Health News
Latest medical research findings, public health updates, and evidence-based health news from iMedic.
Articles
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Reengineered HPV Nanovaccine Trains T Cells to Destroy Cancer in Preclinical Study
Northwestern researchers show that repositioning an HPV protein fragment on a DNA nanovaccine produces up to 8x stronger immune response, significantly slowing tumor growth...
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Lab-Grown Human Spinal Cord Heals After Injury: 'Dancing Molecules' Approach Paralysis Treatment
Northwestern scientists build the most advanced human spinal cord organoid model and demonstrate healing with 'dancing molecules' therapy. FDA orphan drug designation granted...
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One Stem Cell Generates 14 Million Cancer-Killing NK Cells in Breakthrough Method
Chinese scientists develop a scalable method to mass-produce natural killer cells from a single cord blood stem cell, potentially making cancer immunotherapy cheaper...
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Maternal Syphilis Rate Surges 28% in Two Years: CDC Reports Continued US Epidemic
CDC data shows maternal syphilis rate increased 28% from 2022 to 2024, reaching 357.9 per 100,000 births. Congenital syphilis cases hit highest level since 1992...
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Exercise Matches or Exceeds Medication for Depression and Anxiety: Major Global Review
A sweeping umbrella review across tens of thousands of participants aged 10-90 finds exercise consistently reduces depression and anxiety symptoms, matching or outperforming...
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Psilocybin Clears Second Phase 3 Trial for Treatment-Resistant Depression: FDA Submission Planned
Compass Pathways' COMP360 psilocybin therapy achieves primary endpoint in second Phase 3 trial for treatment-resistant depression with p<0.001, paving the way for...
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COVID-19 Survivors Face Elevated Sleep Apnea Risk for Up to 4.5 Years Post-Infection
New research shows COVID-19 survivors have significantly higher rates of obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis for up to 4.5 years after infection, with women at...
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Shingles Vaccine May Protect Against Alzheimer's: New Study Identifies Three Repurposed Drugs
International expert panel identifies shingles vaccine, sildenafil, and riluzole as top candidates for Alzheimer's prevention. Recombinant zoster vaccine linked to 51% reduced...
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CRISPR Gene-Drive System Defeats Antibiotic Resistance: UC San Diego Breakthrough
UC San Diego scientists develop pPro-MobV, a next-generation CRISPR system that spreads through bacterial populations to disable antibiotic resistance genes, even inside...
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Scientists Discover Hidden Class of Cancer-Specific RNAs Across 32 Tumor Types
Researchers uncover approximately 260,000 oncRNAs — cancer-specific RNA molecules found across 32 cancer types — with potential for liquid biopsy diagnostics and new...
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Women's Heart Disease: Why Sex-Specific Differences Lead to Underdiagnosis and Higher Mortality
Heart disease is the #1 killer of women worldwide. Sex-specific differences in symptoms, conditions like SCAD and takotsubo, lead to underdiagnosis and...
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CDC Childhood Vaccine Schedule Changes 2026: What Parents Need to Know
CDC reduced universally recommended childhood vaccines from 18 to 11 in 2026. Learn what changed, what the AAP recommends, which vaccines were reclassified,...
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Dengue Fever Surges Globally: Climate Change Expands Mosquito Range to New Regions
Dengue cases hit record 12.4 million in 2024 as climate change expands Aedes aegypti range. New endemic areas emerging in Europe and US. WHO declares global...
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Measles Surge in the Americas: Vaccination Crisis
Measles cases surged 43-fold in the Americas after losing elimination status in 2025. Learn why vaccination matters, outbreak data from PAHO/WHO, symptoms,...
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Hepatitis C Elimination: The 95% Cure and the Race to Meet WHO's 2030 Target
Hepatitis C is now curable in 95%+ of cases with 8-12 week oral DAA treatment. WHO targets elimination by 2030, but 58 million remain infected. Egypt leads...
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Oral GLP-1 Pill for Obesity: Orforglipron FDA Approval
First oral GLP-1 pill orforglipron nears FDA approval for obesity treatment. Learn about Phase 3 results, how it compares to Ozempic injections, side...
