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Welcome to In the Spotlight, where each month we shine a light on something exciting, timely, or simply fascinating from the world of science.

This month, we’re focusing on nutrition and the powerful role it plays in our lives. Here, we’ll share the latest research on how nutrients affect the body and brain, how scientists investigate diet and health, what these findings may mean for building healthier habits, and more.

Latest News Releases

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 7-Jan-2026 20:11 ET (8-Jan-2026 01:11 GMT/UTC)

Heavy menstruation common among teenage girls – questionnaire reveals risk of iron deficiency

Lund University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

More than half of teenage girls experienced heavy bleeding and 40 per cent had an iron deficiency. The research, led from Lund University in Sweden, also shows that young teenage girls who experience heavy menstrual bleeding – and are therefore at greater risk of iron deficiency – can be identified using a simple questionnaire.

Journal: PLOS One
Funder: Region Skåne, Lions Research Fund Skåne, Regional Funding for Clinical Research (Region Skåne), Karolinska Institutet, Lund University

The quality of carbohydrates in the diet plays a key role in the prevention of dementia

Universitat Rovira i Virgili
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The quality and quantity of carbohydrates in the diet play a decisive role in the development of dementias. This is according to a combined study carried out by the Nutrition and Metabolic Health (NuMeH) research group of the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), the Centre for Environmental, Food and Toxicological Technology (TecnATox), and the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV). The results of this research have been published in the scientific journal International Journal of Epidemiology.

Journal: International Journal of Epidemiology

Theobromine from cocoa linked to slower biological aging

Impact Journals LLC
Peer-Reviewed Publication

BUFFALO, NY — December 16, 2025 — A new research paper was published in Aging-US on December 10, 2025, titled “Theobromine is associated with slower epigenetic ageing.”

Journal: Aging-US

Algae for health in food and pharma

European Science Communication Institute gGmbH
Meeting Announcement

IRELAND, Dublin, 15.12.2025 – With algae gaining global attention for their health potential, the ‘Algae for Health in Food and Pharma’ summit invites experts from academia and industry to convene in Dublin next March and explore how algae can reshape the nutrition and health sector.

Funder: Horizon 2020 Framework Programme

From labs to local tables: How research Is helping fight food insecurity

Binghamton University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

New research from Binghamton University, State University of New York demonstrates the power of collaboration between academic institutions and the local community to address food insecurity.

Journal: Practicing Anthropology

Keeping the heart healthy increases longevity even after cancer

Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed I.R.C.C.S.
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Being more physically active, following a balanced diet, not smoking, and keeping body weight and blood pressure under control: the same habits that protect the heart also prove decisive after a cancer diagnosis.

Journal: European Heart Journal
Funder: Fondazione Umberto Veronesi

Households using more of the most popular WIC food benefits stay in the program longer, UW study finds

University of Washington
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The WIC program provides families with cash benefits to purchase food in specific categories. New research finds that households who redeem more of their benefits in the most popular food categories are more likely to remain in the program long-term.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

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