrity and default mode network connectivity. Another study explores dual-target noninvasive stimulation of the striatum and cerebellum, though details are incomplete.

Scientists analyzed DNA from 111 medieval Sicilian burials to reveal the island's genetic diversity, showing roots from Europe, the Near East, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa. The study, published in PLOS One, confirmed Sicily as a historical melting pot during the Middle Ages, influenced by successive ruling powers including Normans, Arabs, and Byzantines.

Experts suggest dad jokes, characterized by puns and wordplay, may reduce stress by altering body chemistry, lowering cortisol, and increasing dopamine and serotonin. Studies indicate shared humor across generations can strengthen family bonds and enhance mental resilience through co-regulation and oxytocin release.

Dr. Christopher Sciamanna, a Penn State professor, developed a 4-minute daily exercise routine combining push-ups, squats, stair-stepping, and resistance-band rows to improve longevity and mobility. A 12-week study showed participants with mobility issues improved their balance and strength, linking short workouts to healthier aging.

Higher vitamin C levels in older adults are linked to healthier brain structure and stronger default mode network connectivity, according to a Japanese study of 2,044 participants published in PLOS ONE. The observational research suggests dietary vitamin C may support brain health as people age, though causation cannot be proven.

Beluga whales Natasha and Maris passed the mirror self-recognition test in a study published in PLOS One, indicating self-awareness. This achievement places them in an exclusive list of species, including great apes, dolphins, and elephants, that have demonstrated this cognitive ability.

A study found that most Canadian medical societies lack comprehensive conflict-of-interest policies, with 51.5% not having policies addressing key activities. This absence of policies has implications for doctors, patients, and the societies themselves. The lack of governance may introduce commercial bias into clinical decision-making.

Research by Petter Törnberg of the University of Amsterdam suggests that social media's underlying mechanisms give rise to its worst aspects, such as partisan echo chambers and attention inequality. Törnberg's research indicates that platform-level interventions are unlikely to be effective. A fundamental redesign may be necessary to change these dynamics.

A study from Japan's Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology found that 10 minutes of daily floor exercises improved balance, agility, and trunk flexibility in participants over two weeks. The routine, performed lying on the back, focused on core stability and lower-body coordination, with benefits linked to movement control rather than raw strength. Researchers emphasized proper technique and suggested the exercises could complement, but not replace, full workouts.