New blood test can predict risk of postpartum depression with more than 80% accuracy

Posted on 26/10/2025 by admin

Like many first-time mothers, Lisette Lopez-Rose thought childbirth would usher in a time of joy. Instead, she experienced panic attacks as she imagined something bad happening to her baby, coupled with a heavy sadness that wouldn’t lift. The San Francisco Bay Area mother recognized that her extreme emotions weren’t normal, but she was afraid to tell her obstetrician. What if they took her baby away?

At about six months postpartum, Lopez-Rose discovered an online network of women with similar experiences and ultimately opened up to her primary care doctor. “About two months after I started medication, I started to feel like I was coming out of a deep hole and seeing light again,” she says.

Today, Lopez-Rose works at Postpartum Support International, coordinating volunteers to help new mothers form online connections.

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### Understanding Postpartum Depression

About one in eight U.S. women go through a period of postpartum depression (PPD), making it one of the most common complications of childbirth. It typically occurs in the first few weeks after delivery, coinciding with a sudden drop in the reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone.

As scientists unravel the chemical and genetic changes caused by these shifting hormones, they are discovering new ways to diagnose and treat postpartum depression — and even ways to identify who is at risk.

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### A New Era in Postpartum Depression Diagnosis and Treatment

The first-ever drug specifically for postpartum depression, containing a derivative of progesterone, received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2019. This marked a new approach to treating the disorder.

This winter, in another major advance, a San Diego–based startup will launch a blood test called myLuma that predicts a pregnant woman’s risk of postpartum depression with more than 80 percent accuracy. This product will be the first commercially available test to use biomarkers in the blood to predict the onset of a psychiatric disorder, much like blood tests that detect signs of diseases such as cancer and diabetes.

Pregnant women who learn they are at risk for postpartum depression could take preventive steps, such as starting antidepressants after childbirth or arranging for extra support.

Jennifer Payne, a reproductive psychiatrist at the University of Virginia and a lead investigator on the studies behind myLuma, says, “If we have a blood test, it brings psychiatry down to the level of biology, which I think your average person can understand as something that needs treatment and isn’t just in somebody’s head.”

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### The Unpredictable Effects of Hormones

In 2001, Payne became intrigued by postpartum depression as a window into the onset of mood disorders. This raised a key question: Why does the sudden drop in hormones after childbirth significantly affect some women but not others?

While transient feelings of anxiety and sadness are common within days of giving birth, only some women develop a deeper, more persistent depression.

Payne teamed up with Zachary Kaminsky, an epigeneticist then at Johns Hopkins University, who studied how estrogen affects mouse brains. Epigenetics involves small chemical groups called methyl groups attaching to genes, affecting how active these genes are. Environmental factors like pollution and nutrition can influence this reversible methylation.

By comparing female mice given high estrogen levels to those without, Kaminsky found estrogen caused specific gene methylation patterns in the hippocampus—a brain region involved in mood control.

These findings guided analyses of blood samples Payne collected from 51 women with histories of mood disorders, tracked throughout pregnancy and afterward. Two estrogen-sensitive genes — HP1BP3 and TTC9B — emerged as significant. Over 80 percent of women who developed postpartum depression showed greater methylation on one gene and less on the other.

Moreover, these gene changes were detectable throughout pregnancy, meaning “you can predict which women will develop postpartum depression,” Kaminsky says.

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### Validating the Biomarkers

Kaminsky, Payne, and collaborators replicated the findings in further studies. A 2016 Neuropharmacology paper reported that methylation patterns of these genes correctly predicted over 80 percent of postpartum depression cases in 240 pregnant women without psychiatric histories.

Another 2020 study published in Psychiatry Research, involving scientists from Johns Hopkins, Emory University, and the University of California, Irvine, confirmed these results in 285 pregnant women.

This epigenetic research forms the basis of the myLuma test, which also incorporates additional biomarkers to improve accuracy, according to Kaminsky.

Beginning January 2026, myLuma is expected to be available in some doctors’ offices in Florida, Texas, and California. Although not yet FDA-approved, doctors may use such lab tests to assist clinical decisions.

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### Exploring Other Hormonal Factors: Neuroactive Steroids

Not all postpartum depression cases involve these epigenetic changes. Researchers continue to explore other biomarkers, focusing on neuroactive steroids — molecules produced from progesterone in the brain and other tissues.

