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Not a Safe Alternative: Research Shows Herbal Cigarettes Are as Harmful as Tobacco Cigarettes

Herbal cigarettes are often marketed as natural, tobacco-free, and even therapeutic alternatives to conventional cigarettes. However, a new study by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) found that herbal cigarettes are not safer than tobacco cigarettes and may produce emissions that are equally or more harmful.

Published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, the study compared the physical, chemical, and oxidative properties of mainstream smoke from commercially available herbal and tobacco cigarettes sold in India. Researchers examined two leading tobacco brands and four herbal cigarette brands containing ingredients such as basil, clove, cinnamon, mint, green tea, water lily, and chamomile.

Using a sealed, automated two-chamber system designed to simulate human inhalation, the team analysed smoke emissions in real time and collected particle samples for detailed chemical and physical characterisation. They also measured the oxidative potential of the smoke, a key indicator of its ability to cause biological damage.

The results challenged the common perception that tobacco-free products are less harmful. According to Professor Sameer Patel of IITGN, emissions from herbal cigarettes were comparable to or exceeded those from tobacco cigarettes across nearly all measures. In particular, herbal cigarettes wrapped in tendu leaves—the same leaves commonly used in bidis—were found to be the most hazardous.

One major finding was that herbal cigarettes emitted about 20% more ultrafine particles smaller than 500 nanometres than tobacco cigarettes. These particles are associated with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The researchers also found significantly higher oxidative potential in herbal cigarette smoke, with tendu-leaf-wrapped products showing approximately 49% higher oxidative potential than paper-wrapped versions. Surprisingly, one basil-filled herbal cigarette marketed as “chemical-free” contained the highest concentration of lead among all products tested.

The study also highlighted important regulatory concerns. While India’s Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) regulates tobacco products through warning labels, advertising restrictions, and public-smoking rules, many tobacco-free herbal cigarettes fall outside these regulations. Researchers noted that some products were promoted as helping with coughs, sleep, or anxiety despite limited scientific evidence regarding their emissions or health effects.

Although the study did not directly examine disease outcomes, it demonstrated that the combustion process and resulting smoke particles, rather than the product’s marketing claims, determine potential health risks. Released ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, the findings underscore the need for stronger regulation of herbal cigarette marketing and add to growing evidence that so-called tobacco alternatives may pose significant public health concerns.

More information: Alok Kumar Thakur et al, The lure of ‘Healthier Smoke’: Comparative physical, chemical, and oxidative potential characterization of emissions from herbal and tobacco cigarettes, Journal of Hazardous Materials. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.142424

Journal information: Journal of Hazardous Materials Provided by Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar

Tick Defence: Prevention in Action

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Few creatures are as widely disliked as ticks. Despite their small size, these parasites have a major impact on human and animal health by spreading viruses and bacteria to people, livestock, wildlife, and pets worldwide. Researchers at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine are working to understand better how ticks transmit disease and how those processes can be disrupted.

In a study published in The EMBO Journal, professor Hameeda Sultana and colleagues identified a tick protein that may help block disease transmission before infection occurs. Supported by the National Institutes of Health, the research highlights the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture’s contributions to advancing knowledge of vector-borne diseases.

Building on earlier discoveries made between 2018 and 2020, Sultana’s laboratory was the first to identify exosomes derived from tick saliva, salivary glands, and tick and mosquito cells. Exosomes are microscopic membrane-bound vesicles that carry proteins and other biological signals between cells and tissues. During feeding, ticks release saliva containing these vesicles, which help them evade host immune responses and may facilitate pathogen transmission.

The research team discovered that ticks produce an exosomal glycine-rich protein that plays a key role in feeding and virus transmission. When researchers used genetic tools to silence the gene responsible for this protein, ticks fed less effectively, gained less weight, and carried significantly lower levels of virus. These findings build on years of research examining how microscopic vesicles influence interactions between ticks, pathogens, and hosts.

The discovery has important implications for disease prevention. Researchers believe the protein could serve as a target for a transmission-blocking vaccine. Rather than targeting a virus directly, this approach targets a molecule within the tick, preventing successful feeding or pathogen transmission. By interrupting the process at an early stage, infections may be stopped before reaching the host.

