Humans are social creatures. Many of us enjoy spending time with friends and family doing social activities, like going out to dinner, attending sporting events, and participating in book clubs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), being social offers a myriad of health benefits, including emotional regulation, reduced stress and anxiety, better sleep, and a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke.And now, thanks to a new study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, we also know that social interactions can help delay dementia by about five years.This study is a follow-up on previous papers from our group showing that social activity is related to less cognitive decline in older adults, said Bryan James, PhD, associate professor of internal medicine at Rush, in a press release.Gathering Data on DementiaThe study surveyed 1,923 older adults without dementia, with an average age of 80, who are part of the Rush Memory and Aging Project. During the survey period, 545 participants developed dementia, while 695 developed other mild cognitive impairments.Researchers used a questionnaire to measure the participant's social activity. Questions included how often in the last few years they had participated in certain social activities, such as playing Bingo, going on overnight trips, visiting friends and family, going to sporting events, and going to restaurants.At the start of the study, none of the participants showed signs of cognitive decline; however, after five years, the results showed that the participants with more social interactions had reduced rates of dementia.With this information, the study suggests that an increase in social activities could lower the risk of dementia by 38 percent and could lower the risk of other mild cognitive impairments by about 21 percent compared to those who partake in fewer social activities.A five-year delay in dementia development could reduce the financial cost of dementia care by 40 percent per person who may develop it and add three years to their lifespan.Understanding the ResultsAccording to the researchers, social activities can help strengthen neural circuits in the brain, giving them a boost against the pathology buildup that occurs as we age. Social gatherings can stimulate the same parts of the brain associated with memory and thinking.Social activity challenges older adults to participate in complex interpersonal exchanges, which could promote or maintain efficient neural networks in a case of use it or lose it, James said in a press release.The study authors say that more research is needed to determine how well social activities can help with cognitive decline, but until then, theres no time like the present to gather with your loved ones and play a game or two of Bingo. Who knows, it might boost your luck. Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association. Late-life social activity and subsequent risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairmentCDC. Social ConnectionA graduate of UW-Whitewater, Monica Cull wrote for several organizations, including one that focused on bees and the natural world, before coming to Discover Magazine. Her current work also appears on her travel blog and Common State Magazine. Her love of science came from watching PBS shows as a kid with her mom and spending too much time binging Doctor Who.

Pain relief without addiction has been a pharmaceutical goal long before the opioid crisis. A newly approved medicine appears to have achieved that.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Journavx to treat short-term pain. The drug, which was developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals in Boston and tested as a pain treatment following surgeries, targets the nerves near an injury site instead of in the brain.It works in a way that is different than previous medications, says Paul Negulescu, senior vice president at Vertex.Blocking a Different Pain PathwaySuch alternatives are sorely needed. About 40 million U.S. adults are prescribed an opioid every year, with about 85,000 developing an addiction within the first year of use. Opioid prescriptions peaked in 2010 and decreased each year through 2015, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report. However, they are still prescribed much more heavily than in 1999. And people turned to stronger, illicit drugs like fentanyl after doctors started prescribing fewer opioids. Read More: The Opioid Crisis Is Not OverTargeting Pain at its SourceThe basic science discovery that prompted Journavxs development started with a finding in 1997 that predated the opioid epidemic. Researchers discovered that a category of proteins named Nav were expressed in the peripheral nervous system, but not the brain.It seemed like that would be a good target to treat pain, says Negulescu. Work on the human genome later solidified that protein as a potential target. Since then, with the advent of gene sequencing, we discovered there is mutations in this protein that increase sensitivity to pain.Scientists eventually discovered a total of 9 nav proteins. Vertex researchers explored them all to see which would be the most effective in treating pain. If you study one Nav, you have to study them all, says Negulescu.They settled on Nav 1.8, because it appeared to be the strongest potential pain blocker. Decades of research and testing followed, to see what parts of that protein would be the most effective spot for a medicine to bind to, and thus inhibit pain sensations.Avoiding AddictionThe approach is promising, says Michael Schuh, a pharmacist and pain medicine expert at the Mayo Clinic, who was not involved in the research. The problem we have with opioids is that they attach to certain places in your brain that makes people feel good about taking them, says Schuh. Then people have a tendency to get a tolerance so they don't get that same feeling, so they have to take more and more and more of it.Journavx will be available in tablet form. It was tested for pain relief treatment for up to 14 days. The new drug will cost $15.50 per pill. Comparable opioids retail as generics for $1 a pill or less. Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Changes in Opioid Prescribing in the United States, 20062015Before joining Discover Magazine, Paul Smaglik spent over 20 years as a science journalist, specializing in U.S. life science policy and global scientific career issues. He began his career in newspapers, but switched to scientific magazines. His work has appeared in publications including Science News, Science, Nature, and Scientific American.

