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Postpartum recovery may influence long-term maternal aging and health

Jesse Poganik, PhD, of the Division of Genetics within the Department of Medicine at Mass General Brigham, is the senior author of a paper published in Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, "The Postpartum Recovery Window as a Determinant of Maternal Aging." Stephen Albright, formerly of Mass General Brigham, is the lead author.

23 Oct 2026

Study links recreational cannabis legalization to rising heart attack admissions

Legalization of recreational cannabis in the US is associated with a rise in hospital admissions for cardiovascular disease, finds an analysis of more than 50 million patient discharge records, published in the open access journal BMJ Open.

22 Oct 2026

Social determinants of health may increase kidney failure risk after critical illness

New research indicates that certain individual- and neighborhood-level social determinants of health may increase the risk of developing post-discharge kidney failure in patients who developed acute kidney injury while in intensive care.

22 Oct 2026

Fruits and vegetables may be a better option to improve kidney disease outcomes

In people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), oral sodium bicarbonate is a standard treatment for metabolic acidosis (too much acid buildup in the body), but results from a recent clinical trial indicate that dietary acid reduction with base producing fruits and vegetables may be a better option.

22 Oct 2026

Psilocybin reshapes brain connections through distinct cellular pathways

A new study led by researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, reveals how psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in "magic mushrooms," reshapes neural connections in the brain.

22 Oct 2026

Study challenges concerns linking ADHD medication to self-harm risk

The risk of self-harm amongst people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is highest before people start ADHD medication, rather than after treatment begins, according to new research led by Aston University.

22 Oct 2026

Nearly three in four popular comfort foods have something in common, researchers find

A US study examining 300 distinct comfort foods identified chips, ice cream, pizza, chocolate, and cookies as the most frequently nominated choices among adults. Researchers found that nearly three-quarters of the foods met hyperpalatability criteria, while approximately 43% were entirely ultra-processed under a strict classification, with relatively small nutritional differences across demographic groups.

22 Oct 2026

Are heavy school bags really to blame for children's back pain?

A study of 221 schoolchildren in the Czech Republic found no statistically significant association between relative school bag weight and back pain, although nearly half reported experiencing back discomfort in the previous month. Longer carrying duration was weakly associated with perceived heaviness, suggesting that bag weight and carrying time capture different aspects of children's experiences.

22 Oct 2026

A study of 802 teens raises questions about school breakfast and blood sugar

A study of 802 U.S. adolescents found that school breakfast participation at least once weekly was associated with a 30% higher prevalence of prediabetes-range glucose markers, while school lunch participation showed no significant association. Higher intakes of vitamins E and B6 and fruit consumption among adolescents with obesity were associated with lower prediabetes prevalence, but none of the reported associations remained statistically significant after correction for multiple comparisons.

22 Oct 2026

Scientists studied one million immune cells and found clues to future disease risk

Researchers developed a single-cell atlas of one million human neutrophils, identifying distinct immune cell populations and gene-expression patterns across tissues, infections, cancer, and other health conditions. Certain neutrophil signatures were associated with metabolic dysfunction, cancer outcomes, and mortality, while higher routine neutrophil counts, even within the normal range, were linked to an increased risk of chronic disease.

22 Oct 2026

Unstable immune cells linked to severe cancer immunotherapy side effects

Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh uncovered the unstable immune cells that can cause up to 40% of immunotherapy patients to experience serious side effects and showed that diet and microbiome composition influence the side effect's severity.

22 Oct 2026

Transplanted placental cells successfully detected in mouse pancreas after birth

The pancreas is a complex organ comprising multiple cell types that regulate blood glucose levels through hormones, such as insulin, and support digestion by producing digestive enzymes.

22 Oct 2026

Short gaps between pregnancies may accelerate biological aging in mothers

The study of biological aging, how our cells, tissues, and organs change over time, independent of how many years have passed, is a growing area of research that aims to help scientists understand the root causes of chronic illnesses and find ways to enhance longevity.

22 Oct 2026

Gaining too much weight during pregnancy raises complication risks

A new study of more than one million births led by McMaster University researchers has found that gaining too much weight during pregnancy, regardless of a person's starting weight, is linked to a higher risk of life-threatening maternal complications.

22 Oct 2026

Starting survivorship care earlier improves head and neck cancer survival

Beginning survivorship care for head and neck cancer patients earlier is linked to better survival and lower recurrence, according to a new University of Pittsburgh study published today in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery.

22 Oct 2026

Gut bacteria use food signals to manage body's biological clock

Biological clocks are often associated with light. Historically, most people start their days when the sun is up, and end their days when the sun sets.

22 Oct 2026

Emotion management helps teens maintain weight loss after treatment

Researchers from University of California San Diego have found that adding emotion management skills to family-based behavioral weight management may help adolescents maintain weight loss after treatment ends.

22 Oct 2026

Study defines average human genome and normal genetic disease risk

A new study has characterized the "average" human genome, providing key information on normal human genetic variation and genetic disease risk.

22 Oct 2026

Large-scale meteorological patterns linked to Ebola virus outbreaks

A study led by the University of Malaga has shown that outbreaks of Ebola virus do not occur randomly over time; rather, their appearance is linked to specific large-scale meteorological patterns, even with oscillations occurring in regions thousands of miles away from Central Africa, where they are currently suffering from an epidemic of this disease, which can be fatal.

22 Oct 2026

ESMO introduces new set of principles to strengthen the communication of cancer research

The new 'ESMO Principles for Humanising Scientific Reporting' aim to strengthen the communication of oncology research, connect scientific evidence with patient relevance, and support a more patient-centered approach to cancer research communication.

22 Oct 2026