Gastrointestinal Tract News and Research

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How nerve cells in the gut adapt to microbial and immune challenges

Ramnik Xavier, MD, PhD, of the Department of Molecular Biology at Massachusetts General Hospital, is the senior author of a paper published in Science, "Regional encoding of enteric nervous system responses to microbiota and type 2 inflammation."

31 Oct 2025

Advances in diagnosis and management of systemic light chain amyloidosis

Systemic light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a rare and life-threatening disorder characterized by the deposition of misfolded immunoglobulin light chains as insoluble amyloid fibrils in various tissues and organs, leading to progressive structural and functional impairment.

30 Oct 2025

Researchers identify nervous system components driving gastrointestinal cancer growth

Australian researchers have identified two nervous system components that drive tumor growth in gastrointestinal cancers, creating promising new avenues for treatment with existing approved therapies.

24 Oct 2025

Ingestible bioprinter offers minimally invasive tissue repair

Soft tissue injuries of the gastrointestinal tract, like ulcers or hemorrhages, can currently be treated only with some form of surgery, which is invasive and may not result in permanent repair.

16 Oct 2025

UCLA scientists uncover the role of DGRs in structuring the infant gut microbiome

Everywhere you go, you carry a population of microbes in your gastrointestinal tract that outnumber the human cells making up your body.

10 Oct 2025

$4 million grant supports effort to turn enzyme-targeting science into treatments for Cryptosporidium infections

A University of Houston professor has received nearly $4 million in new support from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to lead a translational effort turning enzyme-targeting science into urgently needed treatments for Cryptosporidium infections – which are caused by a life-threatening pathogen and have no existing cure.

7 Oct 2025

Gut microbial imbalance linked to chronic sickle cell disease pain

A research collaboration involving scientists and students at The University of Texas at Dallas has found a clear connection between chronic sickle cell disease pain and the bacteria present in the gastrointestinal tract.

22 Sep 2025

Carrot fiber supplement boosts gut bacteria and immune defenses

This trial reveals that carrot-derived rhamnogalacturonan-I boosts Bifidobacteria and supports immune function, highlighting its potential for gut health.

18 Sep 2025

Triple negative breast cancer exploits lymph node niches to block immune defense

In almost all solid tumors - i.e. cancers with a solid tissue structure - the detection of tumor cells in the lymph nodes is considered a decisive marker for the progression of the disease.

16 Sep 2025

AlphaFold3 predicts bitter taste receptor structures with greater accuracy

Receptor proteins, expressed on the cell surface or within the cell, bind to different signaling molecules, known as ligands, initiating cellular responses.

16 Sep 2025

What diet pattern worsens inflammatory bowel disease?

Researchers compare the different effects of pro-inflammatory dietary patterns on inflammatory bowel disease severity.

9 Sep 2025

Gut disorders forecast Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s risk years before diagnosis

Study maps clinical, genetic, and proteomic links between gut-brain disorders and neurodegeneration, showing how diabetes, vitamin D deficiency, and bowel disorders forecast Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s years in advance. Multimodal models in biobanks highlight early detection and personalized prevention opportunities.

28 Aug 2025

New swallowable device enables noninvasive gut nerve stimulation

Scientists have long struggled with how to study the gut's vast nervous system - often called the body's 'second brain' - without damaging it.

28 Aug 2025

Gut mast cells produce key molecules driving food allergy anaphylaxis

Food allergies affect more than half a billion people worldwide. In severe cases, even a small bite of the wrong food can trigger anaphylaxis - a rapid, body-wide allergic reaction that can cause difficulty breathing, a dangerous drop in blood pressure and even death.

28 Aug 2025

Edible microbeads trap fat to support weight loss

Weight-loss interventions, including gastric bypass surgery and drugs that prevent dietary fat absorption, can be invasive or have negative side effects.

21 Aug 2025

Health care visits linked to antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Guatemalan communities

In Guatemalan communities, a recent visit to a health clinic or hospital - not antibiotic use - is the strongest predictor of carrying bacteria resistant to critical antibiotics, according to a new study led by Washington State University.

20 Aug 2025

Could chlorophyll become the next antidiabetic therapy?

Research highlights chlorophyll's role in blood sugar regulation and insulin mimicry, though safety risks and lack of human trials warrant caution.

20 Aug 2025

Brain’s energy control map offers blueprint for next-gen weight loss therapies

Scientists map how the brain integrates hormonal and neural signals from the body to control appetite, energy use, and reward pathways, revealing targets for next-generation anti-obesity drugs. This review highlights the interplay between neuroendocrine circuits, neuroplasticity, and pharmacotherapy for durable, non-aversive weight loss.

11 Aug 2025

How early immune challenges influence oral and systemic health in children

Once viewed only as infectious invaders, bacteria are now understood to play an important role in overall health.

8 Aug 2025

Survey reveals persistent challenges of IBS on daily life and productivity

Despite social media helping to increase awareness of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) among the public (81% of health care providers agree) and advancements in treatment over the past decade, IBS symptoms continue to significantly impact patients' daily lives and productivity, according to a new survey released by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), in partnership with The Harris Poll, a Stagwell (STGW) agency.

7 Aug 2025