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Opioid Crisis Update: Expanding Buprenorphine Access and Harm Reduction Strategies
US opioid crisis: 81,000+ overdose deaths in 2023. X-waiver eliminated to expand buprenorphine access. Naloxone now available OTC. Harm reduction saves lives.
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New Anxiety Treatments 2026: Psychedelic Medicine and Nerve Stimulation
New anxiety treatments in 2026 include MM120 (psychedelic-derived therapy) for generalized anxiety and vagus nerve stimulation for treatment-resistant...
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Folic Acid Fortification: How Flour Enrichment Prevents Neural Tube Defects Worldwide
Folic acid fortification prevents neural tube defects like spina bifida. 65 countries mandate flour fortification, preventing an estimated 22,000 NTDs...
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Whooping Cough Resurgence: Why Pertussis Cases Are Rising Despite Vaccination
Pertussis cases surged in 2024-2025, with CDC reporting highest US cases since 2014. Waning immunity from acellular vaccines drives resurgence. Boosters...
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Norovirus Vaccine Development: Progress Toward Preventing the Stomach Flu
Norovirus causes 685 million cases and 200,000 deaths annually. Vaccine candidates from HilleVax and Moderna show promise but face genotype diversity...
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FLOW Trial: Semaglutide (Ozempic) Shows Kidney Protection in Type 2 Diabetes
The FLOW trial found semaglutide reduced kidney disease progression by 24% in type 2 diabetes patients with CKD. First GLP-1 to show renal-specific benefit.
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Blood Pressure Targets Debate: Should Hypertension Goals Be Lower Than 140/90?
SPRINT trial showed intensive BP control (<120 mmHg) reduced CVD events by 25%. ACC/AHA and ESC guidelines now recommend lower targets for most adults.
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Exercise as Medicine: How Physical Activity Prevents and Treats Chronic Disease
WHO recommends 150 min moderate or 75 min vigorous exercise weekly. Physical inactivity causes 3.2 million deaths/year. Exercise reduces chronic disease risk.
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Melanoma Immunotherapy: 10-Year Survival Data Shows Dramatic Improvement with Checkpoint Inhibitors
CheckMate 067 reveals 49% of advanced melanoma patients alive at 10 years with nivolumab plus ipilimumab, a dramatic leap from the historical 5% survival.
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Romosozumab for Osteoporosis: How Anti-Sclerostin Therapy Builds Bone and Prevents Fractures
Romosozumab (Evenity) is a dual-action anti-sclerostin antibody building bone while reducing resorption. ARCH trial shows 48% fewer vertebral fractures.
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Lupus Treatment Update: Belimumab, Anifrolumab, and Voclosporin Transform SLE Management
Targeted therapies transform systemic lupus erythematosus treatment. Belimumab, anifrolumab, and voclosporin offer new options for SLE and lupus nephritis.
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AI-Assisted Colonoscopy: How Computer-Aided Detection Improves Polyp and Adenoma Detection
AI-assisted colonoscopy systems boost adenoma detection rates by 44% in meta-analysis. FDA-cleared CADe tools like GI Genius reduce missed polyps in real time.
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Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection: Biomarkers, Liquid Biopsy, and AI Screening Advances
Pancreatic cancer has only 12% five-year survival due to late detection. Liquid biopsy, AI-enhanced imaging, and high-risk surveillance aim to improve outcomes.
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Endometriosis Diagnosis: Closing the 7-Year Gap with Biomarkers and Imaging Advances
Endometriosis affects 190 million women globally with an average 7-year diagnostic delay. New biomarkers, imaging, and targeted therapies are transforming care.
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Chronic Kidney Disease Screening: Early Detection and SGLT2 Inhibitor Breakthroughs
CKD affects 850 million people globally yet remains underdiagnosed. KDIGO guidelines and SGLT2 inhibitors like dapagliflozin offer new strategies for detection.
