Shyla Jovitha Abraham

Regularly participating in arts and cultural activities may help slow biological ageing, according to a British study published in the journal Innovation in Aging. The study analysed survey responses and blood samples from 3,556 adults to examine whether activities such as reading, listening to music or visiting museums and galleries are linked to healthier ageing. Researchers compared participants’ levels of arts engagement with DNA-based biological markers.

A major international study has identified six key elements that form the foundation of positive mental health. The study, published in Nature Mental Health, was based on multiple rounds of surveys involving 122 leading scholars from 11 disciplines across 26 countries. Participants represented a broad range of fields, including clinical psychology, public health, medicine, sociology, economics, nursing, philosophy, psychiatry and theology.

Nearly one in five adults with obesity has tried a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medication. However, many stop taking them because of cost, side effects, or concerns about long-term use. About 70 per cent of people regain much of the weight they lost within 18 months of stopping the drugs and lose many of the health benefits. A minimally invasive outpatient procedure may help prevent this weight regain, according to research presented at Digestive Disease Week 2026.