Dreams, GLP-1s in Food, Alpha-Gal Syndrome Research

Each night, we spend about two hours dreaming, inhabiting worlds that may feel indistinguishable from waking life—whether we remember them or not.

> There's a state between sleep and wakefulness linked with boosted creativity. (More)
> Your mom was right: Sleeping on a problem does seem to help us solve it. (More)

The origin, meaning, and mechanisms of dreams have long spurred speculation, with references dating back to the dawn of recorded history. Yet despite the ubiquity of the experience—and the advent of modern medical technology—questions about the purpose of dreams and how they're constructed remain largely unanswered.

> Trace how the study of dream interpretation has evolved over time. (More)

> Apophenia is the cognitive bias that leads people to seek meaning in randomness. (More)

Dreaming occurs across all sleep stages, but many dreams appear to unfold during our REM (rapid eye movement) phases, when the body is paralyzed, and brain waves closely resemble those of waking periods. Roughly one in 250 people report never having dreamed at all, though researchers believe such sleepers functionally dream but are prevented from remembering them for still-unknown reasons.

> Women, on average, tend to have stronger dream recall than men. (More)

> Humans can do a lot of things while "sleepwalking." (More)

Discover more: 

> About 20% of us experience lucid dreaming—the ability to control our dream environment—at least once a month. (More)

> See the brain regions involved in lucid dreaming. (More)

> Studies on sleeping cats, rats, fish, and finches show that their brains fire as if performing actions from waking life—so they may be dreaming, too. (More)

> ... and discover everything we learned about dreams.

In partnership with Fisher Investments

Tax-Taming Strategies for Investors With $5M+

Managing significant wealth isn’t just about growth. It’s about ensuring you keep more of what you’ve earned. Luckily, "Tax-Efficient Wealth Management for Affluent Investors" features forward-looking advice to help strengthen and optimize your portfolio.

Inside, you’ll find actionable tax planning techniques and straightforward investment strategies for affluent retirees like you. You’ll also find insights to help with your estate planning, so you can ensure your financial legacy is distributed according to your wishes while minimizing tax exposure.

Why let your savings get eaten by excess taxes? Discover how tax-taming strategies can help you stay on track and keep more of what’s yours. Download "Tax-Efficient Wealth Management for Affluent Investors" today!

Please support our sponsors!

 News in Context 

1440 brings you the knowledge and context behind recent intriguing stories:

Meet cyclosporiasis, a foodborne illness caused by a parasite that's been triggering "explosive" diarrhea across America since May. (More)

> Lengthy incubation periods can make it challenging to link foodborne illness to specific foods.

> Explore these images to better understand why food poisoning makes you feel nauseous.

GLP-1s are being used to treat some eating disorders, though the science is scant. (More)

> Watch this primer on how GLP-1s make us feel full.

> Medicare started covering GLP-1s in some instances this month.

> The EU just approved a GLP-1-inducing food additive that may be in European foods within a year.

Cancer cases are expected to soar to nearly 35 million by 2050, says the WHO. (More)

> Explore US cancer stats by location, race, and other demographic information.

> Alcohol may be responsible for about 5% of cancer cases.

Dolly the sheep—named for Dolly Parton—was cloned 30 years ago. (More)

> It took scientists 277 tries to make Dolly.

> Dolly's preserved body is on display at the National Museum of Scotland.

 Medical Developments Spotlight 

We love spending time learning about the latest medical breakthroughs and spotlighting research that piques our interest, may influence future research directions, or inform healthcare conversations. Here's what we found this week.

Many more Americans have marker for tick-borne meat allergy than suspected. 

Morbidity and Mortality Report | Eleanor F. Saunders, Marissa L. Taylor, et al. Alpha-gal syndrome—an allergy to red meat, dairy, and cosmetics that contain a sugar called alpha-gal—often arises from tick bites. New blood surveillance data indicates that as many as 31% of people in one state (Arkansas) carried alpha-gal antibodies, much higher than the 0.14% of people estimated to have the allergy in the US. The finding means that people shouldn't receive alpha-gal sensitivity tests unless they are symptomatic of the allergy to help prevent allergy overdiagnosis. (More)

> Alpha-gal sugar, present in pig bodies, has also complicated pig-to-human organ transplantation efforts.

Five patterns may define how we sleep—not just night owl or early bird.

Scientific American | Kate Graham-Shaw. A study originally published in 2025 but highlighted in Scientific American this week suggests there are five sleeping subtypes with their own specific brain patterns, behaviors, and health implications. Researchers concluded classic early birders were healthiest overall, as defined by their behavioral choices, emotional stability, and brain efficiency. Genetics, hormones, and environment likely contribute to where each of us lands, but how they interplay remains unknown. (More)

> When you sleep is as important as how much you get.

What's pulled from the skin with the alternative therapy known as cupping?

American Chemical Society | Staff. Scientists have created a new way to examine the air inside specialized cups with and without vacuum suction—simulating cupping. In a small study with a dozen volunteers, researchers detected an array of compounds, offering potential insights into how the traditional Chinese medicine approach may affect physiology. Cupping is popular among athletes for muscle recovery and other applications, and famously left telltale purple dots on Michael Phelps at the 2016 Olympics. (More)

> See photos of Michael Phelps after cupping.

In partnership with Fisher Investments

9 Reasons to Reconsider Buying an Annuity

Annuities might seem to offer peace of mind, but the fine print can hold surprising downsides. The details of early withdrawal penalties or layered fees can be buried in dense contracts—so you may not realize what they can cost you.

Fisher Investments’ guide for investors with $1,000,000 or more breaks down the complexities and reveals what you need to know about these products. Download Annuity Insights: 9 Questions Every Annuity Investor Should Ask for essential insights today.

Please support our sponsors!

 Etcetera 

> Ancient Egyptians developed the first pregnancy test—and scientists have tested it.

> Our salad staple for most of the 20th century was iceberg lettuce. 

> Blood evolved many times over hundreds of millions of years.

> Concierge medicine practices are booming in Florida and California.

> Modern bodybuilding evolved in the 19th century.

> See what different decibel levels mean for hearing loss.

> A growing number of autism researchers with the disorder are reshaping the field.

> Leprosy symptoms can take two decades to manifest.

> Learn about the top cause of blindness in older Americans, age-related macular degeneration.

> Three US maps illustrate transplants, donors, and organ waitlist additions—by state.