For long-term brain health, older adults might want to carefully consider how they spend their downtime, according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of South Australia assessed the 24-hour activity patterns of nearly 400 people over age 60.

When it comes to brain health, the study found that the context or type of activity individuals engage in matters, news agency SWNS reported.

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Some sedentary behaviors are better for cognitive function than others, according to the findings, which were published in The Journal of Gerontology Series A. 

Mentally stimulating behaviors, such as reading, listening to music, praying, crafting and playing a musical instrument — as well as social behaviors like chatting with others — are beneficial for memory and thinking abilities, the study noted.

The research team referred to the “valuable insights” that could help reduce instances of cognitive impairment. More passive activities, like playing video games or watching TV, do not offer the same benefits as reading, praying and other activities, they noted.

More than 55 million people around the globe have dementia, according to estimates from the World Health Organization. Another 10 million new cases are diagnosed each year.

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Dr. Maddison Mellow, researcher at the University of South Australia, said that not all sedentary behaviors are equal when it comes to memory and cognitive health.

“The context of an activity alters how it relates to cognitive function, with different activities providing varying levels of cognitive stimulation and social engagement.” (iStock)

“In this research,” she said, “we found that the context of an activity alters how it relates to cognitive function, with different activities providing varying levels of cognitive stimulation and social engagement.”

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She said that scientists “already know that physical activity is a strong protector against dementia risk, and this should be prioritized if you’re trying to improve your brain health,” as SWNS reported.

“Even small, 5-minute time swaps can help.”

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“But until now, we hadn’t directly explored whether we can benefit our brain health by swapping one sedentary activity for another.”

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She went on, “And while the ‘move more, sit less’ message certainly holds true for cardiometabolic and brain health, our research shows that a more nuanced approach is needed when it comes to thinking about the link between sedentary behaviors and cognitive function.”

It’s wise to “prioritize movement that’s enjoyable and gets the heart rate up,” she also said.

And “even small, 5-minute time swaps can help.”

“A more nuanced approach is needed when it comes to thinking about the link between sedentary behaviors and cognitive function.” (iStock)

A recent study published by the RAND Corporation in California also identified several major predictors occurring around age 60 that could likely lead to cognitive impairment and dementia in individuals by age 80, as Fox News Digital previously reported.

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Researchers evaluated 181 potential risk factors, including demographics, socioeconomic status, lifestyle and health behaviors, health history, psycho-social factors and more.

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The list of predictors, according to RAND, included “never exercising” and “low engagement in hobbies.” 

The study results suggested that “maintaining good physical and mental health is beneficial not just to staying in shape, but also to staying sharp and delaying cognitive decline,” study co-author Peter Hudomiet, a RAND economist in California, told Fox News Digital.

Melissa Rudy of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.

Babies born in the year 2025 will begin the newest generation – Generation Beta.

Following Generation Alpha (2010 to 2024), Gen Beta will comprise a new group of kids born between 2025 and 2039.

The Australian research firm McCrindle predicted that Gen Beta will make up 16% of the world’s population by 2035, and many will live to see the 22nd century.

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The research and analysis group, led by demographer and futurist Mark McCrindle, wrote in an article that Gen Beta “represents a pivotal chapter in our evolving world.”

“We named them Alpha and Beta to signify not just new generations, but the first generations that will be shaped by an entirely different world,” McCrindle stated.

Gen Beta will face a variety of fast-changing global factors, like evolving technology, societal challenges, sustainability and climate, experts say.

“The DNA of children doesn’t change, but the culture does – and it has a dramatic impact on how kids turn out.”

As Gen Beta will mostly be the children of younger millennials and older Gen Zers, their parents will prioritize “adaptability, equality and eco-consciousness in their parenting,” McCrindle predicted.

“This will result in Generation Beta being more globally minded, community-focused and collaborative than ever before,” the article reads. “Their upbringing will emphasize the importance of innovation not just for convenience, but for solving the pressing challenges of their time.”

Gen Beta will be the children of younger millennials and older Gen Zers. (iStock)

High-tech kids

As artificial intelligence grows in prevalence and access to technology continues to increase, Gen Beta’s digital and physical worlds will be “seamless,” according to analysts.

“Generation Beta will live in an era where AI and automation are fully embedded in everyday life — from education and workplaces to health care and entertainment,” McCrindle wrote.

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The research group predicted that Gen Beta will likely be the first generation to experience autonomous transportation “at scale,” as well as wearable health technologies and immersive virtual environments as “standard aspects of daily life.”

“Generation Beta will live in an era where AI and automation are fully embedded in everyday life,” McCrindle predicted. (iStock)

“Their formative years will be marked by a greater emphasis on personalization — AI algorithms will tailor their learning, shopping and social interactions in ways we can only begin to imagine today.”

