Consumer News: Gasoline prices trend lower to start 2026

In mice, restoring cellular energy balance reversed advanced Alzheimers-like disease a hint of what future therapies might aim for

• A new study found that fixing energy balance in the brain reversed symptoms of advanced Alzheimers in mice.

• Researchers used a drug (P7C3-A20) to restore levels of NAD+, a crucial molecule for cell energy, leading to full cognitive recovery in two mouse models.

• The findings challenge the idea that Alzheimers damage is always permanent but human testing is still needed.

For decades, Alzheimers disease has been seen as a one-way street: once the brain starts to degenerate, the damage is permanent. Thats why most research has focused on slowing the disease or preventing it in the first place.

However, a new study published in Cell Reports Medicine is shaking up that idea by showing that, at least in mice, significant recovery may be possible.

Scientists from Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals, and the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center wanted to know whether brains already deeply affected by Alzheimers-like pathology could actually repair themselves. Their starting point was a molecule called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) a natural molecule found in every cell that helps turn food into energy and keeps cells functioning and repairing themselves properly.

They found that NAD levels crash in Alzheimers, both in human brains and in mouse models engineered to develop the disease.

The key takeaway is a message of hope the effects of Alzheimer's disease may not be inevitably permanent, researcher Andrew A. Pieper said in a news release. The damaged brain can, under some conditions, repair itself and regain function.

The study

Because Alzheimers doesnt naturally occur in mice, researchers used genetically engineered animals that mimic major features of the human disease including amyloid and tau problems inside the brain. These features lead to inflammation, nerve cell damage, breakdown of the brains protective barrier, and cognitive decline that looks a lot like human Alzheimers.

The scientists tested whether they could fix the brains energy deficit by giving mice a drug called P7C3-A20, which helps keep NAD levels balanced without overshooting into dangerous territory. This compound was developed in the lab leading the study and has been used in other brain injury models before.

They tried two approaches: treating mice before disease signs appeared, and after the animals already had advanced symptoms. The results in both cases were striking.

The big result: Reversal and recovery

When the researchers restored NAD balance in the animals with advanced Alzheimers-like disease, the mice didnt just stop declining their brains began to recover.

Hallmarks of the disease, such as inflammation, DNA damage, and breakdown of brain systems, were reduced. Most importantly, the mice regained cognitive abilities in tests that measure memory and thinking.

And the recovery wasnt just behavioral. Blood levels of phosphorylated tau-217 a biomarker now used in human Alzheimers research returned to normal, showing that the disease process itself was reversing.

Still, the researchers are clear that this work is preliminary. What works in mice doesnt always work in people, especially in a complex human disease like Alzheimers. Future studies, including carefully designed clinical trials, will be needed to see whether these findings can translate from rodents to humans.

We were very excited and encouraged by our results, Pieper said. Restoring the brain's energy balance achieved pathological and functional recovery in both lines of mice with advanced Alzheimer's. Seeing this effect in two very different animal models, each driven by different genetic causes, strengthens the new idea that recovery from advanced disease might be possible in people with AD when the brain's NAD+ balance is restored.

What this means for consumers

For consumers, this research doesnt change how Alzheimers is treated today, but it does point to where future therapies may be headed.

The study suggests that targeting the brains energy systems rather than focusing only on plaques or slowing decline could one day help restore lost function, at least in some cases.

That said, these results come from animal models, not people, and the drug used in the study is not available as a treatment.

For now, the takeaway is cautious optimism: scientists are uncovering new biological pathways that may eventually lead to more effective Alzheimers treatments, but any potential benefits for patients will require years of further research and clinical testing.

This new therapeutic approach to recovery needs to be moved into carefully designed human clinical trials to determine whether the efficacy seen in animal models translates to human patients, Pieper said. Additional next steps for the laboratory research include pinpointing which aspects of brain energy balance are most important for recovery, identifying and evaluating complementary approaches to Alzheimer's reversal, and investigating whether this recovery approach is also effective in other forms of chronic, age-related neurodegenerative disease.

