BackgroundOlder patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) frequently encounter challenges, including a diminished capacity for self-management, a high prevalence of negative emotions, and cognitive decline and physiological changes attributable to long-term disease burden, leading to compromised glycemic control and impaired quality of life. Traditional diabetes nursing interventions often lack systematic strategies to address the psychological and cognitive needs specific to this patient population. The Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model is a theoretical framework designed to promote health behavioral changes; however, research investigating its specific application in regulating psychological state and managing cognitive function in older patients with T2DM remains limited.AimTo investigate the effectiveness of a nursing intervention based on the IMB model in older patients with T2DM.MethodsData from 86 older patients with T2DM were divided into 2 groups: intervention (structured IMB model-based nursing + routine care [n = 43]); and control (conventional T2DM care [n = 43]). Psychological state (Self-Rating Anxiety and Depression Scales [SAS, SDS]), cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] and Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA]), glycemic control (fasting blood glucose [FBG], 2 h postprandial blood glucose [2hPBG], and glycated hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]), and satisfaction with nursing were compared between the 2 groups before and after a three-month intervention.ResultsSAS and SDS scores significantly decreased in both groups after intervention, with a more pronounced reduction in the intervention group (P < 0.05). MMSE and MoCA scores improved in both groups, with significantly higher scores in the intervention group (P < 0.05). Glycemic control (FBG, 2hPBG, and HbA1c) improved substantially in the intervention group (P < 0.05). Satisfaction with nursing among the intervention group (95.35%) was significantly greater than that in the control group (79.07%) (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe IMB model-based nursing intervention alleviates anxiety and depression, improves cognitive function, enhances glycemic control, and increases satisfaction with nursing in older patients with T2DM, thus meriting broader clinical implementation.
Number of children and maternal mental health in the context of China’s fertility policy transition: the moderating effect of employment status and the mediating effect of family environment
BackgroundHaving more children may be detrimental to maternal mental health during China’s ongoing fertility policy transition. However, under what circumstances and how number of children could be associated with maternal mental health remains understudied in China. This study examined the association between number of children and maternal anxiety and depressive symptoms among mothers of middle school students in Shanghai, China. It also explored the moderating effect of maternal employment status and the mediating effect of family environment.MethodsMothers of students from 7 middle schools in Shanghai were surveyed. In total, 4,215 valid questionnaires were obtained. The survey included sociodemographic information, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and the Chinese version of the Family Environment Scale (FES-CV). Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to examine the association between number of children and maternal anxiety/depressive symptoms. Model 1 and Model 4 of SPSS PROCESS were then employed to examine the moderating effect of employment status and the mediating effect of family environment.ResultsThe rates of clinically significant anxiety and depressive symptoms among mothers were 13.6% and 17.6%, respectively. The moderating effect of maternal employment status was significant. Among unemployed mothers, number of children was positively associated with both maternal anxiety and depressive symptoms, whereas among employed mothers, number of children was not associated with maternal anxiety or depression. Among unemployed mothers, family environment mediated the association between number of children and maternal anxiety/depressive symptoms through the pathways of family conflict and organization. Among employed mothers, family environment suppressed the association between number of children and maternal anxiety/depressive symptoms through the pathways of family conflict, intellectual-cultural orientation, organization, control, and independence.ConclusionOur findings suggest that number of children per se is not necessarily associated with worsened maternal mental health. Instead, the potential changes in employment participation and family environment that accompany having more children may be more relevant. Therefore, stakeholders, clinicians, and researchers should therefore focus on these aspects when addressing maternal mental health.
Iron dyshomeostasis in neuropsychiatric disorders
Iron is an indispensable element for the normal physiological function of the brain. In terms of neuronal metabolism, iron is involved in multiple critical biological processes such as oxygen transport, energy metabolism, DNA synthesis, neurotransmitter synthesis and myelin formation. Maintaining brain iron homeostasis is crucial for neurodevelopment and function. Iron dyshomeostasis has been associated with the onset and progression of various neuropsychiatric disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. In neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, abnormally elevated iron levels can be detected in specific brain regions, including the basal ganglia and the prefrontal cortex. These changes are often accompanied by pathological processes such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and pathological protein aggregation. Therefore, brain iron metabolism is an important entry point for understanding the pathophysiological process of neuropsychiatric disorders. Mechanistically, iron overload induces oxidative damage through the Fenton reaction, exacerbating mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormal protein aggregation. The effects of iron deficiency vary across different diseases; its impact on myelination and neurotransmitter synthesis may increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), while its effects on immune activation and energy metabolism may contribute to the development of mental disorders such as depression. This article systematically reviews the current research progress of the role of cerebral iron metabolism in neuropsychiatric diseases. It focuses on the mechanisms underlying iron homeostasis imbalances in neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. Building on this foundation, the article analyzes the therapeutic targets and clinical significance of iron metabolism-related interventions and outlines future research directions in this field.