According to faculty collaborator Girish Neelakanta, understanding tick biology can reveal new opportunities to reduce the spread of multiple pathogens. Researchers increasingly view exosomes as promising targets because of their central role in tick feeding and pathogen interactions. Continued study of these vesicles may lead to innovative exosome-based strategies for controlling vector-borne diseases.

As tick-borne diseases continue to rise globally, new prevention approaches are urgently needed. The identification of this exosomal protein adds to a growing body of research exploring how parasites communicate with their hosts at the microscopic level. By uncovering the hidden mechanisms ticks use to spread disease, scientists are paving the way for practical advances in both human and animal health. In the future, these tiny biological messengers may play a major role in preventing the transmission of vector-borne diseases.

More information: Waqas Ahmed et al, Arthropod exosomal glycine-rich protein as a potential vaccine candidate effectively reduces tick blood-feeding and pathogen transmission, The EMBO Journal. DOI: 10.1038/s44318-026-00709-z

Journal information: The EMBO Journal Provided by University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture

Microplastics Disrupt the Immune Response to Allergens

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Tiny fragments of plastic are now found almost everywhere in our environment—from the air we breathe to the food we eat. While concerns about their impact on ecosystems have grown for years, scientists are only beginning to understand how these microscopic particles affect human health. New research led by the Medical University of Vienna suggests that microplastics may do more than accumulate in the body—they may actively alter the immune system and worsen allergic inflammation.

In a study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances, researchers investigated the effects of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one of the world’s most commonly used plastics. PET is found in everyday products such as beverage bottles, food packaging, textiles, and even certain medical materials. Using a mouse model, the team examined how PET microplastics of different sizes and concentrations influenced immune responses.

The findings revealed that after a single exposure through the respiratory tract, medium-sized PET microplastic particles remained in the lungs for at least two weeks. During that time, the particles triggered an inflammatory response marked by increased numbers of lymphocytes and eosinophils—immune cells closely linked to allergic reactions and asthma.

The effects became even more striking when the mice were simultaneously exposed to ragweed pollen, a common environmental allergen. Under certain conditions, the combination of microplastics and pollen intensified airway inflammation, suggesting that microplastics may amplify the body’s response to allergens. Additional experiments showed that when PET microplastics were introduced together with other allergens, they altered immune activity throughout the body, increasing inflammation and changing the production of antibodies directed against those allergens.

“Our study shows that PET microplastics do not simply remain in the body, but actively influence immune responses involved in the development and exacerbation of allergic reactions and inflammation,” said lead investigator Michelle Epstein of the Experimental Allergy Laboratory at the Medical University of Vienna.

Although the study was conducted in mice and the findings cannot be directly applied to humans, the results provide important clues about the potential health consequences of the growing microplastic burden in our environment. The researchers stress that further studies are needed to determine how real-world exposure to microplastics may affect human immune function and allergic disease. As evidence continues to emerge, these tiny particles are proving to be much more than an environmental concern—they may also represent an important public health challenge.

More information: Sahar Kazemi et al, Respirable polyethylene terephthalate microplastics modulate airway inflammation and immune responses in murine allergen co-exposure models, Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances. DOI: 10.1016/j.hazadv.2026.101223

Journal information: Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances Provided by Medical University of Vienna

The New Normal: Elevated Perfectionism in Young Adults

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Research published by the American Psychological Association suggests that college students today experience significantly greater pressure to be perfect than students did a generation ago. The study found that levels of perfectionism have steadily increased over the past several decades, raising concerns because perfectionism is closely linked to depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. According to lead author Thomas Curran, PhD, of the London School of Economics and Political Science, understanding the rise in perfectionism is essential to addressing the growing youth mental health crisis.

The findings, published in Psychological Bulletin, build on earlier research showing that perfectionism among university students had risen through 2017. To determine whether this trend had continued and to better understand its causes, researchers conducted a comprehensive review of 307 studies carried out between 1989 and 2024. The analysis included more than 82,000 college students from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, all of whom completed widely used measures of perfectionism.

