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Study reveals what people ask AI chatbots about health most often

Researchers analyzed more than 500,000 de-identified Microsoft Copilot health conversations from January 2026 and found that health information queries were most common, while nearly one in five conversations involved personal symptoms or condition-related concerns. They also found that personal health queries were more common on mobile and at night, while desktop use was more often tied to research, paperwork, and academic support, highlighting how people use AI differently across contexts.

20 Apr 2026

Certain prenatal medications linked to increased risk of autism

A landmark study led by researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and published in Molecular Psychiatry has identified a significant association between prenatal prescription of commonly utilized medications and the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children.

20 Apr 2026

Newborns carry antibiotic resistance genes within first hours of life

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) – segments of DNA that help bacteria survive the effects of antibiotics – can be present in newborns within the first hours of life, according to research presented at ESCMID Global 2026.

20 Apr 2026

Antiretroviral therapy reduces biological aging in people living with HIV

A major study presented today at ESCMID Global 2026 has found that antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces accelerated biological ageing in people with HIV (PWH) by nearly four years, a finding that could transform how clinicians monitor HIV treatment and long-term health outcomes.

20 Apr 2026

An Arm and a Leg: The accidental architect of America’s drug patent problem

Depending on whom you ask, Alfred Engelberg could be a hero or a villain in the story of American pharmaceuticals.

20 Apr 2026

Study reveals significant gaps in MMR vaccine knowledge among ER patients

Measles remains one of the most contagious infectious diseases, spread through coughing and sneezing, with even small declines in vaccination coverage leading to outbreaks. As of 2026, California has reported its highest annual measles case count in seven years. In response to this growing concern, researchers have begun examining gaps in measles-related knowledge and vaccination coverage.

20 Apr 2026

New study reveals CRISPR enzyme that responds to human DNA methylation

Cancer cells excel at evading detection, but subtle chemical differences set them apart from healthy cells. Now, a team of scientists from Wageningen University & Research and Van Andel Institute has identified a way to exploit this distinction. Using a variant of CRISPR, a modern tool for editing DNA, they distinguished tumor DNA from healthy DNA and selectively cut only the former. The study, published today in Nature, is an early but promising step toward a cancer therapy that targets and destroys tumor cells with high precision.

20 Apr 2026

What still drives childhood vaccine gaps in the United States

A nationwide analysis of provider-verified NIS-Child data from 2010 to 2023 found that US childhood vaccination coverage remained generally high but was consistently shaped by social and structural factors such as maternal education, income, insurance, language, and region. The study also showed that coverage of the combined seven-vaccine series rose over time, yet persistent disparities remained, especially for vaccines such as influenza, hepatitis A, and rotavirus.

19 Apr 2026

Study finds many UK adults want to avoid ultra-processed foods but cannot define them clearly

A qualitative study of 30 UK adults found that many people see ultra-processed foods as unhealthy but struggle to define them clearly or distinguish them from other processed foods. The findings suggest that clearer communication and food-environment changes, not education alone, may be needed to help people reduce UPF intake.

19 Apr 2026

New review advances personalized care for meningioma patients

A comprehensive new review led by Mayo Clinic is helping shape how clinicians diagnose and treat meningioma, the most common primary brain tumor, with a focus on personalized, patient-centered care and the latest advances in precision oncology.

17 Apr 2026

Visceral fat strongly linked to urinary incontinence in women

The accumulation of fat in the abdominal region, especially visceral fat (fat that accumulates between organs), significantly increases the risk of stress urinary incontinence in women.

17 Apr 2026

Age shapes melanoma progression and immune response

Cancer risk increases with age and is often more aggressive and difficult to treat in older adults. However, fewer than 10% of mouse studies use aged animals, with most relying on mice roughly equivalent to humans in their early 20s.

17 Apr 2026

Key gene variants tied to developmental dysplasia of the hip and osteoarthritis

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a polygenetic disorder that increases the risk of hip osteoarthritis.

17 Apr 2026

Women using GLP-1 drugs face higher weight loss stigma

In a new study exploring stigma associated with the use of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, women who lost weight using GLP-1 medications were judged more harshly than those who lost weight through diet and exercise, with negative reactions driven largely by beliefs that medication-assisted weight loss is a "shortcut."

17 Apr 2026

New study highlights fructose’s unique role in metabolic disease

A new report, published today in Nature Metabolism, is shedding light on the distinct and underappreciated role of fructose in driving disease, separate from its role as a simple source of calories.

17 Apr 2026

Study highlights voluntary disengagement from technology in later life

Differences in how often older people use the internet is less driven by a person's age and more by cognitive ability and socioeconomic factors such as education and employment status, a new study reveals.

17 Apr 2026

When rice-based formula is the right choice for cow’s milk allergy

This expert-driven framework aids clinicians in selecting hydrolyzed rice formula for infants with cow's milk allergy, enhancing dietary management strategies.

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

Hidden viral reservoirs in tonsils may explain school-year respiratory outbreaks

A study conducted at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil reveals that tissues such as the tonsils and adenoids can serve as hiding places for the rhinovirus, which causes the common cold and is responsible for most respiratory infections worldwide.

17 Apr 2026

Academic stress weakens mental resilience and triggers a reliance on gaming

China's highly competitive education system is known for its strict evaluation, rigorous intensity, and academic pressure. A recent study has highlighted the growing problem of this academic pressure leading to burnout amongst Chinese adolescents, which is pushing them towards online gaming.

17 Apr 2026