Science Weekly The brain’s 5 eras, the vaccine that protects against dementia, altruistic ants
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Dec 4, 2025 Hannah Devlin, Science correspondent for The Guardian, dives into groundbreaking research in neuroscience and health. She discusses how our brains develop through five distinct phases, with adult functionality kicking in during our early 30s. The conversation takes an intriguing turn with new evidence linking the shingles vaccine to reduced dementia risk. Finally, Devlin explores the altruistic behavior of ants, showcasing their self-sacrificing acts to protect colony health against pathogens.
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Shingles Vaccine Linked To Lower Dementia Risk
- Analysis of Welsh health records suggests shingles vaccination associates with a lower dementia risk and slower progression.
- The effect was stronger in women and persisted across up to nine years of follow-up.
Immune Effects Could Explain Protection
- Possible mechanisms include broad immune effects or reduced nervous-system inflammation from preventing viral reactivation.
- The sex difference may reflect women's generally higher antibody responses to vaccines.
Pursue Trials And Take Offered Vaccines
- Researchers recommend a randomized controlled trial to confirm whether shingles vaccination causally reduces dementia.
- Madeleine Finlay suggests taking the shingles vaccine if offered based on current evidence.