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Researchers tested an unexpected addition to vaginal treatment: oxygen

Researchers investigated the effects of topical vaginal oxygen treatment, alone or combined with antimicrobials, on the vaginal microbiota of 22 women with bacterial vaginosis or vaginitis. The combined treatment reduced the relative abundance of strict anaerobes and increased Lactobacillus abundance, but the absence of an antimicrobial-only control group prevented researchers from establishing whether oxygen contributed independently to these changes.

28 Oct 2026

Semaglutide changes gut bacteria in rats beyond what eating less explains

Researchers compared semaglutide-treated male and female rats with pair-fed animals receiving the same amount and type of food to distinguish drug-associated microbiome changes from those linked to reduced eating. Semaglutide altered bacterial richness and community composition, with some changes absent from the pair-fed groups and uncertain consequences for health.

26 Oct 2026

The vaginal microbiome may relate to more than reproductive health

Researchers analyzed vaginal microbiota, metabolites, and psychological questionnaire scores in 105 young Italian women and found associations between microbial community types and reward responsiveness, motivational drive, and behavioral inhibition. Exploratory models identified statistical links involving vaginal GABA and valine, but the cross-sectional study could not establish whether microbiome changes influence psychological functioning or the reverse.

26 Oct 2026

Gut bacteria may help explain why endometriosis pain varies

A study of 50 women with surgically confirmed endometriosis found that differences in gut bacterial composition were associated with menstrual pain, urinary symptoms, and infertility.

9 Oct 2026

Rare dendritic cells may promote immune tolerance in metastatic cancer

This study was co-led by Steven Blum, MD. Gary Reynolds, MD, PhD, Samuel Klempner, MD, and Alexandra-Chloé Villani, PhD, jointly supervised the work at the Krantz Family Center for Cancer Research within the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute and the Mass General Brigham Center for Immunology & Inflammatory Diseases (CIID).

8 Oct 2026

Esophageal cancer leaves a distinct metabolic signature in the gut

The study uncovers gut microbial and metabolic signatures in esophageal cancer, emphasizing lipid dysregulation and its potential role in disease progression.

1 Oct 2026

Could a parent’s hospital job shape a child’s nasal microbiome?

A pilot study of 37 families found that children with healthcare-worker parents had lower nasal microbial diversity, with the largest differences among children whose two parents worked in healthcare. Porphyromonas was significantly less abundant, while Neisseria showed a similar non-significant pattern, but the cross-sectional study cannot establish causality or determine whether these microbiota differences affect health.

23 Sep 2026

Scientists found a distinct gut microbiome pattern in people with symptomatic diverticular disease

A multicenter Japanese study found that symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) was associated with reduced gut microbial diversity, increased abundance of the Ruminococcus gnavus group, and depletion of Coprococcus and other butyrate-producing bacteria. Predictive microbiome analysis also identified enrichment of pathways linked to exopolysaccharide biosynthesis and the cell cycle, although the observational design means these associations cannot establish causality.

25 Aug 2026

Could a daily vinegar drink help with constipation? A small trial offers a clue

A randomized, double-blind trial found that adults with mild constipation who drank a vinegar beverage daily for four weeks had more frequent bowel movements than those receiving placebo. Exploratory findings also suggested earlier improvements in bowel habits, although the small feasibility-based trial requires confirmation in larger and more diverse populations.

24 Aug 2026

Oral microbiome imbalances may contribute to symptomatic hand arthritis

Specific imbalances and disruptions to the oral microbiome have been linked to symptomatic hand arthritis by a study published online in the open access journal RMD Open.

22 Jul 2026

New approach accurately predicts lung cancer mutations

Scientists have developed a new method for accurately predicting gene changes that cause lung cancer, without the need for slower, more expensive lab techniques.

13 Jul 2026

Biohub researchers use artificial intelligence to uncover new psoriasis targets

Biohub researchers performed what they believe is the first genome-wide CRISPR study of primary human adult skin cells, then used an AI model to mine the results for overlooked drug targets for psoriasis.

8 Jul 2026

Researchers discover a biological barrier that limits mucosal vaccine immunity

A consistent biological barrier that stops the immune system from making the antibodies most needed to protect the nose and throat from respiratory viruses has been identified.

4 Jun 2026

New discovery maps how mutant colorectal tumors adapt to KRAS inhibitors

A new preclinical study led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medicine has uncovered genetic and cell-state adaptive mechanisms that drive resistance to KRAS inhibitors in patients with KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer.

22 May 2026

Study shows why an apple a day may work differently for different people

A 12-week single-blind trial in 38 Japanese adults found that daily Fuji apple intake did not significantly change overall host metabolic markers, but responses differed by baseline gut enterotype. Participants in the Bacteroidaceae-dominant enterotype showed significant increases in fecal short-chain fatty acids after apple consumption, suggesting that gut microbiota structure may shape functional dietary responses.

13 Apr 2026

Parents’ intake of sugar substitutes may influence offspring gut biology, study finds

A mouse study in Frontiers in Nutrition found that parental sucralose and stevia intake altered gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, and gene expression across generations, with sucralose showing the stronger and more persistent effects. The changes were transmitted to offspring not directly exposed to the sweeteners, although several effects were attenuated by the F2 generation.

13 Apr 2026

Cola may quickly lower pH inside orthodontic clear aligners and shift oral bacteria within hours

Researchers found that cola exposure quickly lowered pH and altered the microbiome on the inner surface of clear aligners, with the greatest disruption observed when aligners were removed before drinking and then reinserted. In this small 24-hour study, wearing aligners during exposure appeared less disruptive than removing them, though the authors said the mechanism still needs further study.

8 Apr 2026

Celiac disease weakens gut microbes that digest fiber

Findings suggest that impaired fiber metabolism in celiac disease is due to microbial deficits, not just diet, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.

2 Apr 2026

Antibiotic resistance genes found in both diseased and healthy lungs

The researchers examined patients with COPD, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and sarcoidosis, and compared them with healthy individuals.

31 Mar 2026

Long-term cola intake weakens immune cell counts in controlled rat study

Replacing drinking water entirely with sugar-sweetened or sugar-free cola for eight weeks altered gut microbiota composition and immune-related indices in rats, despite no changes in body weight or blood glucose. Both beverages were associated with leukocyte reductions and organ-related biochemical shifts, with sugar-sweetened cola more strongly linked to renal markers and diet cola to elevated liver enzymes.

25 Feb 2026