Common vision issue linked to type of lighting used in Americans' homes

Nearsightedness (myopia) is skyrocketing globally, with nearly half of the world’s population expected to be myopic by 2050, according to the World Health Organization.

Heavy use of smartphones and other devices is associated with an 80% higher risk of myopia when combined with excessive computer use, but a new study suggests that dim indoor lighting could also be a factor.

For years, scientists have been puzzled by the different ways myopia is triggered. In lab settings, it can be induced by blurring vision or using different lenses. Conversely, it can be slowed by something as simple as spending time outdoors, research suggests.

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Nearsightedness occurs when the eyeball grows too long from front to back, according to the American Optometric Association (AOA). This physical elongation causes light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it, making distant objects appear blurry.

Researchers at the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry identified a potential specific trigger for this growth. When someone looks at a phone or a book up close, the pupil naturally constricts.

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"In bright outdoor light, the pupil constricts to protect the eye while still allowing ample light to reach the retina," Urusha Maharjan, a SUNY Optometry doctoral student who conducted the study, said in a press release.

"When people focus on close objects indoors, such as phones, tablets or books, the pupil can also constrict — not because of brightness, but to sharpen the image," she went on. "In dim lighting, this combination may significantly reduce retinal illumination."

The hypothesis suggests that when the retina is deprived of light during extended close-up work, it sends a signal for the eye to grow.

In a dim environment, the narrowed pupil allows so little light through that the retinal activity isn't strong enough to signal the eye to stop growing, the researchers found.

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In contrast, being outdoors provides light levels much brighter than indoors. This ensures that even when the pupil narrows to focus on a nearby object, the retina still receives a strong signal, maintaining healthy eye development.

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The team noted some limitations of the study, including the small subject group and the inability to directly measure internal lens changes, as the bright backgrounds used to mimic the outdoors made pupils too small for standard equipment.

"This is not a final answer," Jose-Manuel Alonso, MD, PhD, SUNY distinguished professor and senior author of the study, said in the release.

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"But the study offers a testable hypothesis that reframes how visual habits, lighting and eye focusing interact."

The study was published in the journal Cell Reports.

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Some 80-year-olds still have razor-sharp brains — and now scientists know why

Older adults classified as "SuperAgers" generate at least twice as many neurons in the hippocampus than their typical aging peers, a new study has revealed.

These findings, released on Wednesday by the University of Illinois Chicago and Northwestern University, could help explain why SuperAgers have exceptional memory and cognitive resilience even well past 80 years old.

Northwestern has been studying SuperAgers for decades, defining them as "extraordinary individuals aged 80 and above whose memory performance rivals that of people three decades younger." The researchers use special memory recall tests to make this determination.

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In this study, they analyzed post-mortem brain tissue — nearly 356,000 individual cell nuclei — with a focus on the hippocampus, which is essential for forming new memories and supporting learning and spatial navigation.

They compared tissue from SuperAgers, typical older adults, older adults with early dementia/Alzheimer’s and younger healthy adults.

The researchers found that SuperAgers produced at least twice as many new neurons compared to "cognitively normal" older adults and those with Alzheimer’s pathology.

They also found that changes in certain brain support cells (astrocytes) and key memory cells (CA1 neurons) are linked to preserved cognitive ability, helping to keep the brain sharp with age.

ALZHEIMER’S DECLINE COULD SLOW DRAMATICALLY WITH ONE SIMPLE DAILY HABIT, STUDY FINDS

The SuperAgers also had different genetic activity patterns in their brains compared to those in Alzheimer’s disease. 

"SuperAgers have more immature neurons and neuroblasts in the hippocampus, which is an indication of stronger neurogenesis when compared with other groups," study co-author Changiz Geula, research professor of cell and developmental biology and neuroscience at at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, told Fox News Digital.

"The study also showed that specific cells in the hippocampus show unique gene expression profiles that relate to neuronal function and transmission and are associated with superior cognitive function."

The findings were published in the journal Nature.

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"We’ve always said that SuperAgers show that the aging brain can be biologically active, adaptable and flexible, but we didn’t know why," said co-author Tamar Gefen, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a neuropsychologist at Northwestern’s Mesulam Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, in the release. 

"This is biological proof that their brains are more plastic, and a real discovery that shows that neurogenesis of young neurons in the hippocampus may be a contributing factor."

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, commented that the study discovered signs of plasticity and regeneration in SuperAgers.

"It confirmed not only preservation of brain tissue in the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory and cognition, but also regeneration and increased development of brain cells in that area," Siegel, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

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"This is an important study because it may lead to certain cell gene treatments that could lead to more SuperAgers," the doctor said. "It may also lead to more advanced testing to determine who will be a SuperAger and guide clinical treatment and management."

The study did have some limitations, primarily that the research relied on tissue samples taken at one specific point, instead of tracking changes over time.