Exposure to negative physical and social factors accelerates brain aging
Nature Medicine, Published online: 21 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41591-026-04348-z
In a study that included 18,701 people from 34 countries, 73 aggregated physical and social exposomes exhibited nonlinear, synergistic effects that accelerated brain aging. In some cases, these effects were comparable to or stronger than those of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Environmental inequities might shape brain aging and demand multisectoral and structural policy responses.
Modifying exposure to plastic-associated chemicals in daily living
Nature Medicine, Published online: 21 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41591-026-04349-y
A study shows that extensively limiting plastic use in food systems, diet and daily life can reduce exposure to plastic-associated chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenols, indicating that large-scale regulatory actions are needed for true public health impact.
The Download: turning down human noise, and LA’s stunning subway upgrade
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.
The noise we make is hurting animals. Can we learn to shut up?
As human society has expanded, animals have started struggling to hear one another. For many birds, the noise has grown so loud that they’ve begun to sing with faster trills. Now, their mating calls aren’t as effective.
The growing hubbub can also increase bird-on-bird conflict, and entire species that can’t handle urban clamor simply leave town for good. But there are technological solutions to the noises hurting animals—and they could help humans, too.
—Clive Thompson
Los Angeles is finally going underground
In May, a new subway segment will connect downtown Los Angeles to the Pacific Ocean. What today can be an hours-long drive through a busy, museum-packed stretch of the city will be, if all goes well, a 25-minute train ride.
The existence of subway stops in this part of town—known as Miracle Mile—is a technological triumph over geography and geology. Find out why.
—Adam Rogers
Both of these stories are from the next issue of our print magazine, which is all about nature. Subscribe now to read it when it lands tomorrow.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
1 Apple’s Tim Cook is stepping down as CEO
Hardware chief John Ternus will take over from him in September. (CNN)
+ Ternus’ defining challenge may be fixing Apple’s AI strategy. (CNBC)
+ How does Cook compare with Apple’s other CEOs through the years? (NYT $)
2 Anthropic’s new Amazon deal escalates the compute war with OpenAI
Anthropic will spend more than $100 billion on Amazon compute.(Axios $)
+ OpenAI touted its compute advantage over Anthropic two weeks ago. (Bloomberg $)
+ Here’s why the AI compute explosion has only just begun. (MIT Technology Review)
3 Silicon Valley is trying to get into the news business
The latest addition is Andreessen Horowitz’s MTS. (The Information $)
+ OpenAI recently bought a business talk show. (NPR)
+ They join Elon Musk’s X and a new Peter Thiel-backed startup. (Axios)
4 The banking industry is scrambling to get access to Anthropic’s Mythos
As regulators review the risks to financial services. (Reuters $)+ Germany’s central bank has called for wider access to Mythos. (Bloomberg $)
5 War memes are turning conflict into content
Fueled by recommendation systems designed to keep you hooked. (Wired $)
+ AI is turning the Iran conflict into theater. (MIT Technology Review)
6 AI is boosting worker productivity, but not their paychecks
Employees aren’t financially benefiting from their extra efficiency. (Quartz)
+ New data sheds light on the current state of AI. (MIT Technology Review)
7 Amazon’s ambition to rival Starlink has hit a setback
After a Blue Origin rocket was grounded. (FT $)
8 Jeff Bezos’s AI lab has neared a $38 billion valuation
In an imminent $10 billion fundraising deal from investors. (FT $)
+ The startup focuses on AI for engineering and manufacturing. (Reuters $)
9 Scientific AI agents have got their own social network
Where they share, debate, and discuss research papers. (Nature)
10 A Mars rover has discovered new “origin-of-life” molecules
They suggest Mars wasn’t always a lifeless red desert. (Gizmodo)
Quote of the day
“He’s been a transformational Apple CEO that’s always had a steady hand at the wheel. I think that will be his legacy. He had massive shoes to step into, and he was the right person for the job. That’s the way he’ll be remembered.”
One More Thing
MIKE MCQUADE
The race to save our online lives from a digital dark age
There is more stuff being created now than at any time in history, but our data is more fragile than ever. One day in the future, YouTube’s videos may permanently disappear. Facebook—and your uncle’s holiday posts—will vanish.
For many archivists, alarm bells are ringing. Across the world, they’re scraping up defunct websites, saving at-risk data collections, and developing data storage technologies that could last thousands of years.
Their work raises complex questions. What is important to us? How do we decide what to keep—and what do we let go? Read our story on the thorny problems of digital preservation.
—Niall Firth
We can still have nice things
A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line.)
+ Apple’s forgotten co-founder recently shared his story of the company’s early days.
+ Witness a rare underwater volcanic eruption in the Solomon Islands.
+ Learn what makes Shakespeare’s writing so effective in this masterful analysis.
+ An Artemis II astronaut shared a stunning iPhone video showing Earth disappear behind the Moon at 8x zoom.
