» Large language models prioritize helpfulness over accuracy in medical contexts, finds study
10/17/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
Large language models (LLMs) can store and recall vast quantities of medical information, but their ability to process this information in rational ways remains variable. A new study led by investigators from Mass General Brigham demonstrated a vulnerability in that LLMs are designed to be sycophantic, or excessively helpful and agreeable, which...
» Blocking a key protein halts lung scarring in mouse model of fibrosis
10/17/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
Pulmonary fibrosis is a deadly disease in which the lungs become thickened and scarred, gradually losing their ability to deliver oxygen to the body. Now, scientists at UC San Francisco have identified a key cellular switch that drives this process—and found a way to block it in mice.
» FDA unveils drugs to receive expedited review in support of 'national priorities'
10/17/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday announced the first round of experimental drugs that will receive drastically expedited reviews at the agency, part of an effort to prioritize medicines the Trump administration deems as "supporting U.S. national interests."
» California mpox cases raise concerns. But health officials say the risk remains low
10/17/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
Two Californians diagnosed with mpox may be the first U.S. cases resulting from the local spread of a different version of the virus, health officials said.
» Building stronger health systems saves lives, Madagascar experiment shows
10/17/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
The idea that building better health care systems can improve and save people's lives may seem obvious, but until now there has been little published with the data and statistical muscle to prove it.
» World's largest-ever clinical trial launched to test treatments for Parkinson's disease
10/17/25 from The Medical News
The world's largest-ever clinical trial of treatments to slow or stop the progression of Parkinson's disease has launched, led by researchers at UCL and Newcastle University.
» New computer model sheds light on how brain circuits support flexible thinking
10/17/25 from The Medical News
Every day, your brain makes thousands of decisions under uncertainty. Most of the time, you guess right.
» Bacteria-based mosquito program shields Brazilian city from record dengue outbreak
10/17/25 from The Medical News
Dengue has been a public health problem in the tropical world for decades and 2024 saw a global dengue surge, with more than 14 million cases and 10 thousand deaths reported worldwide – more than more double the figures for dengue epidemics previously recorded in 2023 and 2019.
» New AI tool detects bite rate to help prevent childhood obesity
10/17/25 from The Medical News
The faster a child takes bites during a meal or snack, the greater risk they have for developing obesity, according to researchers in the Penn State Department of Nutritional Sciences.
» New enzyme offers cleaner route to more stable diabetes and obesity drugs
10/17/25 from The Medical News
Chemistry researchers at the University of Utah have uncovered an enzyme, dubbed PapB, that can "tie off" therapeutic peptides-protein-like drugs-into tight rings, a process known as macrocyclization.
» Blocking key protein restores healthy lung function and reduces fibrosis in mice
10/17/25 from The Medical News
Pulmonary fibrosis is a deadly disease in which the lungs become thickened and scarred, gradually losing their ability to deliver oxygen to the body.
» RIKEN scientists reveal connection between deep sleep and brain fluid dynamics
10/17/25 from The Medical News
Researchers led by Masako Tamaki at the RIKEN Center for Brain Science in Japan report a link between deep sleep and cerebrospinal fluid, the clear liquid that surrounds and supports the brain and spinal cord.
» KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Schrödinger’s government shutdown
10/17/25 from The Medical News
Democrats and Republicans are both facing potential political consequences in their continuing standoff over federal government funding.
» Cancer cells reactivate embryo-like gene editors to fuel growth, research reveals
10/17/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
Cancer cells are known to reawaken embryonic genes to grow. A new study reveals the disease also hijacks the proteins, or "editors," that control how those genes are read.
» Natural Herbs That Support Your Immune System Against the Flu
10/17/25 from Articles
For generations, seasonal illness has disrupted lives with fever, coughing, body aches, and days lost to recovery. Cultures across the world passed down natural remedies to ease the burden, long before modern medicine existed. What they lacked in scientific explanation, they made up for in observation: certain plants consistently helped people h...
» The Mystery of Transplanted Consciousness — When Organs Transfer More Than Function
10/17/25 from Articles
When organ transplantation first became possible, doctors celebrated it as one of medicine's greatest achievements — literally giving someone the gift of life through another's ultimate sacrifice. But what nobody anticipated was that along with functional organs, something far more mysterious might also transfer: aspects of the donor's conscious...
» Health Benefits of Topical Magnesium Lotions and Sprays
10/17/25 from Articles
Magnesium quietly powers your body’s most important functions, from steady nerve signaling to smooth muscle movement and clear thinking. When levels drop too low, the effects show up as fatigue, poor sleep, cramps, or that stubborn brain fog that doesn’t seem to lift. Unlike many other nutrients, this mineral is notoriously difficult to replenis...
» New nanomanufacturing technique enhances vascular systems in artificial human tissue
10/16/25 from The Medical News
When biomedical researchers need to test their latest ideas, they often turn to engineered human tissue that mimics the responses in our own bodies. It's become an important intermediary step before human clinical trials.
» Caring-healing approaches strengthen resilience and emotional recovery in cancer survivors
10/16/25 from The Medical News
As cancer survivorship rises, many people living with or beyond cancer face lasting physical and emotional challenges – particularly anxiety and depression, which affect about 30% of this population. Emotional distress is often unspoken, leading to fear, despair, and diminished quality of life.
» Trump announces efforts to expand access to IVF drugs
10/16/25 from Health Care
The procedure is often not fully covered by insurance — if covered at all — and the costs for accessing it can cost around $20,000 or more per cycle.
» 4 Science-Backed Habits That Could Help You Live Longer
10/16/25 from Health – TIME
Longevity researcher Dr. Eric Verdin says we don’t need to wait for an anti-aging pill. We already know how to live longer and healthier.
