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Calcium signals in microglia drive anxiety and compulsive behaviors

Researchers had previously discovered a population of immune cells within the brain that can act as accelerators and brakes for anxiety in mice. N

21 Apr 2026

New method predicts cancer patient survival using advanced molecular data

Oregon Health & Science University researchers have developed a first-of-its-kind method to predict cancer patient survival using advanced molecular data from individual cells.

21 Apr 2026

Cancer-linked mutations in the brain cells may drive Alzheimer’s disease

As the body ages, cells naturally accumulate dozens of genetic mutations each year. New research from Boston Children's Hospital, published in Cell, finds that the brain's resident immune cells, microglia, amass mutations in specific cancer-driving genes yet they don't manifest as cancer.

21 Apr 2026

Pinecone-inspired conduit enables suture-free repair of nerve injuries

As the authors detail, PNI is a prevalent neurological condition that often causes permanent sensory and motor dysfunction, severely impairing patient's quality of life.

21 Apr 2026

Cognitive decline may signal heart trouble years before a cardiovascular event

In a large ASPREE and ASPREE-XT nested case-control study of older adults without prior cardiovascular disease, people who later experienced a CVD event showed faster cognitive decline beginning roughly 3 to 8 years before the event. Processing speed declined earliest, suggesting that subtle cognitive changes may emerge well before overt cardiovascular disease.

21 Apr 2026

Stem cell model recreates early human embryo with yolk sac

For the first time, a stem cell model has produced a structure resembling an early human embryo with a yolk-sac-like structure, from a single starting stem cell population and without direct genetic manipulation.

21 Apr 2026

Real-time tracking reveals gaps in recalled alcohol use symptoms

When young adults are asked to recall their drinking habits, their recollections may not always match what actually happened in their day-to-day lives, a new study suggests.

21 Apr 2026

Scientists develop MIND approach to predict and reshape microbiomes

University of California San Diego researchers have developed a new tool for understanding and modifying any microbiome, including the human microbiome.

21 Apr 2026

Gut microbiome clues may help spot Parkinson’s disease in its earliest phase

Researchers found that a Parkinson’s disease-related gut microbiome pattern appears not only in people with diagnosed Parkinson’s, but also in some non-manifesting GBA1 variant carriers and a subset of healthy individuals. The findings suggest that gut microbiome changes may help flag people who are closer to Parkinson’s disease development, although longitudinal studies are still needed to confirm predictive value.

21 Apr 2026

Why do the deadliest cancers still get less NIH research funding?

Researchers found that NIH funding for major US cancers does not consistently align with lethality, with highly fatal cancers such as pancreatic cancer and small-cell lung cancer receiving far less funding per estimated death than breast or prostate cancer. The study argues that incidence alone is not enough and that funding decisions should better incorporate mortality, survival, and mortality-to-incidence ratios.

21 Apr 2026

Common gene in axolotls, mice and zebrafish may unlock human limb regrowth

Investigating a common gene in three very different species – axolotls, mice and zebrafish – scientists have discovered the potential for a novel gene therapy aimed at eventually regrowing limbs in humans, according to new research published this week.

21 Apr 2026

New mechanism disables antibiotic resistance and cross-protection in bacteria

A newly discovered mechanism renders antibiotic-resistant bacteria vulnerable by disabling both their individual resistance and a process known as cross-protection, the ability of resistant bacteria to shield nearby, otherwise sensitive strains.

21 Apr 2026

Oral bacteria can reveal your true biological age and health risks

A simple oral rinse may predict biological age, linking oral microbiome changes to aging, frailty, and chronic disease risk in a noninvasive manner.

21 Apr 2026

Early immune responses linked to broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV

Some people living with HIV develop antibodies capable of neutralizing many different strains of the virus. New research links this to immune responses that occur early in infection.

21 Apr 2026

AI predicts retinal age to identify early signs of biological aging

There may be some truth to the saying "the eyes are the window to the soul." Age-related changes are reflected in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.

21 Apr 2026

Immune cell interactions drive liver inflammation and fibrosis

When the liver is injured - for example, due to bile accumulation - immune cells become activated. In mouse experiments, the Würzburg team observed that certain immune cells undergo functional changes in response to liver damage, adopting a highly pro-inflammatory state.

21 Apr 2026

Coffee impacts the gut-brain axis to improve mood and stress

New research from APC Microbiome Ireland, a world leading research centre at University College Cork, has comprehensively explored the mechanisms behind coffee's positive effects on the gut-brain axis for the first time.

21 Apr 2026

Molecular keyhole discovery offers new hope for personalized pain therapies

Researchers at VIB, VUB, and KU Leuven have identified a tiny binding site, a molecular 'keyhole', in the TRPM3 ion channel, a crucial sensor in pain signaling.

21 Apr 2026

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