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Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: New Regimens Offer Hope Against MDR-TB and XDR-TB
Drug-resistant TB remains a global crisis killing 1.25 million annually. The BPaL regimen shows 89% success in XDR-TB, transforming the hardest-to-treat cases.
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CGRP-Targeting Medications Revolutionize Migraine Prevention and Treatment
CGRP-targeting therapies including monoclonal antibodies and gepants offer new migraine relief. Studies show 50% or greater reduction in monthly migraine days.
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GLP-1 Medications for Adolescent Obesity: Wegovy Approval and STEP TEENS Results
FDA-approved GLP-1 medications like Wegovy show major weight loss in adolescents. STEP TEENS trial reports 16.1% body weight reduction vs 0.6% placebo.
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Self-Collected HPV Testing for Cervical Cancer Screening
ACS updated guidelines now accept self-collected HPV testing for cervical cancer screening. Learn how self-collection works, who should get screened,...
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Liquid Biopsy for Cancer Monitoring: How ctDNA Is Transforming Recurrence Detection
Circulating tumor DNA liquid biopsy detects cancer recurrence months before imaging. Used in colorectal and breast cancer to guide adjuvant therapy decisions.
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Dementia Prevention: 14 Modifiable Risk Factors That Account for 45% of Cases
The 2024 Lancet Commission identifies 14 modifiable risk factors for 45% of dementia cases. New additions: untreated vision loss and high LDL cholesterol.
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Stroke Thrombectomy Extended to 24 Hours: How the DAWN and DEFUSE 3 Trials Changed Treatment
Mechanical thrombectomy for ischemic stroke is now effective up to 24 hours after onset. DAWN and DEFUSE 3 trials dramatically improved outcomes. Time is brain.
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Sleep Deprivation and Chronic Disease: Why the AHA Made Sleep Its 8th Health Metric
The AHA added sleep to Life's Essential 8 for cardiovascular health. Short sleep raises CVD mortality by 12% and diabetes risk by 38%. Learn about CBT-I.
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Extreme Heat and Health: Recognizing Heat Illness and Staying Safe
US heat-related deaths exceeded 1,670 in 2023, setting a record. Learn to recognize heat exhaustion vs heat stroke and essential prevention strategies.
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Ultra-Processed Foods and Premature Death: Lancet Research
Major Lancet research series links ultra-processed foods to 3% higher mortality risk per 10% increase in UPF calories. Learn which foods to avoid, what the...
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SGLT2 Inhibitors for Heart Failure: A Breakthrough Regardless of Diabetes Status
SGLT2 inhibitors dapagliflozin and empagliflozin reduce heart failure hospitalization by 26%. Now guideline-directed therapy for HFrEF regardless of diabetes.
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Preventing Type 2 Diabetes: How Lifestyle Changes Cut Risk by 58%
The Diabetes Prevention Program proved lifestyle intervention reduces type 2 diabetes risk by 58%. Learn about 150 min/week exercise and weight loss goals.
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MRI-First Prostate Cancer Screening: How It Reduces Unnecessary Biopsies
MRI-first prostate cancer screening detects clinically significant tumors better than PSA alone and reduces unnecessary biopsies by 28% using PI-RADS.
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Psilocybin Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression: What the Science Shows
Psilocybin-assisted therapy shows promise for treatment-resistant depression. COMPASS Pathways trial: 29% remission rate at 3 weeks with a single 25mg dose.
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PFAS in Drinking Water: Health Risks of Forever Chemicals and How to Protect Yourself
The EPA finalized PFAS rules setting 4 ppt limits for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water. Learn about health risks, contamination, and filtration options.
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Youth Vaping Crisis: E-Cigarette Health Risks and Regulatory Actions in
With 2.5 million US teens vaping per 2024 NYTS data, health authorities intensify action against youth e-cigarette use amid growing evidence of lung damage.
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Telehealth for Chronic Disease: How Virtual Care Improves Outcomes in
Telehealth utilization reaches 38% of US adults, showing significant benefits for diabetes management, hypertension control, and mental health counseling.