Geula noted that studies using human brain tissue typically involve fewer cases than animal research, which can be a limitation. However, he emphasized that each case in this study was analyzed thoroughly.

"While these findings are not directly translatable to changes in everyday life and activities, they suggest that cognitive resilience is associated with greater integrity of many brain systems," he told Fox News Digital. "This implies that attending to brain health is crucial for maintaining cognitive function in old age."

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"Thus, maintaining good overall health by keeping systemic diseases in check, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise, and ensuring the elderly remain mentally active assume more importance."

The study was funded by the National Institute on Aging, which is part of the National Institutes of Health.

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One type of olive oil has a surprising effect on brainpower during aging

Olive oil has long been shown to benefit heart health, but a new Spanish study from Universitat Rovira i Virgili revealed that extra virgin olive oil may also protect brain health.

The study found that people who consumed virgin olive oil — rather than refined olive oil — had improved cognitive function and greater diversity in the gut biome, which the researchers claim is an "important marker of intestinal and metabolic health."

"This is the first prospective study in humans to specifically analyze the role of olive oil in the interaction between gut microbiota and cognitive function," lead study author Jiaqi Ni, researcher at the URV’s Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology in Spain, said in a press release.

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The study used two years of data from more than 600 people between the ages of 55 and 75 who were overweight or obese and had metabolic syndrome, factors that increase the risk of heart disease.

The researchers tracked the participants’ consumption of both refined and virgin olive oil, as well as their gut microbiota (the entire collection of living microorganisms in the human gut).

ALZHEIMER’S RISK TIED TO HOW THE BODY HANDLES SUGAR AFTER EATING, STUDY FINDS

The findings suggest that the uptick in diverse gut bacteria is the reason that people consuming virgin olive oil have improved brain health, according to the researchers. Those who consumed refined olive oil had less diversity in their gut over time.

The main difference between refined and virgin olive oils is how they are processed, the researchers said.

Refined olive oil undergoes industrial treatments to remove impurities. These treatments degrade the oil, stripping it of the natural antioxidants and vitamins that are beneficial to human health.

The team also did a follow-up to identify any changes in participants’ cognitive function. Those who consumed extra virgin olive oil showed improved memory, attention and executive function over two years.

Refined olive oil did not show the same cognitive benefits. 

"Not all olive oils have benefits for cognitive function," Ni noted.

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This research reinforces the idea that the quality of fat people consume is as important as the quantity, according to Jordi Salas-Salvadó, principal investigator of the study.

"Extra virgin olive oil not only protects the heart but can also help preserve the brain during aging," he said in the press release.

Because this was an observational study focused on older Mediterranean adults with specific health risks, the findings may not apply to the public, and the study does not prove that olive oil alone caused the cognitive changes. 

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The researchers noted that factors like smoking and lower education levels were more common among those using refined oil, which could skew results despite their best efforts to adjust the data. 

Additionally, the study relied on self-reported diets, which could have some risk of inaccuracies.

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The study was published in the journal Microbiome.

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Diabetes risk could be lower for people who live in certain US regions, study finds

Living at high altitudes may lower the risk of diabetes, and scientists believe they have finally figured out why.

A new study from the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco examined how red blood cells behave in low-oxygen environments. The findings, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, reveal that at high elevations, red blood cells begin absorbing large amounts of glucose from the bloodstream, acting as a "sponge" for sugar.

When oxygen levels drop, these cells then alter their metabolism to deliver oxygen more efficiently. 

DIABETES PATIENTS EXPERIENCE LOWER DEATH RATE WITH COMMON MEDICATION

This shift also lowers circulating blood sugar, which researchers say explains the lower diabetes risk seen in mountain-dwelling populations.

A previous study of over 285,000 adults in the United States found that people living at high altitudes (1,500-3,500 meters) were significantly less likely to have diabetes than those living at sea level, even after adjusting for factors like diet, age and ethnicity.

"Red blood cells represent a hidden compartment of glucose metabolism that has not been appreciated until now," said senior author Isha Jain, a Gladstone investigator and professor of biochemistry at UC San Francisco, in the press release. "This discovery could open up entirely new ways to think about controlling blood sugar."

Previously, Jain’s team conducted experiments on mice to better understand hypoxia, or reduced oxygen levels in the blood.

WHAT YOUR BUTT SHAPE COULD REVEAL ABOUT YOUR HEALTH, ACCORDING TO SCIENTISTS

Mice exposed to thin air cleared sugar from their bloodstream almost instantly after eating, a trait typically linked to a lower risk of diabetes. Initially, however, researchers couldn't figure out where the sugar was going.

"We looked at muscle, brain, liver — all the usual suspects — but nothing in these organs could explain what was happening," said Yolanda Martí-Mateos, a postdoctoral scholar in Jain’s lab and the study’s first author.

