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Dietary exposure to toxic metals causes over one million annual deaths

Children aged less than five years face almost three times the risk of illness from unsafe food than older children and adults, according to new estimates released today by the World Health Organization (WHO).

4 Jun 2026

TikTok promotes a thriving illicit vaping culture among young people

TikTok videos glamorizing illicit vaping highlight challenges in public health communication, as youth engage more with social media than educational resources.

3 Jun 2026

E-cigarette flavors and device type drive the biological effects of vaping

People who vape regularly show altered activity in 3,124 genes across the genome compared with people who do not smoke or vape.

1 Jun 2026

Health workers face hidden exposure to cancer-linked hazards

A study reveals high exposure to cancer risk factors among health and social care workers in Europe, underscoring the need for enhanced protective measures.

1 Jun 2026

Global policy gaps slow biosimilar adoption and access

Nine out of 10 prescriptions are filled by generic drugs - FDA-approved carbon copies of brand-name drugs with expired patents.

1 Jun 2026

High-puff disposable vapes may accumulate harmful toxic chemicals

A University of California, Riverside-led study has found that heavily used high-puff electronic cigarettes may contain higher levels of harmful chemicals than fresh e-cigarettes, raising concerns about potential health risks for users.

28 May 2026

Prenatal forever chemical exposure may affect puberty timing in children

An EHU-University of the Basque Country and Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute study has linked certain chemicals measured during the first trimester of pregnancy to the subsequent onset of puberty in the children.

27 May 2026

European health sector workers face significant workplace carcinogen exposure

Exposure to cancer risk factors in the workplace remains an important and preventable cause of disease in Europe.

27 May 2026

Study unravels mystery about why physical forces slow cancer growth

Researchers have solved a long-standing mystery about why physical forces slow cancer growth – and the answer could reshape how the disease is treated.

26 May 2026

Shared humor and play strengthen children’s brains and emotional wellbeing

Making children laugh can build deep emotional connections and soothe their nervous systems, making them more resilient and open to new ideas, a leading child development expert tells us.

24 May 2026

Disrupted sleep rhythms may increase dementia risk through impaired waste clearance

Why are conditions such as chronic stress, depression, cardiovascular disease, fragmented sleep, and aging all associated with a higher risk of dementia? In a new review piece in Science, University of Rochester Medicine neuroscientist Maiken Nedergaard, MD, DMSc, proposes that many of these seemingly different conditions may converge on the same biological problem: disruption of a sleep-dependent brain rhythm that helps clear waste from the brain.

22 May 2026

Anti-inflammatory drug tocilizumab shows promise for difficult-to-treat depression

Immunotherapy could be a promising new treatment option for patients with difficult-to-treat depression. This is a key finding from a University of Bristol-led pilot randomised controlled clinical trial, published in JAMA Psychiatry today [20 May].

20 May 2026

Vitamin C may reduce cancer-linked digestive chemical reactions

A new study from the University of Waterloo uses mathematical modeling to examine how Vitamin C affects chemical reactions in the digestive system that are linked to cancer development.

20 May 2026

Switching to pod-based e-cigarette could improve the odds of quitting smoking

Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, even as rates of cigarette smoking have fallen to an all-time low of approximately 10% in 2024.

19 May 2026

UC Davis scientists identify protein key to male fertility

The causes of male infertility can be hard to diagnose, with many tests failing to detect genetic defects. Sometimes, infertility doesn't even involve the genes themselves.

19 May 2026

Miniaturization in Medtech

Medical devices are becoming smaller, lighter and more portable. From handheld diagnostic tools to wearable infusion pumps and compact surgical instruments, reduced size is now a defining feature of many new Medtech products.

From SMB Bearings 19 May 2026

Precision calcium signaling control may improve future CAR-T therapies

Calcium is widely known for its role in maintaining strong bones and teeth, but it is also one of the body's most important cellular messengers.

19 May 2026

Researchers discover water's role in brain learning and memory signaling

How do we learn to remember? At the most fundamental level, it's all about chemicals and electricity. Beyond their roles in diet and nutrition, calcium and magnesium work as ions, or charged particles, in the brain.

19 May 2026

Prenatal chemical mixtures may influence fetal growth and placental health

Common environmental chemicals could affect birthweight and placental function, according to a new study published in Environmental Science & Technology and led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by "la Caixa" Foundation. Conducted within the Barcelona Life Study Cohort (BiSC), the research underscores the importance of considering real-life exposure to complex chemical mixtures and highlights the role of angiogenic biomarkers in linking these exposures to fetal development.

17 May 2026

Maternal occupations linked to increased autism diagnosis odds

Findings indicate that certain maternal jobs are associated with increased autism odds in children, highlighting the importance of prenatal occupational health.

15 May 2026