Pain News and Research

Latest Pain News and Research

Early bone molecular changes signal osteoarthritis progression

Osteoarthritis often goes undetected until cartilage damage is advanced, limiting treatment options. A new study shows that molecular changes in subchondral bone occur earlier and can signal disease progression before cartilage loss.

10 Feb 2026

Research provide new insights into the brain mechanisms underlying juvenile fibromyalgia

Children and adolescents affected by juvenile fibromyalgia show greater sensitivity to non-painful sensory stimuli, such as sounds and bright lights.

9 Feb 2026

Study reveals how two key proteins contribute to abnormal bone growth after injury

After serious injuries, burns, fractures, or major surgeries, the body normally repairs damaged tissues and restores movement.

9 Feb 2026

Intense exercise proves more effective for panic disorder treatment

Panic attacks are sudden bouts of intense fear without an obvious cause. An estimated 10% of people experience at least one panic attack in their lifetime.

9 Feb 2026

AI stethoscope doubles detection of serious valve disease in primary care study

A prospective primary care study found that an AI-enabled digital stethoscope substantially improved sensitivity for detecting clinically significant valvular heart disease compared with standard auscultation. The technology identified more previously undiagnosed moderate-to-severe disease but showed reduced specificity, highlighting a trade-off between earlier detection and potential false positives.

8 Feb 2026

Electroacupuncture relieves pain-induced anxiety through prefrontal neural circuits

Neuropathic pain, caused by injury or disease of the somatosensory nervous system, is a major clinical challenge and often evolves into a chronic condition.

7 Feb 2026

4D-printed vascular stents expand naturally at body temperature

Cardiovascular diseases constitute a major global health concern. Various complications that affect normal blood flow in arteries and veins, such as stroke, blood clot formation in veins, blood vessel rupture, and coronary artery disease, often require vascular treatments.

6 Feb 2026

Griffith researchers on the cusp of new vaccine to prevent chikungunya

Griffith University researchers are on the cusp of a new vaccine to prevent chikungunya, a global health threat which attacks human joint tissue.

6 Feb 2026

Preoperative factors predict persistent opioid use after surgery

For many Americans, a routine surgical procedure serves as their first introduction to opioid pain medication.

5 Feb 2026

Smartwatch data may help detect opioid misuse risk

Opioid overdoses continue to take a devastating toll across the United States. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2023, the nation recorded roughly 105,000 drug overdose deaths overall, with nearly 80,000 deaths involving opioids.

5 Feb 2026

Post-thrombectomy alteplase linked to better stroke outcomes

Giving the clot-busting medication alteplase at the site of a blocked brain artery after blood clot removal may increase the number of patients who fully recover, according to preliminary late-breaking science presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

4 Feb 2026

Study identifies genetic fingerprint of neuropathic pain neurons

Researchers from The University of Texas at Dallas and their international colleagues have determined the molecular signature of human sleeping - or silent - nociceptors: sensory neurons that are unresponsive to touch or pressure yet are key culprits in neuropathic pain.

4 Feb 2026

Specialized palliative care shows potential to enhance well-being in pediatric cancer patients

How to reduce suffering in children with advanced cancer remains an ongoing but urgent question. A Mass General Brigham-led study examined whether systematically surveying children with advanced cancer and their parents about their symptoms and quality of life, providing feedback to children, families, and clinicians-and acting on that information by implementing personalized palliative care-could improve patients' experiences.

4 Feb 2026

Menstrual blood testing shows promise for HPV screening

Testing menstrual blood for human papillomavirus (HPV) could be a "robust alternative or replacement" for current cervical cancer screening by a clinician, finds a study from China published by The BMJ today.

4 Feb 2026

Burn injuries may have driven key human evolutionary traits

Humans' exposure to high temperature burn injuries may have played an important role in our evolutionary development, shaping how our bodies heal, fight infection, and sometimes fail under extreme injury, according to new research.

4 Feb 2026

Molecular signature of sleeping nociceptors offers new pain targets

Researchers from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and the Institute of Neurophysiology at Uniklinik RWTH Aachen in Germany have deciphered the molecular signature of so-called sleeping nociceptors-a type of pain-sensing nerve cell that normally remains quiet and does not respond to touch or pressure, but can become overactive and drive chronic pain.

4 Feb 2026

Emotional pain often outweighs fear in post-traumatic stress disorder

New research is challenging the long-held view of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a fear-based disorder. In a new study, 68% of trauma-exposed individuals reported that emotional pain (guilt, shame, sadness, loss of joy) impaired their daily functioning more than fear.

4 Feb 2026

Hormone therapy reduces abnormal nerve growth in chronic back pain

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common health problems worldwide, affecting people of all ages and placing a heavy burden on healthcare systems. Many patients experience persistent discomfort that interferes with work, sleep, and daily activities.

4 Feb 2026

Interpower® launches IEC 60320 rewirable Sheet E angled plug connector in black

Adding to its popular line of molded IEC 60320 appliance and interconnection couplers, Interpower announces the launch of its newly manufactured IEC 60320 rewirable Sheet E plug connector in an angled mount configuration initially offered in black.

4 Feb 2026

A common diabetes drug may prevent long COVID when taken early

Research supports metformin's efficacy in reducing long COVID symptoms, suggesting its use in acute COVID-19 cases could alleviate long-term health impacts.

3 Feb 2026