Brain Health, a new peer-reviewed journal from Genomic Press, launches today with an inaugural issue anchored by an interview with neuroscientist Luísa Pinto of the University of Minho, whose two-decade pursuit of newborn astrocytes has reshaped how the field understands recovery from depression. The journal, edited by Ma-Li Wong, is designed to convene the fields of cognitive reserve, longevity, sleep science, aging biology, nutritional psychiatry, behavioral intervention, neuroimaging, normative data, and the social sciences and humanities around a shared question: how do human brains remain resilient, recover when injured, and stay functional across the longest possible arc of a life?

Trinity College Dublin scientist, Dr Dylan Ryan, will lead an eight-year project that seeks to better understand why people with inherited mitochondrial disorders are often more vulnerable to severe infections. 

People living with these conditions can experience profound neurological impairment alongside a range of other complications, including muscle weakness and fatigue, heart issues, vision and hearing loss, and gastrointestinal symptoms. 

These complex disorders may present in childhood or adulthood and are currently incurable. They often substantially reduce both life expectancy and overall quality of life, with affected individuals facing reduced independence, severe disability, and frequent hospital admissions. In many cases, sepsis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality.

A nationwide survey of more than 2,000 nurses and nursing students reveals a workforce driven by purpose – but under growing strain since 2022. While 83% enter nursing to make a difference (up from 66%), burnout has surged from 39% to 67%, pay and benefits concerns from 24% to 53%, and those feeling undervalued from 26% to 49%. Short staffing also rose from 53% to 61%. Even so, 62% prioritize flexibility and 52% job security, underscoring urgent calls for better support.

Sultan Qaboos University researchers develop a compact diagnostic device with applications in food safety, public health, and environmental monitoring