Emerging research on lifestyle changes and the development of preventive approaches are revealing an opportunity to measure and boost cognitive health as people age

This piece from NPR’s Embedded podcast dives into how Brazilian women navigate abortion access despite restrictive laws, spotlighting one woman’s discovery of a safe underground method. It’s part of a broader series on reproductive rights, blending personal stories with investigative reporting to show resilience in the face of systemic barriers.

Editor’s Note: Abortion laws don’t stop abortions—they just change how they happen. This story matters because it reveals the real-world workarounds people create when their rights are restricted, and it underscores the global stakes of reproductive healthcare access. It’s not just about Brazil; it’s about how communities everywhere adapt to survive.

RFK Jr. has shaken up the CDC's vaccine advisory panel by replacing all 17 members with just 7 new appointees—several of whom lack strong vaccine expertise and some with histories of spreading misinformation. This abrupt overhaul signals a major shift in how U.S. vaccine policies might be shaped moving forward.

Editor’s Note: Vaccine policy affects everyone—from schoolkids to elderly patients—so swapping seasoned experts for controversial figures could have real-world consequences. It’s not just bureaucratic drama; it’s about who gets to decide what’s "safe" for millions of Americans.

Olha Kurtmalaieva, a Ukrainian woman, has already faced one of life’s toughest battles—beating cancer—but now she’s fighting another: freeing her husband from Russian captivity. Amid the chaos of war, her personal struggle highlights the human cost of the conflict, where families are torn apart and resilience is tested daily.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a story about war; it’s about the quiet, relentless courage of ordinary people caught in it. Olha’s fight reminds us that behind the headlines of battles and politics, there are real lives hanging in the balance—families waiting, hoping, and refusing to give up. It’s a stark look at how war doesn’t end when the fighting stops for some.

Scientists are uncovering promising ways to track and improve brain health as we get older—think better diet, exercise, and proactive habits—instead of just treating problems after they arise. It’s not about miracle cures, but small, measurable steps that could add up to sharper minds later in life.

Editor’s Note: Forget the old idea that mental decline is inevitable. This research flips the script, showing we might have more control over our brain’s aging process than we thought. It’s a hopeful shift—not just for individuals, but for public health strategies aiming to keep people independent and engaged longer.

A major investor in Avadel Pharmaceuticals, ASL Strategic Value Fund, is pushing for a complete board shakeup, arguing the narcolepsy drugmaker should explore selling the company. They want Avadel to bring in investment bankers to weigh options—escalating tensions between shareholders and leadership.

Editor’s Note: When a big investor calls for a board overhaul, it’s usually a sign things aren’t working behind the scenes. In this case, ASL seems to think Avadel could be more valuable under different leadership—or even as part of another company. For patients and employees, this kind of pressure could mean uncertainty ahead, but it also signals that investors see untapped potential in the business.