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Study shows probiotics help preterm babies fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Researchers found that probiotics help reduce antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the guts of very-low-birth-weight preterm infants, but cannot fully prevent resistance genes from spreading. Antibiotic use still promotes gene swapping, highlighting the limits of probiotics alone in neonatal care.

17 Aug 2025

International experts recommend broader use of cardioprotective diabetes drugs

SGLT-2 inhibitor and GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs should be used in all or almost all adults with type 2 diabetes at higher risk of cardiovascular and kidney complications, and in the majority of adults at moderate risk of complications, say a panel of international experts in The BMJ today.

17 Aug 2025

GIPR signaling opens brain’s gate for GLP-1 weight-loss therapy

A Cell Metabolism study reveals that GIPR signaling in oligodendrocytes enhances brain access and weight-loss efficacy of GLP-1R agonists by increasing vascular permeability and targeting appetite-regulating neurons. This mechanism may explain why GIPR/GLP-1R co-agonists outperform single-agent therapies.

14 Aug 2025

Research shows GLP-1 drugs safeguard vision despite small retinopathy risk

A large study of over 185,000 adults with type 2 diabetes found that GLP-1 receptor agonist use was linked to a slight increase in new diabetic retinopathy cases but fewer severe eye complications, including a reduced risk of blindness. Patients with existing retinopathy on these drugs also needed fewer invasive eye treatments over two years.

13 Aug 2025

Pregabalin raises heart failure risk in older adults compared to gabapentin, study finds

A large Medicare cohort study found that older adults prescribed pregabalin had a significantly higher risk of developing heart failure compared to those prescribed gabapentin. The elevated risk was most pronounced in individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular disease, especially women and White patients.

13 Aug 2025

Understanding opioid safety and overdose prevention for older adults

With increasing age, older adults are more likely to encounter health conditions and injuries that require opioid therapy for pain relief.

13 Aug 2025

Study supports pre-surgery use of GLP-1 RAs for weight reduction

Overweight patients waiting for operations could safely use a particular type of weight-loss treatment to reduce the risk of surgical complications linked to their obesity, a new study reveals.

12 Aug 2025

Nudibranchs (sea slugs) emerge as a promising source of cancer drugs

Researchers reviewed the antitumor potential of bioactive compounds from nudibranchs, marine mollusks that acquire or synthesize potent chemical defenses. These compounds, often sourced from their diet, show promising cancer-fighting activity through mechanisms like DNA damage, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.

12 Aug 2025

Old Parkinson's medication offers new hope for tuberculosis treatment

A medication developed in the 1950s to treat Parkinson's disease may offer a powerful new tool in the fight against tuberculosis (TB), according to new research from the University of British Columbia.

12 Aug 2025

New Canadian guideline highlights expanded role of obesity medications

"Pharmacotherapy can help people living with obesity improve overall health, not just lose weight," says Dr. Sue D. Pedersen, MD, endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist in Calgary, and lead author of this guideline. "The goal of obesity medications is to improve metabolic, mechanical, and/or mental health, and improve quality of life, incorporating treatment goals that are important to each individual patient."

11 Aug 2025

Brain’s energy control map offers blueprint for next-gen weight loss therapies

Scientists map how the brain integrates hormonal and neural signals from the body to control appetite, energy use, and reward pathways, revealing targets for next-generation anti-obesity drugs. This review highlights the interplay between neuroendocrine circuits, neuroplasticity, and pharmacotherapy for durable, non-aversive weight loss.

11 Aug 2025

WHO expands global network of trusted medical product regulators

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially designated Health Canada, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare/Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (MHLW/PMDA) of Japan, and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of the United Kingdom as WHO-Listed Authorities (WLAs), a status granted to national authorities that meet the highest international regulatory standards for medical products.

8 Aug 2025

Tracking counterfeit medicines through chemical fingerprints

Medicines have a unique chemical fingerprint, according to a new study from the University of Copenhagen. Researchers say this knowledge can be used to trace counterfeit or stolen medicine.

7 Aug 2025

Asthma drug found to prevent food allergy reactions in mice

A drug already FDA-approved for asthma was found to nearly eliminate life-threatening allergic reactions to food allergens in mice - a breakthrough that could lead to new protection for millions of people living with food allergies, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study.

7 Aug 2025

Deep learning model predicts adverse drug reactions from chemical structure

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a significant cause of hospital admissions and treatment discontinuation worldwide. Conventional approaches often fail to detect rare or delayed effects of medicinal products.

7 Aug 2025

Flavonols found in foods can block drug resistance protein and boost medication absorption

Researchers identified specific flavonols that potently inhibit breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), a key driver of drug resistance and poor oral drug absorption. The study found that these flavonols can reverse chemotherapy resistance in vitro and boost drug exposure in animal models, though clinical translation remains uncertain.

6 Aug 2025

RAND study highlights patterns of GLP-1 medication use and side effects

Nearly 12% of Americans have used GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, including about one-fifth of women aged 50 to 64, according to a new RAND report.

6 Aug 2025

Diabetes drug linked to lower risks of dementia and early death

New research in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism reveals that metformin, a medication traditionally prescribed to treat diabetes, is linked to lower risks of dementia and early death.

6 Aug 2025

Researchers question the historical basis of ancient psychedelic rituals

A new article in the peer-reviewed journal Psychedelic Medicine takes aim at one of the most influential, and controversial, narratives in comparative psychedelic culture: the idea that ancient Greek mystery rites at Eleusis were fueled by psychedelic drugs.

5 Aug 2025

Research offers hope for weight loss without gastrointestinal distress

Weight loss and diabetes drugs on the market often do not achieve long-term weight loss for patients. GLP-1 drugs target brain neurons that control appetite but frequently cause side effects.

5 Aug 2025