One key neuroactive steroid, allopregnanolone, has calming effects by affecting a brain receptor called GABA-A, known for stress reduction. Allopregnanolone levels rise during pregnancy and drop sharply after delivery.

Other related steroids include pregnanolone, which has similar effects, and isoallopregnanolone, which reduces the antidepressant effect of allopregnanolone, increasing stress.

A 2025 study in Neuropsychopharmacology on 136 pregnant women found that an imbalance of pregnanolone and isoallopregnanolone during pregnancy increased the likelihood of developing postpartum depression.

Measuring these chemicals’ ratios in blood could provide another way to predict postpartum depression, says reproductive psychiatrist Lauren M. Osborne of Weill Cornell Medicine.

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### Advances in Treatment: Synthetic Neuroactive Steroids

Allopregnanolone has also proven valuable in treating postpartum depression. A synthetic form, brexanolone, developed by Sage Therapeutics, was FDA-approved in 2019, becoming the first drug specifically for postpartum depression.

These “transformative therapies” work rapidly, according to a 2025 Annual Review of Medicine article.

Women at high risk might benefit from preventive use of zuranolone, another drug under study, though this has not yet been tested, notes Samantha Meltzer-Brody, a reproductive psychiatrist at the University of North Carolina.

The availability of blood tests like myLuma “opens up that entire line of questioning on how do you get ahead of it, so you don’t have to wait until someone starts suffering,” she adds.

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### Additional Biomarker Research

In a 2022 Molecular Psychiatry article, neuroscientist Sarven Sabunciyan and colleagues described a study showing that RNA types carried in blood differ in women who develop postpartum depression. Specifically, RNA related to autophagy — the cellular cleanup process — decreased. Autophagy has links to other psychiatric disorders.

Clinical psychologist Eynav Accortt from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found altered protein patterns in plasma samples from women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including postpartum depression. These proteins are involved in neuron function and inflammation, which is known to contribute to depression.

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### Moving Towards FDA Approval

Payne is leading a large clinical trial to provide more detailed data on myLuma, particularly regarding false positives (women identified as at risk who don’t develop postpartum depression) and false negatives (women who develop postpartum depression but weren’t identified).

This step is essential for FDA approval, which would eventually allow the test to be offered directly to pregnant women.

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### Looking Back: A Mother’s Perspective

Lopez-Rose recalls the fear she felt in the months after her daughter’s birth. In those dark times, she quit her job, barely slept, and was overwhelmed by negative thoughts and self-doubt.

Now, she understands that reaching out for help was a sign of strength and a good mother.

Today, her daughter is four and thriving, as is Lopez-Rose. She says a blood test would have warned her what to watch for, “instead of it being so shocking when I was going through my depression.”
https://www.livescience.com/health/fertility-pregnancy-birth/new-blood-test-can-predict-risk-of-postpartum-depression-with-more-than-80-percent-accuracy

Does the full moon make us sleepless? A neurologist explains the science behind sleep, mood and lunar myths

Posted on 26/10/2025 by admin

Have you ever tossed and turned under a full moon and wondered if its glow was keeping you awake? For generations, people have believed that the Moon has the power to stir up sleepless nights and strange behavior—even madness itself. The word “lunacy” comes directly from *luna*, Latin for Moon.

Police officers, hospital staff, and emergency workers often swear that their nights get busier under a full moon. But does science back that up? The answer is, of course, more nuanced than folklore suggests.

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### What the Full Moon Really Does to Sleep

Several studies show that people really do sleep differently in the days leading up to the full moon, when moonlight shines brightest in the evening sky. During this period, people sleep about 20 minutes less, take longer to fall asleep, and spend less time in deep, restorative sleep.

Large population studies confirm this pattern, finding that people across different cultures tend to go to bed later and sleep for shorter periods in the nights before a full moon.

The most likely reason? Light. A bright moon in the evening can delay the body’s internal clock, reduce melatonin—the hormone that signals bedtime—and keep the brain more alert.

The changes are modest. Most people lose only 15 to 30 minutes of sleep, but the effect is measurable. It is strongest in places without artificial light, such as rural areas or while camping.

Some research also suggests that men and women may be affected differently. For instance, men seem to lose more sleep during the waxing phase, while women experience slightly less deep and restful sleep around the full moon.

