We all know the best way to study is to have many short sessions instead of trying to learn everything in one all-night "cram" session. This is a basic rule for how our brain remembers things, and we call it the "spacing effect." Now, a surprising study shows that this rule isn't just for your brain cells.

It also works for all the other normal cells in your body! This proves that the timing of signals, when they arrive and the breaks between them, makes a huge difference in how cells "remember" and react. This suggests the same simple "learning rules" that help you pass a test are at work right down inside the tiniest parts of your body.

Do We Only Store Memories In Our Brain?

Researchers at New York University wanted to observe how human cells, not the brain kind, responded to different signal timings. They grew these cells in dishes and gave them a clever tool called a "reporter." This reporter was like a temporary tiny glow stick inside the cell.

When a specific gene inside the cell was turned on, the glow stick would briefly light up. This gave the scientists a live scoreboard to watch and see when the cell's internal machinery was actively working or "learning."

How Do Cells Communicate Memories?

To test how the cells learned, the scientists used special lab chemicals. These chemicals acted just like the body's natural signaling molecules that are known to help create long-term memories in animals.

These chemicals sent messages through special paths inside the cell, waking up important messenger proteins. You can think of these proteins as messengers who take a drumbeat from the outside world and carry it to the cell's main control center, the DNA, where all the important decisions are made.

Massed Signal (The Cram)

They gave the cells one single, long, continuous blast of the chemical signal, like trying to learn everything at once.

Spaced Signal (The Breaks)

They gave the cells the exact same total amount of chemical, but broken up into four short bursts with brief rest periods in between, like taking study breaks.

Do Normal Body Cells Also Have Memories?

The researchers then looked at the internal cell parts responsible for this memory effect. They focused on two proteins already known to be crucial for memory in neurons: ERK and CREB.

They found that the spaced signals created a much stronger and longer-lasting activation of both ERK and CREB. When the team blocked these two proteins, the special advantage of the spaced signals disappeared. This directly connects the spacing effect in non-brain cells to the same molecular switches used for memory in the brain.

How Do People Remember Things?

This discovery changes the definition of "learning." It's not just a trick of the brain; it appears to be a basic rule for how all cells process information over time. Cells are not simple on/off switches; they are noticing patterns—the number of pulses and the gaps between them.

This idea has major practical uses, especially in medicine. Today, doctors and researchers mainly focus on how much of a drug to give (the dose). This study suggests the schedule, or the timing, of that dose might be just as important.

In the future, giving smaller doses of medicine in well-timed pulses could encourage cells to have a stronger, longer lasting, and more helpful response than one large, single dose. Timing is now a powerful tool that can be used to design better treatments.

Breakfast is rightly called the most important meal. What you do in the first few hours after waking up, from what you drink to what you eat, sets the stage for your energy, mood, and digestion all day long.

Research has shown us that our gut health is connected to many different aspects, a major connection being gut-brain axis. Johns Hopkins Medicine explained that if you've ever trusted your "gut feeling" or felt butterflies when nervous, you were getting signals from a surprising source: your second brain. This "brain in your gut" is a huge network of nerves lining your digestive system.

For a long time, doctors thought that stress, anxiety, or depression caused these gut issues. But new studies show the opposite is also true: irritation in the gut can send signals up to the main brain that trigger changes in mood. This may explain why so many people with chronic bowel problems also develop depression and anxiety. So, to protect your gut's health, one must follow a healthy routine.

Top 10 Gut-Friendly Morning Habits

Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a highly trained gastroenterologist, recently shared his top ten habits for a healthy gut. He urges everyone to rethink their routine and adopt these simple practices:

Drink Warm Water First (Skip the Coffee Rush)

Start your day with one of these. Ginger helps with digestion, stops you from feeling sick, and reduces bloating. Lemon water gives your stomach a gentle nudge to start breaking down food.

Move Gently: Walk or Yoga

Do some light activity like a simple walk or yoga. Gentle movement helps blood flow and encourages your bowels to move regularly, keeping your gut bacteria happy.

Eat a High-Fibre Breakfast

A fibre-rich breakfast is essential. It helps with digestion and acts as food for the good bacteria in your gut. Choose foods like oats, fruit, and chia seeds to fight inflammation and keep your gut strong.

Always Add Protein

Pair your fibre with protein. This keeps you full longer, balances your blood sugar, and supports the strength of your gut lining. Balanced blood sugar prevents issues that can cause gut inflammation.

Stop Phone Scrolling While Eating

Focus on your meal—this is mindful eating. Distraction makes you eat too fast and chew less, leading to gas and bloating. Being focused helps your body absorb nutrients.

Sip Ginger Tea or Lemon Water

Start your day with one of these for an added boost. Ginger helps with digestion, relieves nausea, and reduces bloating. Lemon water contains a mild acid that helps wake up your stomach and aids in food breakdown.

Avoid Sugary Cereal

Skip the sweet, fast cereals. Too much sugar feeds bad bacteria, causing inflammation. Pick whole-grain, low-sugar options like oats or muesli instead.

Get Morning Sun Exposure

Sunlight helps set your body's internal clock, which is connected to good digestion. Early morning sun supports healthy gut bacteria and boosts your immune system.

Use Psyllium (If You're Constipated)

A 2023 study published in the Journal of the American Association of Nurse explained that Practitioners, Psyllium husk is a natural fiber that helps keep your bowel movements regular. Just remember to drink lots of water when you take it to avoid feeling bloated.

Check Your Poop

It sounds odd, but checking your stool daily is a simple way to monitor your digestion. Changes in color or texture can signal that you need more fiber or water. Healthy stool is usually soft and smooth.