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The team discovered the answer using an alternative imaging method: the red blood cells themselves were the missing "glucose sink."

By using a different type of imaging, the team found that the red blood cells were holding onto the glucose.

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Under hypoxic conditions, the mice produced more red blood cells, and each cell absorbed significantly more glucose than they did in normal conditions.

The researchers even developed a drug, HypoxyStat, that mimics this high-altitude effect. In laboratory tests, the drug completely reversed high blood sugar in diabetic mice.

The researchers acknowledged some limitations with the study. The research focused on one specific mouse strain known for its sensitivity to blood sugar. While humans show similar results, testing other strains would confirm that the findings are universal.

To ensure consistent results, the team only studied young male mice. Because age and sex significantly impact how red blood cells are produced, more research is needed to determine whether these findings hold true for females and older populations.

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"This is just the beginning," Jain said.

"There's still so much to learn about how the whole body adapts to changes in oxygen, and how we could leverage these mechanisms to treat a range of conditions."

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Flu season could linger into spring as doctors warn of second wave on the way

Health experts are warning that the 2025-2026 flu season isn't over yet. In fact, people should prepare for the virus to linger well into the warmer months, according to Dr. Michael Glazier, chief medical officer and pediatrician at Bluebird Kids Health in Florida.

The current season is tracking with historical trends, the doctor said, as influenza A typically strikes first and most aggressively.

"The 2025-2026 flu season has followed this pattern, with influenza A cases presenting earlier in the season and causing the majority of illnesses," Glazier told Fox News Digital.

DOCTORS REVEAL TROUBLING SIGNS IN EARLY FLU TRENDS, WARN OF ‘UNUSUALLY BAD’ SEASON

"Now, however, in the middle of February, we are seeing the emergence of influenza B cases, in addition to the continued predominant presence of influenza A, which is not unusual, and which will most likely continue into the spring months," he added.

While the timing of the waves is typical, the intensity is not. This year has been marked by a new influenza A H3N2 variant known as Subclade K. 

This strain has proven particularly difficult for several reasons, according to Glazier. Its newness means the population has very little defense built up from previous infections, and there has also been a decrease in vaccinations nationwide.

HOW LONG YOU’RE CONTAGIOUS WITH THE FLU — AND WHEN IT’S SAFE TO GO OUT

The current vaccine has also shown to have decreased effectiveness against this specific strain.

"Although this was anticipated to be a more moderate flu season compared to recent years, the severity assessment determined by the CDC now ranks this as a high severity season for children," Glazier cautioned, noting that approximately 60 pediatric deaths have already been attributed to the Subclade K strain this year.

Glazier said it is "absolutely" not too late in the season to get the flu shot.

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"Even if you experienced an earlier influenza A infection, you can still get an influenza B infection," he said.

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Vaccination remains the best tool to minimize the duration and severity of the illness, even if the vaccine isn't a perfect match for the circulating strain, experts say.

Symptoms of spring allergies can differ from signs of the flu, Glazier said.

The flu is characterized by high fever, chills, body aches, night sweats, headaches and stomachaches, symptoms that are not caused by seasonal allergies.

Glazier urges parents not to ignore persistent or recurrent fever, especially if it doesn't respond to acetaminophen or ibuprofen. He also emphasizes monitoring hydration in children.

"Children become dehydrated more easily when sick compared to adults, and this worsens symptoms," he said.

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Adequate rest, hand hygiene, hydration and nourishment help bolster the body’s immune system and defense against viruses, the doctor added.

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Combination nasal spray vaccine could protect against COVID, flu and pneumonia at once

A single spritz could eventually offer simultaneous protection against several infectious diseases.

Researchers at Stanford Medicine have developed a new vaccine that could prevent multiple viruses at once, including COVID-19, influenza and pneumonia.

The vaccine is administered "intranasally" through a nasal spray, which provides "broad protection in the lungs for several months," according to a Stanford Medicine press release.

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Researchers claim this is the closest science has gotten to creating a universal vaccine that protects against respiratory viruses, bacteria and allergens.

The study, published in the journal Science, examined the impact of the vaccine on mice. The animals were given a drop in the nose, some receiving multiple doses a week apart.

Every mouse was then exposed to a respiratory virus. While vaccinated mice saw protection for at least three months, unvaccinated mice experienced dramatic weight loss due to illness, lung inflammation and death. Every vaccinated mouse survived and had clear lungs, the release stated.

The vaccinated mice were also found to be protected against SARS-CoV02 and other coronaviruses, as well as Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii — which are common hospital-acquired infections — and house dust mites, a common allergen.

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The universal vaccine does not target a single virus, but instead trains the immune system in the lungs to "provide broad protection against many different respiratory viruses," senior study author Bali Pulendran, PhD, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford, told Fox News Digital.

