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Young onset dementia creates years of uncertainty for families

Families caring for a loved one with young onset dementia are facing years of uncertainty, financial strain and emotional exhaustion - with many struggling to access timely diagnosis and appropriate support, according to a new Curtin University study.

16 Sep 2026

Morning speech therapy benefits young people with childhood apraxia

For young people with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), a disorder that affects the brain's ability to plan and coordinate the movements needed for speech, speech difficulties can persist well beyond childhood.

16 Sep 2026

New patient-specific AI model improves precision in minimally invasive surgeries

Researchers created a new technique that accurately and rapidly matches X-rays captured during surgery with a patient's preoperative 3D medical scan.

16 Sep 2026

Study confirms continued effectiveness of antibodies and vaccines used to prevent RSV infections

An analysis of more than 60,000 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) sequences from around the world found that viral variants associated with resistance to current RSV prevention tools remain rare, according to a study published Sept. 16 in Nature.

16 Sep 2026

New prime assembly method enables long and precise DNA insertions

Genomic editing holds great potential yet continues to have its limitations. Most current methods either rely on untargeted gene delivery or short DNA edits that need to be individualized to each patient.

16 Sep 2026

Severe intestinal inflammation in preterm infants directly triggers brain damage

NEC is one of the most common and lethal gastrointestinal emergencies in preterm infants, with mortality rates ranging from 15% to 30%.

16 Sep 2026

Genetically modified bacteria create protective shield against Salmonella attacks

The mammalian gut microbiome is teeming with a delicate balance of bacteria and the viruses that keep them in check, called bacteriophages, or phages.

16 Sep 2026

Vulnerable adolescents face sharp drop in mental health service access

Some of the most vulnerable children and young people are failing to get access to mental health support despite much higher levels of need, according to new research from the University of Cambridge.

16 Sep 2026

Male contraception has barely changed in a century. What comes next?

A review traces more than 5,000 years of male contraception, from early penile sheaths and the development of modern condoms and vasectomy to today's search for reversible alternatives. Researchers are now testing hormonal gels, non-hormonal compounds and vas-occlusive technologies, although these approaches remain at different stages of preclinical and clinical development.

15 Sep 2026

Summer program improves social skills in young autistic children

A summer intervention program for autistic children ages 4-6 with no intellectual disability significantly improved their social performance, according to a study by researchers at the Institute for Autism Research (IAR) at the University at Buffalo. It was published in Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders in July.

15 Sep 2026

What children eat may leave a measurable signature in their blood

Researchers analyzed 236 blood metabolites in 421 children to examine metabolic signatures associated with three dietary patterns characterized by core foods, animal protein sources, or poor-quality fats and sugars. The results identified distinct, biologically plausible metabolite patterns across dietary exposures, although most individual associations did not survive multiple-testing correction and require validation in independent cohorts.

15 Sep 2026

Reading for pleasure linked to better mental health and greater empathy

Reading for pleasure – from tucking into a Jane Austen classic to devouring a Heartstopper graphic novel – is linked to better mental health, greater empathy and a lower risk of dementia, say researchers.

15 Sep 2026

New treatment option approved in Japan for rare genetic liver disorders

A new indication for an existing drug has been approved in Japan to treat patients with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) types 1 and 2, a group of rare genetic liver disorders.

15 Sep 2026

Bacterial strains determine pneumonia and meningitis risk from air pollution

Air pollution leads to different risk of bacterial pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis, depending on the subtype of bacteria a person has, new research suggests.

15 Sep 2026

Ultra-processed foods enter babies’ diets early. What comes with them?

In a Denver cohort of 114 healthy infants, higher ultra-processed food intake during complementary feeding was associated with greater added sugar and sodium intake at 9 and 12 months. UPF intake showed no consistent relationship with growth through 12 months, while dietary diversity was not reduced among infants consuming more UPFs.

14 Sep 2026

A large US study found no overall link between fluoride in pregnancy and children’s behavior

A US cohort study of 5,520 children found no overall association between prenatal exposure to fluoride in public drinking water and internalizing or externalizing behavioral problems across the primary analyses. Exploratory analyses identified some associations with externalizing problems at higher fluoride concentrations and in certain subgroups, but the researchers said these findings require further investigation.

13 Sep 2026

FDA clears trial of dual-targeted CAR T-cell therapy for cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week granted permission for investigators at the University of Colorado Anschutz to conduct a clinical trial testing genetically engineered immune cells in adults with advanced colorectal cancer and pediatric patients with solid cancers who have exhausted standard treatment options.

11 Sep 2026