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### The Link with Mental Health

For centuries, people have blamed the full moon for stirring up madness. Folklore suggested that its glow could spark mania in bipolar disorder, provoke seizures in people with epilepsy, or trigger psychosis in those with schizophrenia.

The theory was simple: lose sleep under a bright moon and vulnerable minds might unravel.

Modern science adds an important twist. Research is clear that sleep loss itself is a powerful driver of mental health problems. Even one rough night can heighten anxiety and drag down mood. Ongoing sleep disruption raises the risk of depression, suicidal thoughts, and flare-ups of conditions like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

That means even the modest sleep loss seen around a full moon could matter more for people who are already at risk. Someone with bipolar disorder, for example, may be far more sensitive to shortened or fragmented sleep than the average person.

But here’s the catch: when researchers step back and look at large groups of people, the evidence that lunar phases trigger psychiatric crises is weak. No reliable pattern has been found between the Moon and hospital admissions, discharges, or lengths of stay.

A few studies suggest there may be small effects. In India, psychiatric hospitals recorded more use of restraints during full moons, based on data collected between 2016 and 2017. In China, researchers noted a slight rise in schizophrenia admissions around the full moon, using hospital records from 2012 to 2017.

Still, these findings are not consistent worldwide and may reflect cultural factors or local hospital practices as much as biology.

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### Other Theories Fall Short

Over the years, scientists have explored other explanations for supposed lunar effects—from gravitational “tidal” pulls on the body to subtle geomagnetic changes and shifts in barometric pressure.

Yet, none of these mechanisms hold up under scrutiny. The gravitational forces that move oceans are far too weak to affect human physiology, and studies of geomagnetic and atmospheric changes during lunar phases have yielded inconsistent or negligible results.

This makes sleep disruption from nighttime light exposure the most plausible link between the Moon and human behavior.

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### Why the Myth Lingers

If the science is so inconclusive, why do so many people believe in the “full moon effect”?

Psychologists point to a concept called *illusory correlation*. We notice and remember the unusual nights that coincide with a full moon but forget the many nights when nothing happened.

The Moon is also highly visible. Unlike hidden sleep disruptors such as stress, caffeine, or scrolling on a phone, the Moon is right there in the sky—easy to blame.

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### Lessons from the Moon for Modern Sleep

Even if the Moon does not drive us “mad,” its small influence on sleep highlights something important: light at night matters.

Our bodies are designed to follow the natural cycle of light and dark. Extra light in the evening—whether from moonlight, streetlights, or phone screens—can delay circadian rhythms, reduce melatonin, and lead to lighter, more fragmented sleep.

This same biology helps explain the health risks of daylight saving time. When clocks “spring forward,” evenings stay artificially brighter. That shift delays sleep and disrupts circadian timing on a much larger scale than the Moon, contributing to increased accidents and cardiovascular risks, as well as reduced workplace safety.

In our modern world, artificial light has a much bigger impact on sleep than the Moon ever will. That is why many sleep experts argue for permanent standard time, which better matches our biological rhythms.

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### Conclusion

So if you find yourself restless on a full moon night, you may not be imagining things—the Moon can tug at your sleep. But if sleeplessness happens often, look closer to home.

It is likely a culprit of the light in your hand rather than the one in the sky.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/26/does-the-full-moon-make-us-sleepless-a-neurologist-explains-the-science-behind-sleep-mood-and-lunar-myths/

Too much social media may hurt kids’ thinking and memory skills

Posted on 25/10/2025 by admin

Spending too much time on social media might be hurting how children think, remember, and learn. A new study published in the journal *JAMA* found that kids who use social media more often tend to perform worse on tests that measure memory, reading, and vocabulary.

The study looked at 6,554 children between the ages of 9 and 13. These kids were part of a larger research project called the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, which is tracking the health and brain development of over 11,000 children in the U.S. as they grow up.

Researchers discovered that the average preteen spends about five and a half hours each day looking at screens for fun — and much of that time is spent on social media. Unlike watching TV or videos, social media involves constant interaction. Kids are scrolling, posting, checking for likes and comments, and messaging friends. This keeps the brain very busy and always alert.

Scientists already know that spending too much time on social media can lead to mental health problems like anxiety and depression in teens. However, until now, it wasn’t clear if social media use could also affect how kids think and learn.

