Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Does paracetamol/acetaminophen use in pregnancy increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children?

A recent review of 3 million participants found small positive associations between prenatal paracetamol exposure and autism and ADHD, but these associations weakened with higher-quality studies. The evidence does not support a causal link between paracetamol use during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders in children.

SourceWiley·JournalDevelopmental Medicine & Child Neurology·DateSep 23, 2026

Alcohol marketing exposure and youth drinking

A systematic review and meta-analysis revealed a strong association between alcohol marketing exposure and increased drinking outcomes among youth. The study's findings suggest that reducing alcohol marketing can help mitigate the risk of youth drinking, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address this public health con...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateAug 24, 2026

Symptom worsening in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy

A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials found that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is associated with worsening symptoms of depression. The study examined individual participant data from over 13,000 participants, providing evidence for the potential negative effects of this therapy on depression.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 20, 2026

Microplastics can reduce cadmium toxicity in plants, but the protective effect depends on environmental conditions

A global meta-analysis of over 4,200 studies found that microplastics can alter cadmium uptake and movement in plants, reducing oxidative stress and nutrient imbalance. However, the effects vary greatly depending on particle size, polymer type, concentration, and environmental conditions.

SourceShenyang Agricultural University Collaborative Journals·JournalNew Contaminants·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2026

Olfactory impairment and depression

Subjective olfactory impairment consistently associated with depression, while objective impairment linked to aging and anosmia. The study suggests partly distinct underlying mechanisms for subjective and objective impairments.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery·DateJul 9, 2026

Lack of access to data can skew medical conclusions

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses rely on complete data, but many studies lack underlying data. This can lead to unreliable results and assumptions that are difficult to verify. Researchers argue for clearer data sharing requirements to strengthen trust in research and reduce the risk of erroneous conclusions.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 16, 2026

Lead-attributable cardiovascular disease burden

A longitudinal analysis of 42,000 participants found higher bone lead levels associated with significantly increased cardiovascular disease mortality risk. The study highlights the urgent need for strengthened surveillance, regulation, and remediation to reduce the lead-attributable burden worldwide.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateMar 30, 2026

Music may not boost focus or mood during exercise, review suggests

A large review of studies found no consistent effect of music on focus or mood during exercise, with results varying depending on intensity and participant characteristics. The findings suggest that broad claims about music's benefits are not always supported and highlight the need for more rigorous study designs.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 26, 2026

Researchers identify best strategies to cut air pollution and improve fertilizer quality during composting

Scientists have uncovered practical strategies that can significantly reduce harmful air pollution from composting while improving the quality of organic fertilizers. Biochar emerged as the most effective single solution, consistently reducing ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions while enhancing nitrogen retention.

Quality of life of parents of premature infants

The study reveals parental quality of life is compromised during the premature infant's hospitalization period. A family-centered approach with tailored support from the neonatal intensive care unit and postdischarge period can protect and promote parental well-being.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJan 14, 2026

Investigating lithium’s potential role in slowing cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease

A systematic review and meta-analysis found that lithium supplementation did not significantly improve cognitive function in individuals with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease. Alternative formulations like LIT-O may be a potential alternative to harness lithium's neuroprotective properties more efficiently.

SourceFujita Health University·JournalNeuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 19, 2025

Alcohol consumption per capita and suicide

A systematic review and meta-analysis found a strong association between alcohol consumption per capita and an increase in suicide mortality rates. The study suggests that targeting alcohol consumption may be a useful strategy for comprehensive national suicide prevention efforts.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 22, 2025

Illinois analysis aims to ease GI symptoms for cancer patients

Researchers found that specific nutrient supplements like amino acids, probiotics, and herbs like ginger can effectively reduce nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Dietary counseling also showed promise in reducing common GI side effects. Oral nutritional supplements, however, did not demonstrate benefits in easing symptoms.

Helicobacter pylori eradication may raise risk of reflux esophagitis, meta-analysis warns

A recent meta-analysis found that Helicobacter pylori eradication may be associated with an increased risk of developing or experiencing reflux oesophagitis. The study analyzed data from 30 studies and showed a statistically significant increase in RE risk in RCTs, but not in cohort studies. Age, underlying diseases, region, and durati...

