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Brain pathways shape distinct itch responses in the face and body

In a new study, researchers from North Carolina State University show that itch sensations in the face are perceived differently from those in the body due to differences in signaling between trigeminal (located in the brain) and spinal pain pathways.

4 May 2026

Protective brain pathway may slow Parkinson’s progression in females

Scientists have identified a protective brain pathway that may help slow the progression of Parkinson's disease by strengthening the brain's own dopamine‑producing neurons, but the positive effect was only observed in females.

4 May 2026

AI model reads genetic code to trace evolutionary history

Researchers at the University of Oregon have developed an artificial intelligence tool that can read genetic code the way large language models like ChatGPT read text. Scanning the genome for biological mutation patterns, the computer model traces pairs of genes back in time to their last common ancestor.

4 May 2026

Dopamine may stretch time perception and shape lasting memories

Ever heard of getting a "dopamine hit" from something you enjoy? These exciting moments also appear to influence memory, although perhaps not in the way you'd expect.

4 May 2026

NIH awards $3.9 million grant to develop a non-opioid pain treatment

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has awarded a $3.9 million grant to a multi-institutional team led by scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute to develop a non-opioid pain therapeutic and advance it into a Phase 1 clinical trial.

4 May 2026

Virginia Tech researcher wins NIH award to study metabolic brain health

Mary Elizabeth Baugh, a research scientist with Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, has been awarded a National Institutes of Health Mentored Research Scientist Development Award to study how metabolic health influences the brain systems that shape what and how we eat.

4 May 2026

Ballroom dancers' brains sync up while moving together

Scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder have discovered something that experienced ballroom dancers have long known: When dancers are in tune with each other, their brains may sync up, helping them move as one.

4 May 2026

NIH grant fuels NYU Langone efforts to accelerate medical research discoveries

NYU Langone Health has been awarded a nearly $70 million, seven-year renewal grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund its Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI). The award is the highest level of funding available nationally under NIH's Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program.

4 May 2026

Cranberry juice may boost antibiotic effectiveness against urinary infections

More than 400 million people experience a urinary tract infection every year, and some epidemiological studies estimate that more than half of all women will develop at least one in their lifetime.

4 May 2026

New research identifies stress response as trigger for heart inflammation

After a heart attack, the body rapidly floods the injured heart with neutrophils - white blood cells that help repair damage but can also make it worse when too many arrive too quickly.

4 May 2026

Randomized controlled trial validates total hip arthroplasty for improving functional capacity

Total hip arthroplasty leads to the best outcomes in the treatment of moderate-to-severe hip osteoarthritis, according to a new study by the University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital. During a one-year follow-up, surgery combined with conservative treatment was found to relieve pain and improve functional capacity and quality of life more effectively than conservative treatment alone, which was based on an exercise program.

4 May 2026

Cellular aging in immune cells signals early onset of cognitive depression

Blood tests measuring the aging of certain white blood cells can predict cognitive and mood-related symptoms of depression, rather than physical symptoms.

4 May 2026

Study debunks steroid myths, framing creatine as an essential energy-providing molecule

Creatine, a compound often associated with gym-goers and athletes, has long been touted as a performance-enhancing supplement. But beyond the hype, what does science actually reveal about its effects on the body and mind?

4 May 2026

65 % of eligible lung cancer patients do not receive the most appropriate targeted therapies, Diaceutics report finds

Diaceutics, the intelligence and engagement company unlocking the full potential of diagnostic-driven therapies, has released new research revealing a critical shift in precision medicine. Despite major advances in biomarker testing, nearly two-thirds of eligible patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) in the US are still not receiving the most appropriate treatment

From Diaceutics PLC 4 May 2026

Food timing may shape how T cells respond to infection and therapy

Short-term nutritional state can reshape T cell metabolism, with post-meal lipid metabolism enhancing T cell metabolic capacity, cytokine production, and persistence after activation. The study identifies triglyceride-rich chylomicrons as key drivers of this effect, suggesting nutritional timing may matter for immune monitoring, vaccination research, and cell-therapy manufacturing.

30 Apr 2026

New genetic risk report reveals hidden heart disease risk before symptoms appear

Researchers developed and externally validated integrated polygenic risk scores for eight cardiovascular conditions using large U.S.-based biobank data. The clinically orderable report may help identify inherited cardiovascular risk that traditional clinical markers can miss, although broader prospective validation is still needed.

30 Apr 2026

AgentClinic puts medical AI through a more realistic diagnostic test

AgentClinic is a multimodal benchmark that tests clinical AI agents in simulated, dialogue-driven diagnostic settings rather than static medical question-answer formats. The study found that model performance varied sharply by tool use, language, bias, image handling, and patient-agent interactions, highlighting the need for more realistic AI evaluation before clinical deployment.

30 Apr 2026

Daily self-moxibustion during chemotherapy found to be feasible and acceptable

Chemotherapy-induced pancytopenia remains a serious challenge in cancer care because falling blood counts can lead to treatment delays and dose reductions, with associated impact on survival, as well as potential infections, fatigue, and lower quality of life.

30 Apr 2026

Impaired protein recycling drives T cell exhaustion in cancer

T cells are crucial components of our immune system, serving as critical protectors against infection and disease.

30 Apr 2026

Pretargeted radioimmunotherapy shows promise for colorectal cancer treatment

A new pretargeted radioimmunotherapy (PRIT) technique has been shown to be safe and effective in eradicating tumors from a preclinical colorectal cancer model.

30 Apr 2026