New research indicates that the type of carbohydrates consumed may significantly affect dementia risk, with diets high in fast-acting carbs increasing the risk, according to a study highlighted by Science Daily on January 27, 2026. The research emphasized that the quality of carbohydrates, not just the quantity, plays a crucial role in brain aging.

The study found that individuals who consumed diets rich in slow-digesting carbohydrates, such as fruits, legumes, and whole grains, had a noticeably lower risk of Alzheimer's disease, according to Universitat Rovira i Virgili, as reported by Science Daily. This suggests that choosing the right types of carbs could help maintain brain health for years.

In other news, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced his first major governing test as Winter Storm Fern brought heavy snowfall, damaging ice, and below-freezing temperatures to the city over the weekend, according to Time. The storm, which forecasters predicted could affect more than 230 million people across the country, led to thousands of canceled flights and power outages affecting over 1 million people.

Tragically, more than a dozen people died during the storm, including seven in New York City, Time reported. Mayor Mamdani stated that the deaths in New York City are still under investigation, adding that it was too early to share a broader diagnosis or cause of death.

Meanwhile, federal health care workers condemned the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents, accusing the department of causing a growing public health crisis, according to Time. A coalition of current and former Health and Human Services (HHS) staffers released a letter through the group Save HHS, expressing their deep concern.

"We cannot pursue our mission to improve the health and well-being of all Americans while DHS agents are murdering, assaulting, and terrorizing people who call this country home," the letter stated, referring to Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Minneapolis, as "our colleague." Multiple videos reportedly show Pretti attempting to flee before the shooting.

In the tech world, multiple sources highlighted advancements in diverse fields, including microbiology, biosemiotics, human memory, and interactive fiction, Wired reported. The growing popularity of Anthropic's Claude Code AI and Intel's high-performing Core Ultra Series 3 laptop chips were also noted. Dell is offering significant discounts on laptops, desktops, and monitors, including special offers for new customers and bundled purchases, making it a good time to upgrade tech.