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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

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

Study reveals the physics behind neural tube closure in embryos

In about one out of every 1,000 pregnancies, the neural tube, a key nervous system structure, fails to close properly.

21 Apr 2026

Microbial "signatures" within the oral cavity and gut may aid in gastric cancer detection

A recent study published in Cell Reports Medicine has identified distinct microbial "signatures" within the oral cavity and gut that serve as robust biomarkers for the early detection of gastric cancer (GC).

20 Apr 2026

Skin-conforming electrodes improve comfort in long-term heart monitoring

Researchers have created heart monitoring sensors that conform to the skin, are comfortable, and can be worn while people are moving.

20 Apr 2026

AI improves imaging pathology and treatment decisions in breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, with over 2.3 million new cases diagnosed each year. Traditional diagnostic methods rely heavily on human judgment, which can lead to inconsistent outcomes.

20 Apr 2026

Serotonin may worsen tinnitus symptoms, mice study finds

The same neurotransmitter commonly leveraged to relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety also may exacerbate a vexing condition known as tinnitus, according to new research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

20 Apr 2026

New gene target offers hope for fatal infant cardiomyopathy

Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC have made an important advance toward understanding-and potentially treating-a rare cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease) that is present from birth.

20 Apr 2026

Targeting glutamine metabolism enhances CAR-macrophage cancer therapy

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) within the tumor microenvironment (TME) exhibit significant metabolic dysregulation, which impairs their antitumor function.

20 Apr 2026

Scientists disrupt key cancer proteins to target neuroblastoma

Researchers at Linköping University show how two important cancer-related proteins can be prevented from collaborating with each other.

20 Apr 2026

CBD shows promise, but this review warns the hype is outpacing the science

A Neuropsychopharmacology Circumspectives article argues that cannabidiol has genuine therapeutic potential, especially in treatment-resistant pediatric epilepsy, but evidence for most other uses remains limited, heterogeneous, and not yet mature enough for broad clinical adoption. The authors also warn that poor retail product quality, inaccurate labeling, contaminants, hepatotoxicity risk, and drug interactions are major barriers to safe and effective real-world use.

20 Apr 2026

Study reveals what people ask AI chatbots about health most often

Researchers analyzed more than 500,000 de-identified Microsoft Copilot health conversations from January 2026 and found that health information queries were most common, while nearly one in five conversations involved personal symptoms or condition-related concerns. They also found that personal health queries were more common on mobile and at night, while desktop use was more often tied to research, paperwork, and academic support, highlighting how people use AI differently across contexts.

20 Apr 2026

New geometric brain marker predicts successful surgery for iNPH patients

Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland have identified a new geometric marker of the brain ventricles that could help predict which patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) will benefit from shunt surgery, according to a recent study published in Fluids and Barriers of the CNS.

20 Apr 2026

New microfluidic device improves tumor cell enrichment from pleural effusions

Pleural effusion cytology is already used in cancer diagnosis, especially in metastatic settings, but its sensitivity can be limited.

20 Apr 2026

Microbes in the digestive tract help tailor treatment for melanoma patients

The specific mix of bacteria living in a person's gut can predict the chances that melanoma will recur after surgery and immunotherapy, which helps immune cells target cancer cells. This is according to a new study led by researchers from NYU Langone Health and its Perlmutter Cancer Center.

20 Apr 2026

Research shows AI discourages social interaction for autistic users

When people ask ChatGPT and other AI models for advice, they often share deeply personal details in hopes of getting better answers: their age, their gender, their mental health history, even medical diagnoses like autism.

20 Apr 2026

New study reveals CRISPR enzyme that responds to human DNA methylation

Cancer cells excel at evading detection, but subtle chemical differences set them apart from healthy cells. Now, a team of scientists from Wageningen University & Research and Van Andel Institute has identified a way to exploit this distinction. Using a variant of CRISPR, a modern tool for editing DNA, they distinguished tumor DNA from healthy DNA and selectively cut only the former. The study, published today in Nature, is an early but promising step toward a cancer therapy that targets and destroys tumor cells with high precision.

20 Apr 2026

What still drives childhood vaccine gaps in the United States

A nationwide analysis of provider-verified NIS-Child data from 2010 to 2023 found that US childhood vaccination coverage remained generally high but was consistently shaped by social and structural factors such as maternal education, income, insurance, language, and region. The study also showed that coverage of the combined seven-vaccine series rose over time, yet persistent disparities remained, especially for vaccines such as influenza, hepatitis A, and rotavirus.

19 Apr 2026