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Can saffron treat Alzheimer’s and depression?

Saffron shows promise as a natural treatment for depression and cognitive decline, performing as well as standard drugs in clinical trials. However, more rigorous studies are needed before saffron can be recommended in mainstream psychiatric and dementia care.

26 Jun 2025

Fire smoke exposure found to alter immune system at the cellular level

Exposure to fire smoke-which can be composed of particulate matter, gases, materials from buildings such as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), toxic metals, and carcinogenic compounds-may alter the immune system on a cellular level, according to a new study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

26 Jun 2025

Study finds overlap between chemotherapy side effects and brain aging

While chemotherapy can be lifesaving, it also damages DNA and leads to cognitive issues known as "chemo brain." These effects resemble the memory and learning problems seen in older adults, prompting University of Oklahoma researchers to investigate this unique overlap of cognitive decline.

26 Jun 2025

Epigenetic enzyme SETD1B drives aggressive growth in acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow that progresses rapidly, making immediate treatment essential.

26 Jun 2025

Inflammatory cells may persist despite biologic therapy in severe asthma

Biological drugs have improved the lives of many people with severe asthma. However, a new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden shows that some immune cells with high inflammatory potential are not completely eradicated after treatment.

26 Jun 2025

NANOSPRESSO device brings precision medicine to hospital pharmacies

A new gene therapy delivery device could let hospital pharmacies make personalized nanomedicines to order.

26 Jun 2025

Global report calls for innovation and cooperation to improve newborn health

More effective platforms for drug and medical device development and better cross sector engagement are urgently required to prevent the 'unacceptably high' newborn death rate, according to a global report.

26 Jun 2025

One in six cancer medications fails safety standards in sub-Saharan Africa

Serious quality defects were found in a significant number of cancer medications from sub-Saharan Africa, according to new research from the University of Notre Dame.

26 Jun 2025

Tirzepatide rewires appetite and slashes calorie intake in new obesity trial

A 6-week randomized trial found that tirzepatide significantly reduced energy intake, appetite, and cravings in adults with overweight or obesity, outperforming liraglutide and placebo. Brain imaging revealed that tirzepatide also lowered neural responses to high-fat, high-sugar food cues, offering mechanistic insight into its potent weight-loss effects.

25 Jun 2025

Synthetic opioids and designer benzodiazepines linked to driving impairment

No-one could claim to be unaware of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs (DUID): drugs can increase the time needed to react, impair coordination, alertness, and cognition, and lower inhibitions, thus encouraging reckless and aggressive driving.

25 Jun 2025

New guidance helps GPs manage patients using weight loss drugs

Academics at King's College London and the University of East Anglia have released guidance for GPs on how to manage patients who may be privately accessing weight loss drugs.

25 Jun 2025

What RFK Jr. isn’t talking about: How to make vaccines safer

Within an hour of receiving a covid vaccination in November 2020, Utah preschool teacher Brianne Dressen felt pins and needles through her arms and legs.

25 Jun 2025

Working in people-contact roles increase risk of type 2 diabetes

The emotional demands and confrontation inherent in person-contact roles, involving direct face to face or voice to voice interaction with external parties, are linked to a heightened risk of type 2 diabetes, suggests research published online in Occupational & Environmental Medicine.

25 Jun 2025

Fusion genes found to be pivotal players in cancer development

Fusion genes, arising from abnormal chromosomal rearrangements, are gaining recognition as pivotal players in cancer development. These genetic alterations result in the creation of hybrid genes with altered functions, often driving tumor progression.

25 Jun 2025

Ribosome biogenesis plays critical role in liver health and disease progression

This new review article highlights the critical role of ribosome biogenesis in liver health and disease progression.

25 Jun 2025

Researchers link brain waste clearance to early Alzheimer’s damage

A crucial link between the brain's cleaning system and deterioration of neurons associated with Alzheimer's disease has been discovered by University of Queensland researchers.

25 Jun 2025

How a novel reaction in E. coli helps recycle plastic into paracetamol

Researchers have demonstrated that E. coli can perform a biocompatible Lossen rearrangement, enabling phosphate-catalysed conversion of synthetic substrates into valuable compounds. This approach allows engineered bacteria to upcycle PET plastic waste into paracetamol, highlighting a novel intersection of chemistry and biotechnology.

24 Jun 2025