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Gut-Brain Axis: How Your Microbiome Influences Mental Health
Research reveals the gut microbiome's profound influence on mental health through the gut-brain axis, with 95% of serotonin produced in the intestinal tract.
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Maternal Mortality Crisis: 287,000 Annual Deaths and Growing Disparities
Global maternal mortality claims 287,000 lives annually, with hemorrhage as the leading cause. The US rate of 22.3 per 100,000 is triple that for Black women.
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Lenacapavir: Twice-Yearly HIV Prevention Injection Shows Zero Infections in Trials
Lenacapavir (Sunlenca), a twice-yearly injection by Gilead Sciences, achieved zero HIV infections in women during PURPOSE trials, transforming prevention.
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Galleri Test: Multi-Cancer Blood Screening Detects 50+ Cancer Types
The Galleri multi-cancer early detection test by GRAIL screens for 50+ cancer types from a single blood draw using cell-free DNA methylation patterns.
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Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer: Why Rates Are Rising in Adults Under 50
Colorectal cancer incidence rises 2% annually in adults under 50, prompting the ACS to lower screening recommendations to age 45 and intensify research.
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Universal Flu Vaccine: mRNA Approaches Advance in Clinical Trials
Universal influenza vaccine candidates using mRNA technology enter advanced clinical trials, aiming to protect against all flu subtypes and end annual shots.
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Lancet Countdown 2025: Climate Change Drives Record Health Threats Worldwide
The Lancet Countdown 2025 report reveals record heat-related mortality, expanding vector-borne diseases, and worsening air pollution from climate change.
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Casgevy: First CRISPR Gene Therapy Approved for Sickle Cell Disease
Casgevy (exagamglogene autotemcel) is the first CRISPR gene therapy approved by the FDA and EMA for treating sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia.
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Malaria Vaccines RTS,S and R21: Global Rollout Progress
WHO-recommended malaria vaccines RTS,S and R21/Matrix-M reach millions of children in sub-Saharan Africa. Gavi-funded rollout and efficacy reviewed.
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Mpox Clade Ib Outbreak: WHO Emergency Declaration and Global Update
Mpox clade Ib spreads from DRC to neighboring countries, prompting WHO PHEIC declaration. Jynneos vaccine deployment and transmission reviewed.
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Teen Mental Health and Social Media: Surgeon General Advisory
US Surgeon General warns about social media and youth mental health. CDC data: 57% of teen girls feel persistently sad. Interventions reviewed.
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GLP-1 Drug Cardiovascular Benefits: SELECT Trial and Beyond
SELECT trial shows semaglutide reduces cardiovascular events by 20% in obesity. GLP-1 drugs show benefits for kidneys, heart failure, and liver disease (MASH).
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AI in Medical Diagnosis: FDA-Cleared Devices and Clinical Impact
Over 900 FDA-cleared AI medical devices transform radiology and diagnostics. Deep learning accuracy, validation, and bias concerns reviewed.
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Long COVID Research Update: Causes, Treatments, and NIH RECOVER Trial
Long COVID affects 6-7% of infected adults. Latest research on viral persistence, immune dysregulation, microclots, and NIH RECOVER trial treatment results.
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Antibiotic Resistance Crisis: WHO Global AMR Report
WHO reports 4.95 million deaths annually linked to antimicrobial resistance. ESKAPE pathogens, stewardship programs, and new antibiotics reviewed.
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RSV Vaccines for Older Adults: Second Season Recommendations
Updated CDC guidance on RSV vaccines Arexvy and Abrysvo for adults 60+. Second season recommendations, nirsevimab for infants, and efficacy data.
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Lecanemab (Leqembi) for Alzheimer's: Real-World Data and Treatment Update
Lecanemab real-world outcomes after FDA full approval show 27% slowing of cognitive decline. ARIA monitoring protocols and donanemab comparison reviewed.
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H5N1 Bird Flu in US Dairy Herds: CDC Surveillance Update
CDC enhances H5N1 bird flu surveillance after HPAI detections in US dairy herds and poultry workers. Pandemic preparedness steps and current risk assessment.