To find out, the researchers studied social media habits over three years and grouped the children into three categories based on how much time they spent on social media:

– About 58% of kids barely used social media.
– Around 37% used it a little and gradually increased their time.
– A small group, about 6%, used social media heavily and kept increasing their time as they got older.

The researchers then tested the children’s brain skills using the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery. These tests measured how well the children could read, remember information, process data quickly, and understand vocabulary.

The results showed a clear pattern: the more social media kids used, the worse they did on these cognitive tests. Children in the heavy-use group scored the lowest, especially on memory and language tests. Those who didn’t use social media or used it very little scored the highest.

It is important to note that this study does not prove social media causes the lower test scores, but it does reveal a strong connection. More research is needed to understand exactly how social media affects brain development and whether certain platforms or activities might be more harmful than others.

Still, these findings suggest that it might be a good idea for parents and teachers to set limits on social media use, especially for younger children. Keeping screen time under control could help protect important brain skills that children need for school and learning.

As kids grow up in a digital world, understanding how technology affects their brains is more important than ever. This study is a strong reminder that not all screen time is the same — and some of it might be doing more harm than good.

If you care about Alzheimer’s, please consider reading studies about the likely causes of Alzheimer’s disease and new non-drug treatments that could help prevent it. For more health information, check out recent studies about diet that may help prevent Alzheimer’s, as well as research showing that some dementia cases could be prevented by changing these 12 lifestyle factors.

The full study is published in *JAMA*.
https://knowridge.com/2025/10/too-much-social-media-may-hurt-kids-thinking-and-memory-skills/

Trump Slowly Deflates the Higher Education Bubble – Liberty Nation News

Posted on 21/10/2025 by admin

The Neuroscience Behind Student Loans and the Higher Education Bubble

Neuroscience teaches us that the prefrontal cortex, which governs executive functions like decision-making, impulse control, and planning, is the last part of the brain to mature. Scientists argue that the brain’s efficiency and wiring are not fully completed until age 25.

Why does this matter to something like student loans? This developmental factor is a significant reason behind the higher education bubble.

For years, the federal government has operated on the premise that politicians and bureaucrats can offer a 19-year-old—fresh out of high school and with no real-world experience—a loan of $100,000 with a sky-high interest rate. These government-backed student loans have also enabled universities and colleges to keep raising their tuition rates, knowing the state is subsidizing their students.

This cycle has created financial paralysis for millions of young Americans, but it could soon come to an end.

The Higher Education Bubble

This past summer, President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. While most attention focused on tax cuts and the debt ceiling, the legislation also included a key student loan provision.

As part of the Republican megabill, Washington will cap student loan borrowing effective July 1, 2026. The law introduces annual and lifetime caps on borrowing for parents of undergraduates, professional degree students, and graduate enrollees. It also establishes a total lifetime cap for all borrowers at $257,500.

This is perhaps one of the most significant reforms to higher education in years.

Post-secondary institutions are already beginning to respond. Recently, the Santa Clara School of Law announced it would reduce tuition from approximately $66,000 per year to $50,000 for the 2026-2027 school year. The institution stated that the $16,000 tuition scholarship for all incoming full-time JD students was “designed to offset the impact of the recent repeal of the Graduate Plus federal-loan program, which is effective July 1, 2026.”

With fewer young Americans enrolling in college—total enrollment is roughly 3% below pre-pandemic levels—it’s almost guaranteed that other institutions will follow Santa Clara’s lead to stimulate demand. If so, the country will witness the slow deflation of the higher education bubble.

Subsidizing Demand

Former President Ronald Reagan famously said that if you subsidize something, you get more of it. Considering what has transpired at universities and colleges this century, he has been proven correct.

Government-guaranteed student loans have fueled the steep climb in college costs. With the government underwriting the risk, universities have faced little pressure to economize. Instead of streamlining operations, many have constructed lavish buildings, ballooning bureaucracies, and have hired celebrity professors with light teaching loads—all while tuition continued climbing.

Over the past 25 years, US university tuition has rocketed 100%, outpacing general inflation. Likewise, federal student loan debt has increased from around $200 billion to almost $1.7 trillion.

