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New research suggests sleep quality may matter even more for older women already at higher genetic risk

• A new study found that poor sleep was linked to memory problems and Alzheimers-related brain changes in older women with higher genetic risk for the disease.

• Researchers studied 69 women over age 65 using sleep questionnaires, memory tests, and brain scans that measured tau protein buildup.

• Experts say sleep complaints could someday help identify people who may benefit from earlier monitoring or prevention strategies.

For years, scientists have known theres a connection between sleep and brain health, but new research from the University of California San Diego is adding another piece to the puzzle.

The study suggests that poor sleep may be tied to early Alzheimers-related changes in older women who are already genetically more vulnerable to the disease.

The findings are especially notable because women make up nearly two-thirds of Alzheimers cases, and they also tend to report more sleep problems than men as they age. Researchers say the results dont prove that poor sleep causes Alzheimers, but they do suggest sleep issues may be an important warning sign and possibly even a future target for prevention efforts.

The study

In the study, researchers examined 69 women ages 65 and older who were part of the Women Inflammation Tau Study, an ongoing project focused on aging and Alzheimers risk.

Participants answered questions about their sleep quality, completed memory testing, and underwent brain imaging scans that measured tau, a protein closely linked to Alzheimers disease.

The researchers found a clear pattern among women who had a higher genetic risk for Alzheimers.

The results

Those who reported worse sleep also tended to perform more poorly on visual memory tasks and had greater tau buildup in brain regions affected early in the disease.

Interestingly, the same relationship was not seen in women with lower genetic risk. Researchers also noted that the connection appeared specific to visual memory rather than verbal memory.

Scientists say the relationship between sleep and Alzheimers may work both ways. Earlier research has suggested that disrupted sleep could contribute to abnormal protein buildup in the brain, while Alzheimers-related brain changes may also interfere with healthy sleep patterns.

For consumers, the study highlights something many people tend to dismiss: ongoing sleep complaints may be worth bringing up with a doctor, especially for older adults concerned about cognitive health.

Researchers emphasized that self-reported sleep assessments are inexpensive and easy to administer, which could make them a practical tool for identifying people who may benefit from closer monitoring in the future.

At the same time, experts caution that this was a relatively small study focused specifically on older women, so more research is needed before drawing broad conclusions. Still, the findings add to growing evidence that sleep health may play a larger role in healthy aging than many people realize.

New research suggests convenience foods could quietly impact attention span

• A new Australian study linked higher intake of ultra-processed foods to lower attention and focus scores.

• Researchers found the effect appeared even in people who otherwise followed healthy eating patterns.

• The study adds to growing concerns about how food processing itself may affect brain health.

People often think of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) as a problem mainly because they contain extra sugar, salt, or unhealthy fats. But new research suggests the issue may go deeper than nutrition labels alone.

A study led by researchers at Monash University found that diets higher in ultra-processed foods were associated with poorer attention and focus, even among people who generally ate healthy diets.

To put our findings in perspective, a 10% increase in UPFs is roughly equivalent to adding a standard packet of chips to your daily diet, researcher Dr. Barbara Cardoso said in a news release.

For every 10% increase in ultra-processed food a person consumed, we saw a distinct and measurable drop in a persons ability to focus. In clinical terms, this translated to consistently lower scores on standardized cognitive tests measuring visual attention and processing speed.

The study

The findings were published in the journal Alzheimer's Associations Alzheimers & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring and were based on data from more than 2,100 Australian adults who were middle-aged or older. None of the participants had any history of dementia or cognitive decline.

Researchers examined participants eating habits alongside cognitive testing that measured things like visual attention and processing speed.

What the study found

According to the researchers, even a modest increase in ultra-processed food intake was linked to noticeable differences in focus.

The study noted that a 10% increase in ultra-processed foods was tied to lower performance on attention-related cognitive tests.

Ultra-processed foods can include items like packaged snacks, soft drinks, ready-made meals, and other heavily manufactured products. Researchers said participants in the study got about 41% of their daily energy intake from these foods, which closely reflects broader eating patterns in Australia.

One of the more surprising findings was that the connection remained even among people following otherwise nutritious eating patterns, including Mediterranean-style diets.

Researchers said that suggests the level of processing itself may play an important role.

Food ultra-processing often destroys the natural structure of food and introduces potentially harmful substances like artificial additives or processing chemicals, Dr Cardoso said.

These additives suggest the link between diet and cognitive function extends beyond just missing out on foods known as healthy, pointing to mechanisms linked to the degree of food processing itself.

The study did not find a direct link between ultra-processed foods and memory loss, but researchers emphasized that attention is still a critical part of brain health. Focus and processing speed help support learning, problem-solving, and other everyday cognitive functions.

For consumers, the findings are less about eliminating every packaged food and more about paying attention to how much of the diet comes from heavily processed products. Researchers say the study adds to growing evidence that brain health may be influenced not only by what nutrients people consume, but also by how foods are made.

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New CDC data shows progress nationwide as officials continue tracking overdose trends in real time

• CDC provisional data shows drug overdose deaths have declined for three straight years in the U.S.

• An estimated 69,973 overdose deaths occurred in 2025, down nearly 14% from 2024.

• The CDC says reporting delays and ongoing investigations mean some state totals may still change.

New federal data suggests the nations drug overdose crisis may be easing somewhat at least compared to the devastating peaks seen in recent years.

According to the latest provisional numbers from the CDCs National Center for Health Statistics, the United States recorded an estimated 69,973 drug overdose deaths in 2025.

Thats down from 81,313 in 2024 and marks the third straight year of declining overdose deaths nationwide.

Tracking the numbers

The CDC tracks these numbers through the National Vital Statistics System, which collects information from death certificates submitted across the country.

Because overdose investigations can take time, the figures are considered provisional, meaning they may still be updated as additional records come in.

A look at the findings

The latest report also found declines in overdose deaths involving opioids, cocaine, and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine.

Opioid-related deaths alone dropped from an estimated 55,296 in 2024 to 44,564 in 2025. Nearly every state saw at least some improvement, although a few states including New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado reported increases compared to the previous year.

The CDC notes that overdose data is more complicated than many other public health statistics because deaths often require lengthy investigations by medical examiners and coroners. In some cases, toxicology testing and final cause-of-death determinations can take months. Thats one reason the agency publishes ongoing provisional estimates rather than waiting years for finalized data.

The agency also cautions that comparing drug-specific death rates across states can be difficult because reporting standards and drug identification practices vary by jurisdiction. Some overdose deaths involve multiple substances and may be counted in more than one category.

For consumers, the new numbers offer cautious encouragement but also a reminder that the overdose epidemic remains a major public health issue.

Tens of thousands of Americans are still dying from overdoses every year, even as the overall trend improves. The CDC says timely reporting and updated surveillance systems remain essential for understanding how the crisis is evolving and where resources may still be needed most.