SourceFirst Hospital of Jilin University·JournaleGastroenterology·DateAug 14, 2025

Social outcomes among adults with hearing aids and cochlear implants

A systematic review and meta-analysis reveals that adults with hearing loss can enhance social engagement and functional outcomes by using hearing aids or cochlear implants. The study suggests that these devices should be encouraged for individuals with hearing loss to potentially improve their quality of life.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery·DateJul 3, 2025

Prenatal cannabis use and neonatal outcomes

A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that prenatal cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. The research also suggests a potential link between cannabis use during pregnancy and smaller-than-average newborns.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateMay 5, 2025

Meta-analysis finds Transcendental Meditation reduces post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms across populations and cultures

A meta-analysis of 15 studies with over 1,200 participants found TM to be highly effective in reducing stress and PTSD symptoms in diverse populations. The study showed a large effect size of 1.01 for TM compared to control groups, with rapid reductions in symptoms observed within one month of practicing TM.

SourceMaharishi International University·JournalMedicina·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 21, 2025

Breakthrough research revolutionizing pulmonary hypertension treatment

A recent study published in the International Journal of Cardiology analyzed data from multiple clinical trials to assess the therapeutic impact of pulmonary artery denervation (PADN) on pulmonary hypertension patients. PADN showed significant reductions in mean right atrial pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure, and pulmonary vascu...

SourceOchsner Health System·JournalInternational Journal of Cardiology·DateApr 8, 2025

Cardioprotective glucose-lowering agents and dementia risk

A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials found that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) were associated with a statistically significant reduction in all-cause dementia. Cardioprotective glucose-lowering therapies, however, did not show an overall reduction in dementia risk.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateApr 7, 2025

Thousands of lives could be saved by combining two cholesterol-lowering drugs

A large study suggests that patients at high risk of heart attacks and strokes should be treated immediately with a combination of a statin and ezetimibe, rather than statins alone. This combination therapy significantly reduces the risk of death from any cause and major adverse cardiovascular events.

SourcePolskie Towarzystwo Lipidologiczne (Polish Lipid Association)·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 23, 2025

Digital screen time and nearsightedness

A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis found a daily 1-hour increment in digital screen time was associated with a 21% higher odds of myopia. Researchers suggest that exposure to screens for less than 1 hour per day may be safe, but prolonged use increases the risk of nearsightedness.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 21, 2025

Educated but easily fooled? Who falls for misinformation and why

A systematic meta-analysis of online misinformation found that education level has no significant impact on people's ability to distinguish true from false information. In fact, older adults were better at distinguishing between true and false headlines than younger adults. The study also showed that individuals with higher analytical ...

SourceMax Planck Institute for Human Development·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 5, 2025

Electrifying your workout can boost muscles mass, strength, UTEP study finds

A new meta-analysis published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology found that using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) while doing resistance training increases muscle mass and strength compared to resistance training alone. The analysis reviewed over a dozen studies and showed that longer training periods yielded bet...

SourceUniversity of Texas at El Paso·JournalEuropean Journal of Applied Physiology·DateJan 9, 2025

Fluoride exposure and children’s IQ scores

A systematic review and meta-analysis found an inverse association between fluoride exposure and children's IQ scores. The findings suggest a dose-response relationship between fluoride levels and IQ across multiple countries, highlighting the need for comprehensive public health risk-benefit assessments of fluoride exposures.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateJan 6, 2025

Comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials demonstrate beef can be enjoyed in variety of heart-healthy diets

A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate that eating two servings of unprocessed beef daily has no adverse effects on traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Key findings include consistent evidence from RCTs showing lean beef consumption can be part of a heart-healthy diet.

SourceIndiana University School of Public Health·JournalCurrent Developments in Nutrition·TypeSystematic review·DateDec 19, 2024

Daily step count and depression in adults

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 96,000 adults found that higher daily step counts were linked to lower depressive symptoms. Further studies are needed to confirm the potential protective role of daily steps in depression.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 16, 2024