The federal government has routinely attempted short-term remedies to patch up the mess both parties have created over the last few decades—from suspending interest payments to bailing out specific categories of students and graduates. But these measures have merely masked the problem.

This situation is comparable to the current government shutdown debate regarding the Affordable Care Act. Because Obamacare has been a fiscal burden for US taxpayers, politicians have had to offer subsidies to the expensive program, benefiting insurance companies.

In 2021, economists at the New York Federal Reserve concluded that government student loans raise tuition costs.

> “We find a pass-through effect on tuition of changes in subsidized loan maximums of about 60 cents on the dollar, and smaller but positive effects for unsubsidized federal loans. The subsidized loan effect is most pronounced for more expensive degrees, those offered by private institutions, and for two-year or vocational programs,” they wrote.

Unintended Consequences

There have been other unintended consequences of government-student loans. One example: social media is flooded with videos of young graduates announcing their majors in “decolonizing the fine arts” and “combating white supremacy in ant farming.”

Without the discipline of the private market, individuals enroll in degrees that offer little chance of securing steady paychecks and rewarding careers. If the free market were to take over the student loan system, lenders would ensure that borrowers are enrolling in careers in high demand. If not? Be prepared to pay a higher rate of interest to study “Orange Man Bad Studies.”

Medieval Times and the Liberal Arts

The term “liberal arts” has become a pejorative—and rightly so—but this was not always the case. It derives from the Latin *artes liberales*, meaning “tools of freedom.”

During Medieval times, the liberal arts were divided into seven main subjects within two larger categories:
– Arts of language: grammar, logic, and rhetoric
– Arts of number: arithmetic, astronomy, geometry, and music

Considering that graduates’ IQ has declined about 17 points since 1939, it’s safe to say that today’s 20-somethings would struggle with a Medieval education.

Put simply, despite the $1.7 trillion worth of student loan debt, taxpayers have subsidized mediocrity and a system that holds contempt for Western civilization.

The higher education bubble is on the brink of popping. Good riddance.
https://www.libertynation.com/trump-slowly-deflates-the-higher-education-bubble/

Philadelphia seniors ‘strut’ into aging as they take charge of their health and find community

Posted on 20/10/2025 by admin

Seniors warm up ahead of the Philadelphia Corporation For Aging’s 13th annual Senior Strut along Boathouse Row on Oct. 17, 2025. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

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Margie Witts (left), 70, and Brenda Smith (right), 68, lead the PHL Huntington Park Walkers group, who get together a few times a week. They participated in the Philadelphia Corporation For Aging’s 13th annual Senior Strut along Boathouse Row on Oct. 17, 2025. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

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A group of seniors, all wearing matching T-shirts and headbands with fuzzy yellow pom-poms, walked down the Schuylkill River Trail with determination and purpose. Other walkers, bikers, and runners sped by on the trail during a recent Friday morning, but members of the Hunting Park We Walk PHL group were undeterred. Most of them are in their 60s, 70s, or 80s.

“We let them know, we’re not sitting home in a rocking chair,” said Brenda Smith, 68, who lives in Germantown.

The walking group is part of a free citywide program that coordinates meetups for people who want to exercise and improve their health. It’s also an opportunity for older residents to meet new people and create new support systems as they age.

“Some people don’t have anybody to talk to at all. They don’t even have family,” said Margie Witts, 70, who lives in Hunting Park. “You get to become a family.”

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The group joined more than 500 older city residents at Lloyd Hall on Boathouse Row on Friday to participate in the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging’s 13th annual Senior Strut health event, which featured presentations, exhibits, and music from the Philadelphia Mummers.

“Social isolation is unfortunately an issue that impacts the older adult community in Philadelphia and across the country,” said Bill Conallen, public relations specialist at the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. “Events like this bring people together, allow them opportunities for socialization and really build community and connection that they might not typically have.”

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With their yellow pom-poms bouncing on their heads with every step, the Hunting Park walkers were easily spotted in the crowd.

“If we see people walking, we tell them to come join us,” Smith said. “A lot of times when we’re exercising and people are standing back looking, we’ll encourage them to come on and be a part of it.”

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**Finding Support and Friendship Through Exercise**

Walking has many benefits for older adults, research shows. It can reduce the risks or severity of heart disease, diabetes, cognitive decline, and dementia. It’s also associated with better mental health and sleep.

