Researchers at the University of Toronto have found that doing just one new thing each day can significantly improve mood, memory and overall well-being — a finding that could be particularly beneficial for those at risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The study, published in Nature: Scientific Reports, is the first to explore “experiential diversity” — the practice of incorporating new, stimulating activities into daily life — as a means of enhancing memory and quality of life for older adults.

A growing body of literature has demonstrated improved quality of life in cancer patients who utilize web-based patient portals; however, no studies have investigated their impact on objective clinical measures. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of patient portal utilization on clinical outcomes in cancer care. Patient portal platforms provide patients with direct access to their providers through messaging, medication requests, and other tools. There is a knowledge gap in the literature regarding whether electronic patient portals enhance outcomes in cancer care.

Recently, the researchers identified two distinct subpopulations of mitral/tufted (M/T) cells within the OB that project to the anterior piriform cortex (aPC) and entorhinal cortex (EC). These neural circuits mediate cognitive memory processes through specific-frequency neural coherence. Their discovery not only offers a potential biomarker for cognitive function assessment in PD, but also highlights a candidate therapeutic target for mitigating cognitive decline.

By unraveling the complex choreography of cellular machinery, Michigan State University researchers are helping identify the next generation of drug targets and cancer therapies.

Led by Jian Hu and Kennie Merz, the MSU team has unveiled new insights into a family of proteins that, while vital for cellular functions, are also linked to an array of diseases such as breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancers.

Understanding these dynamic proteins found in cell membranes — called Zrt-/Irt-like proteins, or ZIPs for short — will contribute to the search for cutting-edge drug therapies and the improved health of patients.