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Brain breathing mechanism linked to persistent high blood pressure

A brain mechanism may explain why approximately 40% of people with hypertension continue to have high blood pressure despite taking medication. The discovery reveals potential targets for new treatments.

16 Mar 2026

U.S. cigarette smoking falls below 10% for the first time but millions still use tobacco

Analysis of the 2023–2024 National Health Interview Survey shows that 18.8% of U.S. adults use tobacco, while cigarette smoking has fallen to 9.9%, the first time it has dropped below 10% nationally. Despite this milestone, millions of Americans still use cigars, e-cigarettes, or smokeless tobacco, with notable disparities across age, income, occupation, and geography.

15 Mar 2026

New statement released on the use and interpretation of spirometry for COPD diagnosis

The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) and the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) have published a joint statement on the use and interpretation of spirometry for the diagnosis of COPD.

13 Mar 2026

Targeting two influenza proteins may reduce viral transmission

A long-running debate in vaccine design revolves around whether a vaccine should be optimized to prevent the virus from replicating inside an infected host or prevent the virus from transmitting to others.

13 Mar 2026

Fertility treatments linked to small increases in some cancers

Findings indicate small increases in certain cancers linked to assisted reproduction, though overall cancer incidence aligns with the general female population.

13 Mar 2026

Japanese study evaluates sleep architecture and safety of common insomnia drugs

OSA is a common sleep disorder characterized by oxygen desaturation due to repeated airway collapse during sleep.

12 Mar 2026

As lung disease threatens workers, lawmakers seek protections for countertop manufacturers

César Manuel González, 37, used to work with stone that was engineered to endure: dense, polished slabs designed to outlast the kitchens in which they were installed.

12 Mar 2026

Escalating Middle East conflict places severe strain on regional health systems

More than ten days into the latest escalation of conflict in the Middle East, health systems across the Region are coming under strain as injuries and displacement rise, attacks on health care continue, and public health risks increase.

11 Mar 2026

Severe COVID and flu infections increase risk of lung cancer

Severe COVID-19 and influenza infections prime the lungs for cancer and can accelerate the disease's development, but vaccination heads off those harmful effects, new research from UVA Health's Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research and UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center indicates.

11 Mar 2026

Viagra ingredient improves symptoms in patients with Leigh syndrome

Sildenafil – an active ingredient also marketed under the name of Viagra – improves symptoms in patients with Leigh syndrome.

11 Mar 2026

DNA origami vaccine platform shows promise against multiple infectious viruses

The COVID-19 pandemic brought messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines to the forefront of global health care. After their clinical trial stages, the first COVID-19 mRNA vaccine was administered on 8 December 2020 and mathematical models suggest that mRNA vaccines prevented at least 14.4 million deaths from COVID-19 in the first year alone.

11 Mar 2026

Air pollution may be lowering global IQ and widening inequality, researchers warn

Researchers argue that exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) may affect cognitive function and intelligence, potentially causing large population-level losses in global IQ. Using modelling based on published exposure–response data, the authors estimate that pollution could be associated with tens of billions of IQ points lost worldwide, with the largest impacts in lower-income regions.

10 Mar 2026

Long COVID taste loss tied to reduced expression of key taste genes

The study identifies molecular changes in taste receptor cells as a potential cause of persistent taste dysfunction in long COVID-19, impacting quality of life.

5 Mar 2026

Researchers find novel path to treat Rett syndrome

A team of researchers at Texas Children's Duncan Neurological Research Institute (NRI) and Baylor College of Medicine report in Science Translational Medicine a potential new approach to treat Rett syndrome – offering early promise for a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that currently has no cure.

5 Mar 2026

Chile verified as leprosy free after decades of public health efforts

The World Health Organization (WHO), together with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), congratulates Chile for becoming the first country in the Americas – and the second globally – to be officially verified as having eliminated leprosy disease.

4 Mar 2026

Why measles remains one of the most contagious viral diseases worldwide

This review synthesizes current evidence on measles virus biology, immune responses, complications, treatments, and prevention strategies. It highlights how measles can suppress immune memory, increasing susceptibility to other infections, and underscores vaccination as the most effective control measure.

4 Mar 2026

Nearly 70 weeks after infection, long COVID patients show no detectable inflammation in blood tests

A controlled Norwegian case-control study examined circulating biomarkers of inflammation and neuronal injury in people with long COVID about 69 weeks after infection. The researchers found no significant differences in systemic inflammatory or neuroinjury markers compared with recovered controls after statistical correction.

4 Mar 2026

Study highlights the mental health costs of marine ecosystem damage

The year-long algal bloom along the South Australian coastline has not only devastated marine life and triggered health risks for humans and pets: it has also had a significant psychological impact on local residents, according to new research.

4 Mar 2026

Nonadherence to COPD medication increases hospital admissions and mortality

Medication nonadherence among people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a result of affordability and lack of knowledge about medications, among other factors, and leads to increased exacerbations and faster lung function decline, according to two new studies.

4 Mar 2026

Removing patient fees doubles digital healthcare consultations among young adults

Young adults are more likely to consume healthcare when it is available via healthcare apps, and even more so if they do not have to pay patient fees.

4 Mar 2026