As Gen Beta kids enter a world of “always-on technology,” digital interactions will be key to social connections, education and careers, the analysts noted.

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“We predict Generation Beta will embody the balance between hyper-connectivity and personal expression,” McCrindle said. “They’ll redefine what it means to belong, blending in-person relationships with global digital communities.”

Generational parenting

The fate of Gen Beta kids will largely hinge on their millennial and Gen Z parents, who welcome technology as a learning tool but are also wary of the risks of overexposure, according to experts.

“You can’t change the world, but you can change how you’re parenting.”

Educational psychologist and parenting expert Dr. Michele Borba noted that parents will need to pay attention to what Gen Beta needs to thrive.

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“The DNA of children doesn’t change, but the culture does – and it has a dramatic impact on how kids turn out,” California-based Borba said in an interview with Fox News Digital. 

“That said, you can’t change the world, but you can change how you’re parenting.”

Paying attention to what drives your child is crucial to their development and happiness, according to one psychologist. (iStock)

“The first step [for parents] is to recognize the changes that are happening … so they can make sure they’re raising a strong generation of kids who can handle a new world,” she added.

Gen Beta will be a “generation of digital natives,” born into a world where their chores, shopping and even homework can be done for them, according to the psychologist. 

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“Critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication – those will all be impacted by AI,” Borba predicted.

The psychologist encouraged parents to remain calm during uncertain times, since children will mirror their response. (iStock)

She suggested that parents teach their Gen Beta kids to be adaptable, as things like technology and job markets will see major changes in their lifetime.

Borba also encouraged parents to remain calm during uncertain times, as children will mirror that response.

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The psychologist also stressed the importance of children getting enough social interaction, especially if they don’t have siblings.

“What’s crucial to the well-being of our children is strong social relationships,” she said.

Social regression has already impacted the youngest generations, Borba warned, resulting in shorter attention spans and a fear of taking risks.

Parents should teach their kids social skills to balance a reliance on growing technology, a psychologist advised. (iStock)

For parents raising kids of an entirely new generation, she went on, it’s essential to pinpoint and nurture their strengths.

“Figure out who your kid is,” she advised. “From a very early age, figure out what drives them, not what you want them to become.”

Fox News Digital reached out to McCrindle requesting comment.

2024 brought some major advancements in medicine.

That includes the approval of “innovative” drugs like Tryvio for high blood pressure, Neffy for severe allergic reactions and Dupixent for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which all gained FDA approval this year.

These medications are “slated to make a big clinical impact for those who need them,” according to GoodRx, a California-based digital health care platform.

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Earlier this month, GoodRx released a list of the 19 most influential drug and vaccine approvals of 2024, some newly designed to treat certain conditions and other existing medications that were approved for additional uses.

Here is the list in order of FDA approval date.

1. Dupixent – Additional use: Eosinophilic esophagitis (an allergic condition that causes inflammation of the esophagus)

2. Amtagvi – New medication: Advanced melanoma

3. Xolair – Additional use: Food allergies

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4. Wegovy – Additional use: Cardiovascular risk reduction

5. Tryvio – New medication: High blood pressure

6. Nexletol – Additional use: High cholesterol

Some medications offer new treatments for common conditions, like Tryvio for high blood pressure and Nexletol for high cholesterol. (iStock)

7. Winrevair – New medication: Pulmonary arterial hypertension

8. mRESVIA – New vaccine: RSV

9. Capvaxive – New vaccine: Pneumococcal disease

10. Wakix – Additional use: Pediatric narcolepsy

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11. Ohtuvayre – New medication: COPD

12. Kisunla – New medication: Alzheimer’s disease

13. Voquezna – Additional use: Heartburn from non-erosive GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)

Some newly approved medications are administered via injection, like Kisunla for Alzheimer’s and Dupixent. (iStock)

14. Zunveyl – New medication: Alzheimer’s disease

15. Yorvipath – New medication: Hypoparathyroidism (low levels of the parathyroid hormone)

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16. Neffy – New medication: Severe allergic reactions

17. FluMist – Additional use: Self- or caregiver-administration 

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18. Cobenfy – New medication: Schizophrenia

19. Dupixent – Additional use: COPD

Many of the newly approved drugs are nasal sprays, like FluMist, a nasal spray vaccine that helps prevent the flu, and Neffy, which is used to treat life-threatening allergic reactions. (iStock)

In a disclaimer, GoodRx noted that the list was created by prioritizing “first-in-class medications and vaccines that are expected to have a significant impact on human health.”

“This was defined as either the number of lives touched or the expected degree of impact for future medication recipients,” the company wrote. 

“We also prioritized medications with effectiveness or safety data that represent a notable advantage over other medications recommended by clinical treatment guidelines or mainstay medical organizations.”

Fox News Digital reached out to GoodRx for comment.