NewsHealth & MedicineA new kind of non-opioid painkiller gets FDA approvalThe oral drug, called Journavx, is meant to treat short-term pain A new oral drug called Journavx is intended for the treatment of short-term pain, such as following surgery or another tissue injury.Vertex PharmaceuticalsBy Aimee Cunningham28 seconds agoPatients seeking an opioid-free way to handle pain experienced in the short-term will soon have a new option.On January 30, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved suzetrigine for the treatment of moderate to severe pain in adults. The oral drug, called Journavx, is meant to ease short-term pain, the type that follows tissue injury, such as after surgery. The first of a new class of pain therapies to be approved in decades, the drug doesnt pose a risk of addiction as opioid medications do, evidence suggests.

An uptick in seismic activity on the volcanic island of Santorini has raised concerns about a potential eruption.

DeepSeek's V3 and R1 models took the world by storm this week. Here's why they're such a big deal.

Last summer, SAG-AFTRA called for a voice actors strike against video game publishers over numerous issues including AI protections. Although the union has reached deals with a handful of publishers, the strike is still ongoing. Now, Bungie has confirmed that the upcoming Destiny 2: Heresy expansion will include scenes that are missing spoken dialogue because a deal with the actors has yet to be reached.In an update on Bungie's official site, the developer noted that "certain voice lines" were not recorded because of the actors strike. In those scenes, Destiny 2 will enable subtitles by default in order to carry the narrative forward despite the missing audio. The update also notes that any Heresy activities that are missing voice overs will feature an on-screen warning before starting. However, the update doesn't address whether those lines will be recorded when the strike ends.Over on Bluesky, a voice actor going by Orchid shared their response to the news by reiterating the actors' desire to "get a fair deal" that addresses their AI concerns.Continue Reading at GameSpot

CRKD Neo S: Rocket League Gold Edition Controller $39 (was $60) See at Amazon Rocket League remains one of the most popular online multiplayer games nearly 10 years after its initial release. It's surprising there aren't more officially licensed accessories celebrating the vehicular soccer game, but at least the recently launched CRKD Neo S Rocket League Gold Controller looks very cool. Normally $60, the compact Bluetooth controller is on sale for only $39 at Amazon. This is the best price yet for the controller, and it comes with a matching charging stand. Continue Reading at GameSpot

For players looking to experience the full immersion of football gaming, EA Sports has long been the industry standard, offering a detailed recreation of the sport. Despite rebranding from FIFA to EA Sports FC, the franchise continues to deliver authentic content, including officially licensed leagues, players, and stadiums.

There are 19 collectibles in Collision Course, the fourth mission in Sniper Elite: Resistance. While players need not find all those collectibles, they may, at least, want to locate the level's Workbenches and Propaganda Poster. This guide is here to assist with that undertaking, and the locations of every collectible in Sniper Elite: Resistance's Mission 4 can be found in what follows.

