Research shows that small boosts in walking speed may improve fitness and preserve independence in older adults

• Older adults who walked just a bit faster improved their aerobic capacity and maintained function over time.

• The study suggests even modest increases in walking pace just 5% can make a difference.

• This approach may be safer and more sustainable than high-intensity workouts for older adults.
  

Walking may be one of the simplest ways to stay active but for older adults, a slight tweak in pace might unlock even greater benefits.

A new study led by researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine suggests that modest increases in walking speed could help aging adults improve cardiovascular fitness, maintain functional independence, and potentially reduce health risks associated with aging.

"Physical activity has widespread, multisystem benefits, researcher David Conroy, Ph.D., said in a news release.

It increases longevity, reduces risk for many common chronic diseases such as many cancers, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. It improves brain health, improves cognitive function, and reduces risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. It enhances mental health by reducing anxiety and depression, improves bone health, and so on. The most noticeable short-term impacts typically involve feeling more pleasant and revitalized, sleeping better, and thinking more clearly."

The study

One of the biggest metrics the researchers were interested in evaluating was how walking speed affected frailty a medical condition in older adults that increases vulnerability to everyday stresses.

The researchers explained that the criteria for the study were as follows:

• Permanent residents in the retirement community

• 60 years of age

• Prefrail or frail according to the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe Frailty Instrument (SHARE-FI)

• Capable of walking at least 10 feet with moderate assistance (

For the study, participants in retirement communities were assigned to different walking groups a casual speed walking group and a high-intensity walking speed group.

Over the course of four months, the participants were involved in daily walking exercises with their groups. Over time, the participants picked up their pace; for the high-intensity group, that also meant incorporating some different exercises during their walks.

The participants all wore accelerometers during their walks to measure their speed and distance, and the researchers measured each participants baseline speed and overall function at the start of the study.

The results

Overall, the researchers learned that increasing walking speed was associated with better outcomes for the participants.

Perhaps most importantly, these health benefits didnt require a significant increase in speed or intensity. Increasing cadence by at least 14 steps per minute above their usual rate was associated with the best health outcomes.

Participants who were able to reach that benchmark were able to walk longer distances without complication and had improved functional capacity overall. By the end of the study, these participants were able to increase their walking speed by an average of 30 minutes on each walk.

People who havent experienced frailty can't imagine how big a difference it makes to be able to not get tired going to the grocery store or not need to sit down while they're out, researcher Dr. Daniel Rubin said in the news release.

New study links paternal history to higher buildup of Alzheimers-related tau protein

• Adults with a father who had Alzheimers showed greater tau buildup, a key marker of the disease.

• Women in the study had more widespread tau in their brains than men.

• Findings could help guide personalized prevention strategies before memory loss begins.

Weve all heard how having a parent with Alzheimers could bump up our own risk of developing the disease but what if it matters which parent?

A recent study by the American Academy of Neurology reveals something surprising: it might actually be your dads history, not your moms, that correlates more strongly with a specific Alzheimers marker in the brain. While previous research often pointed to maternal inheritance, this study flips the narrative, focusing on how tau protein not just memory decline might have its own family story.

We were surprised to see that people with a father with Alzheimers were more vulnerable to the spread of tau in the brain, as we had hypothesized that we would see more brain changes in people with affected mothers, study author Sylvia Villeneuve, Ph.D. said in a news release.

The study

Researchers tracked 243 cognitively healthy adults, all around 68 years old, who had at least one parent (or two siblings) with Alzheimers. Importantly, none of the participants had any thinking or memory issues when the study began.

They underwent brain scans and memory testing, then were followed for almost seven years. Over that time, 71 people developed mild cognitive impairment often seen as an early step toward Alzheimers.

The team measured two key protein markers in the brain: beta-amyloid and tau. Tau buildup is especially linked to Alzheimers disease.

The results

The researchers discovered a paternal pattern throughout the study.

Participants whose fathers had Alzheimers showed a greater spread of the tau protein in their brains. This was a surprising finding especially since the team expected maternal influence to be stronger.

Additionally, gender mattered too. Women in the study had a heavier tau buildup than men and were more likely to show widespread tau protein spread.

Its important to note that these findings are associations, not proof of direct cause. Additionally, the study participants were mostly white, so the findings may not apply equally across all races and ethnicities.

However, the researchers explained that these insights might help health care professionals design personalized interventions that protect those at higher risk before symptoms even surface.

Better understanding these vulnerabilities could help us design personalized interventions to help protect against Alzheimers disease, Dr. Villeneuve said.

Suit also alleges the site sells counterfeit products, including fake Louisville Slugger baseball caps

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs

• Temu accused of illegal data collection, privacy violations, and counterfeit sales in Kentucky.

