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Shining a spotlight on cancer

A Mizzou researcher developed an antibody that attaches to and lights up EphA2 protein in cancerous tumors, allowing for non-invasive detection and identification of patients who can benefit from targeted treatments. This innovation could save time and money while advancing precision medicine.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalMolecular Imaging and Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2026

Vitamin C may help protect fertility from a harmful environmental chemical

Researchers found that male fish exposed to vitamin C and potassium perchlorate showed improved fertility and less damage to their testes compared to those exposed only to the chemical. The study suggests a potential safeguard for individuals regularly exposed to these chemicals, including military personnel.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2026

Saving lives, not raising birthrates, is Eastern Europe’s best hope against population decline

A new study reveals that reducing mortality through large-scale investment in public health is a more effective and ethically sound strategy than encouraging people to have more children. By focusing on lowering mortality rates, countries can slow population decline and maximize the return on investment in their existing population.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalBulletin of the World Health Organization·DateDec 15, 2025

Population-level trends in ADHD medication prescribing

A repeated cross-sectional study found a significant increase in stimulant prescribing for ADHD, with the largest acceleration observed among female adolescents and young adults aged 18 to 64. The study's findings are consistent with prior research but provide new insights into population-level trends.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 11, 2025

How family size affects your health: New study reveals surprising patterns

The study found that having no biological offspring was linked to a higher risk of schizophrenia in both men and women. Having more than one offspring compared to one was associated with disease risks across multiple systems. Each additional offspring reduced mental and behavioral disorders by 7% and breast cancer risk by 18% for women.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 10, 2025

Informal human milk sharing among US mothers

A large sample of first-time mothers in the US reported informal human milk sharing, with 1 in 27 participants feeding their infants shared milk. Pediatric practitioners should be aware of this trend and counsel families on risks and recommended risk-reduction strategies.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateNov 6, 2025

Study finds food security resources for refugees resettling in Australia are accurate but too difficult to read

A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that most informational materials meant to assist refugees in Australia are written above the recommended reading level. The study evaluated 184 government and community-developed resources, finding nearly all were accurate but 96% too difficult for refug...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 5, 2025

Research finds higher rare risk of heart complications in children after COVID-19 infection than after vaccination

A new study analyzing linked electronic health records found that COVID-19 infections led to a higher and longer-lasting risk of rare heart complications, including myocarditis and thrombocytopenia, compared to vaccination. The research team estimated an additional 2.24 cases of myocarditis per 100,000 children after COVID-19 infection.

SourceHealth Data Research UK·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·TypeObservational study·DateNov 4, 2025

Health data for 57 million people in England show changing patterns of heart diseases before, during and after the pandemic

The study analyzed linked health data for over 57 million people in England, finding drops in cardiovascular disease incidence during the pandemic. However, diagnoses rates have returned to pre-pandemic levels, with increased cases of heart failure and inflammation of heart tissue observed after the pandemic.

SourceHealth Data Research UK·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2025

Medicaid expansion linked to improved long-term survival in cancer patients

A recent study published in Cancer Discovery found that Medicaid expansion is associated with improved five-year cause-specific and overall survival rates among cancer patients. The research showed significant improvements in survival rates for patients living in rural areas, high-poverty areas, and those with higher-mortality cancers.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Discovery·DateOct 8, 2025

People disregard advice when making tough decisions

An international study found that people across cultures tend to rely on their own intuition rather than seeking advice when making complex decisions. The research, led by the University of Waterloo, suggests that understanding this preference can help clarify cross-cultural misunderstandings and improve teamwork.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateAug 12, 2025

Americans want stronger safety net for older adults

A Cornell University-led study finds that Americans are increasingly supporting a stronger safety net for older adults, with nearly 58% backing increased Social Security spending. The survey also reveals growing demand for government-provided care programs, such as help with everyday household tasks like grocery shopping and cleaning.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Aging & Social Policy·DateJul 22, 2025

US adolescents with cannabis use disorder failing to complete rehabilitation

A recent study by Florida Atlantic University found that US adolescents with cannabis use disorder have low treatment completion rates, ranging from 34.2% to 33.8%. The most common reasons for not completing treatment were dropping out, transferring facilities, and being terminated. Adolescents who began using cannabis at a younger age...

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalPediatric Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 22, 2025

Disproportionately more opioids prescribed in poorer areas

A recent study found that people in poorer areas receive three times the prescriptions for opioids than those in wealthier areas, despite a decline in overall opioid use in Canada. The research highlights the persistence of inequalities in healthcare and the need for targeted interventions to mitigate the risks of opioid misuse.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalDrugs - Real World Outcomes·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 17, 2025

Illinois plant ecologists fight to restore Midwest biodiversity

Researchers at the University of Illinois are working to bring back biodiversity to the Midwest by analyzing commercially sold seeds and plants. They found that long-lived species were more available than sensitive ones, and certain plant groups were over- or underrepresented in commercial seed mixes.

Fecal samples from bowhead whales link ocean warming to rising algal toxins in Arctic waters

Rising ocean temperatures are causing higher concentrations of toxic algae in Arctic food webs, threatening the nutritional and cultural well-being of Alaska Native communities. Bowhead whales serve as indicators of this change, revealing a critical linkage between warming temperatures and increased bowhead toxicity.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 9, 2025

UN-backed global research shows benefits of tracking ocean giants for marine conservation

A global research project has identified the most critical locations in the world's oceans for better marine conservation efforts. The study found that current Marine Protected Areas only cover 8% of the ocean, highlighting the need for additional protection and mitigation strategies to conserve threatened marine megafauna.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 5, 2025

Being incarcerated and living in areas where more have gone to jail is associated with higher death rates

Individual incarceration is strongly associated with increased mortality in the US, as well as higher all-cause mortality among people living in counties with high incarceration rates. Incarcerated individuals face a 39% higher risk of dying from any cause and are three times more likely to die from drug overdose.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 3, 2025