RDAU_2026-ISSUE0809_DIGITAL MAGAZINE

TMB STUDIO. RESEARCH BY LAUREN GRAY Shot at Prevention Only a handful of can- cer types are currently preventable by a vac- cine—and an aggres- sive breast cancer may soon be joining them. Anixa Biosci- ences announced in November 2025 that it had secured a pat- ent for a vaccine that trains the immune system to attack alpha- lactalbumin, a protein typically present during late pregnancy and lactation, and also ex- pressed in the majority of triple-negative breast cancer cases. The idea was first developed at the Cleveland Clinic, where Phase 1 of the trial is projected to be completed this sum- mer. If additional trials confirm its efficacy, the vaccine could be avail- able by 2030, with pri- ority given to those with genetic dispositions. Power Trio Falling is now the lead- ing cause of injury- related deaths among SHARP MEMORY A study in the journal Neurology found that eating cheese could play a role in demen- tia prevention. A team of researchers from Sweden’s Lund Univer- sity found that among nearly 28,000 Swed- ish residents over a 25-year period, more than 3,200 ultimately developed dementia. However, those who reported eating 1.7 ounces or more per day of high-fat cheese (defined as having more than 20% fat, such as cheddar, Brie and Gouda) were 13% less likely to develop dementia than those who ate 1/2 ounce or less daily. The protective association appeared stron- gest for people without a gene variant called APOE e4, a genetic risk factor for dementia. In contrast, low-fat dairy showed no mean- ingful link to lower dementia risk. photograph by Emiko Franzen reader ’ s digest 54   August/september 2026 News From the WORLD OF MEDICINE BY Kristine Gasbarre JUN2/GETTY IMAGES (VIOLIN) adults 65 and older— a result of muscle loss that begins around age 50. But a study by sports science research- ers in China has shown a promising way to counteract natural de- clines. After analyzing studies involving more than 7,500 participants, the team determined that resistance and bal- ance training effectively preserved muscle for everyday functional movement, like rising swiftly from a chair. Meanwhile, resistance training plus protein supplementation led to the largest increases in strength and muscle mass. And combining all three (resistance training, balance train- ing and protein) led to the largest improve- ments in other mea- sures of functional health, such as grip strength, gait speed and skeletal muscle index. Craving Connection Keeping a seat at the table for friends or family can improve key markers of healthy aging, while eating alone showed the oppo- site effect. After review- ing data collected across 10 countries, Australian nutrition researchers determined that those who routinely ate alone consumed less food—specifically, fewer fruits and vegeta- bles and less protein. Part of the research sug- gested that those who consistently ate alone were more than twice as likely to drop significant weight—a risk factor widely linked to higher rates of chronic illness and increased mortality in seniors. Cooking for (and eating with) others naturally encourages better habits, the team theorized, because “so- cial cues can be benefi- cial in facilitating eating behaviors.” Eye Got Rhythm Dancing, swaying or finger-tapping to music is a common voluntary response that speaks to the power of sound to move us. But a recent study published in the journal PLOS Biology showed that our brains may be involuntarily syncing to the beat as well. Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences played classical music to 123 non- musicians and measured their spontaneous blinks—the ones our eyes perform without our awareness. The team found that the participants’ blinking involuntarily fell in line with the beat. The effect may highlight how the brain processes, predicts and adapts to sonic patterns in the environment, even when we’re unaware. readersdigest.com.au 55 The Healthy