• Nachawati Law Group joins forces with Kentucky Attorney General in consumer protection lawsuit.

• State seeks civil penalties, restitution, and further relief in sweeping legal action.

The Chinese-owned shopping app Temu is under legal fire in Kentucky, facing a lawsuit that alleges serious breaches of consumer trust from harvesting private user data without consent to peddling counterfeit goods that undermine the states iconic brands.

The lawsuit, filed in Woodford Circuit Court, accuses Temu and its parent company, PDD Holdings Inc., of violating the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) and the states common law, by profiting through a range of unlawful and deceptive practices.

The case is being spearheaded by Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman in collaboration with the Dallas-based Nachawati Law Group.

Exploiting users using bargain prices

Temu, which has become one of the most downloaded apps in the U.S. by offering deeply discounted consumer goods, is alleged to be doing much more than connecting buyers with inexpensive items. According to the lawsuit, the platform functions as a massive data-mining operation, collecting and exploiting personal user data without consent.

This app was designed to get data from the customers who use it, and the owners use it as a lure for that purpose, said Majed Nachawati, founder of Nachawati Law Group. The worst part is that these breaches of privacy are all being done without the customers knowledge or consent.

Allegations of fraud and counterfeiting

The complaint also outlines a series of alleged fraudulent practices, from misleading product listings and falsified customer reviews to unauthorized purchases made with consumer payment data.

Violation of customer privacy is just one concern with this app, said Brian McMath, trial attorney at Nachawati Law Group. It is a hub for consumer fraud from advertising items that look nothing like what eventually arrives, to faking customer reviews, to using consumer payment information to order items the customer never asked for.

Temu is also accused of profiting from the sale of counterfeit products, including fake Louisville Slugger baseball bats and imitation University of Louisville merchandise. The Kentucky AG's office argues these practices damage the state's economy and tarnish the reputation of its most trusted brands.

Kentucky seeks significant penalties

The state is seeking civil penalties of up to $2,000 per violation of the KCPA, along with restitution for affected consumers and any further relief the court may grant. The case, titled Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. PDD Holdings Inc. et al., aims to hold Temu accountable for its alleged disregard of consumer protection laws.

After three tries, judge's ruling is final

• Federal judge dismisses class-action lawsuit over Amazons ad-supported Prime Video tier.

• Court rules Amazon acted within its rights under existing user agreements.

• Plaintiffs barred from refiling after third failed attempt to plead claims.

A federal judge has dismissed a class-action lawsuit against Amazon that claimed the company deceived Prime Video users by introducing advertisements unless they paid an additional monthly fee. The decision ends months of litigation over Amazons controversial change to its streaming service.

U.S. District Court Judge Barbara Jacobs Rothstein, ruling from the Western District of Washington on July 16, granted Amazons motion to dismiss the consolidated class-action complaint with prejudice, meaning the plaintiffs cannot try again.

Amazons right to modify upheld

Central to the courts ruling was the finding that Amazon had not violated its terms of service. Judge Rothstein referenced a previous ruling that determined the introduction of ads was not a price increase but rather a benefit modification a change the company was authorized to make under the membership agreement.

Amazons terms, the judge emphasized, gave the company sole discretion to add or remove Prime membership benefits at any time. Amazon never promised to Prime members or anyone else that Prime Video would be always, or entirely, ad-free, the company stated in its legal filings.

Plaintiffs' claims ruled unreasonable

The plaintiffs had argued that Amazons move amounted to a bait and switch, misleading customers who believed ad-free streaming was a guaranteed feature of their Prime membership. The lawsuit, originally filed in February 2024, said customers were unfairly forced to pay an additional $2.99 per month to maintain ad-free streaming, something they had already paid for.

Judge Rothstein was not persuaded. She ruled that it was not reasonable for customers to assume that Prime Videos ad-free model would remain unchanged. The decision criticized the plaintiffs for relying on personal expectations rather than the language of Amazons user agreement.

This ruling marks the third time the plaintiffs have attempted to bring similar claims against Amazon. Judge Rothstein noted that each version of the complaint failed to present new or viable legal theories and therefore denied any further opportunity for amendment.

[T]his is Plaintiffs third attempt to plead viable claims, Rothstein wrote. No further amendment will be permitted.

Background and impact

Amazon began rolling out ads on Prime Video content in early 2025, offering users an option to pay $2.99/month to continue watching without commercials. The change sparked widespread customer backlash and legal scrutiny.

Despite customer frustration, the courts ruling affirms that Amazons service agreements allow for such changes. The decision is a major legal win for Amazon and sets a precedent for subscription-based platforms seeking flexibility in adjusting their service offerings.