ADHD meds tied to lower suicide, drug and crime risk; 1 vanilla latte with extra iron, please; how strokes short-circuit the brain’s ability to read – Morning Medical Update

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ADHD meds tied to lower suicide, drug and crime risk

ADHD medication is linked to significantly reduced risks of suicidal behavior, substance misuse, transport accidents and criminality, according to a Swedish study of nearly 150,000 people. Published in The BMJ, the analysis found those who took medication had up to 17% lower risk across these outcomes compared to untreated individuals, with even stronger effects among people with repeat incidents — offering new evidence that ADHD drugs may provide life-shaping benefits beyond symptom relief.

Sprinkle some iron and iodine in your coffee

MIT researchers have developed a new way to fortify foods and beverages with iron and iodine using tiny crystalline particles known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Designed to avoid changes in taste and remain stable in heat and humidity, the particles can be added to a variety of foods — including drinks like coffee — and deliver nutrients effectively once in the stomach. The same platform could potentially carry other key nutrients like zinc and calcium. In early tests, the dual-loaded MOFs released both iron and iodine into the bloodstream after consumption. The research, published in Matter, aims to support nutrition in regions where iron deficiency remains a widespread concern.

How strokes short-circuit the brain’s reading circuit

A new National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded study from Georgetown University reveals that some stroke survivors struggle with reading not just because of phonological issues, but because they can no longer link written words to their meanings. Using MRI scans and word-imageability tests, researchers pinpointed brain damage in the superior temporal sulcus that disrupts how meaning supports word recognition. The findings, published in Brain, open new paths for therapy to help stroke survivors regain one of life’s most essential skills.