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Tiny protein region unlocks secrets to healthy heartbeat

A tiny region in a little-known muscle protein may hold the key to a healthy, steady heartbeat, as well as possible clues to future treatment of devastating heart ailments.

26 Feb 2026

Study reveals nature's profound impact on brain health and well-being

Spending time in nature, even briefly, triggers changes in the brain that calm stress, restore attention and quiet mental clutter, a new study has found.

26 Feb 2026

New mouse model uncovers achondroplasia's cellular growth plate dysregulation

Achondroplasia, also known as short-limb dwarfism, is associated with neurological symptoms and complications due to narrowing of the skeletal structures surrounding the spinal cord.

26 Feb 2026

Scientists uncover key protein essential for malaria parasite survival

An international team of scientists has shed light on the development of the malaria parasite and have identified a unique protein essential for its survival and transmission, which offers a promising new target for antimalaria drugs.

26 Feb 2026

Microbial cities in space: Risks and opportunities for astronauts

A global team of scientists has identified an often-overlooked biological system - biofilms - as a critical factor in the future of human space exploration.

26 Feb 2026

Fiber intake may reduce heart disease risk in night shift workers

Research shows higher fiber consumption may lower coronary heart disease risk in night shift workers, suggesting dietary adjustments for better health.

26 Feb 2026

Reducing miRNA levels helps rescue vascular defects in Rett syndrome

MIT researchers have discovered that two common genetic mutations that cause Rett syndrome each set off a molecular chain of events that compromises the structural integrity of developing brain blood vessels, making them leaky.

25 Feb 2026

Vitamin B3 shows promise for treating rare genetic disorder

Scientists at Gladstone Institutes have flipped the traditional approach to finding potential treatments for deadly diseases.

25 Feb 2026

RSV and COVID-19 trigger different immune responses in infants

Young infants hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) often become much sicker compared to those infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

25 Feb 2026

Ketogenic diet alters brain signaling to reduce epileptic seizures

A ketogenic diet - one that is high in fat and extremely low in carbohydrates - has been known for decades to reduce seizures in some epilepsy patients.

25 Feb 2026

Disrupted lymphatic vessels may drive chronic organ transplant rejection

Despite advances in the field of organ transplantation, long-term organ rejection that can become apparent a decade or more after a heart or lung transplant remains a common problem for patients.

25 Feb 2026

Brain rhythms may explain modern digital distraction susceptibility

Scientists may have new answers to why pop-ups or notifications grab our attention. Turns out our attention is on a cycle, shifting seven to ten times per second.

25 Feb 2026

Study finds brain changes related to worse memory in football players with repetitive head impacts

In former college and professional football players, a new study has found higher levels of inflammation were associated with worse brain structure, which in turn was related to worse memory.

25 Feb 2026

Road traffic noise linked to immediate heart and blood vessel stress

A new study published in the journal Cardiovascular Research shows that a single night of road traffic noise, at levels that are typical of those living in a city, causes stress to the heart and blood vessels.

25 Feb 2026

Long-term cola intake weakens immune cell counts in controlled rat study

Replacing drinking water entirely with sugar-sweetened or sugar-free cola for eight weeks altered gut microbiota composition and immune-related indices in rats, despite no changes in body weight or blood glucose. Both beverages were associated with leukocyte reductions and organ-related biochemical shifts, with sugar-sweetened cola more strongly linked to renal markers and diet cola to elevated liver enzymes.

25 Feb 2026

Could a rare gene variant help reduce smoking? New study suggests it might

An exome-wide association study of nearly 38,000 smokers from the Mexico City Prospective Study identified rare coding variants in CHRNB3 that are associated with substantially fewer cigarettes smoked per day. Cross-ancestry analyses in European and East Asian datasets support a role for the β3 nicotinic receptor subunit in modulating smoking intensity.

25 Feb 2026

Superagers show greater neuron growth linked to strong memory

Brains of older adults with super healthy cognition grow more new neurons than those of their peers, according to a study from UIC, Northwestern University and the University of Washington.

25 Feb 2026

Chemical signatures in blood could help detect gallbladder cancer

Researchers at Tezpur University in Assam, India, working with scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, have identified distinct chemical signatures in blood that could help detect gallbladder cancer earlier.

25 Feb 2026

Next-generation CAR T therapy offers hope but faces clinical challenges

A new editorial perspective was published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on February 20, 2026, titled "CAR-T therapy: Trailblazing CAR(ing) in cancer treatment."

25 Feb 2026

Unexpected behavior observed during interactions between immune cells and dying cells

Over the years, cell biology has built a detailed picture of how cells compartmentalize their internal functions. Central to this organization is the nucleus, which houses the genetic material and is separated from the cytoplasm by a robust nuclear envelope.

25 Feb 2026