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Study reveals how gut fungi influence the brain’s dopamine response to alcohol

Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences have found a surprising connection between a fungus associated with alcohol use disorder and the brain's dopamine reward pathway.

16 Oct 2025

Thymic health found to predict immunotherapy success in cancer patients

The health of the thymus - a key part of the body's immune system - is associated with cancer patients' outcomes to immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment, according to a ground-breaking international study reported at ESMO 2025.

16 Oct 2025

Researchers discover new genetic cause of hereditary optic atrophy

A research team from the Medical University of Vienna and the Medical University of Graz has discovered a previously unknown genetic cause of hereditary optic atrophy, a degenerative disease of the optic nerve associated with gradual loss of vision.

16 Oct 2025

Maternal exposure to PM2.5 during pregnancy linked to lower myelination in newborns' brains

A study published in Environment International concludes that air pollution during pregnancy is associated with slower brain maturation in newborns.

16 Oct 2025

Uncovering a molecular weakness in Ewing sarcoma for targeted therapy

A research team at the Seville Biomedical Institute (IBis) has identified a new molecular mechanism that explains the high sensitivity of Ewing sarcoma (an aggressive bone cancer that mainly affects children and adolescents) to certain chemotherapy drugs, such as irinotecan.

16 Oct 2025

Your smartphone might not be hurting your mood after all

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16 Oct 2025

Experts call for action against imposter participants in health studies

Imposter participants threaten the integrity of health research and, by extension, the policies and clinical decisions built on it, warn experts in The BMJ today.

16 Oct 2025

Mass General Brigham study shows US obesity could jump from 40% to 70%

The prevalence of obesity in the United States could rise sharply under a new definition of obesity released earlier this year by the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology Commission.

16 Oct 2025

Combination of prebiotics and probiotics offer superior anti-inflammatory benefits compared with omega-3 or prebiotics alone

A new study, led by experts at the University of Nottingham, has found that combining certain types of dietary supplements is more effective than single prebiotics or omega-3 in supporting immune and metabolic health, which could lower the risk of conditions linked to chronic inflammation.

16 Oct 2025

Why community clubs must focus on parents to halt youth drop-out

Community sporting clubs must rethink how they engage parents if they want to stop the slide in young people dropping out of sport, according to new Flinders University research.

16 Oct 2025

Fatty acids found to be a primary driver of triple-negative tumor growth

A team from Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U) has found that triple-negative breast cancer is fueled by lipids and that these fatty acids are a key feature of obesity that promote tumor growth.

16 Oct 2025

Researchers uncover TRAT1's central role in T helper cell function

Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna have taken a closer look at a previously largely unknown component of the immune system: the protein molecule TRAT1 (T Cell Receptor Associated Transmembrane Adaptor 1) plays a central role in how so-called T helper cells (a specialised subgroup of immune cells) distinguish between attack and self-control - an important mechanism for restraining inflammation and preventing autoimmune diseases. The findings have recently been published in the journal Cell Communication and Signaling.

16 Oct 2025

New European trial tests subcutaneous EEG technology for people with epilepsy

A new clinical trial co-led by researchers at FutureNeuro and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences is investigating how advanced brain monitoring could improve the diagnosis and management of epilepsy.

16 Oct 2025

One in four U.S. hepatologists screen positive for unhealthy alcohol use

One in four hepatologists in the United States screened positive for unhealthy alcohol use in a survey study conducted by UCLA.

16 Oct 2025

Psychological fatigue poses major risk for returning smokers

The most reliable predictor of an ex-smoker's relapse isn't strong urges to smoke or low confidence in the ability to stay off tobacco – it's weariness with the efforts to remain a non-smoker, according to a new study published today in Addiction.

16 Oct 2025

Longevity gene offers hope for children with progeria

A new breakthrough in a rare genetic disease which causes children to age rapidly has been discovered using 'longevity genes' found in people who live exceptionally long lives - over 100 years old.

15 Oct 2025

LGBTQ+ adolescents face higher rates of mental health challenges and substance use

New research from the University of Delaware finds that LGBTQ+ adolescents in Delaware face strikingly higher rates of mental health challenges and substance use compared to their peers.

15 Oct 2025

Low-dose steroids show promise for treating severe kidney inflammation

Will it be possible to treat severe kidney inflammation with fewer drugs in the future? A new study by the University Hospital Bonn (UKB), the University of Bonn, and the University of Hamburg gives cause for hope.

15 Oct 2025

Testosterone does not alter economic decision making in men

Testosterone has long been linked to risk-taking, generosity, and competitiveness. But a new large-scale study - the biggest of its kind - finds that men given testosterone made the same economic choices as those given a placebo.

15 Oct 2025

Experimental gene therapy restores immune system function in children with genetic immune disorder

An experimental gene therapy developed by researchers at UCLA, University College London and Great Ormond Street Hospital has restored and maintained immune system function in 59 of 62 children born with ADA-SCID, a rare and deadly genetic immune disorder.

15 Oct 2025