Why questioning your own uncertainties might actually help you stick with big goals

• When people question the validity of their doubts a process called meta-cognitive doubt it can deepen their commitment to important goals rather than diminish it.

• Researchers used writing tasks and even non-dominant hand writing to nudge people into doubting their thoughts, then measured how that shifted commitment to personal goals.

• This effect showed up among people wrestling with meaningful, long-term identity goals, but experts warn the idea shouldnt be overapplied or used to dismiss real concerns.

If youve ever questioned whether youre on the right path with something deeply important like finishing school, launching a business, or training for a marathon youre not alone.

Psychologists call those moments action crises: times when you seriously wonder whether you should stay the course or throw in the towel.

A team led by psychology professor Patrick Carroll at The Ohio State University wondered whether getting people to literally doubt their own doubts a kind of thinking about thinking known as meta-cognitive doubt might actually change how committed they feel toward their goals.

Instead of boosting confidence directly (as most self-help advice does), they flipped the question: Can questioning your uncertainty make you more committed?

Their answer: yes at least sometimes.

When youre pursuing identity goals, bumps in the roads inevitably arise. There may come a point where the obstacle is big enough to evoke doubts about whether to continue, researcher Dr. Patrick Carroll said in a news release.

What this study found is that inducing doubts in ones doubts can provide a formula for confidence.

The study

Carroll and his colleagues carried out two related experiments to explore this idea.

In the first study, 267 adults started by rating how much they were questioning whether they should continue pursuing a personally meaningful goal an identity goal tied to who they want to become.

Then, participants were given a so-called unrelated writing task: half were asked to write about feeling confident in their thinking, and the other half were asked to write about a time they felt doubtful about their own thoughts. After the writing, everyone rated how committed they felt to their goal.

In a second experiment with 130 college students, the team used a different trick: having participants complete the goal survey using their non-dominant hand, which tends to induce a subtle sense of uncertainty because the shaky writing feels unfamiliar.

The results

In a twist, the first study found that writing about confidence strengthened peoples belief in their original doubts and led to lower commitment. By contrast, writing about their own doubt made people question the reliability of their doubt itself and that nudged some toward greater commitment.

Even with a different method in the second trial, people who were already struggling with doubt about their goals ended up reporting stronger commitment when their confidence in their own thinking was disrupted.

What the results mean and what they dont

This research suggests that the way we evaluate our thoughts matters: when doubt feels like just another thought rather than a rock-solid reason to quit, it may lose some of its power to derail us.

That doesnt mean ignoring all concerns. Carroll and colleagues caution that such techniques should be used carefully and might work best with someone elses guidance (like a therapist or teacher) so you dont slip into overconfidence or dismiss real problems.

You dont want to undermine humility and replace it with overconfidence or premature certainty, Dr. Carroll said. This needs to be used wisely.

A cybersecurity expert explains the common errors people make on free WiFi and how to protect yourself from hackers

• Public WiFi can expose sensitive personal and financial data if you log into accounts, enter passwords, or connect without basic security protections.

• Small mistakeslike skipping a VPN or leaving sharing features oncan give hackers easy access to your device and online activity.

• Simple precautions can significantly reduce your risk, including using a VPN, disabling Bluetooth and file sharing, and keeping devices updated.
  

Whether youre answering emails at a coffee shop, scrolling while waiting at the airport, or quickly checking your bank balance on the go, free public WiFi can feel like a lifesaver.

However, convenience comes with a catch. According to cybersecurity experts, public WiFi networks are one of the easiest places for hackers to intercept personal information if youre not careful.

The good news? You dont need to be a tech expert to stay safe.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Pete Cannata, Chief Operating Officer at Atlantic.Net to learn more about the most common public WiFi mistakes people make and the simple steps you can take to protect your personal information the next time you connect.

