We may finally know what a healthy gut microbiome looks like

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Now, researchers have analysed health, microbial and dietary data from more than 34,000 people, enabling them to pinpoint the gut bacteria that are most strongly linked to a low risk of various medical conditions and those that seem to harm us. You can read the piece here.

Such findings could finesse food recommendations to enhance our gut microbiome and, in turn, benefit our mental well-being and overall health.

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Neuroscience columnist Helen Thomson on how she discovered a host of evidence-based ways to keep her brain healthier.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the microbe responsible for gonorrhoea, is developing resistance to most antibiotics, which means we need new drugs to treat the condition. An antibiotic called zoliflodacin might be part of a solution.

People are often diagnosed with multiple neurodivergencies and mental health conditions, but the biggest genetic analysis so far suggests many have shared biological causes.

The time of day that cancer drugs are administered could make a big difference to a patient's outcomes, and would be a relatively simple intervention to roll out.

We already knew that GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy did more than just help control type 2 diabetes and aid weight loss, but the extent of that potential really came to light in 2025.

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A meditation retreat transformed the perspective of psychology researcher Eli Susman. After a monk told him he should be able to tune into the present in just three breaths, he decided to study micropractices. These small acts – often lasting less than a minute – are surprisingly effective at calming the mind and body. Research has found that small, regular doses of meditation can lead to bigger reductions in anxiety than far longer sessions. And just thinking about your values, writing a list of what you’re grateful for, or paying attention to nature can bring tremendous benefits in just a few seconds. Read more

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Carissa Wong

Health reporter, New Scientist
Email me at [email protected]
Follow me @carissacwwong.bsky.social

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