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"By reprogramming the innate immune cells that act within hours of infection, the vaccine prepares the lungs to fight off many different respiratory viruses, even new ones," he said.

If translated to humans, a vaccine like this could replace "multiple jabs every year for seasonal respiratory infections and be on hand should a new pandemic virus emerge," according to Pulendran.

"Imagine getting a nasal spray in the fall months that protects you from all respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and the common cold, as well as bacterial pneumonia and early spring allergens," the researcher said. "That would transform medical practice."

The results of the study suggest that the immune system can "be trained to mount a more generalized antiviral defense in the lungs," Pulendran added.

The researcher acknowledged that the study has some limitations. 

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It is a preclinical study conducted in animal models, making it an "important proof of concept rather than a finished human vaccine," Pulendran said.

"While the results are encouraging, additional studies are needed to determine safety, optimal dosing and effectiveness in people," he added.

This research should not change current medical advice, according to Pulendran, and the public should continue relying on approved vaccines and public health guidance.

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"Our goal is not to replace current vaccines, but to complement them by developing strategies that could provide an added layer of protection against a wide range of respiratory threats, including future pandemics," Pulendran added. "Translation to humans will require careful clinical testing."

The scientists' next step will be to test the vaccine in humans. With sufficient funding, Pulendran predicts that the vaccine could be available in five to seven years.

Dr. Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., the Arkansas-based medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, confirmed that there has "long been interest" in developing universal vaccines.

Hopkins, who was not involved in the study, cautioned that the immune responses in mice are not identical to those in humans.

"This process is a fascinating concept, and the study is very interesting, but many additional steps need to be completed successfully and safely before this could be considered in humans," he told Fox News Digital.

"It will likely take many years, require significant financial investment and involve multiple additional studies before we know whether this particular universal vaccine candidate can be safely given to humans and whether it will provide similar protection against respiratory bacteria and viruses."

The study received funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Violetta L. Horton Professor endowment, the Soffer Fund endowment and Open Philanthropy.

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Living at high altitudes could reduce risk of common disease, study suggests

Living at high altitudes may lower the risk of diabetes, and scientists believe they have finally figured out why.

A new study from the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco examined how red blood cells behave in low-oxygen environments. The findings, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, reveal that at high elevations, red blood cells begin absorbing large amounts of glucose from the bloodstream, acting as a "sponge" for sugar.

When oxygen levels drop, these cells then alter their metabolism to deliver oxygen more efficiently. 

DIABETES PATIENTS EXPERIENCE LOWER DEATH RATE WITH COMMON MEDICATION

This shift also lowers circulating blood sugar, which researchers say explains the lower diabetes risk seen in mountain-dwelling populations.

A previous study of over 285,000 adults in the United States found that people living at high altitudes (1,500-3,500 meters) were significantly less likely to have diabetes than those living at sea level, even after adjusting for factors like diet, age and ethnicity.

"Red blood cells represent a hidden compartment of glucose metabolism that has not been appreciated until now," said senior author Isha Jain, a Gladstone investigator and professor of biochemistry at UC San Francisco, in the press release. "This discovery could open up entirely new ways to think about controlling blood sugar."

Previously, Jain’s team conducted experiments on mice to better understand hypoxia, or reduced oxygen levels in the blood.

WHAT YOUR BUTT SHAPE COULD REVEAL ABOUT YOUR HEALTH, ACCORDING TO SCIENTISTS

Mice exposed to thin air cleared sugar from their bloodstream almost instantly after eating, a trait typically linked to a lower risk of diabetes. Initially, however, researchers couldn't figure out where the sugar was going.

"We looked at muscle, brain, liver — all the usual suspects — but nothing in these organs could explain what was happening," said Yolanda Martí-Mateos, a postdoctoral scholar in Jain’s lab and the study’s first author.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The team discovered the answer using an alternative imaging method: the red blood cells themselves were the missing "glucose sink."

By using a different type of imaging, the team found that the red blood cells were holding onto the glucose.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Under hypoxic conditions, the mice produced more red blood cells, and each cell absorbed significantly more glucose than they did in normal conditions.

The researchers even developed a drug, HypoxyStat, that mimics this high-altitude effect. In laboratory tests, the drug completely reversed high blood sugar in diabetic mice.

The researchers acknowledged some limitations with the study. The research focused on one specific mouse strain known for its sensitivity to blood sugar. While humans show similar results, testing other strains would confirm that the findings are universal.

To ensure consistent results, the team only studied young male mice. Because age and sex significantly impact how red blood cells are produced, more research is needed to determine whether these findings hold true for females and older populations.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"This is just the beginning," Jain said.

"There's still so much to learn about how the whole body adapts to changes in oxygen, and how we could leverage these mechanisms to treat a range of conditions."

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