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Taste preference genes drive overeating and metabolic disease risk

Ever wonder why some people crave sweets while others can take them or leave them? Preliminary findings from a new study suggest that people who carry certain genetic variants associated with a preference for sweet or fatty tastes not only tend to eat more of these foods but also have a higher risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes as a result.

27 Jul 2026

Genetic factors influence cholesterol response to low-carb diets

Can a low-carb diet cause your cholesterol to skyrocket? This question has vexed researchers and influencers alike as the popularity of low-carbohydrate diets has surged, yet the evidence has remained mixed.

27 Jul 2026

Plant polymer lignin shows promise for future bone regeneration

A new study reveals that lignin - a natural plant polymer - can be transformed into a bioactive material that promotes the formation of bone-like minerals while supporting the growth of bone-forming cells.

27 Jul 2026

New cancer vaccine harnesses COVID-19 immune memory to fight tumors

In a discovery that could redefine the future of cancer immunotherapy, scientists from Celloram Inc., University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University have developed a novel cancer vaccine platform that transforms the impact of the largest immunological event in modern history – a synchronized mass immune memory generated through SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination – into a powerful ally against cancer.

27 Jul 2026

Dengue virus infects memory B cells to evade immune defenses

Researchers at the University of Vermont Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine and Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY, have discovered that dengue virus can infect and replicate inside memory B cells, immune cells traditionally understood to help protect the body from infection.

27 Jul 2026

Signals traveling from the gut through the vagus nerve help form memories

When French writer Marcel Proust famously recalled his childhood from the taste of a Madeline cookie, his stomach may have done some of the work.

27 Jul 2026

Eye state alters brain signals for mind wandering

A type of brain activity linked to arousal and attention can track mind wandering. But research is conflicting on whether this activity promotes or hinders mind wandering.

27 Jul 2026

Slow-maturing microglia may enable powerful human cognitive abilities

Microglia are the most common immune cells in the brain, where they defend against intruders and engulf damaged neurons.

27 Jul 2026

Duke University engineers use robots and AI to improve gut health

Biomedical engineers at Duke University have demonstrated a method for systematically developing novel, complex combinations of probiotics and prebiotics to more effectively maintain gut health and treat various gastrointestinal diseases.

27 Jul 2026

Milk nutrient levels vary by production method and season

When you pick up a gallon of milk at the store, the nutrients it contains may depend on both what's on the label and the time of year.

27 Jul 2026

Primate study reveals molecular basis of red-green color vision

Human color vision depends on three types of cone cells in the retina. Although all three contain the same light-absorbing molecule, 11-cis-retinal, differences in the surrounding protein determine sensitivity to red, green, or blue light.

27 Jul 2026

Amyloid beta misfolding predicts Alzheimer's years before symptoms appear

Widely used Alzheimer’s biomarker P-tau 217 reliably detects the disease only at the clinical stage. The protein misfolding of amyloid beta indicates an increased risk years earlier.

27 Jul 2026

Artificial stomach helps design nutrient-rich protein powders for seniors

New nutrient-rich protein powders to boost the health of active older people are being developed with the help of an artificial stomach at Aberystwyth University.

27 Jul 2026

Novel bioinspired dressing uses body force to heal wounds

A bioinspired material, developed by scientists at Imperial College London, accelerates wound healing and the repair of human skin.

27 Jul 2026

Mouse study uncovers complex neural mechanisms behind habit formation

Habit formation describes the repeated performance of a behavior until it becomes routine: in other words, the shift from deliberate to automatic decision-making.

27 Jul 2026

New blood protein biomarkers estimate timing of ALS symptoms

Months to several years before amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) symptoms arise, levels of certain blood proteins may dramatically shift.

27 Jul 2026

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics launches fully automated urinalysis system to meet rising testing volumes

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, a Danaher company and a global leader in clinical diagnostics, today announced the U.S. launch of the DxU 1800 System, a fully automated urinalysis solution that combines a new chemistry analyzer and consumables with proven microscopy technology.

From Beckman Coulter Diagnostics 27 Jul 2026

Different cyclone definitions reveal uneven diarrheal disease risks across Asia

Tropical cyclone links to diarrheal disease varied widely across ten Asian regions, depending on how cyclone exposure was defined and whether mortality or morbidity was measured. Mortality associations were mostly uncertain, while morbidity patterns differed by region, with Taiwan showing the largest attributable burden.

27 Jul 2026

YouTube’s health content rewards attention-grabbing videos over reliable medical information

Researchers analyzed 3,958 Korean-language medical YouTube videos and found that clickbait-heavy content attracted more views, likes, and comments. Higher-quality videos from medical professionals and public institutions often received less attention, highlighting a visibility gap in online health information.

27 Jul 2026

Wild bird surveillance reveals how H5Nx flu keeps returning to China

Long-term wild bird surveillance across China revealed shifting H5Nx avian influenza patterns, with H5N1, H5N8, and clade 2.3.4.4b viruses changing over time and across migratory flyways. Genomic analyses suggest recent H5Nx detections in China largely reflect repeated reintroductions through migratory birds rather than sustained local circulation.

26 Jul 2026