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Adolescent binge drinking causes lasting changes in brain function

New research from the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine provides insight into how binge alcohol exposure during adolescence may cause lasting changes in brain function that persist into adulthood, potentially identifying a new target for future treatment approaches.

1 Sep 2026

What decades of wine research can, and cannot, tell us about health

A narrative review found that moderate wine intake has repeatedly been associated with lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, with proposed mechanisms involving ethanol and grape-derived polyphenols, but the evidence remains largely observational and cannot establish causation. The authors argue that drinking pattern, beverage type, age, cancer risk, and risk-modeling choices all influence how the J-shaped association should be interpreted and how alcohol guidelines are developed.

25 Aug 2026

This edible flower could do more than brighten a plate

A review of 76 publications finds that pot marigold contains more than 500 reported secondary metabolites, along with natural pigments, antioxidants, and substantial dietary fiber. Early food studies report promising results in yogurt, bread, pasta, and edible oils, but limited product trials and no clinical evidence currently prevent human health claims.

28 Jul 2026

Directed enzyme evolution and the Nobel Prize: Making enzymes evolve in the lab

Frances Arnold on directed enzyme evolution: random mutation plus smart screening, and why it changed enzyme engineering and industry.

From Pittcon 14 Jul 2026

Study reveals how manufacturing methods affect herbal medicine potency

In a study published in Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, the researchers used MIR2911, a plant microRNA enriched in honeysuckle, as a proof-of-concept example.

3 Jul 2026

Bariatric surgery linked to higher risk of developing alcohol problems

Your body absorbs alcohol much more rapidly after bariatric surgery. Patients need to know this when they choose the kind of surgery they will have.

25 Jun 2026

Anti-aging herbal extract shows promise against chronic renal failure

Announcing a new publication for Acta Materia Medica journal. Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a progressive disease characterized by a sustained loss of kidney function, for which current therapies remain insufficient.

5 Jun 2026

Justicia carnea extract alleviates oxidative stress in pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease and is difficult to manage despite advancements in medical science.

1 Jun 2026

Semaglutide as a promising new treatment for alcohol use disorder

Research indicates semaglutide can significantly decrease alcohol consumption and cravings in individuals with comorbid obesity and alcohol use disorder.

4 May 2026

How PulpFixin Is Turning Paper into High-Performance Sustainable Labware

Pulp Fixin's labware solutions use biodegradable materials, addressing contamination concerns and promoting sustainability in laboratory settings.

From PulpFixin 24 Apr 2026

New fiber probe enables real-time monitoring of key biomarkers

A new fiber probe developed by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin delivers two major innovations in health monitoring to help both patients around the world and the clinicians who care for them.

22 Apr 2026

Semaglutide for weight loss was linked to a sharp drop in alcohol use in this case report

A 2026 case report describes a 34-year-old man with obesity and alcohol use disorder whose semaglutide treatment for weight loss was associated with a marked drop in drinking over 10 months, with his AUDIT score falling from 27 to 7 and alcohol use dropping from about 15 drinks per week to half a beer per month. The authors frame this as a promising but preliminary finding that adds to growing evidence on GLP-1 drugs and alcohol use, while also stressing that this was a single case and that better AUD screening in family medicine remains important.

2 Apr 2026

Moderate wine intake tied to slower biological aging in men

Researchers studying 22,495 adults in Southern Italy found that men with moderate wine intake in the traditional Mediterranean diet range showed slightly slower biomarker-based biological aging, with the lowest estimated aging signal at about 170 mL per day. The study also found that overall ethanol intake did not show the same moderate-level pattern, and higher total alcohol intake was linked to faster biological aging in dose-response analyses.

2 Apr 2026

Dropped surgical implants are contaminated instantly and alcohol does not fix it

A study evaluates disinfectants for decontaminating dropped implants in surgery, highlighting risks and the efficacy of CHG and PI in reducing bacterial load.

31 Mar 2026

Alcohol impacts gene expression differently across brain regions

Erica Periandri and Gabor Egervari, from Washington University in St. Louis, led a study to explore how alcohol exposure in male mice influences gene expression and mechanisms that regulate gene function-or epigenetics.

30 Mar 2026

Study finds widespread microplastics in children and suggests diet may shape exposure

Researchers detected 19 types of microplastics in the urine of 10-year-old children, with particles present in over 91% of samples and a median concentration of 250 particles per milliliter. Greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with shifts in specific microplastic polymers, suggesting dietary patterns may influence exposure pathways.

3 Mar 2026

Chimpanzee urine confirms widespread alcohol consumption in the wild

Aleksey Maro knows far more than he cares to know about the urination habits of chimpanzees. But if you want to measure the alcohol intake of chimps in a Ugandan rain forest, where a breathalyzer is impractical, collecting urine for analysis is your only choice.

24 Feb 2026

Study examines the effectiveness of urine testing as a screening tool for alcohol use in pregnancy

Previous reports have indicated that between 20 and 60 per cent of pregnant women in Ireland consume alcohol during pregnancy.

18 Feb 2026

New analysis asks if alcohol guidance needs stronger trials to settle the health debate

The viewpoint reviews conflicting evidence on alcohol consumption, highlighting discrepancies between observational studies, genetic analyses, and public health guidance. It concludes that large randomized trials comparing alcohol moderation versus cessation are needed to clarify long-term health effects.

9 Feb 2026

Gut bacteria use formic acid as an electron taxi

Among the many trillions of microorganisms in the human gut is Blautia luti. Like many gut bacteria, it metabolizes indigestible dietary components, such as fiber in the form of carbohydrates.

7 Feb 2026