A new global definition of clinical obesity classifies far fewer children as obese than the widely used body mass index (BMI), according to a large international study. And the findings could lead to changes to how childhood obesity is identified and managed.

6 Oct 2026

EU launches network to harness health data and AI for cardiovascular care

A new EU-funded flagship initiative to harness the power of health data and artificial intelligence (AI) across the continuum of cardiovascular care has been launched, with funding from the EU4Health Program.

6 Oct 2026

Blue light treatment kills food poisoning bacteria on raw chicken

A low-power blue light could be the key to significantly reducing food poisoning caused by raw chicken in the UK, scientists at the University of Reading have found.

6 Oct 2026

Skin biopsy offers less invasive diagnosis for mitochondrial disease

Researchers at Children's Hospital Colorado (Children's Colorado) and the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine have published one of the largest studies to date evaluating advanced laboratory testing for mitochondrial disease, providing new evidence that a small skin biopsy can often help diagnose these rare and complex conditions without the need for more invasive procedures.

6 Oct 2026

Innovative material uses visible light to disinfect chronic wounds

Chronic wounds place a burden on both patients and the healthcare system. Researchers at Empa are therefore working on an innovative material that releases active ingredients when exposed to visible light.

6 Oct 2026

Model tracks invisible C. diff transmission in hospital cancer units

In a new study, researchers modeled the transmission of Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infections among patients in hospital cancer units.

6 Oct 2026

Family history of type 1 diabetes may shape how you see your own risk

Understanding type 1 diabetes risk among first-degree relatives is influenced by personal beliefs and family experiences, affecting screening interpretations.

6 Oct 2026

Terumo announces global commercial launch of K-Pack Embrace™ active safety needle

Terumo Corporation today announced the global commercial launch of its K-Pack Embrace™ active safety needle.

From Terumo Corporation 6 Oct 2026

Could swearing build rapport with patients?

Swearing is often seen as out of place in healthcare, but patients’ experiences suggest the line between unprofessional language and meaningful connection may be more complex.

6 Oct 2026

Cannabis products associated with sustained improvements in patients with inflammatory arthritis

The sustained use of medical cannabis preparations provides safe and effective relief for patients with inflammatory arthritis, according to observational data published in the journal Clinical Medicine Insights: Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Disorders.

6 Oct 2026

£80 m challenge for faster, better dementia diagnosis launched

The Dementia Challenge is accelerating the adoption of innovative technologies and practices that will diagnose and predict how the disease will progress.

6 Oct 2026

Electronic sensor detects early Parkinson’s markers in blood

Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in collaboration with the University of Oxford have developed a blood-based electronic sensor capable of detecting molecular signatures associated with Parkinson’s disease.

6 Oct 2026

Social media and AI chatbots face gaps in supporting vulnerable users

Two new studies highlight how communication gaps can complicate efforts to protect vulnerable users of technologies such as social media and AI chatbots. Researchers will present the work at the 29th ACM Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work and Social Computing (CSCW 2026), held October 1–14 in Salt Lake City.

6 Oct 2026

Immigration enforcement linked to sharp decline in ER visits by immigrants

Emergency room visits among people born outside the United States declined sharply at Los Angeles County safety-net hospitals after immigration enforcement intensified in the region last year, according to new USC research.

5 Oct 2026

One Health approach could improve India’s response to mycetoma

A 60-year-old Indian farmer developed two infections—one in his foot following an injury from a cow's hoof, the other in his buttock after a thorn prick in the fields three years later.

5 Oct 2026

Nature recognized as key component of lifestyle medicine and health

The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) today welcomed a resolution adopted by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) that recognizes nature's role in supporting human health and calls for greater collaboration among the conservation, healthcare and research communities.

5 Oct 2026

Lipid signaling pathway helps cells survive bacterial toxin damage

Epithelial cells form the body's frontline barriers, helping keep microbes, toxins, and other harmful substances out.

5 Oct 2026

AAP issues guidance for safe and equitable pediatric use of generative AI

The American Academy of Pediatrics has published guidance for pediatricians on the safe, equitable, and effective use of generative artificial intelligence (AI), acknowledging that the rapidly emerging tools offer both promise and risk.

5 Oct 2026

New AI system automates classification of skin lesions

Skin cancer is a global health challenge, with nearly 1.5 million new cases diagnosed in 2024 according to World Health Organization (WHO) data. In response, the University of Alicante (UA) and the Sant Joan d'Alacant University Hospital have collaborated to launch MEL-IA (MobilE skin Lesion dIAgnosis), an artificial intelligence system designed to automate the classification of skin lesions.

5 Oct 2026

Walking remains highly beneficial for COPD patients in polluted environments

Regular walking reduces symptom flare ups for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, even if they live in an area with poor air quality, according to a study published in ERJ Open Research.

5 Oct 2026