The first report's findings were published online Oct. 7 in the journal Nature Mental Health, and the second published online Jan. 1 in a special edition of The American Journal of Psychiatry focused on psilocybin research.

In the first study, a team of experts at NYU Langone Health found that psilocybin accompanied by psychotherapy significantly reduced anxiety, depression, obsessive thoughts, anger toward others, and physical symptoms associated with psychological distress, with improvements lasting up to six months.

The Spark grants, launched in 2024, support bold, collaborative projects that integrate the Perception Box lens to reimagine narratives and create meaningful change. Each grant prioritizes 501(c)(3) partnerships between organizations and individuals who have not worked together before, fostering innovation and unexpected synergy.

Unlikely Collaborators is a mission-driven nonprofit committed to transforming narratives that limit individuals, communities, and societies. The organization promotes self-awareness and mutual understanding by helping individuals gain insight into and agency over their Perception Box -- a concept developed by Elizabeth R. Koch. Perception Box represents the internal beliefs, experiences, and biases that shape how individuals view the world and engage with others. Through grants, partnerships, and transformative initiatives, Unlikely Collaborators supports organizations that help individuals and communities untangle limiting stories and foster meaningful change.

The research project funded by this Spark grant will focus on the monumental potential of dark retreats, an ancient contemplative practice gaining modern attention. Dark retreats involve spending time in complete darkness to facilitate profound shifts in perception and consciousness. NBA star Rudy Gobert described his experience as "meditation times a thousand." The practice places participants in a dark environment that intentionally disrupts routine habits and perceptions, creating a unique contrast medium that allows practitioners to see and feel things normally lost in the light and busyness of daily life.

A comprehensive evaluation includes setting goals in partnership with the patient and usually a care partner; obtaining information about the patient's risk profile for AD or a related disease (e.g., age, family history of dementia, hypertension, smoking); describing the history of symptoms and their impact on daily life; evaluating the patient's ability to perform tests of thinking abilities; and obtaining a brain MRI or CT scan along with laboratory tests for conditions that may contribute to cognitive impairment. The integration of new brain scans, spinal fluid tests, or other specialized tests into this comprehensive evaluation will add critical value to the diagnostic formulation and care plan for persons in whom there is a clinical concern for AD or an ADRD.

A special issue of the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association highlights the new Alzheimer's Association Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnostic Evaluation, Testing, Counseling and Disclosure of Suspected Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders (DETeCD-ADRD CPG) that summarizes the process of diagnostic evaluation and disclosure for persons suspected of potentially having cognitive-behavioral impairment due to AD or ADRD. ADRDs include Lewy Body Disease, Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration, Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (VCID), and a host of other diseases and conditions that may cause or substantially contribute to cognitive-behavioral impairment. Similar American guidelines are more than 20 years old and aimed at specialists or dementia subspecialists.

Alex, the CEO of TESSAN, emphasized the brand's dedication to fostering meaningful connections, not only between people and places but also between humanity and the planet. "We are excited to join One Tree Planted to make contribution to global reforestation," said Alex. "Our journey at TESSAN is not just about creating innovative charging solutions. It is about establishing meaningful connections, and planting trees is one of the most direct actions to forge this bond. Through our collaboration with One Tree Planted, we aim to strengthen our connection with the Earth and encourage travelers using our products to seize every opportunity to engage in climate action, truly exploring the world and building a green connection with the planet."

One Tree Planted is committed to global tree planting and forest restoration efforts. The organization operates with a mission to engage transparently and effectively in worldwide forest conservation by planting one tree for every dollar donated. Their initiatives span the globe, striving to enhance ecosystem sustainability.

This development, led by Associate Professor TAN Swee Ching from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering under the College of Design and Engineering at NUS, offers a practical solution to the pressing issue of freshwater scarcity, particularly in arid regions.

The aerogel is capable of absorbing moisture from the air up to about 5.5 times its weight, maintaining its performance across a wide range of humidity levels, and effective even in conditions as low as 20 per cent relative humidity, making it suitable for diverse environments. Demonstrating the aerogel's applicability, the research team has integrated it into a solar-driven, autonomous atmospheric water generator that efficiently collects and releases freshwater without requiring external energy sources.