The Hunting Park walkers regularly meet about three times a week and spend about an hour together outside in their neighborhood.

“We have a slow, medium and a fast group, so everybody walks at a different speed, but we all finish in 45 minutes and then we do a cool down and we’re done,” Smith said.

They’re even out during the coldest months of winter with about 15-20 people, she said. “Scarves, hats, gloves, earmuffs — we out here walking.”

When Smith joined in 2017, she didn’t know anyone in the group. Her doctor had recommended more exercise, so when she learned about the walkers, she went out to a meetup.

“They welcomed me with open arms and I’ve been there ever since,” she said.

It quickly became more than a place to work up a sweat. It’s a group where neighbors can share with each other the celebrations and joys of aging in Philly, as well as the challenges and hardships that come with getting older.

“When you sit down and talk to other people, you find out that they’re either going through something or they’ve been through it, and then they can give you some advice to tell you how they dealt with it,” Smith said.

When Margie Witts’ son died in 2018 and she became depressed, she found the walking group a comforting and supportive presence.

“I found out other people had the same situation I had, if not worse,” she said.

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Newcomer Jackie Jackson, 60, also found out about the group on Facebook and started walking with them about two days a week. She retired last December.

“I was looking for different things, because when you hit that retirement age, you start feeling like, ‘Oh my God, what am I going to do? I worked all my life, what am I going to do?’ It’s scary,” she said, laughing.

This year was her first time participating in the Senior Strut event.

“Most of the times, it’s relaxed, it’s beautiful, like this morning,” Jackson said.

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**In Other News**

Misty Copeland broke barriers as the first Black female principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre. Now, through her nonprofit, she’s making dance more accessible for children of color.

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*Photos by Kimberly Paynter/WHYY*
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/health/philadelphia-seniors-strut-into-aging-as-they-take-charge-of-their-health-and-find-community/article_251f6ded-5568-4b6b-87cf-69352107cd0a.html

EXCLUSIVE: Kate Middleton Set to Lean on Royal ‘Rock’ Who Lives Only 10 Minutes From Future ‘Forever Home’ as She Continues to Recover From Cancer Nightmare

Posted on 17/10/2025 by admin

Oct. 17, 2025, Published 7:20 p.m. ET

Kate Middleton will lean heavily on one of her closest friends in the royal family, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, as she continues her recovery from cancer. The two women are soon to become near neighbors, RadarOnline.com can reveal.

The Princess of Wales, 43, and Prince William, also 43, are preparing to move later this year from Adelaide Cottage to Forest Lodge, a larger residence on the Windsor estate described by royal insiders as their “forever home.” Their property lies just a 10-minute drive from Sophie’s residence, Bagshot Park – a proximity royal sources say will allow the two women’s already deep friendship to “grow even stronger.”

A Friendship Built on Loyalty and Trust

A palace source shared, “Sophie has been a constant presence in Kate’s life over the past year – calm, loyal, and completely dependable. She’s the one person Kate feels she can really talk to without judgment.”

“Kate’s move means they’ll be able to see each other far more often, and that support network will be invaluable as Kate continues her recovery.”

Middleton announced her cancer diagnosis in 2024, revealing she had begun preventative chemotherapy after abdominal surgery. Since then, she has stepped back from public duties to focus on her health and her three children – Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7.

According to sources, Sophie has become “a rock” for the Princess during this difficult period, offering both private reassurance and practical help.

Shared Experiences Strengthen Sophie and Middleton’s Bond

One royal expert explained that the women’s shared experiences have formed the foundation of their friendship. “They’re still incredibly close,” they said. “Both came from similar, down-to-earth backgrounds and had to navigate the same maze of royal protocol and expectations. That shared experience has created a bond and understanding between them that very few people could ever have.”

The source added that the two women’s relationship has always been rooted in warmth and authenticity. Their first public display of camaraderie occurred during a carriage procession at Royal Ascot in 2017, when Sophie lost her balance and fell on top of Middleton, and they both erupted in laughter.

A Friendship Marked by Genuine Affection

A source recalled, “It was completely natural and unguarded – nothing staged about it. In that moment, everyone watching could see their friendship was genuine and full of warmth.”

