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Excessive social media use linked to loneliness among U.S. college students

More than half of college students are lonely – and those who use social media the most are particularly likely to feel isolated, a study of tens of thousands of 18 to 24-year-olds in the US shows.

16 Feb 2026

Global study reveals disparities in early-onset gastric cancer

Gastric cancer remains the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although its overall incidence has declined, early-onset cases—diagnosed before age 50—display unique biological and clinical patterns.

16 Feb 2026

Intermittent fasting does not seem to work for overweight or obese adults

Intermittent fasting is unlikely to lead to greater weight loss in overweight or obese adults than traditional dietary advice or doing nothing, a new Cochrane review finds.

16 Feb 2026

High consumption of sugary drinks linked to anxiety symptoms in adolescents

A new study has identified an association between consumption of drinks containing a high amount of sugar and anxiety symptoms in adolescents.

16 Feb 2026

Big breakfast study reveals protein curbs appetite but fiber delivers stronger gut microbiome benefits

A randomized crossover weight loss trial in adults with overweight or obesity found that higher protein big breakfasts improved satiety, while higher fibre breakfasts produced slightly greater weight loss and more favourable gut microbiota markers. Both diets improved metabolic biomarkers, but microbiota changes reflected surrogate gut health indicators rather than direct clinical outcomes.

15 Feb 2026

Higher red meat intake links to greater diabetes odds in large US study

Higher intakes of total, processed, and unprocessed red meat were associated with greater odds of diabetes in a nationally representative sample of US adults. Statistical substitution models suggest replacing red meat with plant proteins, poultry, dairy, or whole grains may be linked to lower diabetes odds, though causality cannot be inferred.

15 Feb 2026

Obesity sharply increases hospitalisation risk from infections, global analysis shows

Adult obesity is associated with a substantially higher risk of severe hospital-treated or fatal infections across multiple pathogens, with risk increasing as obesity severity rises. Global modelling suggests roughly one in ten infection-related deaths worldwide may be attributable to adult obesity, although causality cannot be confirmed.

15 Feb 2026

Why lung cancer in never smokers is rising and how targeted detection could reduce deaths

Lung cancer in never smokers is an increasingly recognized global health issue with distinct biological drivers, environmental risk factors, and genetic susceptibilities. Improved risk modelling, targeted screening strategies, and preventive approaches are needed to enable earlier detection and reduce mortality in this growing patient group.

15 Feb 2026

Universal famine thresholds may mask unfolding starvation

Recent global crises have exposed the limits of a universal mortality threshold for declaring famine-an approach that can obscure how famine actually unfolds across different populations.

13 Feb 2026

US drinking water kiosks sometimes contain elevated lead levels

After high-profile water crises like the one in Flint, Michigan, some Americans distrust the safety of tap water, choosing to purchase drinking water from freestanding water vending machines or kiosks.

13 Feb 2026

Study: 71% of US grocery store baby food products are ultra-processed

An alarming 71 percent of grocery store baby food products in the United States are classified as ultra-processed foods (UPFs), according to new research published today in the scientific journal Nutrients.

13 Feb 2026

Causal gene mapping identifies key drivers of Alzheimer's disease progression

Researchers led by Min Zhang and Dabao Zhang of the University of California, Irvine's Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health have created the most detailed maps to date showing how genes causally regulate one another across different types of brain cells affected by Alzheimer's disease.

13 Feb 2026

RFK Jr. made promises in order to become health secretary. He’s broken many of them.

One year after taking charge of the nation’s health department, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. hasn’t held true to many of the promises he made while appealing to U.S. senators concerned about the longtime anti-vaccine activist’s plans for the nation’s care.

13 Feb 2026

Exposure to intense wildfire smoke during pregnancy may increase risk of autism in children

New research suggests that exposure to intense wildfire smoke during pregnancy may be associated with increased likelihood of autism in children.

12 Feb 2026

Switching lens designs may enhance long-term myopia control

Myopia has become a major global public health concern, with rising prevalence and earlier onset among children worldwide.

12 Feb 2026

Case report examines potential cancer risks after mRNA vaccination

A new case report was published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on February 6, 2026, titled "Exploring the potential link between mRNA COVID-19 vaccinations and cancer: A case report with a review of haematopoietic malignancies with insights into pathogenic mechanisms."

12 Feb 2026