The researchers found that self-reported perfectionism increased consistently over the 35-year study period. However, not all forms of perfectionism grew at the same pace. Since the early 2000s, “perfectionistic concerns” — including fear of failure, self-doubt, indecisiveness, and worries about being negatively judged by others — have risen much more rapidly than “perfectionistic strivings,” which reflect setting exceptionally high standards and working hard to achieve them. This suggests that young adults are becoming increasingly concerned about mistakes and external evaluation rather than simply striving for excellence.

To better understand the forces driving these changes, the researchers examined broader economic conditions over time and across countries. Their analysis revealed that slower growth in gross domestic product (GDP) per capita was associated with higher levels of perfectionistic striving. At the same time, increasing economic inequality was linked to sharper rises in perfectionistic concerns. These findings suggest that economic conditions may shape how young people view themselves and their prospects for success.

According to Curran, when economic opportunities become more limited, young people may respond by pushing themselves harder in an effort to succeed. At the same time, widening inequality appears to intensify fears about making mistakes and falling behind others. In such environments, concerns about social comparison, achievement, and external judgement may become more central to young people’s lives. The researchers argue that these cultural and economic pressures may help explain why perfectionism has become increasingly common among today’s students.

Importantly, the relationship between perfectionism and mental health remained consistent throughout the study period. Students with higher levels of perfectionism were more likely to report symptoms of depression and anxiety, regardless of when they were surveyed. Because perfectionism itself has become more prevalent over time, the researchers suggest it may be contributing to broader increases in mental health difficulties among young people. While social media and smartphones are often blamed for worsening youth mental health, the researchers note that rising perfectionism predates these technologies, pointing to deeper cultural and economic forces that deserve greater attention.

More information: Thomas Curran et al, Perfectionism Is Accelerating Over Time: A Cross-Temporal Meta-Analytic Review of 35 Years of College Student Data, Psychological Bulletin. DOI: 10.1037/bul0000518

Journal information: Psychological Bulletin Provided by American Psychological Association

Eat Well and Spend Less: AI Highlights Practical Food Swap Strategies

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A new study published in the open-access journal PLOS Digital Health suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) can help people eat healthier and spend less by recommending just one to three ingredient swaps in their meals. Trevor Chan and Ilias Tagkopoulos conducted the research at the University of California, Davis.

Although dietary guidelines for preventing chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease are well established, many people struggle to apply them to everyday meals. Existing dietary tools often require extensive changes, making healthy eating difficult to sustain.

To address this challenge, the researchers analyzed 135,491 meals reported by 55,228 adults in the What We Eat in America study. Using these data, they trained a generative AI model to create realistic breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals that reflected common eating patterns while improving nutritional quality.

The AI-generated meals were 47% closer to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutritional targets than comparable real-world meals, while remaining similar in flavour profiles and meal types. When the model recommended one to three ingredient substitutions, nutritional quality improved by about 10%, and estimated meal costs fell by 22% to 34%.

Common recommendations included adding vegetables or legumes and replacing highly processed or high-sodium foods with healthier alternatives. The specialized AI model also outperformed GPT-4o in generating meals that more closely aligned with USDA macronutrient guidelines.

While the findings have not yet been tested with real users, the researchers believe the approach could help translate dietary guidelines into practical, affordable meal improvements. Their results suggest that healthier eating does not require a complete overhaul of familiar meals; in many cases, a few targeted ingredient swaps may be enough to make meals both more nutritious and more cost-effective while preserving the foods people enjoy.

More information: Trevor Chan et al, Translating dietary standards into healthy meals with few-ingredient substitutions, PLOS Digital Health. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0001367

Journal information: PLOS Digital Health Provided by PLOS

Insufficient Protein Consumption May Contribute to Functional Decline with Age

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Researchers have found that consuming lower amounts of protein-rich foods may negatively affect physical functioning as people grow older, highlighting the important role protein plays in maintaining muscle strength, mobility, and independence in later life. In a study published in the journal Nutrients, an international team of researchers reported that everyday dietary habits, particularly the regular consumption of protein-rich foods, can influence how well people move and carry out daily activities as they age.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, Roskilde University in Denmark, the University of Helsinki in Finland, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University in Pakistan, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences in Saudi Arabia, and the Medical University of Vienna in Austria. Led by Dr. Rizwan Qaisar, associate professor of muscle cell physiology at the University of Sharjah, the team analyzed data from more than 38,000 adults aged 50 and older across 27 European countries using information from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe. Participants were followed over several years, allowing researchers to examine the relationship between long-term dietary patterns and changes in physical functioning.