A leading cardiologist has issued a major warning: some of our everyday habits could be silently causing a deadly health risk called an aortic aneurysm. Dr. Evan Levine, a board-certified cardiologist in New York, shared a list of ten common behaviors he frequently sees contributing to this serious condition.

An aortic aneurysm is a dangerous swelling or ballooning in the aorta, which is the body's main artery. If it bursts, it causes massive internal bleeding and can lead to sudden death, often with no prior warning. Dr. Levine stressed that while some risk factors are passed down through family genetics, many are things people do to themselves.

What Is The Biggest Risk Factor Of Aortic Aneurysm?

According to Dr. Levine, the single worst offender is cocaine. He called it "jet fuel" for the aorta, saying it forces the artery to expand and sickens the body. Even using it just once in a while can cause dangerous and sudden spikes in blood pressure, which puts immense stress on artery walls.

The second biggest offender according to him is smoking, which he described to be a lighter version of cocaine because it also drives up blood pressure, damages arteries, and causes fatty buildup also known as cholesterol. For those who have switched to e-cigarettes and vapes, his message is clear: they are all equally bad. The other dangers he listed were,

Extreme Heavy Lifting

Dr. Levine warned against intense, all-out weightlifting, especially for older people. He clarified he wasn't talking about regular resistance exercise, but rather the kind of lifting where a person is "screaming out their lungs." This kind of strain can rapidly spike blood pressure and seriously stress the aorta.

Overused Antibiotics

Certain common antibiotics, specifically those called fluoroquinolones (like ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin), are an overlooked risk. Dr. Levine warned that overusing these drugs can weaken the inside walls of blood vessels, making them more likely to develop an aneurysm.

ADHD Stimulants

The long-term use of stimulant medications like Adderall and Ritalin is also a growing concern. Dr. Levine noted he is seeing younger people with unexplained enlarged aortas, and these drugs are often the cause because they increase blood pressure. He advised taking them only when necessary and not for decades.

Quitting Statins

He warned that suddenly stopping statins (drugs that control cholesterol) will quickly increase cholesterol and inflammation, which significantly raises the risk of an aneurysm.

Avoiding Blood Pressure Meds

He also cautioned against avoiding blood pressure tablets based on the outdated belief that it is "normal" for blood pressure to rise as you get older. He said this belief from 60 years ago is wrong, and high blood pressure must be treated.

Heavy Drinking

Drinking a lot of alcohol often makes your blood pressure and fat levels too high. This constant strain greatly increases your chance of developing a dangerous ballooning, or aneurysm, especially in the sensitive blood vessels of the brain.

Junk Food Diet

Eating many meals high in salt and calories causes weight gain and leads to high blood pressure. This dangerous combination puts extra stress on your main arteries, significantly increasing the risk and danger of an aortic aneurysm.

Not Enough Fiber

Surprisingly, a lack of fiber can be risky. When you become constipated, the effort and straining needed for bowel movements raises pressure inside your body. This sudden spike can increase the risk of an aneurysm rupturing.

How Is Aortic Aneurysm Treated?

According to the US National Lung, and Blood Institute, aneurysm treatment depends on its size and location. If the aneurysm is small, doctors often manage it by focusing on a healthy lifestyle and controlling conditions like high blood pressure to slow its growth. Large or ruptured aneurysms need surgery. Doctors can use Open Surgical Repair (traditional surgery with a large cut) or the less invasive EVAR method (using a small cut to place a tube called a stent graft).

As October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s the perfect time to educate yourself about breast cancer symptoms. While some signs are well-known, there are a few that are less obvious but can be crucial for early detection. Identifying them promptly can make a significant difference in diagnosis. Here’s a closer look at the lesser-known breast cancer symptoms that oncologists advise spotting early.

Early Symptoms Of Breast Cancer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), early warning signs of breast cancer include lumps in the breast or underarm, changes in skin texture such as dimpling or an “orange peel” appearance, nipple changes like retraction or blood-stained discharge, and swelling or discomfort in the breast or armpit. Any unusual or new changes in size, shape, or texture should be examined by a doctor to determine the cause.

Other important signs may include dry, red, or flaky skin on the breast, persistent tenderness, and swelling or lumps in the lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbone.

What Is Metastatic Breast Cancer?

Metastatic breast cancer, also called Stage IV breast cancer, occurs when the disease spreads from the breast to distant organs, such as the bones, liver, lungs, or brain. While it cannot be cured, treatments like hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted medications, and immunotherapy can help control the cancer, extend life, and improve quality of life. Symptoms vary depending on which organs are affected and may include bone pain, shortness of breath, ongoing fatigue, and headaches, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Can Men Get Breast Cancer?

Yes, men can develop breast cancer because they also have breast tissue, though it is much less common, accounting for under 1% of all cases. The most frequent type in men is invasive ductal carcinoma, and symptoms to watch for include lumps or swelling, skin changes, or nipple discharge. Risk factors for men include older age, a family history of breast cancer, and certain medical conditions or treatments, according to the CDC.

What Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a global health campaign observed every October. The initiative encourages screening and aims to reduce the risk of breast cancer, which affects around 2.3 million women worldwide. Recognised by its signature pink color, the campaign includes programs and activities that:

• Support people diagnosed with breast cancer, including those with metastatic disease
• Educate the public about risk factors for breast cancer
• Encourage women to undergo regular breast cancer screening starting at age 40, or earlier depending on individual risk
• Raise funds for breast cancer research

October also features specific days to highlight awareness for different groups within the breast cancer community, ensuring that education and support reach everyone affected by the disease.