Author: healthadmin

Arthritis includes a wide range of joint disorders, including inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, and the most common disease, osteoarthritis. Many people living with arthritis struggle with pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility that can significantly impact their daily lives. Current treatments primarily focus on relieving symptoms and reducing inflammation, depending on the specific type of arthritis. Now, researchers at Aarhus University’s Department of Biomedical Sciences have identified a potential new direction for future treatments involving GLP-1, the hormone targeted by popular weight loss drugs such as Wegovy. The survey results are lancet rheumatology. Associate Professor Tu…

At the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission headquarters in Virginia, officials knew a crumbling asphalt parking lot was in dire need of repair. But instead of replacing that section with darker blacktop, the group opted for an alternative.The new parking lot, completed last year, features porous concrete panels and areas planted with native plants and recycled materials to keep the site cool and less prone to flooding. Cities and other organizations across the United States are using alternatives to traditional asphalt sites to beat the heat and control water runoff, especially as climate change worsens. Jill Sunderland, the commission’s senior…

Aging research is entering a new phase as scientists rethink one of the body’s most mysterious cell types: senescent cells (often referred to as “zombie cells”). These senescent cells have long been thought to be a deleterious factor in inflammation and disease, but new findings suggest that the picture is much more complex. In some cases, senescent cells can actually help protect and repair the body. New Review Published May 4, 2026, Volume 18 Aging-United States We investigate how cellular aging shapes the aging of the body as a whole, and explore the growing movement towards precision anti-aging therapies. The…

People with opioid use disorder (OUD) are at increased risk of contracting the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Although effective interventions exist that can significantly reduce HIV infection and opioid overdose, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and pharmacotherapy for opioid use disorder (MOUD), many patients still face barriers to accessing treatment and continuity of care. At Boston Medical Center (BMC), Alyssa Tillow, MD, vice chair for family medicine research, is working to change that through a new care delivery platform designed to make evidence-based treatments easier to access and maintain. Drawing on her experience as an addiction medicine specialist, Dr. Tillow…

A team of South Korean researchers has discovered evidence that may shed new light on how Earth’s atmosphere first became oxygen-rich, one of the most important turning points in Earth’s history. Scientists from the Korea Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) discovered stromatolites, layered rock structures created by ancient microbial communities, inside the Hapcheon impact crater. This site is the only asteroid impact crater confirmed on the Korean Peninsula. Their discovery is Communication Earth and EnvironmentNature Portfolio Journal. Asteroid impact may have created habitat for early life The researchers say the stromatolites likely formed in hydrothermal lakes that developed…

Sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression are widespread and a growing problem among the younger population. But why is our sleep and mental health in such poor shape, and why does it seem so difficult to improve the situation? A new study from the University of Copenhagen aims to shed further light on these questions. In a new study, researchers map how a range of biological, psychological and social factors, including stress, screen habits and smoking, interact to create self-reinforcing cycles that put young adults at risk for poor mental health. We know that sleep deprivation and depressive symptoms often…

A new study reveals that urban rats absorb human medicines from contaminated environments, and exposure to these hidden medicines may be linked to changes in the pathogens they carry. Pharmaceutical contaminants in urban rats are associated with zoonotic disease risks. Image credit: torook / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal Environmental science and technology letterresearchers investigated the association between the presence of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and zoonotic diseases in urban rats. Pharmaceutical contaminants and zoonotic disease risks Pharmaceutical residues are widely present in the environment and can pose health risks to humans and wildlife. APIs are…

Genes undergo extensive editing through a process called alternative splicing, which greatly increases the size of the functional genome. A functional genome is the functional part of DNA that helps make each person unique. Simply put, a single gene can be edited in different ways to generate multiple sets of instructions. This helps explain why humans are so different from fruit flies and mice, even though they have the same number of genes. In a new study published on May 21, 2026, molecular cell, Researchers at University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University have discovered that nitric oxide, a gas…

Researchers outline a path to finding faster, cheaper, and more targeted treatment options for complex breast cancer subtypes by combining genomics, explainable AI, and drug repurposing strategies. Research: Synergy of AI and genomics for drug repurposing in breast cancer: an interpretability-driven framework. Image credit: ProStockStudio / Shutterstock In a recent review published in a magazine npj genome medicinea group of authors explored how artificial intelligence (AI)-powered genomic analysis could support drug repurposing strategies for precision treatment of breast cancer. background Breast cancer remains one of the most common and deadly cancers, with an estimated 2.3 million new cases and 670,000…

Astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have taken a close look at the atmosphere of a rare giant planet with temperatures surprisingly similar to Earth’s. A Saturn-sized world known as TOI-199b has methane in its atmosphere, according to a new study. The discovery is notable because giant planets are typically found at extreme temperatures. In our solar system, Jupiter and Saturn are very cold because they orbit far from the sun. Many of the giant exoplanets discovered outside our solar system are “hot Jupiters,” worlds that orbit very close to their stars and reach temperatures of several thousand…