The five biggest mistakes

Cannata shared a list of the top five biggest mistakes consumers can make when logging into public WiFi:

1. Logging into banking apps: Logging into banking apps on public WiFi exposes sensitive financial data on networks that are often poorly secured, Cannata said. Attackers sharing the same connection can intercept login information or hijack active sessions without the user noticing.

2. Entering passwords on unsecured pages

3. Connecting to fake lookalike hotspots

4. Not using a VPN: Without a VPN, data sent over public WiFi can be viewed or intercepted by anyone on the same network, Cannata explained. A VPN encrypts that traffic, preventing outsiders from seeing what youre doing online.

5. Leaving file sharing or Bluetooth turned on: Leaving file sharing or Bluetooth enabled on public WiFi increases your devices visibility to others on the same network. In crowded or unsecured environments, that means unauthorized users can probe for open folders, connect to your device, or exploit software vulnerabilities in the background.

Each of these errors can leave users exposed to data interception, credential theft, or malware attacks, Cannata said. Public WiFi networks prioritize convenience over security, meaning even small oversights can give cybercriminals an easy entry point into personal devices and accounts.

Staying safe on public WiFi

If a public place has WiFi, you dont need to avoid it entirely. However, there are ways to connect safely.

Here are Cannatas best tips for avoiding data privacy risks on public networks:

• Turn off auto-connect features, so your device doesnt automatically join unknown networks.

• Enable a VPN to encrypt your connection

• Disable file sharing and Bluetooth to limit exposure.

• If possible, devices should be updated with the latest security patches, as updates often fix vulnerabilities attackers exploit on public networks.

The real danger with public WiFi is that the consequences arent always immediate, Cannata said. In a lot of cases, stolen data is used later, long after the connection has ended, so the source is hard to trace. Thats why basic precautions matter even when nothing seems wrong at the time.

The new guidelines reverse years of emphasis on fruits, vegetables

• Federal health officials today released new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 20252030, calling them the biggest shift in nutrition policy in decades.

• The new guidance emphasizes whole, minimally processed foods while sharply limiting ultra-processed products, added sugars, and refined carbohydrates.

• Officials framed the update as a response to rising rates of obesity, chronic disease, and diet-related health costs in the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday released theDietary Guidelines for Americans, 20252030, outlining a sweeping overhaul of federal nutrition advice that places real food at the center of health policy.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said the updated Guidelines are designed to address what they described as a national health emergency driven largely by diet-related chronic disease.

Officials cite chronic disease and obesity as drivers of the overhaul

Federal officials pointed tohealth statistics to justify the reset. Nearly 90% of U.S. health care spending now goes toward treating chronic disease, much of it linked to diet and lifestyle, according to the agencies.

More than 70% of American adults are overweight or obese, and nearly one in three adolescents has prediabetes. Diet-related conditions have also begun to affect military readiness, with many young Americans disqualified from service due to health issues tied to obesity and metabolic disease.

These Guidelines return us to the basics, Kennedy said in a statement. American households must prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods and dramatically reduce highly processed foods.

New guidance emphasizes protein, whole foods, and fewer additives

The 20252030 Guidelines move away from complex dietary targets and instead promote simple, flexible advice grounded in what officials called modern nutrition science.

Key recommendations include prioritizing protein at every meal, consuming full-fat dairy without added sugars, eating vegetables and fruits throughout the day in whole forms, and incorporating healthy fats from foods such as meat, seafood, eggs, nuts, seeds, olives, and avocados.

The guidelines also encourage Americans to focus on whole grains while sharply reducing refined carbohydrates, limit ultra-processed foods and artificial additives, drink water and unsweetened beverages, and moderate alcohol consumption.

Portion size guidance is individualized based on age, sex, body size, and activity level, rather than one-size-fits-all calorie targets.

Administration frames changes as a return to common sense nutrition

Rollins said the new edition represents a shift away from pharmaceutical-centered health approaches and back toward food as the foundation of wellness.

