Wellness in the News for August, 2025
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Exercise does not always improve mental health
Research often points to exercise as a good way to boost mental health, but a recent study from the University of Georgia demonstrates that it's not just physical movement that improves mental health. It's how, where, and why you exercise that makes the difference.
Physical activity research was always focused on how long someone exercised for or how many calories were burned. These reasons, along with checking your phone constantly, will rob you of the mental health benefits of exercise.
If it's not fun, stop doing it.
How elevated blood sugar diminishes men’s sexual health
According to The Endocrine Society, declines in sperm movement and erectile function can be linked to elevated blood sugar.
Hibernating animals and humans have elevated blood sugar, in order to survive long winters, during which time, sexual activity wastes valuable energy.
Eating sugar is not a cause. Consuming excess calories, either by eating without hunger or eating past the body's comfort level, are the true culprits.
Four hidden types of autism revealed
Scientists at Princeton and the Simons Foundation have identified four biologically distinct subtypes of autism, using data from over 5,000 children and a powerful new computational method. These subtypes—each with unique traits, developmental paths, and genetic signatures—promise to revolutionize how we understand, diagnose, and treat autism.
I found the information a bit confusing, but if you have a family member or friend with the disorder, It might be worth checking out.
Single injection brings hearing back within weeks
At the Swedish Karolinska Institutet, a cutting-edge gene therapy has significantly restored hearing in children and adults with congenital deafness, showing dramatic results just one month after a single injection. Researchers used a virus to deliver a healthy copy of the OTOF gene into the inner ear, improving auditory function across all ten participants in the study. The therapy worked best in young children but still benefited adults, with one 7-year-old girl regaining almost full hearing. Even more exciting: this is just the start, as scientists now aim to target other genes that cause more common forms of deafness.