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Surgical training program for community health officers slashes maternal mortality risk

Maternal mortality in Sierra Leone used to be among the highest in the world. A 15-year-old non-profit program that trains community health officers to do life-saving surgeries has helped slash that risk by two-thirds.

18 May 2026

Health experts outline symptoms and risks of shipboard hantavirus

It's one of the cruisegoer's biggest fears: a contagious disease outbreak at sea.

18 May 2026

Gut microbiome metabolite butyrate relieves chronic jaw joint pain

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain is associated with disrupted gut microbiome metabolites. Researchers reveal that butyrate, administered as tributyrin, alleviates pain by restoring histone acetylation and reversing gene regulatory changes in the brain.

18 May 2026

Blood test detects tumor DNA to guide advanced cancer treatment

A blood test that detects tumor DNA circulating in the bloodstream may help select the most effective treatment options for cancer patients whose tumors have started to spread, according to one of the largest randomized controlled trials of its kind presented at the Congress of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO 2026).

18 May 2026

New York City's mold-removal program reduces the burden of asthma exacerbations

The New York City Housing Authority developed Mold Busters, a mold-removal program, in response to a 2013 class-action lawsuit filed by residents suffering from asthma due to mold in their apartments.

18 May 2026

Epigenetic research links genetics and environment to mental disorders

Mental disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and bipolar disorder, can strongly affect daily life.

18 May 2026

Global collaboration can improve diagnosis and care for children with Kawasaki disease

International collaboration in research, diagnosis and care is critical to reducing the risk of serious heart conditions for children with Kawasaki disease worldwide, according to a new science advisory published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

18 May 2026

Preclinical models map genetic changes behind multiple sclerosis nerve damage

More than 1 million people across the United States live with multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease that affects the brain, optic nerves and spine.

18 May 2026

Blood metabolite patterns could reveal dementia risk in midlife

Research shows that blood metabolite profiles can indicate dementia risk, offering a potential tool for early detection and prevention of cognitive decline.

18 May 2026

Body weight and genes directly alter gut microbiota composition

Your body weight and genes influence the types of bacteria you have in your gut. In turn, this appears to affect the risk of developing conditions such as coeliac disease and haemorrhoids.

18 May 2026

Tuberculosis drives trillion dollar economic crisis, research shows

The impacts of tuberculosis (TB) are usually discussed in terms of public health and human suffering. Now, new research presented at the 2026 ATS International Conference shows that TB is also driving a massive global economic crisis.

18 May 2026

Study finds pulmonary rehab empowers children with respiratory issues

New research presented at the 2026 ATS International Conference shows that pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) significantly improves functioning and quality of life in children with chronic respiratory conditions, regardless of whether lung function itself improves.

18 May 2026

Olive waste extract may help lower fat and improve muscle markers

A polyphenol-rich olive oil byproduct may enhance muscle health, reducing fat mass and improving antioxidant markers in adults with metabolic risk factors.

18 May 2026

Hydrogel breakthrough offers significant advance in type 1 diabetes treatment

Researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) have reached a significant advance in the fight against type 1 diabetes. Using an innovative hydrogel that supports insulin-producing cells once transplanted into the body, the team successfully regulated blood sugar levels in diabetic mice.

18 May 2026

Silent heart attacks may speed cognitive decline

Research shows hidden heart attacks accelerate cognitive decline, highlighting the need for better identification of cardiovascular risks to brain health.

18 May 2026

New study identifies dopamine's role in reversing Alzheimer's

Imagine if patients with Alzheimer's could have their memories restored. Such a future may seem like a pipe dream, but a new study by researchers at Tohoku University, in collaboration with the University of California, Irvine, has identified dopamine dysfunction as a previously unrecognized mechanism underlying memory impairment, unlocking a potential therapeutic means of reversing cognitive decline.

18 May 2026

Research offers clearer genetic blueprint of breast cancer variants

A study led by Dr Jason Pitt, Principal Investigator at the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore (CSI Singapore), has identified eight new "signatures" of DNA patterns (gains and/or losses) in breast cancer.

18 May 2026

International trial proves AI can design gold-standard cancer treatment plans

An AI technology is effective at planning the delivery of life-saving radiotherapy for cervical cancer and prostate cancer, according to results from a large international trial led by researchers at University College London (UCL) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).

18 May 2026

Chia seeds may boost fetal brain DHA during obesity-linked pregnancy

Chia seed supplementation during pregnancy increased maternal omega-3 long-chain fatty acids, including DHA, in a rat model of high-fat-high-sugar diet-induced obesity. The findings suggest plant-derived ALA from chia seeds may improve maternal, placental, and mid-gestation fetal brain lipid profiles, but human relevance and offspring outcomes still need testing.

17 May 2026

Aged immune cells may drive memory decline by releasing a brain-aging protein

A preclinical mouse study in Immunity suggests that aged circulating CD8+ T cells can disrupt hippocampal function and impair learning and memory. The findings point to granzyme K, a secreted factor linked to age-associated CD8+ T cells, as a potential target for restoring aspects of cognition in aging.

17 May 2026