Thanks to the bold leadership of President Trump, this edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans will reset federal nutrition policy, putting our families and children first, Rollins said. She added that the changes align federal guidance with American farmers and ranchers who produce protein, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and grains.

Officials also said the update restores scientific integrity and accountability to federal health guidance, reestablishing the food pyramid as an educational tool focused on nourishment rather than restriction.

Tailored guidance expands recommendations for specific populations

In addition to general dietary advice, the Guidelines include tailored recommendations for infants and children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women, older adults, people with chronic disease, and vegetarians and vegans.

Federal officials said the goal is to ensure nutritional adequacy across every stage of life while maintaining flexibility for cultural, economic, and personal preferences.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are updated every five years and are used to shape federal nutrition programs, school meals, military food standards, and public health messaging nationwide.

A fact sheet accompanying the release describes the update as a comprehensive reset of U.S. nutrition policy, with an explicit emphasis on whole foods and reduced reliance on ultra-processed products.

What small businesses should know to protect themselves

• Unauthorized listings: Palm Springs shop Bobo Palm Springs found its products listed on Amazon without permission

• Amazons explanation: The company says the listings came from a Buy For Me beta program that lets Amazon buy items on customers behalf

• Why it matters: The shop says the listings caused refunds, customer confusion, and diverted traffic from its own site

A small southern California boutique is raising concerns about how major online retailers are handling small business products after discovering some of their items listed on Amazon without permission.

Bobo Palm Springs, a boutique stationery shop located in Palm Springs, claims Amazon displayed products from its catalog on the e-commerce giants marketplace, despite the business never enrolling in any selling program.

How the listings were discovered

Shop owner Angie Chua says she first noticed an increase in orders for items that were out of stock. The mystery grew stranger when she noticed every one of these orders had a jumbled Amazon email address titled '@buyforme.amazon.'

Chua then took her investigation to the Amazon website and found that their entire product catalog was listed on Amazon, even products that no longer existed on their site.

None of this happened with her knowledge or consent.

Amazons explanation: A beta program called Buy For Me

When contacted for comment, Amazon confirmed its running a pilot program known internally as Buy For Me. Under this program, Amazon may display products from other retailers and allow shoppers to buy them indirectly.

According to the company, customers click a Buy For Me option and Amazon purchases the item on the customers behalf using AI tools.

Amazon says it proactively introduced certain shops to the program and that participating businesses can opt out if they choose. The company frames the initiative as a way to increase visibility and potential sales for small merchants.

However, Chua strongly disagrees with that portrayal, pointing out that she never asked to be part of the program, and that the impacts on her small business have been anything but beneficial.

Small business concerns

For Chua, the unauthorized listings arent just a technical glitch, they represent a deeper problem with how large platforms interact with small merchants:

Unauthorized Product Listings: Items no longer sold or controlled by Bobo Palm Springs appeared on Amazon, suggesting the system is pulling product details without business approval.

Customer Confusion: The shop had to honor refunds for orders it never actually listed for sale, potentially confusing loyal customers and straining relationships.

Traffic Diverted: Even after removing her products from Amazon, Chua says there are still shell listings with search keywords that could funnel potential customers away from her own website.

Small businesses often spend years to earn the trust of their loyal customers. Chua feels Amazon has potentially damaged that trust. As she noted, "We spend a lot of time building trust with our customers. It takes a long time for us to earn their dollar, and for Amazon to come in and undercut us and just step in under the guise of, 'we are supporting these small businesses,' is like appalling."

What this means for other small sellers

Chua believes that any small business using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce could be unknowingly included in similar programs unless they actively check for how their products are being distributed.

Her public alert aims to prompt other small business owners to:

• Review their Amazon presence (including listings they havent created).
• Monitor third-party orders coming through their sales platforms.
• Understand the terms of any beta programs or integrations they might be automatically enrolled in.