The analysis found that adults who regularly consumed lower amounts of protein-rich foods, including eggs, legumes, fish, and poultry, were more likely to experience declines in muscle strength and increasing difficulty performing everyday tasks over time. According to Dr. Qaisar, individuals with consistently low protein intake were more likely to report challenges with activities such as walking short distances, climbing stairs, reaching overhead, and managing routine errands like grocery shopping. These associations were especially apparent among older adults, with some differences observed between men and women.

Functional impairments, including difficulties with walking, maintaining balance, rising from a chair, and climbing stairs, are common consequences of aging. However, the researchers suggest that inadequate protein intake may contribute to these declines. “Simple movements such as walking, standing up, or carrying groceries require muscle strength, balance, and coordination,” said Dr. Qaisar. “When protein intake is low over long periods, the body may struggle to maintain these systems, increasing the risk of functional decline and loss of independence.” The authors noted that declining physical function can reduce quality of life while increasing the risk of falls, hospitalization, and admission to long-term care facilities.

Rather than focusing on supplements or specialized diets, the study examined real-world eating habits and the role of commonly consumed foods such as milk, yogurt, eggs, legumes, fish, and poultry. Because dietary habits can be modified, the findings point to practical opportunities for promoting healthier aging. The researchers suggest that identifying older adults with low protein intake may allow for early, low-cost interventions aimed at preserving strength, mobility, and independence. They noted that while protein’s importance for muscle health is well established, its long-term effects on physical function across different age groups and between men and women have received relatively little attention.

As populations continue to age worldwide, the authors argue that simple lifestyle factors such as daily food choices may play an important role in supporting active and independent living. Their findings showed that lower habitual protein intake was associated with greater odds of reduced handgrip strength and mobility-related limitations among older adults. The relationship between protein intake and handgrip strength was stronger in men, while functional limitations such as difficulty walking 100 metres, stooping, kneeling, reaching above shoulder height, and shopping for groceries were reported more frequently among women. “Altogether, this study demonstrates that lower habitual protein intake is associated with a higher likelihood of short-term incident muscle weakness and functional difficulties among older European adults,” the authors concluded. “These findings suggest that habitual protein intake may play a contributory role in maintaining physical function in aging populations.”

More information: Rizwan Qaisar et al, Low Protein Intake Is Associated with the Risk of Functional Impairment in Older Adults in an Age- and Gender-Specific Manner: A SHARE-Based Study, Nutrients. DOI: 10.3390/nu18071058

Journal information: Nutrients Provided by University of Sharjah

Long-Term Research Indicates Health Problems Emerging Earlier for Younger Generations in the UK

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Younger generations in the UK appear to be experiencing poorer health earlier in life than previous generations, according to a review of studies comparing national birth cohort datasets involving tens of thousands of people born since 1946.

The trend, described by researchers as a “generational health drift”, was most consistently observed for obesity and mental ill health. Evidence of worsening diabetes outcomes was also identified when comparing Generation X with Baby Boomers. Drawing on findings from more than 50 studies, the review suggests that more recently born generations may spend a greater proportion of their lives in poor health.

Researchers say improvements in healthcare, screening, or diagnostic practices cannot fully explain the findings. Generational differences were observed for obesity, which does not depend on diagnosis, and for diabetes when objective biomarkers were used. Mental health comparisons were also based on self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety rather than formal diagnoses.

The research team from University College London, King’s College London, and University of Oxford examined changes in physical and mental health across generations born after the Second World War. Health outcomes were compared across cohorts at similar ages.

The findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal Population Studies, have important implications for future healthcare and social care needs. The authors note that worsening health trends have emerged despite declines in smoking, higher levels of educational attainment, and improved material conditions in early life.