AACR 2026: A Video Update from San Diego
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) meeting is off and running in San Diego. Julianna LeMieux, PhD, Deputy Editor in Chief at GEN, and Damian Doherty, Editor in Chief at Inside Precision Medicine, are on the ground—in the talks, expo hall, and press room, covering as much of the news as they can. Here, they take a moment to chat about the first few days at the meeting.
The post AACR 2026: A Video Update from San Diego appeared first on GEN – Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.
STAT+: BioAge says experimental pill aimed at reducing heart risks significantly reduced inflammation
BioAge Labs said Tuesday that its investigational pill for cardiovascular risk prevention significantly reduced inflammation in an early study, as more drug companies target inflammation as a way to treat a range of chronic conditions.
In a Phase 1 study of people with obesity and elevated inflammation levels, patients taking a 60-milligram dose of the drug, called BGE-102, experienced an 86% reduction in a measure of inflammation called high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) after three weeks. That’s a similar level of reduction seen in patients who took a higher 120-mg dose in the study, which the company previously reported.
Additionally, 87% of patients taking the 60-mg dose achieved hs-CRP levels of less than 2 mg/liter, the threshold thought to be associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular complications.
Digging for clues about the North Pole’s past
In the past, even with an icebreaker and during peak melt season, getting to the North Pole wasn’t a sure bet. It took favorable winds to crack the frozen ocean surface, and ships had to fight through ice that had grown many meters thick over several winters. In the summer of 2025, though, Jochen Knies from the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, and his team met little resistance on their way to 90 degrees North with the research vessel Kronprins Haakon. The geologist “didn’t hear the usual grinding of ice” against the hull that he remembered from 1996, when he first reached the pole by ship. Instead, thin floes and large stretches of open water made for an easy, quiet passage. To him, it was “a reminder of how quickly the Arctic is changing.”
Since the late 1970s, when satellite observations of the polar seas began, summer ice cover of the Arctic Ocean has declined by more than 40%. In less than half a century, a frozen area the size of the Mediterranean Sea has turned into blue open water with the rapid warming of the high northern latitudes. If this trend continues, there could soon be summers at the North Pole with no sea ice whatsoever. The last time this happened may have been some 120,000 years ago. But no one knows for certain.
That’s why Knies and his colleagues, a team of researchers from Norway and Germany, set out from Svalbard to the central Arctic last August. The aim of their five-week mission was to determine whether this region had been ice-free in recent Earth history—and if so, when. As part of a €12.5 million project financed by the European Union, they also came to answer some questions about the future of the Arctic and beyond: How does the loss of sea ice affect the marine ecosystem? What are the consequences for ocean circulation and global climate?
In search of clues, the expedition collected sediment cores up to 22 meters in length at different locations across the Arctic seafloor. Marine sediments are valuable climate archives that give scientists a window into bygone eras. Like diligent record keepers, they can log past water temperatures, sea-ice coverage, and the strength of ocean currents. These data are encrypted in the chemical and physical properties of the plankton remains and weathered rock deposited on the seabed.
TIM KALVELAGE
TIM KALVELAGE
TIM KALVELAGE
While sediment cores several meters long had been recovered on earlier expeditions in the central Arctic, there is no scientific consensus on how old the deposits actually are or whether sea ice ever completely disappeared in summer.
To decode the Arctic’s climate archive, Knies brought a team of experts from various disciplines onboard the Kronprins Haakon to dig deeper and obtain fresh samples they could subject to the latest analytical techniques.
TIM KALVELAGE
TIM KALVELAGE
TIM KALVELAGE
Some of this work was done while the researchers were still at sea. Now, at their home laboratories, they are finalizing their analysis of the seafloor samples. One important task is dating the sediments, which may be up to 2 million years old. The team uses a combination of methods to do this, including measuring magnetization, the decay of radioactive elements, and the exposure of mineral grains to sunlight before sinking to the depths. Once they can place them on a timeline, the materials in the cores will help researchers paint a picture of what the Arctic Ocean looked like in times that were warmer than today. For example, the presence or absence of the molecule IP25, which is produced exclusively by ice algae, could tell them how far the sea ice receded at a given time.
TIM KALVELAGE
At the end of the study, the team hopes to have data that could improve climate projections for a future ice-free “blue Arctic,” helping us understand how it could affect marine life and carbon storage, Atlantic Ocean circulation, or extreme weather events in Europe and North America.
Tim Kalvelage is a freelance science reporter based in Bremen, Germany, who focuses on climate, ocean, and polar research. He has been to the North Pole twice.
[Comment] Can multimorbidity research progress from description to intervention?
The concept of multimorbidity, the co-occurrence of two or more long-term conditions, has become an important focus for research in the burden of ill-health associated with ageing. A burgeoning literature shows that the prevalence of multimorbidity is substantial, even though estimates vary according to definition and method of ascertainment.1 Not many studies have taken a longitudinal approach and evaluated the incidence of multimorbidity. In The Lancet Public Health, Eirion Slade and colleagues2 report on the incidence of multiple long-term conditions, also known as multimorbidity, in an electronic health records dataset for nearly the whole of England, UK.