Each week on Polygon, we round up the most notable new releases to streaming and VOD, highlighting the biggest and best new movies for you to watch at home.This week, Moana 2, the sequel to the mega-hit animated musical starring Dwayne The Rock Johnson and Aulii Cravalho, washes ashore onto VOD. Theres tons of other exciting new releases to rent and purchase this week too, including a new adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, the steamy erotic drama Babygirl, and the Oscar-nominated prison drama Sing Sing starring Colman Domingo. Plus, David Byrnes True Stories is streaming for free on YouTube!Heres everything new thats available to watch this weekend!New on NetflixHereWhere to watch: Available to stream on NetflixGenre: DramaRun time: 1h 44mDirector: Robert ZemeckisCast: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Paul BettanyTom Hanks and Robin Wright reunite in this drama based on a 2014 graphic novel, itself based on a six-page comic story about the same location viewed at different points in time. The movie follows the same concept, told in a nonlinear fashion, centering on the same piece of land from the time of dinosaurs to modern day. Oh, also, Benjamin Franklins son owns it at one point! Nice.Pushpa 2: The RuleWhere to watch: Available to stream on NetflixGenre: Action dramaRun time: 3h 21mDirector: SukumarCast: Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh FaasilPushpa: The Risewas one of my favorite movies of 2021, and Ive been waiting with bated breath for the sequel ever since. My anticipation has only risen since people have been able to see the movie Ive heard the final fight scene might be the most spectacular of any released in 2024 but more than anything, Im just excited to see Allu Arjuns particular brand of swagger as this character again.New on MaxGoodrichWhere to watch: Available to stream on MaxGenre:ComedyRun time:1h 50mDirector:Hallie Meyers-ShyerCast:Michael Keaton, Mila Kunis, Laura BenantiMichael Keaton stars in this family comedy as Andy, an art gallery owner whose wife leaves him and checks into a 90-day rehab program. With no one else to lean on, Andy resorts to asking Grace (Mila Kunis), his daughter from his previous marriage, to help him as he looks after her 9-year-old twin half-siblings.New on Prime VideoYoure Cordially InvitedWhere to watch: Available to stream on Prime VideoGenre: ComedyRun time: 1h 49mDirector: Nicholas StollerCast: Will Ferrell, Reese Witherspoon, Geraldine ViswanathanThe director behind Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Neighbors is back with a new wacky comedy. Two weddings are booked at the same venue on the same day, much to the chagrin of one brides father (Will Ferrell) and the others sister (Reese Witherspoon). They both set out to make sure that the day is still the best day ever for their respective brides even if that means shafting the other wedding.New on YouTubeTrue StoriesWhere to watch: Available to stream on YouTubeGenre: Musical comedyRun time: 1h 29mDirector: David ByrneCast: John Goodman, Annie McEnroe, Swoosie KurtzYou probably know David Byrne for his role as lead singer in the band Talking Heads. You might know Byrne for his solo music career, documentaries, photography, books, and philanthropy. You should know David Byrne for the single film he directed,True Stories, which combines his many talents musician, storyteller, visual artist, and assembler of cool people into one thrillingly strange autopsy of Americana.New to rentMoana 2Where to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: Musical adventureRun time: 1h 40mDirectors: David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux MillerCast: Aulii Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Huallai ChungThe Moana sequel was originally supposed to be a Moana Disney Plus show. But now its a full-fledged theatrical adventure, with Moana once again setting off on a sailing journey. This time, shes joined by a ragtag crew, including a Maui fanboy, a quirky inventor, and a farmer who doesnt know how to swim. Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui, too, and Moana and her friends search for a distant, legendary island in an effort to make contact with other people who might live on the islands in the sea.From our review:Moana 2may grow on me as well frankly, my feelings for it could only go up from where they started. Its been less than a day since I saw the long-awaited sequel (Disney screened the film for press just 17 hours ago), but unlike with the overwhelming let-me-hear-that-again rush of experiencingMoanafor the first time, I dont have the lingering gut feeling that Ive missed something. In the end,Moana 2is a vehicle for one banger, a feel-good throwback, and a few songs well never talk about again, which doesnt feel like enough for a brand-newMoana.The Count of Monte CristoWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: Historical action adventureRun time: 2h 58mDirectors: Alexandre de La Patellire, Matthieu DelaporteCast: Pierre Niney, Bastien Bouillon, Anas DemoustierThe directors of the two-part 2023 adaptation of The Three Musketeers are back, this time with an adaptation of Alexandre Dumas acclaimed revenge story. The Count of Monte Cristo centers on Edmond Dants (Pierre Niney), a merchant sailor who, after being falsely accused and imprisoned without trial, mounts a daring escape and embarks on a decade-long quest to exact vengeance on the men who stole his life from him. These movies are some of the biggest blockbuster productions coming out of France, and are well worth your time.BabygirlWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: Erotic thrillerRun time: 1h 54mDirector: Halina ReijnCast: Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, Antonio BanderasInBabygirl, Romy, a stressed and sexually unsatisfied CEO (Nicole Kidman) starts a dominant-submissive affair with her intern Samuel (Harris Dickinson). As the affair intensifies, Samuel starts interjecting himself more into Romys life, threatening to upset both her career and her home life. The erotic thriller generated a lot of buzz when it came out, with comparisons toFifty Shades of GreyandSecretaryand praise for Kidmans vulnerable performance.Den of Thieves 2: PanteraWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: Action crimeRun time: 2h 24mDirector: Christian GudegastCast: Gerard Butler, OShea Jackson Jr., Evin AhmadDirtbag Heat is back on the menu. Gerard Butler and OShea Jackson Jr. reprise their roles as scumbag Sheriff Big Nick OBrien and career criminal Donnie Wilson, this time teaming up to pull off a massive heist of the worlds largest diamond exchange in Nice, France. Polygon spoke to director Christian Gudegast about the making of the film, including pulling off the worlds first electric-car chase and his future plans.Sing SingWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: DramaRun time: 1h 47mDirector: Greg KwedarCast: Colman Domingo, Clarence Maclin, Sean San JosColman Domingo (Zola) stars in this prison drama as John Divine G Whitfield, a man recently imprisoned at the Sing Sing Correctional Facility for a crime he didnt commit. Acting in a theatre group designed to bring incarcerated men in touch with their own feelings, John finds solace and purpose in connecting to his fellow inmates through the transformative power of art. Sing Sing has received three Oscar nominations, including a Best Actor nomination for Domingos lead performance.The Fire InsideWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: Biographical sportsRun time: 1h 49mDirector: Rachel MorrisonCast: Ryan Destiny, Brian Tyree Henry, Olunik AdeliyiWritten by Moonlight director Barry Jenkins, this biographical sports drama stars Ryan Destiny (Grown-ish) as Claressa T-Rex Shields, an aspiring boxer training to become the first woman in U.S. history to win an Olympic gold medal in the sport. Together with her coach, Jason (Brian Tyree Henry), Claressa must overcome the institutional hurdles of the sport if shes to have any chance of achieving her dream.Ghost Cat AnzuWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: DramaRun time: 1h 37mDirectors: Yko Kuno, Nobuhiro YamashitaCast: Munetaka Aoki, Mirai Moriyama, Noa GotIf Totoro was a massage therapist with a gambling problem, youd get Anzu. The 37-year-old ghost cat was once a regular house cat who just continued to age and somehow transformed into an anthropomorphic cat. Anzu finds himself in charge of 11-year-old Karin, a surly preteen who doesnotwant to be spending the summer with her grandfather and his weird adult human cat. The two clash, but eventually embark on an adventure into the underworld to break out Karins mother.Ghost Cat Anzu sparkles with wonderful animation, particularly when it comes to the character expression and design.From our review:Ghost Cat Anzuworks best when the mix of the mundane and the mythical is balanced. For instance,Anzu inviting a host of forest spiritsto his temple for a party is a hilarious setup that gives Karin a chance to relate her feelings to the ragtag group. But the eventual journey to the land of the dead ends up dragging and muddling the movies message.