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Could scorpion venom inspire new treatments for liver disease?

Scorpion venom peptides show promising anti-inflammatory, antiviral, analgesic, and immunomodulatory effects, with experimental evidence suggesting that some candidates could target pathways involved in chronic liver disease and viral hepatitis. The review highlights Kv1.3-blocking peptides and antiviral compounds as potential therapeutic leads, while emphasizing that limited hepatic efficacy data, poor pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and manufacturing challenges must be overcome before clinical translation.

8 Sep 2026

Psilocybin protects sensory nerves from chemotherapy damage in preclinical study

In mouse models, prophylactic psilocybin prevented or reduced multiple features of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, with cycle-matched dosing sustaining protection during repeated cisplatin exposure without measurably affecting tumor growth. Experiments in human-derived sensory neurons and ex vivo peripheral nerves linked the effect to 5-HT2A-dependent preservation of mitochondrial trafficking and local axonal energy supply, while a nonhallucinogenic 5-HT2A agonist reproduced protection against mechanical hypersensitivity.

6 Sep 2026

MXene-based hydrogel offers dual-action treatment for periodontitis

Periodontitis is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory disease worldwide. It leads to periodontal tissue destruction, alveolar bone resorption, and ultimately tooth loosening and loss, severely impacting patients' oral function and quality of life.

4 Sep 2026

Oral drug offers promising advance for children with achondroplasia

A phase 3 trial is showing "a potentially giant step forward," in treating children with achondroplasia, UCLA Health's Dr. Isidro B. Salusky wrote in a new editorial published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

4 Sep 2026

Daraxonrasib shows durable responses in RAS-mutant lung cancer

Daraxonrasib, an oral RAS inhibitor therapy, achieved durable responses in pretreated patients with RAS-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a Phase 1/2 trial led by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

2 Sep 2026

Alcohol-linked cancer deaths doubled over three decades in America

Alcohol-attributable cancer deaths in the U.S. doubled between 1990 and 2023, a new study found. The study also revealed that alcohol-linked cancer deaths are not limited to older adults or liver cancer.

2 Sep 2026

Why addiction researchers are paying closer attention to GLP-1 drugs

A Journal of Clinical Investigation Viewpoint highlights growing evidence that GLP-1 receptor agonists, particularly semaglutide, may reduce alcohol consumption and some other substance-related outcomes by acting on brain systems involved in reward, motivation, stress, and emotion. However, the authors caution that efficacy for substance use disorders is not yet firmly established and call for further research into optimal dosing, treatment duration, patient selection, mechanisms, and effects across different addictions.

2 Sep 2026

New drug class shows major promise for shrinking nerve tumors

A scientist at Cincinnati Children's who has hunted for decades for ways to shrink the painful and disfiguring nerve tumors caused by neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) has made a new breakthrough in the quest.

2 Sep 2026

Children's Colorado launches new program to expand treatment options for children with food allergies

Children's Hospital Colorado's Allergy and Immunology Center today launched its Sublingual Immunotherapy Program at its Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, expanding treatment options for children with certain food allergies.

1 Sep 2026

Antifungal medication may reduce inflammatory bowel disease symptoms

A commonly used systemic antifungal medication may help reduce symptoms in a subset of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by restoring a healthier gut microbiome, according to a preliminary study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators.

1 Sep 2026

Review highlights challenges in managing childhood enterovirus infections

Enteroviruses (EVs) are a diverse group of viruses and a common cause of multiple infections in children.

1 Sep 2026

New guideline updates medications for preventing migraine in adults

To help clinicians determine which medications may be most effective at preventing migraine in adults, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and American Headache Society (AHS) have issued a joint practice guideline update with evidence-based recommendations, published on August 31, 2026, in Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, and in Headache, the official journal of the American Headache Society.

31 Aug 2026

Left atrial appendage closure benefits only high-risk cardiac surgery patients

Results do not support routine closure of the left atrial appendage in all patients undergoing open-heart surgery but those at high stroke risk may benefit.

31 Aug 2026

Anticoagulation lowers subclinical leaflet thrombosis after TAVI procedure

After transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), anticoagulation reduced imaging signs of clot formation on the new valve compared with antiplatelet therapy, without compromising safety. This was the main finding of the ACASA-TAVI trial presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2026 and published simultaneously in JAMA.

31 Aug 2026

The scale told a similar story across three diets. The liver told a different one

In a randomized controlled trial of people with metabolically unhealthy obesity, approximately 10% weight loss improved insulin sensitivity and several cardiometabolic measures across ketogenic, Mediterranean, and very-low-fat plant-forward diets. However, the very-low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet produced larger improvements in hepatic insulin sensitivity and greater reductions in liver fat and several glucose and insulin measures than the higher-carbohydrate diets.

31 Aug 2026

Is there a best day to take GLP-1 drugs? Researchers looked for an answer

A systematic review of 1,000 screened records identified only three eligible studies examining administration timing for semaglutide, and none directly compared different days of the week or assessed tirzepatide timing. The limited evidence suggests flexible dosing may support adherence and tolerability without compromising glycemic control or weight loss, but these findings rely largely on indirect evidence and expert opinion rather than direct comparative trials.

30 Aug 2026

Oral relaxin agonist AZD5462 improves cardiac function in heart failure patients

The oral relaxin agonist, AZD5462, improved cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure, according to results presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2026 and published simultaneously in Circulation.

30 Aug 2026

Met-HeFT trial finds no cardiovascular benefit from metformin

Metformin did not significantly affect the risk of cardiovascular outcomes in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and diabetes or at risk of diabetes.

30 Aug 2026

SWITCH SWEDEHEART trial shows prasugrel matches ticagrelor with less bleeding

Prasugrel reduced major cardiovascular events to the same extent as ticagrelor but with lower major bleeding after coronary stenting in patients with acute coronary syndromes, according to results from the SWITCH SWEDEHEART trial presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2026 and published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine.

29 Aug 2026

Milvexian fails to reduce cardiovascular events after acute coronary syndrome

Milvexian did not reduce major adverse cardiovascular events compared with placebo after a recent acute coronary syndrome and there was no increase in intracranial or fatal bleeding.

29 Aug 2026