Chronic loneliness in young and middle-aged adults may have long-term consequences for brain health, a new study from Penn State University suggests. The research, recently published in *BMC Public Health*, shows that people who experience persistent feelings of loneliness over time may be at higher risk for early cognitive decline.

The study, conducted by the Penn State Department of Human Development and Family Studies, tracked 172 adults aged between 25 and 65 years over two years as part of the ESCAPE Project (Effects of Stress on Cognitive Aging, Physiology, and Emotion). The researchers assessed participants' cognitive performance at three different intervals using smartphone-based "brain games" designed to evaluate working memory, processing speed, and spatial memory. Each participant played the games five times a day for two weeks during each data collection wave.

Participants also completed detailed surveys measuring loneliness, responding to statements such as “I feel left out,” using a five-point scale. Individuals were considered chronically lonely if they reported high levels of loneliness across at least two consecutive waves of data collection.

The results revealed that those who were not chronically lonely improved their performance over time—likely due to practice and increased familiarity with the tasks. In contrast, participants who reported chronic loneliness showed no such improvement, indicating a lack of neurocognitive adaptability. “Loneliness is natural and universal,” said lead author Jee eun Kang, postdoctoral scholar at Penn State’s Center for Healthy Aging. “But once it becomes chronic, it can take a toll on your cognitive health.”

Martin Sliwinski, co-author and director of the Center for Healthy Aging, noted that the absence of cognitive improvement among lonely individuals is a red flag. “Anytime we repeatedly measure cognitive abilities, there's a tendency for scores to improve due to practice effects,” he explained. “But here, that didn’t happen for the chronically lonely group. This pattern resembles what we often see in people with early neurodegenerative conditions.”

The study is among the first to apply a longitudinal design—tracking the same individuals over time—to assess how loneliness affects cognitive performance in adults younger than 65. While previous research has largely focused on loneliness in older adults, this study suggests the cognitive impacts of social isolation can manifest much earlier in life.

The researchers argue that addressing loneliness should be a public health priority for all age groups, not just the elderly. “It’s never too late to invest in your cognitive health,” said Sliwinski. “But starting earlier, just like saving for retirement, sets you up for a better outcome later in life.”

Another recent study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity (2024) supports these findings, indicating that loneliness is an independent risk factor for dementia and cognitive impairment, even after accounting for lifestyle and health variables.

Experts recommend intentional social engagement—such as scheduling regular interactions and being emotionally present during conversations—as a strategy to combat loneliness. Kang added, “Even if it’s hard, reaching out is an important life skill. Social support is crucial not only for quality of life but also for maintaining brain health.”

As modern lifestyles shift and digital connections replace in-person interactions, it becomes even more important for young and middle-aged adults to prioritize meaningful relationships. Chronic loneliness, if left unaddressed, may quietly erode cognitive resilience, long before old age sets in.

It’s déjà vu Braves fans didn’t ask for. Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta’s powerhouse baseball outfielder and reigning National League MVP, has hit the injured list again, this time with tightness in his right Achilles tendon. Just months after returning from a torn ACL in his left knee, Acuña pulled up sore after sprinting the bases and later chasing a fly ball, exiting Tuesday’s game against the Royals mid-inning.

But what does Achilles tendon tightness actually mean, and why does it freak out athletes and sports doctors alike?

The Achilles tendon, also known as the calcaneal tendon, is the thick band of tissue that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. It is the biggest and strongest tendon in the human body. But it can bring even the fittest athletes to their knees.

It helps you run, jump, pivot and push off the ground, basically every move an outfielder like Acuña makes in a single play. When it is tight, inflamed or partially torn, that springy propulsion becomes painful and unstable. Cue the limping, grimacing and, in some cases, weeks on the injured list.

Why Achilles Pain Is a Red Flag

In Acuña’s case, the discomfort reportedly began the night before while sprinting around the bases and got worse chasing fly balls. That is a classic setup: high-intensity bursts, sudden stops, and quick direction changes, all high-risk moves for the Achilles.

If ignored, tightness can escalate to tendonitis (inflammation), partial tears, or the dreaded rupture, which is basically the tendon snapping in two. That is a season-ending injury, often requiring surgery and months of rehab.

When the Body Says No

But ignoring Achilles issues can backfire in the worst way. What starts as tightness today could be crutches tomorrow. The tendon does not heal fast, and re-injury is a very real risk if recovery is rushed.

