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Game-changing discovery reveals how viruses may trigger ALS development

A large, multidisciplinary team led by researchers from Texas A&M University has made a potentially game-changing discovery about the development of devastating motor neuron diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

27 Jan 2026

Reducing sodium in common foods could prevent heart disease and stroke

Lowering sodium in packaged and prepared foods could significantly improve cardiovascular health and prevent many cases of heart disease, stroke and deaths in the general population in France and the U.K., according to two new research studies published today in Hypertension, an American Heart Association journal.

26 Jan 2026

Tiny plastic particles may interfere with brain processes implicated in Parkinson’s disease

Micro- and nanoplastics are increasingly detected in human tissues, including the brain, and experimental evidence suggests they can interact with biological pathways central to Parkinson’s disease pathology. This review synthesises mechanistic data indicating that plastic particles may influence protein aggregation, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the gut–brain axis, while emphasising the need for prospective human studies.

26 Jan 2026

Three daily servings of full-fat dairy do not worsen weight or blood markers

This randomized 12-week trial examined whether adding three daily servings of full-fat dairy to diets aligned with Canada’s Food Guide affects body weight, cardiometabolic markers, and nutrient intake in adults with overweight or obesity. Full-fat dairy intake did not adversely affect weight, body composition, or metabolic health and increased calcium and protein intake, supporting dietary compatibility rather than therapeutic benefit.

26 Jan 2026

More iron, less damage: why chronic lung infections persist

Research shows that iron-rich conditions boost Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth and biofilm formation, yet reduce virulence, complicating chronic lung infections.

26 Jan 2026

New role for GLP-1 drugs: Improving survival in people with severe psychiatric disorders

This editorial argues that GLP-1 receptor agonists could substantially improve healthspan and reduce premature mortality in people with serious mental illnesses by targeting cardiometabolic risk rather than psychiatric symptoms alone. It highlights emerging evidence, safety considerations, and equity challenges that position GLP-1 RAs as a promising public health strategy for this high-risk population.

25 Jan 2026

Diagnostic prognostic and therapeutic relevance of PIVKA-II in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, particularly in regions with high hepatitis B virus prevalence.

24 Jan 2026

Unraveling liver injury mechanisms in familial hypobetalipoproteinemia

Familial Hypobetalipoproteinemia (FHBL), caused by variants in the apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene, is a rare autosomal co-dominant monogenic disorder characterized by lifelong low plasma levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and APOB.

24 Jan 2026

New assessment framework improves evaluation of cutaneous chronic graft-versus-host disease

An international task force of medical experts recently proposed major revisions to the way doctors measure treatment success for a common–and often severe–skin complication of stem cell transplantation.

24 Jan 2026

Blood-based epigenetic signatures enable early risk assessment in prediabetes

Prediabetes is an extremely heterogeneous metabolic disorder. Scientists from several partner institutes of the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) have now used artificial intelligence (AI) to identify epigenetic markers that indicate an elevated risk of complications.

24 Jan 2026

AI-designed NLRP3 inhibitor receives FDA clearance for Parkinson disease trials

Insilico Medicine (3696.HK), a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company driven by generative artificial intelligence (AI), today announced that ISM8969, an orally available NLRP3 inhibitor targeting inflammation and neurodegenerative disorders, has recently received investigational new drug (IND) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), intended for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease.

23 Jan 2026

Bacterial infections in patients with liver cirrhosis show rising prevalence and high mortality

Bacterial infections (BIs) are common and severe complications in patients with liver cirrhosis, but global data are limited. Here, we aimed to evaluate the global prevalence, temporal changes, and associated mortality risk of BIs in liver cirrhosis.

23 Jan 2026

Cigarette compound exposure drives sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma

A research team led by Professor Yuan Li at Nanjing Medical University published a research paper entitled "A Cigarette Compound-Induced Tumor Microenvironment Promotes Sorafenib Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma via the 14-3-3η-Modified Tumor-Associated Proteome" in the Chinese Medical Journal.

23 Jan 2026

Engineered mesenchymal and endothelial cell layers effectively mimic native lymph nodes

The rising incidence of cancer worldwide has led to an increasing number of surgeries that involve the removal of lymph nodes. Although these procedures play a major role in cancer staging and preventing the spread of malignancies, they sometimes come with severe long-term consequences.

23 Jan 2026

Genetic study links vitamin B1 metabolism to gut motility and IBS risk

Research links thiamine metabolism to gut motility, identifying genetic markers that could lead to new therapies for IBS and related digestive disorders.

23 Jan 2026

Exercise variety, not just volume, is tied to longer life

Researchers analysed nearly three decades of data from more than 111,000 adults to examine whether the variety of physical activities people perform is linked to long-term survival. They found that engaging in a broader range of activity types was associated with lower all-cause mortality, independent of total exercise volume.

22 Jan 2026

Discovery explains why people with IBD have higher risk of colorectal cancer

A chain of immune reactions in the gut—driven by a key signaling protein and a surge of white blood cells from the bone marrow—may help explain why people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a higher risk of colorectal cancer, according to a preclinical study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators.

22 Jan 2026

Facial wound secrets revealed for scarless repair

Tweaking a pattern of wound healing established millions of years ago may enable scar-free injury repair after surgery or trauma, Stanford Medicine researchers have found.

22 Jan 2026

Short naps refresh the brain for better learning

Even a short afternoon nap can help the brain recover and improve its ability to learn. In a study published on January 22, 2026, in the journal NeuroImage, researchers at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) and University of Geneva, show that even a nap is enough to reorganize connections between nerve cells so that new information can be stored more effectively.

22 Jan 2026

Expert guidance on fecal microbiota transplantation in liver disease

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining host health and liver function. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), an emerging therapeutic modality, has demonstrated promising potential in the treatment of chronic liver diseases.

22 Jan 2026