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McMaster researchers identify new DNA region linked to frailty

Researchers at McMaster University have identified, for the first time, a novel region of DNA and two associated genes connected to frailty, offering neurological and immune-related insights that might help explain why some older adults are more likely to be frail than others.

22 Apr 2026

Morning naps may flag higher mortality risk in older adults

Older adults who took longer and more frequent daytime naps, especially in the morning, had a higher risk of all-cause mortality in this prospective cohort study using actigraphy-based nap tracking. Variability in nap duration from day to day was not associated with mortality after full adjustment.

21 Apr 2026

Injectable immunotherapy shrinks precancerous oral lesions in clinical trial

Injecting nivolumab (Opdivo) directly into precancerous oral lesions led to reduction in lesion size and allowed some patients to avoid surgery, according to research from a phase I clinical trial presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026, held April 17-22.

21 Apr 2026

Parents cite screen time and lack of interest as major fitness barriers

Younger children and teens often have built-in opportunities to stay active through gym class, sports and extracurricular activities.

20 Apr 2026

Study links ultra-processed food intake to poorer thigh muscle quality

A Radiology study of 615 adults at risk for knee osteoarthritis found that higher ultra-processed food intake was associated with greater fat infiltration in thigh muscles on MRI, a marker of poorer muscle quality. The association remained after adjustment for BMI, was stronger in models using abdominal circumference, and did not differ significantly by sex.

15 Apr 2026

Matching exercise timing to body clock chronotype improves heart health

Timing exercise to match body clock chronotype-the natural predisposition to morning or evening alertness-may lower cardiovascular disease risk among those who are already vulnerable, suggests research published in the open access journal Open Heart.

15 Apr 2026

Liver cancer burden rising globally amid shift to metabolic risks

Primary liver cancer continues to pose a major global health challenge, ranking as the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.

15 Apr 2026

Brief intense workouts offer significant health benefits

At this time of year, many people make an extra effort to establish good exercise routines. We know that exercise is good for our health, but it can still be difficult to get started and maintain good habits.

15 Apr 2026

Loneliness is linked to higher risk of degenerative heart valve disease

Adults who reported feeling lonely had a higher risk of developing degenerative heart valve disease, even after accounting for traditional heart disease risk factors and genetics, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open-access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

15 Apr 2026

Gaining weight before age 30 tied to higher mortality

The study reveals that weight gain before 30 years is associated with increased mortality risk, underscoring the need for early obesity intervention strategies.

15 Apr 2026

Waist-to-height ratio outperforms BMI in predicting hypertension risk

New waist-to-height cut-offs to assess fat mass and obesity predicted the risk of hypertension better than body mass index, according to a new study from the University of Eastern Finland and the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Rutgers University in the US.

14 Apr 2026

Feeling lonely impacts memory without accelerating mental decline

Loneliness affects the memory of older adults but does not speed up mental decline over time, suggests data from a major European study tracking more than 10,000 people over seven years.

14 Apr 2026

Supportive neighborhoods linked to slower cognitive decline in older immigrants

Older Chinese immigrants living in neighborhoods with greater access to community amenities, services and supportive infrastructure experienced slower cognitive decline over time, according to Rutgers Health researchers.

13 Apr 2026

Beetroot supplement raises nitric oxide markers in triathletes after one week

A randomized cross-over pilot study in 10 amateur male triathletes found that a beetroot-based multi-ingredient nitrate supplement increased nitric oxide-related and redox biomarkers over 7 days without evidence of lipid oxidative damage. The supplement was generally well tolerated, but the study did not measure whether these biochemical changes improved performance or recovery.

13 Apr 2026

Moving more, sitting less, and sleeping well may lower dementia risk

Findings suggest that regular physical activity and adequate sleep may lower dementia risk, emphasizing the need for evidence-based lifestyle guidelines.

13 Apr 2026

Enriched environments improve stroke recovery and reduce brain inflammation

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Its recovery is often challenging as most of the stroke survivors remain chronically disabled, with motor deficits affecting a significant percentage of patients.

11 Apr 2026

Combined training improves fitness outcomes in heart failure patients

Heart failure affects more than 64 million people worldwide (1%–3% in the general adult population) and its prevalence is projected to increase.

10 Apr 2026

GLP-1 and dual GLP-1 / GIP drugs help lose body fat while preserving lean mass

New research to be presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025, Malaga, Spain, 11-14 May) shows that patients using GLP-1 or combined GLP-1 / GIP receptor agonist therapy for weight loss experienced minimal lean muscle mass loss as they lost weight across 6 months of treatment.

10 Apr 2026

More steps cut chronic disease risk but cannot fully undo long sitting

Research shows higher daily step counts can mitigate risks of chronic diseases linked to prolonged sitting, emphasizing the need to reduce sedentary time.

10 Apr 2026

When omega-3 may help mental health and when they may not

Investigating omega-3 fatty acids, this review highlights their impact on mental health, inflammation, and the potential for therapeutic use in disorders.

10 Apr 2026