Each new year begins with hopeful resolutions--a chance to reset, reflect, and pursue a more purposeful life. Yet by Blue Monday--the third Monday of January and the so-called saddest day of the year--many feel the weight of unmet aspirations. Studies reveal nearly 80% of New Year's resolutions fail by early February, leaving individuals overwhelmed and disconnected.

This failure isn't just about personal shortcomings. In a world of economic uncertainty, societal shifts, and relentless digital noise, traditional strategies like willpower alone are no longer enough. As pressures mount, more individuals are actively looking to step away from the demands of modern life and seek tools and support to create lives rooted in clarity, resilience, and intentional choices.

Recognizing this need, Glimmery Moments introduces the Seasonal Self-Discovery Guide--a thoughtfully crafted tool blending behavioral science and mindfulness. Designed to anchor progress in small, intentional steps, the guide empowers individuals to build resilience, set achievable goals, and embrace a life aligned with their values.

The survey, conducted across 16 markets, provides extensive data on global optimism, its drivers and the demographics that feel the most optimistic and happy. The global average optimism score is 7.49/10. France, the UK and Australia were revealed to be among the least optimistic countries, scoring 14.5 percent below the average. Conversely, Saudi Arabia (12 percent above), India (10.8 percent above) and the UAE (8.1 percent above) were the most optimistic. Consumers were most optimistic about their personal growth and development (69 percent) and family dynamics (66 percent), but least optimistic about their finances.

"With our custom analysis, we can see the scale of the loneliness crisis with incredible clarity," says Heather Liu Leary, PhD, co-author of the report. "This remarkable data set doesn't just describe the problem; it points us directly to where we might uncover effective solutions."

"This bill will dramatically expand the options available to our veterans who want to age in place," said Shawn Bloom, president and CEO of NPA. "Moving forward, there are a myriad of additional actions that Congress can take to easily implement PACE for hundreds of thousands of additional seniors and their families who would benefit from PACE."

PACE is a Medicare and Medicaid program that allows seniors with a nursing home-level of need to be cared for while remaining living in their own homes. PACE reduces costs for state Medicaid budgets when compared to nursing homes.

Providing care at home and in the community not only enhances the quality of life for veterans, their families and their caregivers, but also reduces VA health expenditures. Generally, the cost of HCBS is notably less than institutional care. Further, the VA has found that the use of HCBS creates additional savings by either delaying admission to a nursing home or avoiding such an admission altogether as well as lowering the risk of preventable hospitalizations.

Called the vestibulo-ocular reflex, the circuit enables the stable perception of surroundings. When it is broken -- by trauma, stroke, or a genetic condition -- a person may feel like the world bounces around every time their head or body moves. In adult vertebrates, it and other brain circuits are tuned by feedback from the senses (vision and balance organs). The current study authors were surprised to find that, in contrast, sensory input was not necessary for maturation of the reflex circuit in newborns.

Published online January 2 in the journal Science, the study featured experiments done in zebrafish larvae, which have a similar gaze stabilizing reflex to the one in humans. Further, zebrafish are transparent, so researchers literally watched brain cells called neurons mature to understand the changes that let a newborn fish first rotate its eyes up appropriately as its body tilts down (or its eyes down as its body tilts up).

"Discovering how vestibular reflexes come to be may help us find new ways to counter pathologies that affect balance or eye movements," says study senior author David Schoppik, PhD, associate professor in the Departments of Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery, Neuroscience & Physiology, and the Neuroscience Institute, at NYU Langone Health.

GasBuddy projects that the yearly national average for gasoline in 2025 will decline to $3.22 per gallon, down from $3.33 in 2024 and significantly below the record highs of 2022. This decline represents continued relief for American drivers, but comes amid emerging uncertainties surrounding geopolitical tensions, potential tariffs and a change in energy policies that add risk to this year's forecast.