Their closeness deepened following the death of Queen Elizabeth II and later Kate’s health crisis. “Sophie stood beside Kate on the Foreign Office balcony in November 2024, only a few months after Kate had completed her chemotherapy. She gently placed a hand on her back – such a simple gesture, but it spoke volumes about the depth of their friendship.”

Another royal insider noted the pair’s friendship has taken on a “sisterly” quality. “They might be aunt and niece by marriage, but their relationship has always felt much closer than that,” the source said. “They share everything – laughter, worries, and the pressures that come with family and royal life. Sophie has become a calm, reassuring anchor for Kate at a time when she needs it most.”

Sophie’s Steady Support During a New Chapter

Insiders have also highlighted the deep trust between the two women. One said, “It’s difficult to see them simply as relatives – their connection is more like that of sisters or very close cousins. Sophie’s been a tremendous source of guidance, helping Kate navigate royal life while balancing motherhood and public duty.”

“She’s offered real comfort and stability to both Kate and William over what’s been an incredibly challenging 18 months.”

The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to complete their move to Forest Lodge before the end of the year, with aides describing it as a “permanent base” even after William becomes King – a new chapter for the family, and for Middleton, one which will be made easier by having what pals call her “royal rock,” Sophie, close at hand.

https://radaronline.com/p/kate-middleton-recovery-sophie-duchess-edinburgh-forever-home-cancer-battle/

EXCLUSIVE: Liz Hurley’s ‘Boosted’ Boobs Leave Fans Buzzing! Posh Model Sparks Plastic Surgery Rumors After Putting ‘Increased Cleavage’ on Full Display

Posted on 17/10/2025 by admin

**Elizabeth Hurley Flaunts Fuller Cleavage Amid Rumors of Breast Enhancement for Beau Billy Ray Cyrus**

*October 17, 2025 – 7:30 a.m. ET*

Busty British beauty Elizabeth Hurley has been showing off even more ample cleavage recently, sparking whispers that she may have enhanced her breasts for her beau, Billy Ray Cyrus, RadarOnline.com can reveal.

The 60-year-old bombshell debuted her new look at a recent awards show, and friends suspect she has increased her assets by at least a cup size.

**Plastic Surgery Rumors**

“Liz may say she’s not a fan of plastic surgery, but there are still rumors that she’s had some work done, like Botox, and other noninvasive treatments,” an insider shared. “Now people are buzzing about her boobs. She’s obviously done something to increase her cleavage.

“Liz is a strong, independent lady and if she’s done anything cosmetically, she would do it for herself first. But it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to guess she got her boobs done to please Billy Ray, too.”

As RadarOnline.com readers know, Hurley and the country music star, 64, confirmed their unlikely romance by posting a cozy snap on Easter Sunday. The pair met and became friends while working together on the movie *Christmas in Paradise* in 2022.

Sparks flew earlier this year when Hurley reached out to Cyrus following the collapse of his marriage to Firerose, and they have been inseparable ever since.

“Billy Ray thinks Liz is the sexiest woman he’s ever met and considers himself a lucky guy. Now, from the looks of her, there’s more of Liz to love,” added the source.

**The ‘Vampire Breast’ Procedure**

Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Robert H. Cohen suggests that the fullness of Hurley’s cleavage could be attributed to a “Vampire Breast” procedure — a nonsurgical breast lift that uses the patient’s own blood to stimulate collagen production and encourage tissue regeneration for fuller-looking breasts.

“It might be she got a ‘Vampire Breast’ procedure,” Dr. Cohen, whose website is robertcohenmd.com, told RadarOnline.com. “They’re a little bit sagging, but I’m not seeing a scar.”
https://radaronline.com/p/liz-hurley-boosted-boobs-plastic-surgery-rumors/

Diane Keaton’s ‘Secret Dementia’ Battle Exposed: Hollywood Icon Suffered From Disease ‘Years’ Before Her Death at 79

Posted on 16/10/2025 by admin

**Diane Keaton’s Family Reveals She Secretly Battled Dementia Before Passing Away**

*Published October 16, 2025, 8:29 p.m. ET*

Fans around the world were stunned by the sudden passing of beloved actress Diane Keaton. However, RadarOnline.com has revealed that the Oscar-winning star had been secretly battling dementia for years.

Keaton died on October 11, but her family disclosed four days later that her tragic passing was caused by pneumonia.

