Listening to or playing music regularly was associated with lower rates of dementia, according to a study based on data for 10,893 people age 70 and older in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. Study participants who listened to music did better on tests of memory and cognition. 

What does it mean: Researchers said the study cannot show a causal link, but other studies have found that music activates multiple regions of the brain, which could promote new neural pathways.

Switch positions, move into management, stay competitive in the growing healthcare industry. The 100% online UW-Milwaukee RN to BSN degree, offered through the UW Flexible Option, was designed to fit school into your busy life. Earn the degree that opens the door to possibilities.

As part of an initiative to support nurse leadership and early career nurses, the American Nurses Foundation will award three grants of $10,000 each to nurse-led research into artificial intelligence and innovation. "We're seeking proposals that don't just imagine what might be possible but demonstrate how nurse-led solutions can transform patient care and improve the health of communities," said Graig Eastin, executive director of the American Nurses Foundation.

A 47-year-old man from New Jersey with alpha-gal syndrome died hours after eating a hamburger in September 2024, according to a report in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. Alpha-gal syndrome is an allergy to a sugar in red meat that is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. The lone star tick is the primary carrier of alpha-gal, and its range is expanding due to climate change.

Unapproved peptide injections are being touted by influencers and celebrities as ways to build muscle, lose weight and look younger. The peptides, often sold online or through wellness clinics, lack extensive human studies and regulatory approval, raising concerns about potential side effects, including allergic reactions and metabolic issues.

A study published in Nutrition and Metabolism found that increased consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with a higher risk of prediabetes and insulin resistance among people ages 17 to 22 who were overweight or obese. Researchers noted that each 10% increase in ultra-processed food intake was linked to a 64% higher risk of prediabetes and a 56% higher risk of blood sugar regulation problems.

One in 9 crowdfunding campaigns to pay for cancer care reach their goal, according to a study in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. The findings were based on data for 78,000 campaigns on GoFundMe that raised $506 million from 4.5 million donations.

A multifaceted educational campaign at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center led to significant reductions in hospital-acquired infection rates. The initiative integrated materials from the CDC's Project Firstline into existing educational and communication channels and trained three nurse residents as infection prevention and control champions. Over 500 staff members participated in the campaign, which led to a 47% reduction in catheter-associated urinary tract infections and a 69% decrease in central line-associated bloodstream infections.