Eating a diet with a higher ratio of plant-based protein to animal-based protein may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD), according to a new study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. According to the researchers, these risk reductions are likely driven by the replacement of red and processed meats with plant proteins. The researchers also observed that a combination of consuming more plant protein and higher protein intake overall provided the most heart health benefits.

For pregnant women, exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) was associated with altered immune responses that can lead to adverse birth outcomes, according to a new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The study is the first to examine the relationship between PM2.5 and maternal and fetal health on a single-cell level and highlights the health risk of PM2.5 exposure for pregnant women.

Brain-wide association studies, which use magnetic resonance imaging to identify relationships between brain structure or function and human behavior or health, have faced criticism for producing results that often cannot be replicated by other researchers. A new study published in Nature offers practical guidance for scientists designing future brain imaging studies, potentially helping them obtain reliable results with fewer participants.