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Year-long adherence to buprenorphine sharply reduces overdose risk in young people

New research from Mass General Brigham finds that adolescents and young adults who stayed on the medication buprenorphine for at least a year had markedly lower risks of opioid overdose and hospitalization compared with peers who discontinued medication early or took it inconsistently.

18 Nov 2025

New model warns of a staggering $68 billion alcohol burden in Australia

Alcohol-related diseases and injuries have the potential to cost the Australian healthcare system a staggering $68 billion over 60 years if nothing is done to stop the impact.

13 Nov 2025

Social media addiction linked to poor sleep in Bangladeshi students

A new study published in Nature and Science of Sleep reveals a strong connection between social media addiction and poor sleep quality among high school graduates in Bangladesh, offering fresh insights into the mental health and digital habits of young people.

13 Nov 2025

Rising youth e-cigarette use threatens children’s health and human rights

Exposing children to e-cigarettes compromises their human rights. These products should be regulated in a way that puts children's best interests first and protects them from the harms associated with nicotine consumption in all its forms, argue experts in The BMJ today.

12 Nov 2025

School vaping prevention lessons show promise but misconceptions remain

Teachers in the UK report increased confidence in addressing vaping, but ongoing confusion about its dangers indicates a need for improved prevention materials.

12 Nov 2025

Study uncovers a surprising connection between sugar metabolism and alcohol addiction

Scientists have uncovered a surprising connection between sugar metabolism and alcohol addiction, identifying a potential new therapeutic target for treating alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD).

10 Nov 2025

How modern habits are reshaping the Mediterranean diet for the worse

Nearly all children and adolescents in five Mediterranean countries consume unhealthy ultra-processed foods daily, according to the DELICIOUS Project. The study links higher intake to obesity, older age, screen time, eating out, and exposure to food advertising.

9 Nov 2025

Unregulated nicotine pouches gaining popularity among young people in Scotland

Young people in Scotland are experimenting with nicotine pouches and reporting adverse effects such as sickness and fainting, according to new research from the Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen) published today in the journal Addiction.

7 Nov 2025

New NIH grants fuel research in oral cancer treatment and pain relief

Researchers at the School of Dentistry at UT Health San Antonio, the academic health center of The University of Texas at San Antonio, have been awarded three multi-year grants totaling $6 million from the National Institutes of Health to address treatment and pain management for oral cancer.

7 Nov 2025

New project aims to reduce addiction through prevention infrastructure development

Researchers at Wayne State University will work with Michigan agencies and education partners to improve access to school-based substance use prevention and treatment programs for adolescents who are at risk of substance misuse and substance use disorders (SUDs).

7 Nov 2025

Over-the-counter pain relievers outperform opioids after wisdom tooth extraction

Over-the-counter pain medications work as well or better than opioids after wisdom tooth extraction for both men and women, according to a Rutgers Health-led follow-up to a landmark paper on comparative pain relief.

6 Nov 2025

Experimental intranasal vaccine triggers broad immune response against multiple strains of H5N1

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD) reported encouraging results from an early phase clinical trial that found an experimental intranasal vaccine triggered a broad immune response against multiple strains of H5N1 "bird flu".

6 Nov 2025

Opioid receptors caught in motion offering clues for safer painkillers

Scientists have known for decades that opioids relieve pain by binding to molecular switches in the brain called mu-opioid (pronounced "mew-opioid") receptors. What they didn't know - until now - was exactly what happens next.

5 Nov 2025

AI helps detect early signs of alcoholism in firefighters with 80% accuracy

A deep learning model using brain scans and tests predicts alcohol use disorder risk in firefighters, enhancing mental health strategies in high-stress jobs.

5 Nov 2025

Daily vaping and failed quit attempts rise sharply among U.S. youth

Since 2019, overall rates of nicotine vaping have declined among U.S. youth, but those who continue to vape are showing signs of worsening addiction, according to new USC research.

3 Nov 2025

Healthy lifestyle habits plus GLP-1 RA drugs can improve heart health of people with Type 2 diabetes

People with Type 2 diabetes who combined healthy lifestyle habits with GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) medications had a greater reduction in risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular disease death, compared to people only taking the medication, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025.

3 Nov 2025

Sock hops and concerts: How some places spent opioid settlement cash

Officials in Irvington, New Jersey, had an idea. To raise awareness about the dangers of opioid use and addiction, the township could host concerts with popular R&B artists like Q Parker and Musiq Soulchild.

3 Nov 2025

Molecular bumpers and glues rewire GPCR signaling for next-generation medicines

New research led by the University of Minnesota Medical School demonstrates that molecules acting as "molecular bumpers" and "molecular glues" can rewire G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, turning the cell's busiest receptors into precision tools - opening the door to a new generation of safer, smarter medicines.

31 Oct 2025

Unlocking memory: The role of epigenetics in memory expression

Our experiences leave traces in the brain, stored in small groups of cells called "engrams". Engrams are thought to hold the information of a memory and are reactivated when we remember, which makes them very interesting to research on memory and age- or trauma-related memory loss.

29 Oct 2025

How branding and peer pressure keep kids hooked on energy drinks

Children and adolescents in North East England still find energy drinks easy to access despite a voluntary UK ban, drawn by taste, price, and powerful marketing. Hydration drinks like PRIME are viewed as “healthier,” even though young consumers often misunderstand their ingredients and health impacts.

28 Oct 2025