The Game Plan for Recovery

Recovery is not just about waiting for the pain to stop; it is about rebuilding strength, restoring flexibility, and ensuring both legs are balanced and strong.

Why This Matters for Everyone Who Plays

Stretch regularly, warm up before activity, avoid sudden ramp-ups in intensity, and listen to your body. And if the pain lingers or worsens, see a specialist. Ronald Acuña Jr.’s Achilles flare-up might just be tightness, but it is the kind of tightness that turns trainers serious and fans anxious. It’s also a timely reminder that this tendon is small but mighty, and when it acts up, rest is not optional. Whether you are chasing fly balls or your morning run goal, treat your heels with the caution they deserve.

A recent tragic shooting in Midtown Manhattan has pulled an obscure but alarming brain disease back into the headlines. The shooter reportedly left behind a suicide note claiming he suffered from CTE, short for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a condition linked to repeated head trauma. As shocking as the incident was, it has opened up a floodgate of questions: What exactly is CTE? Can it really make someone act out violently? And how can we even know if someone had it?

What Exactly Is CTE?

The Symptoms

It is the sort of change that can feel like a personality transplant. Loved ones often report seeing someone “become a different person” over time.

Not Just a Pro Athlete Problem

Back to the Manhattan case. While the shooter’s note mentioned CTE, we still do not know whether he actually had it, let alone whether it influenced his behaviour. This brings up messy territory: should possible brain disease be considered in criminal responsibility? Can CTE be a mitigating factor in violent crime?

It is a grey zone. And until we develop reliable tools to diagnose CTE in the living, we are mostly left guessing.

What Can We Do?

• Rethinking how we approach youth and professional sports
• Reducing repeated head trauma wherever possible
• Keeping an eye out for changes in behaviour following head injuries

Hepatitis is not nicknamed the “silent killer” for nothing. What makes it so dangerous is how symptomless it often is for years. It can quietly chip away at your liver without so much as a warning sign. By the time symptoms like fatigue, jaundice, or abdominal pain appear, significant harm may already have occurred. This eerie silence allows hepatitis to go undetected until it has done some serious damage.

Just Because You Cannot Hear It Does Not Mean It Is Not There

Dr Vikram Vora says that hepatitis is a major global health threat, killing over a million people each year. What is even more tragic? These deaths are, in his words, “largely preventable”. The villains in this tale, cirrhosis and liver cancer, often stem from untreated or undiagnosed hepatitis infections.

Prevention Helps

“The cornerstone of hepatitis control is prevention,” Dr Vora says. And the good news is that you have got some powerful tools at your disposal. “Vaccination, especially against Hepatitis B, is one of the most effective tools available,” he says, adding that infants, healthcare workers, and at-risk adults should be prioritised. Other prevention measures include safe injection practices, steering clear of needle-sharing, and ensuring blood transfusions are properly screened.

But danger often hides in plain sight. Dr Vora warns that something as seemingly harmless as getting a tattoo or piercing can carry lifelong consequences if done in an unregulated facility. His advice? “Choosing safe, licensed establishments is non-negotiable.”

Why You Should Not Wait for Symptoms

If there is one thing hepatitis is good at, it is staying undetected. That is why Dr Vora champions regular screening, especially if you have had medical procedures, blood transfusions, or close contact with someone infected. “Early diagnosis is a game-changer,” he says. Caught in time, hepatitis can be treated effectively, helping patients avoid severe liver disease or even make a full recovery.

A Diagnosis Is Not a Death Sentence

Dr Vora offers hope to those living with hepatitis. “With proper medical care and lifestyle adjustments, a healthy life is achievable,” he insists. That means ditching alcohol, sticking to a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and closely following medical advice. He also points out the mental and emotional toll a diagnosis can take. “Support from family, community, and healthcare providers can make a significant difference in outcomes.”

The Stigma That Silences

Perhaps just as damaging as the virus itself is the social stigma surrounding it. Dr Vora identifies this as a major hurdle in tackling hepatitis. “Fear of social exclusion keeps many from seeking help,” he explains. And that delay can cost lives. According to him, building a culture of empathy and understanding is critical. He encourages public health campaigns, education, and open dialogue as essential tools to dismantle this stigma.

Make Noise Against the Silence

In Dr Vora’s words, “Hepatitis may be silent, but it is not invincible.” Every little step, whether it is getting vaccinated, getting screened, or just talking about it, can chip away at the power hepatitis holds. Silence has cost too many lives already. Awareness can save them.