Lead author Laura Gimeno said evidence suggests that more recent generations are experiencing an earlier onset of poor health, particularly obesity and mental ill health. She added that the findings indicate society is not reaching the biological limits of health improvement, but instead seeing the long-term effects of preventable social and environmental exposures.

The researchers warn that the “generational health drift” carries serious implications for policy, planning, and funding as increasing numbers of people live with long-term health conditions. By 2050, one-quarter of the British population is projected to be aged 65 or older, increasing pressures on health and social care systems as well as the wider economy.

Although life expectancy in the UK improved substantially during the twentieth century, gains in healthy life expectancy have slowed or stalled since the early 2010s. According to Professor George Ploubidis, recent declines in healthy life expectancy are likely being driven by worsening mental and physical health among more recent generations. The review included evidence from 51 studies published up to June 2024 covering conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer.

More information: Laura Gimeno et al, The generational health drift: A systematic review of evidence from the British birth cohort studies, Population Studies. DOI: 10.1080/00324728.2026.2652038

Journal information: Population Studies Provided by Taylor & Francis Group

New Research Suggests the Ageing Brain May Be More Resilient and Adaptable Than Previously Thought

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A landmark study recently published in the journal Nature Portfolio Scientific Reports suggests that cognitive decline is not an inevitable part of ageing. Researchers from the Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas found that adults ranging in age from 19 to 94 were able to measurably improve their brain performance through ongoing and targeted brain-healthy practices.

The three-year longitudinal study followed nearly 4,000 participants using the BrainHealth Index, a multidimensional tool designed to measure overall brain fitness. Unlike conventional approaches that focus mainly on identifying deficits or disease, the BrainHealth Index evaluates broader aspects of brain health, including thinking skills, social connectedness, emotional balance, and mental resilience.

Researchers observed meaningful improvements in brain health across participants of all ages and performance levels. Even individuals who initially scored among the highest continued to show gains over more than 1,000 days of follow-up, suggesting that the brain may retain the capacity for ongoing optimisation throughout life.

The study also found that participants who entered the programme with the lowest baseline scores experienced some of the greatest rates of improvement. These findings suggest that poorer brain health does not necessarily predetermine future decline and that meaningful progress remains possible even for those starting at a disadvantage.

Improvements were closely linked to consistency and engagement with daily brain-healthy practices. Participants who regularly completed short periods of micro-training lasting between five and fifteen minutes, while also integrating brain-healthy habits into everyday life, achieved the greatest improvements in brain health scores. Benefits were observed equally among younger adults and those in their seventies and eighties, challenging the belief that proactive brain health efforts are only relevant later in life.

The research further highlighted what investigators described as a rebound effect, showing that many participants were able to maintain or even strengthen brain health during major life stressors such as illness, caregiving responsibilities, or job loss. These findings reinforce the idea that brain health is dynamic and adaptable rather than fixed, and that cognitive resilience can be strengthened through intentional strategies and training.

The study was conducted as part of The BrainHealth Project, a long-term research initiative exploring ways to strengthen and optimise brain health across the lifespan. Delivered online and through a mobile app, the programme combines brain strategy training, lifestyle guidance, personalised coaching, and ongoing performance tracking. Researchers say the findings underscore the importance of moving beyond one-size-fits-all approaches and instead supporting personalised pathways that help individuals continually invest in their brain health and cognitive performance throughout life.

More information: Lori Cook et al, Measuring and increasing the brain health span across adulthood: a public health imperative, Scientific Reports. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-51403-3

Journal information: Scientific Reports Provided by Center for BrainHealth

The Arts and Healthy Ageing: Evidence of a Slower Ageing Pace

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Regular participation in arts and cultural activities such as reading, listening to music, or visiting museums and galleries may help slow the pace of biological ageing, according to a new study by researchers at University College London. Published in the journal Innovation in Aging, the study analysed survey responses and blood samples from 3,556 adults in the UK to examine how arts engagement relates to biological ageing.

Researchers found that people who participated more frequently in arts and cultural activities, and who engaged in a wider range of activities, appeared to have a slower pace of ageing and a younger biological age. These findings were based on chemical changes to DNA known as DNA methylation, which can influence how the body ages without changing a person’s genetic code.

