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Gut microbiome clues may help spot Parkinson’s disease in its earliest phase

Researchers found that a Parkinson’s disease-related gut microbiome pattern appears not only in people with diagnosed Parkinson’s, but also in some non-manifesting GBA1 variant carriers and a subset of healthy individuals. The findings suggest that gut microbiome changes may help flag people who are closer to Parkinson’s disease development, although longitudinal studies are still needed to confirm predictive value.

21 Apr 2026

Why do the deadliest cancers still get less NIH research funding?

Researchers found that NIH funding for major US cancers does not consistently align with lethality, with highly fatal cancers such as pancreatic cancer and small-cell lung cancer receiving far less funding per estimated death than breast or prostate cancer. The study argues that incidence alone is not enough and that funding decisions should better incorporate mortality, survival, and mortality-to-incidence ratios.

21 Apr 2026

Injectable immunotherapy shrinks precancerous oral lesions in clinical trial

Injecting nivolumab (Opdivo) directly into precancerous oral lesions led to reduction in lesion size and allowed some patients to avoid surgery, according to research from a phase I clinical trial presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026, held April 17-22.

21 Apr 2026

Chronic wildfire smoke exposure may raise long-term cancer risks

Exposure to wildfire smoke was associated with a significantly increased risk of lung, colorectal, breast, bladder, and blood cancer, according to results from a study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026, held April 17-22.

21 Apr 2026

Early myocarditis onset after immunotherapy linked to higher fatality risk

Patients who developed myocarditis within the first month of receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy were more likely to die of myocarditis, and myocarditis-specific fatality was more common in patients who experienced co-occurring myositis and myasthenia gravis, according to results from a study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026, held April 17-22.

21 Apr 2026

Supportive relationships in childhood help buffer the long-term health effects of abuse

A consistent, caring adult during childhood can make a profound difference for child survivors of physical or sexual abuse.

21 Apr 2026

High-fat, low-carbohydrate diet may improve beta-cell function in patients with type 2 diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes on a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet may have a better chance of reversing their diabetes than those on a low-fat diet, according to a small study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society.

21 Apr 2026

High immune cell ratios may predict future Alzheimer's disease risk

Circulating white blood cells called neutrophils are some of the immune system's first responders. Their numbers shoot up during infection and inflammation, shifting the ratio of neutrophils to other types of immune cells in the blood.

21 Apr 2026

Immune cell interactions drive liver inflammation and fibrosis

When the liver is injured - for example, due to bile accumulation - immune cells become activated. In mouse experiments, the Würzburg team observed that certain immune cells undergo functional changes in response to liver damage, adopting a highly pro-inflammatory state.

21 Apr 2026

Psychotropic medication use rises significantly after Parkinson's disease diagnosis

Up to one in three people with Parkinson's disease use at least one psychotropic medication, a recent study from the University of Eastern Finland shows.

21 Apr 2026

Molecular keyhole discovery offers new hope for personalized pain therapies

Researchers at VIB, VUB, and KU Leuven have identified a tiny binding site, a molecular 'keyhole', in the TRPM3 ion channel, a crucial sensor in pain signaling.

21 Apr 2026

Rising colorectal cancer rates in young Swiss adults spark concern

While the incidence of colorectal cancer is decreasing among those over 50, it is rising at an alarming rate among younger individuals, sometimes as early as their thirties.

21 Apr 2026

Alzheimer’s monoclonal antibodies fail to deliver meaningful results

Despite reducing amyloid plaques, antibody treatments for Alzheimer's fail to improve cognition, highlighting critical gaps in current therapeutic approaches.

21 Apr 2026

DNA methylation "fingerprints" identify primary sites in metastatic cancers

A machine learning model analyzing CpG-based DNA methylation accurately predicted the origin of many different cancer types in patients with cancers of unknown primary (CUP), according to research presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026, held April 17-22.

21 Apr 2026

Ibuprofen shown to improve cognitive function in patients undergoing chemotherapy

Researchers have already shown that mild to moderate exercise can reduce "chemo brain," and a new study suggests that a low dose of an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, ibuprofen, can also achieve positive results for cancer patients.

21 Apr 2026

Heatwaves above 38 °C significantly spike cardiovascular cases in middle-aged populations

A novel study has revealed a link between extreme weather and the risk of cardiovascular disease among middle-aged and older adults in 157 Chinese cities. Based on a city's climate and location, exposure to extreme heat, cold, and precipitation each increases the risk of heart disease. The findings of the study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, published by Elsevier, provide evidence for policymakers across different regions to develop targeted strategies protecting vulnerable populations during extreme climate events.

21 Apr 2026

Phase I NSCLC trials shrink and cluster in major U.S. cities

Between 2020 and 2024, the number of unique sites in the United States where phase I clinical trials for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were conducted decreased by 44% and became increasingly concentrated at the top 20 highest‑volume clinical trial sites largely located in major cities, according to results presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026, held April 17-22.

21 Apr 2026

Muscle energy recovery may explain fatigue in cancer survivors

Even apparently healthy cancer survivors often complain of extreme fatigue. They have finished treatment, the scans are clear, but they feel hollowed out, unable to walk to the mailbox or stay awake through dinner.

21 Apr 2026

APC-deficient cancer cells rely on single enzyme for survival

A newly published study reports that APC-deficient cancer cells may depend on a single metabolic enzyme for survival, revealing a potential strategy for selectively targeting tumours associated with one of the most common mutations in colorectal cancer.

20 Apr 2026

Trial shows safety of novel KIR-CAR T therapy in solid tumors

An innovative type of CAR T cell therapy, called KIR-CAR, was shown to be safe, with increasing efficacy corresponding to higher doses of the investigational treatment in nine patients with advanced ovarian cancer, mesothelioma or cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), according to an early report from an ongoing Phase I dose-escalation clinical trial.

20 Apr 2026