Latest articles in Health
The largest real-world study of the maternal RSV vaccine found it reduces the risk of infant hospitalization by over 80% when given at least two weeks before birth. The UK Health Security Agency study, presented at ESCMID Global 2026, provides robust evidence that vaccination offers substantial protection against severe illness in young infants.
The FDA has proposed removing semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide from the 503B Bulks List, effectively banning outsourcing facilities from compounding these GLP-1 drugs in bulk. The move targets compounded versions of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound that are sold at a fraction of the brand-name price.
Researchers at McMaster University have discovered manikomycin, a new antibiotic that kills drug-resistant bacteria including salmonella, E. coli, and klebsiella by targeting a previously unknown part of the bacterial ribosome. The compound was hidden in a decades-old soil bacterium and was uncovered using advanced laboratory techniques. It is not toxic to human cells and has no observed resistance in tested superbugs.
A new diabetes pill that activates metabolism in skeletal muscle showed promising early clinical results, lowering blood sugar and increasing fat burning while preserving muscle mass. In other health news, GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide were linked to lower addiction risks in a study of 600,000 veterans, and electrical neck implants immediately restored arm mobility in stroke survivors.
A new immunotherapy drug called IMA401 shrank tumors in patients with advanced solid cancers that had stopped responding to standard treatments, according to a Phase I trial presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting. The bispecific T-cell engager targets an antigen found inside tumor cells, expanding the range of cancers that immunotherapy may be able to treat.
A five-year follow-up study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that a combination immunotherapy treatment sustained a 49% reduction in melanoma recurrence among patients with advanced skin cancer. The treatment, which combines two checkpoint inhibitors, was more effective than either drug alone. Researchers say the results provide the strongest evidence yet for long-term use of combination immunotherapy in high-risk melanoma patients.
A new treatment approach for pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest cancers, could double survival rates according to early clinical trial results. The therapy, which combines a targeted drug called daraxonrasib with standard chemotherapy, has shown promise in shrinking tumors and extending patient survival. Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center are leading the trials. The treatment could potentially work against colon, ovarian, and lung cancers as well. Pancreatic cancer has a five-year survival rate of only 12 percent.
A decision made 70 years ago to reforest vast areas of Japan with just two kinds of tree has created a national health crisis. The monoculture forests have triggered massive pollen releases, causing record levels of hay fever across the country. An estimated 40% of Japanese people now suffer from pollen allergies.
Researchers have developed a new mRNA cancer vaccine that could help fight multiple types of cancer. In mouse models of melanoma, the vaccine combined with a PD-1 inhibitor made even drug-resistant tumors more sensitive to treatment. Separately, a new Alzheimer's treatment called NeuroEPO from Cuba showed promising results in trials, with high-dose groups showing improvement while placebo groups declined.
Scientists at the University of Bristol have discovered a new blood test that detects damage to microscopic blood vessels years before heart or kidney disease symptoms appear. Published in Nature Communications, the test identifies biomarkers of endothelial damage that current tests miss. The breakthrough could enable preventative treatment for millions at risk.