The apparent benefits of arts engagement were similar to those associated with physical activity. People who took part in arts activities at least once a week appeared to age 4% more slowly than those who rarely engaged, a difference comparable to that seen between people who exercised weekly and those who did not exercise at all. The associations were particularly strong among adults aged 40 and older and remained significant after accounting for factors such as smoking, BMI, income, and education.

Lead author Daisy Fancourt said the findings provide biological evidence that arts and cultural engagement can support health in ways similar to exercise. She added that participating in a variety of activities may be especially beneficial because different forms of art may offer physical, cognitive, emotional, and social stimulation.

Senior author Feifei Bu noted that the study adds to growing evidence linking the arts to improved health outcomes, including reduced stress, lower inflammation, and better cardiovascular health. The researchers used seven “epigenetic clocks” to estimate biological age and pace of ageing by examining age-related DNA changes. The newest tools, DunedinPoAm and DunedinPACE, were the most sensitive in detecting links between arts engagement and slower ageing.

Using the DunedinPACE measure, engaging in arts activities at least three times a year was linked to 2% slower ageing, monthly participation to 3% slower ageing, and weekly participation to 4% slower ageing compared to infrequent engagement. Another measure, PhenoAge, found that people who participated in arts and cultural activities weekly were biologically about one year younger on average than those who rarely engaged. Older epigenetic measures did not detect similar associations, which researchers suggested may reflect their lower sensitivity to age-related decline.

More information: Daisy Fancourt et al, Does leisure activity matter for epigenetic aging? Analyses of arts engagement and physical activity in the UK Household Longitudinal Study, Innovation in Aging. DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igag038

Journal information: Innovation in Aging Provided by University College London

Daily Rest-Activity Patterns Correlate with the Pace of Biological Ageing

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Adults with stronger and more consistent daily patterns of rest and activity may experience slower biological aging, according to a new study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The researchers found that individuals with clearer distinctions between daytime activity and nighttime rest, less fragmented daily rhythms, and more stable day-to-day patterns showed signs of being biologically younger based on blood-test measures of physiological aging.

The study analyzed data from 207 adults participating in the long-running Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area cohort study. Participants wore wrist-based actigraphy devices for approximately seven consecutive days to measure their rest-activity rhythms. Researchers then compared these data with four established epigenetic “clocks” derived from blood samples—Horvath, Hannum, PhenoAge, and GrimAge—which estimate physiological aging based on DNA-related biological markers.

The findings showed that stronger and more regular rest-activity rhythms were significantly associated with lower physiological age scores, particularly on the GrimAge and PhenoAge measures. These relationships remained significant after accounting for chronological age and other factors such as sex, education, and health conditions. The associations appeared stronger among women and white participants.

The study’s co-senior author, Adam Spira, said the findings suggest that rest-activity rhythms could become useful indicators of physiological aging and may eventually serve as targets for interventions aimed at slowing the aging process. Co-senior author Brion Maher noted that the results may actually underestimate the true association because the study involved older adults who had survived and remained healthy enough to participate. Lead author Chunyu Liu emphasized the need for future longitudinal studies to determine whether disrupted rhythms contribute to accelerated aging or result from it.

Scientists have increasingly used wearable devices to monitor rest-activity rhythms in everyday life. Previous research has linked weaker and more fragmented rhythms to brain atrophy, mild cognitive impairment, dementia, psychiatric disorders, and certain cancers. Although rest-activity rhythms naturally weaken with age, chronological age alone may not fully reflect biological decline, which can also be influenced by factors such as inflammation, high blood sugar, and smoking.

The researchers hope future studies and clinical trials will determine whether strengthening and stabilizing daily rest-activity rhythms can help slow physiological aging. They also anticipate that wearable technologies may eventually allow older adults and clinicians to monitor biological aging and related health risks more easily in routine daily life.

