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Researchers identify a genetic brake for the formation of blood vessels in muscles

In an international study, researchers at Lund University in Sweden have identified a gene variant that controls the body's capability to form new blood vessels in muscles – a mechanism that affects physical performance, health and recovery.

18 Feb 2026

Researchers find new way to halt leukemia stem cell growth

In a new study published in Nature Communications, a research team at the University of Oslo have examined how cancer cells develop in the bone marrow and whether it might be possible to stop them.

18 Feb 2026

A simple handgrip test reveals how strong your working memory may be

Grip strength correlates with working memory performance and prefrontal activation, highlighting its potential as a cognitive health marker in older adults.

18 Feb 2026

Oral weight loss ingredient may have adverse biological effects for the gut and beyond

A new study from Adelaide University is turning a spotlight on those tablet versions, finding that the absorption-enhancing ingredient salcaprozate sodium (SNAC) may have measurable adverse biological effects for the gut and beyond.

17 Feb 2026

Can GLP-1 drugs slow neurodegeneration? New review finds promising signals but limited clinical proof

This review examines how GLP-1 receptor agonists may influence neurodegenerative disease biology through metabolic, inflammatory, mitochondrial, and proteostasis pathways. Evidence from mechanistic, preclinical, and early clinical studies suggests potential neuroprotective effects, but definitive disease-modifying benefit remains unproven.

17 Feb 2026

Scientists uncover nanoplastics in brain tissue and question their role in neurological disease

Emerging evidence suggests nanoplastics accumulate in human tissues including the brain and may contribute to neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative disease pathways. However, causality, exposure routes, and long-term health effects remain uncertain and require coordinated research.

17 Feb 2026

Muscle strength predicts longevity in older women

You don't need to look like a bodybuilder, but for healthy aging, maintaining muscle strength is likely just as important as getting enough aerobic activity.

17 Feb 2026

Oxygen-delivering gel heals chronic wounds in mice

As aging populations and rising diabetes rates drive an increase in chronic wounds, more patients face the risk of amputations.

17 Feb 2026

Mask-wearing during COVID-19 may have reduced heart attack risk triggered by air pollution

Researchers at Kumamoto University have discovered that behavioral changes during the COVID-19 pandemic-particularly widespread mask-wearing-may have reduced the risk of certain types of heart attacks triggered by air pollution.

17 Feb 2026

Short-duration psychedelic therapy shows promise for major depression treatment

A phase IIa randomized trial found that intravenous dimethyltryptamine (DMT) with structured psychological support produced rapid reductions in depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder. Improvements were statistically significant versus placebo at two weeks, with mostly mild-to-moderate adverse events and the need for larger confirmatory studies emphasized.

17 Feb 2026

New AI-based approach detects fatty deposits inside coronary arteries using OCT images

Researchers have developed a new artificial intelligence-based approach for detecting fatty deposits inside coronary arteries using optical coherence tomography (OCT) images.

17 Feb 2026

Reducing maternal smoking during pregnancy could lower hypertension rates in children

Maternal smoking during pregnancy may be associated with higher blood pressure and increased risk of hypertension in children, according to a new ECHO Cohort study led by Lyndsey Shorey-Kendrick, PhD, of Oregon Health & Science University and Christine Ladd-Acosta, PhD, of Johns Hopkins University.

17 Feb 2026

Redefining cardiovascular care for women

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death for women across the globe, yet significant progress has been made in prevention, diagnosis and management thanks to more sex-specific research, as noted in a special Go Red for Women issue of Circulation, the American Heart Association's flagship, peer-reviewed scientific journal, published today.

17 Feb 2026

Frozen in time: Ancient bacteria reveal evolution of drug resistance

Bacteria have evolved to adapt to all of Earth's most extreme conditions, from scorching heat to temperatures well below zero.

17 Feb 2026

Study links microbe-rich diets with better insulin and cholesterol markers

This exploratory Australian study developed a database to estimate live microbe content in foods and examined associations with cardiometabolic health indicators in adults. Higher intake of foods estimated to contain live microbes was linked with favourable markers such as higher HDL cholesterol and lower BMI, insulin, and waist circumference, although causality cannot be inferred.

16 Feb 2026

Do cocoa flavanols influence heart and fatty liver risk factors?

A recent Nutrients review examined whether cocoa-rich dark chocolate influences cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease risk factors through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and endothelial effects. Evidence suggests modest improvements in biomarkers, but most data come from short-term studies, so definitive clinical benefits remain unproven.

16 Feb 2026

Sleep loss triggers brain fluid pulses that impair attention, study finds

Sleep deprivation causes attentional lapses that coincide with coordinated changes in brain activity, pupil diameter, blood flow, and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics. These findings suggest attention failures reflect a transient brain–body state linked to sleep pressure rather than isolated neural errors.

16 Feb 2026