When humans tackle many everyday tasks, ranging from driving to completing household chores and work assignments, they rely heavily on working memory. This is the brain’s ability to temporarily store and manipulate important information that can help complete a task in the immediate future.

Pete Hegseth, the U.S. defense secretary, recently announced plans to measure testosterone levels in U.S. soldiers with a promise of “ensuring you have the right testosterone levels to operate at your absolute best.” Soldiers found to have low testosterone would be offered treatment, although accepting it would remain voluntary.

The movements of a surgeon in a procedure—called “surgical gestures”—can be used to predict patient recovery, according to Cedars-Sinai investigators. Their findings, published in npj Digital Medicine, suggest this technology could help surgeons refine their techniques and improve patient outcomes.

Nutrition and growth during the first years of life are critical to the development of children born prematurely. A new study from the University of Granada analyzes the long-term consequences of extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR), which affects 37% of premature infants. The researchers identified possible persistent structural brain abnormalities.

The success of an operation depends on more than expertise and technical skills. A study by Leiden researchers shows that surgeons’ leadership skills under pressure play a crucial role. “The ability to perform under pressure starts long before the operation does.”