More information: Chunyu Liu et al, Twenty-Four–Hour Rest-Activity Rhythms and Epigenetic Age Acceleration in Middle-Aged and Older Adults, JAMA Network Open. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.11474

Journal information: JAMA Network Open Provided by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

The Upside of Ageing: Regret May Fade Over Time

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Older adults tend to report fewer recent regrets than younger adults, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. While people of different ages reported a similar number of long-term regrets, older adults experienced less anger and frustration when reflecting on past mistakes and missed opportunities. The findings suggest that both age and time influence how people emotionally process regret.

“Regrets are incredibly common. Almost all of us experience big regrets in our personal and professional lives – from marrying the wrong person to never finishing college,” says lead author Julia Nolte of Tilburg University. “The good news is that for many of us, the experience of regret seems to become less negative with age.” The study was published in the journal Emotion.

The researchers surveyed 90 U.S. adults between the ages of 21 and 89. Participants listed up to five recent regrets from the past year and five long-term regrets. They then described and rated their most significant recent and long-term regrets, including the emotions involved, how controllable the situations felt, and how they were coping with them. Older adults reported fewer and less emotionally intense recent regrets and were more likely to regret missed opportunities rather than wrong actions.

According to Nolte, more research is needed to understand why aging changes the experience of regret and whether some differences reflect generational experiences rather than age itself. Future studies may also examine whether regret serves different psychological purposes across the lifespan. “It is assumed that regret helps us make better choices moving forward,” Nolte says. “But older adults may derive other benefits from regret, such as a chance to reflect or look for meaning.”

More information: Julia Nolte et al, Adult age differences in the response to and regulation of recent versus long-term regrets, Emotion. DOI: 10.1037/emo0001672

Journal information: Emotion Provided by American Psychological Association

Healthy Ageing in the Digital Era

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As Australia and many countries around the world experience rapidly ageing populations, technology is increasingly viewed as a solution to help older adults live safely, independently and well. However, a new study led by researchers at Flinders University warns that innovation alone is not enough. The paper, published in the international journal Digital Health, argues that without thoughtful design, ethical safeguards and meaningful involvement of older people, technology may fail to support those it is intended to help.

The study explores how smart technologies such as home sensors, wearable devices and artificial intelligence can support healthy aging while protecting dignity, autonomy and human connection. According to lead author Dr Claire Gough, the conversation about ageing and technology must move beyond the assumption that new devices automatically improve care. She emphasises that technology is not simply about devices, but also about people, relationships, values and the environments in which older adults live.

Smart technologies can provide important benefits. Devices that detect falls, monitor routines or support medication reminders may help older adults remain in their homes longer while providing reassurance to families and caregivers. Virtual assistants and personalised applications may also encourage physical activity, healthy eating and social engagement. Despite these potential advantages, adoption among older adults remains lower than expected.

Researchers found that one major barrier is that many technologies are developed without fully understanding the lived experiences of ageing. Older adults often express concerns about privacy, loss of control and constant monitoring within their homes. Dr Gough notes that if technology feels intrusive or disrespectful, people are unlikely to embrace it, regardless of how advanced it may be. The study also highlights that decisions about technology are often influenced by families, caregivers and healthcare professionals, particularly when systems are difficult to use or create ethical concerns.

The paper further examines how homes are evolving into digitally connected environments where information may be continuously collected and shared. While these systems can improve safety, they may also alter feelings of comfort, autonomy and privacy within the home. Researchers stress the importance of asking critical questions about who controls data, who can access it and how it is ultimately used. The authors strongly advocate for co-design approaches that involve older adults from the earliest stages of development to ensure technologies are practical, respectful and culturally appropriate.

The study concludes that technology should enhance rather than replace human care. Nurses, care workers and families play a critical role in helping older adults use digital tools effectively, and education in digital skills and ethics is essential. The authors also call for stronger policy support, improved affordability and greater digital inclusion, particularly in rural communities. Dr Gough emphasises that the future of ageing is not only a technological challenge, but a human one, and that dignity, choice and equity must remain at the centre of innovation to support healthy ageing in the digital era.

More information: Claire Gough et al, Beyond innovation: Reimagining inclusive and ethical technologies for ageing populations, Digital Health. DOI: 10.1177/20552076261418907

Journal information: Digital Health Provided by Flinders University