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Major clinical trial aims to transform the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections

European-funded consortium brings together researchers from 13 countries to evaluate bacteriophage therapy as a potential alternative to antibiotics for recurrent urinary tract infections.

28 Jul 2026

Daily multivitamin improves functional health in older adults, study finds

The ability to perform everyday activities free of debilitating symptoms profoundly affects quality of life as we age.

27 Jul 2026

Spermidine boosts key cellular processes linked to aging in early research

This review finds that spermidine supports autophagy, mitochondrial function, and healthspan in experimental models, while observational studies link higher dietary intake to lower mortality. However, human trials have produced limited and mixed results, leaving its clinical role in healthy aging unresolved.

23 Jul 2026

Fecal microbe capsules show promise in treating chronic insomnia

In a randomized clinical trial published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, ingesting capsules containing fecal microbes from healthy donors helped treat symptoms of insomnia.

22 Jul 2026

Moderate coffee intake may support heart health, AHA says

The American Heart Association finds that habitual coffee consumption is associated with lower risks of several cardiovascular outcomes, although most evidence comes from observational studies. Moderate intake is generally safe for most adults, while energy drinks and individual caffeine sensitivity may increase cardiovascular concerns.

21 Jul 2026

Oral drug avatrombopag reduces chemotherapy treatment delays, trial finds

In a phase 2 trial of patients with gastrointestinal cancers, avatrombopag helped 70% of those receiving chemotherapy to stay on treatment schedule, compared with 17% receiving placebo.

20 Jul 2026

Semaglutide vs. liraglutide: Head-to-head study reveals a diabetes risk difference

Researchers compared semaglutide with liraglutide in 57,456 insured adults without recorded diabetes or cardiovascular disease who initiated formulations indicated for chronic weight management. Semaglutide users had a lower risk of incident diabetes, particularly beyond six months of follow-up, but limited cardiovascular events prevented a precise comparison of cardiovascular risk.

20 Jul 2026

Beetroot juice shows its clearest aerobic benefits in recreational exercisers

A meta-analysis of 38 placebo-controlled trials involving 703 participants found that beetroot juice supplementation was associated with a small improvement in VO2max or VO2peak during aerobic exercise. Benefits were most consistent in recreationally active adults, while evidence in highly trained athletes remained limited and uncertain.

20 Jul 2026

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may also reduce binge eating

Research indicates GLP-1RAs may effectively reduce binge eating severity, offering a complementary approach to existing psychological therapies for obesity.

20 Jul 2026

Fish oil supplementation during pregnancy changes two childhood brain metabolic markers

Randomized maternal fish oil supplementation from pregnancy week 24 lowered offspring cerebral blood flow and oxygen metabolism at age 10 but did not alter precuneus lactate. The small differences resembled a more adult-like metabolic profile, although researchers found no associated cognitive or behavioral benefits.

19 Jul 2026

Vitamin D falls short as an add-on treatment for endometriosis

An eight-week randomized trial of 66 women found that adjunctive vitamin D did not significantly or meaningfully improve endometriosis pain or quality of life compared with placebo during dienogest therapy. The results do not support routine short-term adjunctive supplementation, although the brief trial and absence of post-treatment vitamin D measurements leave longer-term effects uncertain.

19 Jul 2026

Evidence does not support universal vitamin D supplementation to prevent preterm birth

Announcing a new article publication in BIO Integration. Preterm birth complications are among leading causes of mortality in neonates and children under 5 years of age worldwide.

15 Jul 2026

New project targets recurrent urinary tract infections using phages

Researchers at the HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged are participating in a €15 million Horizon Europe program that will investigate the combination of phage therapy and microbiome restoration in a European clinical trial.

14 Jul 2026

Medical THC and CBD formulation significantly reduces late-life dementia agitation

In a first-of-its-kind clinical trial, U.S. researchers have found that people with agitation and dementia in late life who took a special medical formulation of two active ingredients found in marijuana – THC and CBD – had significantly less agitation compared to people who received a placebo.

14 Jul 2026

A 10-minute evening skincare massage may help women sleep better and feel less anxious

Four weeks of a 10-minute evening cosmetic routine with self-massage improved self-reported sleep quality, state anxiety, mental health, and vitality in women with sleep complaints compared with usual routines. Exploratory wearable data showed longer total and deep sleep on rest days, but the non-randomized design and absence of wearable controls limit causal conclusions.

13 Jul 2026

GLP-1RAs linked to lower risk of amputation in diabetes with PAD

Research indicates GLP-1RAs may decrease limb complications in type 2 diabetes with PAD, though more randomized studies are required to confirm efficacy.

10 Jul 2026

Semaglutide outperforms other GLP-1 drugs for weight loss in psychiatric populations

A network meta-analysis of nine randomized controlled trials found that once-weekly semaglutide showed the largest estimated weight-loss effect among GLP-1 receptor agonists tested in adults with mental illness and obesity or related metabolic risk. The authors cautioned that the findings remain preliminary because the evidence base was small, heterogeneous, and largely indirect.

9 Jul 2026

Active birth control pills may increase emotional eating

Combined oral contraceptives are associated with increased emotional eating, suggesting hormonal effects on eating behaviors and potential binge eating risks.

9 Jul 2026

Setmelanotide shows promise for hypothalamic obesity after brain tumors

A new therapy helps achieve a healthier BMI in people whose weight has become dysregulated following treatment for a brain tumor, a clinical trial has found.

8 Jul 2026

Antihistamines show modest benefits for long Covid fatigue treatment

Over-the-counter antihistamines and a prescription anti-inflammatory drug both have a small benefit in reducing long Covid fatigue among people receiving care from specialist long Covid clinics, according to new findings from a large clinical trial led by UCL and UCLH.

8 Jul 2026

Placebo News and Research

Major clinical trial aims to transform the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections

Daily multivitamin improves functional health in older adults, study finds

Spermidine boosts key cellular processes linked to aging in early research

Fecal microbe capsules show promise in treating chronic insomnia

Moderate coffee intake may support heart health, AHA says

Oral drug avatrombopag reduces chemotherapy treatment delays, trial finds

Semaglutide vs. liraglutide: Head-to-head study reveals a diabetes risk difference

Beetroot juice shows its clearest aerobic benefits in recreational exercisers

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may also reduce binge eating

Fish oil supplementation during pregnancy changes two childhood brain metabolic markers

Vitamin D falls short as an add-on treatment for endometriosis

Evidence does not support universal vitamin D supplementation to prevent preterm birth

New project targets recurrent urinary tract infections using phages

Medical THC and CBD formulation significantly reduces late-life dementia agitation

A 10-minute evening skincare massage may help women sleep better and feel less anxious

GLP-1RAs linked to lower risk of amputation in diabetes with PAD

Semaglutide outperforms other GLP-1 drugs for weight loss in psychiatric populations

Active birth control pills may increase emotional eating

Setmelanotide shows promise for hypothalamic obesity after brain tumors

Antihistamines show modest benefits for long Covid fatigue treatment

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