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New $3.1M NIH grant for University of Houston to study how ‘spongy heart’ disease develops — and whether it can be stopped

University of Houston researcher Mingfu Wu has received a $3.1 million NIH grant to investigate left ventricular noncompaction, a serious heart condition that can lead to heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. The study aims to uncover a common mechanism behind different genetic causes of LVNC and potentially identify new targets fo...

National socioeconomic status influences disease severity at treatment start and duration of treatment in patients with psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis

A new study found that patients from wealthier European countries tend to start biologic treatments earlier but stop or switch treatment earlier, experiencing lower disease activity. The study highlights the importance of ensuring timely and equitable access to effective treatment for patients with PsA and axSpA.

SourceElsevier·JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 11, 2026

Osimertinib with or without chemotherapy in advanced non–small cell lung cancer with EGFR and concurrent TP53 mutations

A randomized phase 3 study found that first-line osimertinib plus chemotherapy significantly improved median progression-free survival compared to osimertinib alone in patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and concurrent EGFR and TP53 mutations. This study provides evidence for incorporating TP53-based molecular ris...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateAug 10, 2026

Ceperognastat in early symptomatic Alzheimer disease

A clinical trial of Ceperognastat, a novel O-linked N-acetylglucosaminidase inhibitor, found no significant slowing of Alzheimer's disease progression in early symptomatic patients. The study published in JAMA suggests that Ceperognastat may not be effective in treating this stage of the disease.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateJul 13, 2026

Influenza frequently missed in winter deaths, new study finds

A new study found that influenza was detected in 11% of winter deaths, but only 17% had a confirmed diagnosis before death. The study highlights the gap between detection and official mortality records, suggesting influenza may play a larger role in winter mortality than routine surveillance captures.

SourceBeyond·JournalClinical Microbiology and Infection·DateApr 9, 2026

The cost of survival: Women more likely to survive cancer but suffer more severe side effects

A recent study found that women have a 21% lower risk of death compared to men, but a 12% higher risk of severe side effects from cancer treatment. The research, conducted in partnership with international collaborators, analyzed data from over 20,000 cancer patients and identified sex-based differences in survival and treatment toxicity.

SourceAdelaide University·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 15, 2026

AI model identifies how every country can improve its cancer outcomes

A machine learning model has identified the most important drivers of cancer survival in nearly all countries, highlighting factors such as national wealth, access to radiotherapy and universal health coverage. The model provides data-driven roadmaps for policymakers to prioritize resources and close survival gaps.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·JournalAnnals of Oncology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 13, 2026

Chromatin accessibility maps reveal how stem cells drive myelodysplastic progression

Chromatin accessibility maps reveal that MDS stem cells gradually lose their normal identity and acquire characteristics typical of myeloid progenitors. A 'progenitor score' developed by the team tracks cell movement toward a progenitor-like state, correlating with disease severity and prognosis.

SourceThe Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 12, 2025

Mathematicians model the menace of mosquitoes

Researchers have created a model that can handle complex mosquito behavior and its impact on human diseases. The study reveals surprising findings, such as it may be better to let a mosquito bite you in terms of overall transmission.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalBulletin of Mathematical Biology·DateNov 6, 2025

Key mechanism for Alzheimer’s disease discovered

Researchers at Heidelberg University have discovered a key mechanism for Alzheimer's disease, identifying a neurotoxic protein-protein complex responsible for nerve cell death and cognitive decline. A novel pharmacological inhibitor, FP802, has shown promising results in slowing disease progression.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateAug 26, 2025

Younger men have higher risk for mortality and cardiovascular disease for type 2 diabetes than type 1 diabetes; whereas for women type 1 diabetes outcomes are worse at all ages

A new study found that younger men with type 2 diabetes are more likely to experience worse cardiovascular disease and mortality outcomes compared to those with type 1 diabetes. In contrast, women with type 1 diabetes face poorer health outcomes across all ages, particularly due to longer exposure to high blood sugar levels and less ag...

AI can find cancer pathologists miss

Researchers at Uppsala University have developed an AI system that can detect subtle tissue changes indicative of prostate cancer, missing it from human pathologists. The study found the AI detected cancers in over 80% of cases where pathologists missed them.

SourceUppsala University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 22, 2025

What traits matter when predicting disease emergence in new populations?

Researchers at Penn State have identified certain characteristics that can help predict whether a virus will persist in a new population. Infection prevalence and viral shedding were found to be significant predictors of long-term viral persistence. The study used a worm model system to examine disease transmission and emergence at a p...

SourcePenn State·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 21, 2025

Structure meets function: Glycocalyx analyzed at the molecular level for the first time

Researchers at Max Planck Institute successfully image individual sugars within the glycocalyx at molecular resolution, linking their spatial arrangement to biological function. This breakthrough enables functional conclusions about cellular processes and opens new avenues for clinical applications.

SourceMax Planck Institute for the Science of Light·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 29, 2025

Smithsonian research reveals that probiotics slow spread of deadly disease decimating Caribbean reefs

Researchers have discovered that a bacterial probiotic helps slow the spread of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) in already infected wild corals in Florida. Applying the probiotic treatment across entire coral colonies helped prevent tissue loss, providing a more lasting protection than traditional antibiotics.

SourceSmithsonian·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 5, 2025

Oxygen deprivation promotes colon cancer growth

Researchers at The University of Osaka found that localized oxygen deficiency in colon tumors can promote tumor growth by transforming normal fibroblasts into inflammatory fibroblasts. These altered cells release factors that help tumors grow, offering a potential new target for cancer therapy.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 20, 2025

The potential oncogenic role of serum-derived hsa_circ_101555 as a non-invasive diagnostic/prognostic marker in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

The study found that serum-derived hsa_circ_101555 showed excellent diagnostic accuracy in differentiating HCC patients from healthy controls. It also demonstrated a prognostic role in predicting tumor progression and response to therapy, with significant correlations with markers of liver inflammation and tumor features.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalGene Expression·DateApr 24, 2025

Clinical characteristics, treatment effects and risk factors of liver cirrhosis in patients with Wilson’s disease hepatic type

A single-center retrospective study analyzed clinical data, imaging, histopathological manifestations, genetic testing results, and treatment effects in 48 WD patients. The study found age at diagnosis, K-F ring presence, and higher immunoglobulin G levels were associated with cirrhosis risk factors.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology·DateMar 28, 2025

Hepatic biliary adenofibroma: Histological characteristics, diagnostic challenges, and its role as a precursor to intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Hepatic biliary adenofibroma (BAF) is a rare, benign tumor with histological characteristics distinct from other biliary tumors. Emerging case reports suggest potential for malignant transformation and overlap with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), highlighting diagnostic challenges and need for further research.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Pathology·DateFeb 28, 2025