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Childhood flu infection leaves lasting immune imprint

A study reveals how childhood flu infections impact long-term mortality risk, highlighting implications for vaccination and future outbreak management.

17 Apr 2026

Circulating exosomal microRNAs offer a non-invasive biomarker for MASLD

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become a global public health challenge with rapidly rising prevalence, especially in China. Despite advances in treatment, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. A new research article published in the Chinese Medical Journal on March 16, 2026, provides critical insights into the role of exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) in MASLD pathogenesis.

17 Apr 2026

Smoothies vs juice: study reveals which fruit form is healthiest

Fruit smoothies are associated with improved health indicators, outperforming juices and solid fruits, emphasizing the need for dietary guidelines adjustments.

17 Apr 2026

Study finds popular AI chatbots often give problematic health advice

Researchers audited five popular public-facing AI chatbots across 250 health prompts and found that 49.6% of responses were problematic, with especially weak performance on open-ended questions and in nutrition and athletic performance. The study also found poor citation quality, difficult readability, and very few refusals to answer, raising concerns about the reliability of chatbots for everyday health information.

16 Apr 2026

Researchers discover a molecular signature to flag dysfunctional aging cells

UCLA researchers have identified a rogue population of immune cells that quietly accumulates in aging tissues and in the livers of people with fatty liver disease. Clearing these cells, they found, dramatically reduced inflammation and reversed liver damage in mice - even while the animals remained on an unhealthy diet.

16 Apr 2026

Superficial skin exposures pose a higher rabies risk than previously thought

While it was previously thought that keratinocytes (skin cells) were only passive conductors that allow the rabies virus to pass through, novel research reveals that these cells play a much more active role. The findings of a new study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology (JID), published by Elsevier, provide direct evidence that keratinocytes can support viral replication and transmit the rabies virus to neurons. The investigators offer a mechanistic explanation for how superficial skin exposures from scratches or minor bites by dogs and bats can lead to neuroinvasion, contributing to the risk of infection.

16 Apr 2026

Can processed meats fit into a healthy diet?

This perspective-style review argues that processed meats remain valuable sources of high-quality protein, essential amino acids, and bioavailable micronutrients despite concerns about sodium, fat, and chronic disease links. It also contends that much of the evidence tying processed meat to adverse health outcomes is observational and potentially confounded, while emphasizing the role of processing in safety, shelf life, and food security.

15 Apr 2026

Lower-protein toddler formula does not reduce BMI at age 2, trial finds

A large randomized trial in Germany and Spain found that lowering milk protein intake during the second year of life did not reduce BMI z-score at 24 months, though it did produce a temporary BMI reduction at 18 months. Lower protein intake also led to more stable weight and length trajectories, while higher protein intake pushed growth upward relative to WHO standards.

15 Apr 2026

New flu vaccine approach targets multiple virus strains

Doctors recommend getting your flu shot annually, since the specific influenza strain it targets varies from year to year. But what if the shot could be more effective while protecting against more strains?

15 Apr 2026

Ultra-processed foods linked to higher obesity risk in adolescents

Adolescents who consume more ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have significantly higher odds of being overweight or obese, according to a new systematic review and meta-analysis published in the open-access journal PLOS One by Mekuriaw Nibret Aweke of the University of Gondar, Ethiopia, and colleagues.

15 Apr 2026

Gut-liver changes drive foodborne infection severity in fatty liver disease

A research team led by the University of California, Irvine's Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health has uncovered a critical biological link explaining why individuals with metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), or fatty liver disease, face significantly worse outcomes from certain foodborne infections.

15 Apr 2026

Popular chatbots often provide inaccurate and incomplete medical information

A substantial amount of medical information provided by 5 popular chatbots is inaccurate and incomplete, with half of the answers to clear evidence based questions "somewhat" or "highly" problematic, show the results of a study published in the open access journal BMJ Open.

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

Sudan accounts for the world’s largest ongoing humanitarian health crisis

After three years of war, Sudan now accounts for the world's largest humanitarian crisis, with 34 million people needing aid, 21 million lacking health services, and repeated attacks crippling a medical system already weakened by disease and hunger.

15 Apr 2026

Calorie labels on menus may benefit people with binge eating disorders

Food calorie labels on menus in cafes and restaurants can be helpful for people with binge eating disorders, even aiding their recovery, finds new research from UCL and King's College London.

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

African health expert: genomic sequencing enables near real-time pathogen detection

Advanced genomic sequencing techniques, like mNGS, are essential for accurate pathogen detection, crucial for effective outbreak response and patient care.

From BGI Genomics 15 Apr 2026

Metabolic syndrome doubles worldwide over two decades

A global study reveals a sharp rise in metabolic syndrome prevalence from 2000 to 2023, highlighting urgent public health challenges and regional disparities.

15 Apr 2026

Ultrasensitive assay uncovers hidden burden of tuberculosis disease

Researchers at Boston University have discovered an unexpectedly high prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA (TB DNA) in patients hospitalized in Boston, suggesting that tuberculosis disease may be significantly underdiagnosed in the United States.

14 Apr 2026