### “It Was So Sad”

A source close to Keaton told NewsNation that the actress had been fighting dementia for years, which impacted her ability to remember her lines. During the filming of the 2022 romantic comedy *Maybe I Do*, Keaton reportedly had to have her lines fed to her through an earpiece.

“It was so sad,” an on-set source shared. “William H. Macy was very supportive, but it was also frustrating because any time there was a break — a bathroom break, a meal, anything — it was back to square one. It was heartbreaking to watch. She was just so lovely.”

### A Family Battle with Alzheimer’s

Sadly, dementia was not unfamiliar to Keaton’s family. Her mother, Dorothy Deanne, suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for 15 years before passing away in 2008. Alzheimer’s can be hereditary, and Keaton had openly written about the heartbreak of watching her mother’s decline in her 2011 memoir, *Then Again*.

“Goodbye to names of places; goodbye to… recognizing me as her daughter,” Keaton recalled. She also shared how her mother’s journals documented her struggle — going from writing full paragraphs to only being able to write numbers, before eventually losing the ability to communicate through writing altogether.

One poignant 1993 journal entry read: “This is the day I heard I have the beginning of Alzheimer’s disease. Scary.”

### Cherishing Her Beloved Dog, Reggie

Keaton had been active on social media for years but had significantly reduced her joyful posts in recent times. Her last Instagram post was in April, honoring National Pet Day with a photo of herself and her beloved golden retriever, Reggie.

She adopted Reggie in 2020 and reportedly left him a substantial inheritance to ensure his care after her death. According to Hollywood insider Rob Shuter, $5 million of her estimated $100 million estate was placed in a trust for a private home and caretakers for Reggie, as well as ongoing donations to animal charities.

“Reggie was her world,” a close friend told Shuter. “Diane used to joke her great loves were her children, Al Pacino, architecture — and that dog.” Another source shared, “She wanted Reggie to live with the same dignity and humor she did.”

### Mystery Around Her Death Clarified

Keaton’s passing initially sparked questions until her family released a statement on October 15 explaining the cause of death. The *Father of the Bride* star is survived by her two adopted children, daughter Dexter, 29, and son Duke, 25.

“The Keaton family is very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane, who passed away from pneumonia,” the statement read.

They also encouraged fans to honor her memory by supporting causes close to her heart. “She loved her animals and she was steadfast in her support of the unhoused community, so any donations in her memory to a local food bank or an animal shelter would be a wonderful and much appreciated tribute to her,” the family added.

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Diane Keaton’s legacy as an extraordinary actress and compassionate human being will continue to inspire many.
https://radaronline.com/p/diane-keaton-dementia-battle-suffered-from-disease-years-before-death/

What women should know ahead of National Mammography Day

Posted on 16/10/2025 by admin

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Breast cancer affects thousands of women every year. According to Dr. Christine Zhang, “One out of eight women has the chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime, and, unfortunately, one out of 42 women will die from the disease.”

Early detection is crucial, as it significantly increases the chances of survival. “The survival rate when breast cancer is detected early is quite substantial,” Dr. Zhang explained. “Stage 1 breast cancer has a five-year survival rate of 93%.”

Despite high survival rates and advances in treatment, doctors continue to see new cases of breast cancer. Dr. Zhang notes that many women remain hesitant to come in for their screening mammograms, often because of concerns about how the imaging is done and the discomfort it may cause.

The COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to a decline in screening rates, as fewer women sought medical appointments during that time.

At the newly opened Kaiser Permanente Fresno Orchard Plaza Medical Offices, mammogram screenings are now available to patients. Dr. Zhang, a Medical Oncologist, says routine screenings typically begin at age 40. However, women with higher risk factors may need to start earlier.

“Women with a known family history of a BRCA gene mutation or a strong family history of breast cancer in first-degree and second-degree relatives are recommended to begin screening at a younger age,” she said.

In addition to clinical screenings, Dr. Zhang emphasizes the importance of self-exams at home, particularly for younger women. “We recommend self-exams in the shower or after the shower for women of all age groups,” she advised.

Health experts stress that if you notice anything unusual, you should see your doctor immediately. They also encourage reminding the women in your life to schedule and keep their yearly mammogram appointments. Early detection saves lives.
https://abc30.com/post/what-women-should-know-ahead-national-mammography-day/18020432/

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