» In the midst of a global dengue epidemic, one program kept a Brazilian city safe
10/16/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
Dengue has been a public health problem in the tropical world for decades and 2024 saw a global dengue surge, with more than 14 million cases and 10 thousand deaths reported worldwide—more than double the figures for dengue epidemics previously recorded in 2023 and 2019.
» As Shutdown Drags On, These People Will Lose if Healthcare Subsidies Expire
10/16/25 from MedPageToday.com - medical news for physicians
(MedPage Today) -- Celia Monreal worries every day about the cartilage loss in her husband's knees. Not just because it's hard for her to see him in pain, but also because she knows soon their healthcare costs could skyrocket. Monreal, 47, and...
» Trump Unveils Plan to Expand Access to ‘Fertility Insurance’ and IVF Drugs
10/16/25 from Health – TIME
The White House is not mandating employers provide the benefit or subsidizing coverage.
» The brain may not be a muscle, but it still needs exercise
10/16/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
As we age, keeping our bodies active helps us stay healthier for longer and protects against chronic disease. We can also exercise our brains to prevent age-related mental decline with activities like reading aloud, writing by hand, and simple math exercises.
» A 'flight simulator' for the brain reveals how we learn—and why minds sometimes go off course
10/16/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
Every day, your brain makes thousands of decisions under uncertainty. Most of the time, you guess right. When you don't, you learn. But when the brain's ability to judge context or assign meaning falters, thoughts and behavior can go astray. In psychiatric disorders ranging from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder to schizophrenia, the brai...
» Researchers propose novel solution to U.S. Indian Health Service underfunding
10/16/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
For many years, the Indian Health Service (IHS) has been underfunded, leading to health and life expectancy disparities among Indigenous people, according to University of Oklahoma researchers. In an article in Health Affairs, OU researchers propose a novel trust fund solution to increase and sustain the funding level, with the ultimate goal of ...
» New framework can improve the planning stage of surgical quality improvement projects
10/16/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
New study findings show the vast majority of small-scale quality improvement (QI) projects in surgery suffer from poor planning that can doom the effort from the start. To address this challenge, researchers have developed and tested a new tool, the Early Planning of Small-Scale Surgical Improvement (EPoSSI) framework, to guide surgeons and thei...
» Magnetic Cosmetics Fly Under the Radar as MRI Risks
10/16/25 from MedPageToday.com - medical news for physicians
(MedPage Today) -- SAN ANTONIO -- A new challenge for MRI safety is linked to one particular beauty trend: ferromagnetic nail polish. Based on the available literature, magnetic nail polish is increasingly observed -- with reports rising 250...
» Miniature nose models could help prevent infections and promote nasal health
10/16/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
Our noses are home to a variety of bacteria. Some, like Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae, can cause serious infections, especially when bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. Other bacteria, like the lesser-known Dolosigranulum pigrum, are often found in healthy noses and may help keep bad bacteria at bay.
» States Are Forming “Health Alliances.” Can They Make a Difference for Public Health Policy?
10/16/25 from KFF
States have begun to form "health alliances" as a counter to federal public health recommendations and policies under the Trump Administration. This Policy Watch describes the goals of these alliances, and discusses what effects they may have for U.S. public health policy.
» What to Know About the Medicare Open Enrollment Period and Medicare Coverage Options
10/16/25 from KFF
Each year, Medicare beneficiaries have an opportunity to make changes to how they receive their Medicare coverage during the nearly 8-week annual open enrollment period. This brief answers key questions about the Medicare open enrollment period and Medicare coverage options.
» Smartphone-based relaxation program reduces disability for emergency department migraine patients
10/16/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
A smartphone app for muscle relaxation significantly reduced migraine-related disability in patients visiting the emergency department, a new study shows.
» Social conflict among strongest predictors of teen mental health concerns, research shows
10/16/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
Approximately 20% of American adolescents experience a mental health disorder each year, a number that has been on the rise. Genetics and life events contribute, but because so many factors are involved, and because their influence can be subtle, it's been difficult for researchers to generate effective models for predicting who is most at risk ...
» Fertility Awareness-Based Methods to Prevent Pregnancy
10/16/25 from KFF
This fact sheet provides an overview of fertility awareness-based methods to prevent pregnancy and their efficacy rates, and discusses associated costs and insurance coverage of these methods.
» Moderate-dose corticosteroid treatment found to improve patient recovery rates from sepsis
10/16/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
While our immune systems typically do a great job containing pathogens and clearing infections, they can occasionally overreact. When the immune response to infection becomes excessive, it causes rapid, widespread organ damage in a life-threatening condition called sepsis. Worldwide, sepsis imposes significant social, economic, and health costs....
» California to begin selling affordable, state-branded insulin beginning next year
10/16/25 from ABC News: Health
Gov. Gavin Newsom says California will begin selling affordable insulin under its own label on Jan. 1, nearly three years after he first announced a partnership to sell state-branded generic drugs at lower prices
» Study shows medical–legal partnerships aid recovery for patients with violent injuries
10/16/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
Researchers at the University of Chicago have found that patients with violent injuries often face legal and financial needs that can have an impact on their recovery—and that providing legal help at the bedside can make a measurable difference.
» The Democratic Governor Who Drinks Raw Milk
10/16/25 from Health | The Atlantic
Jared Polis has taken a different approach to RFK Jr. than others in his party.
» Discovery of 'primed' state in neuromuscular receptors may guide future drug design
10/16/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
An international research team led by a University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine investigator has revealed ultra-detailed intricacies in how nerve signals activate at the neuromuscular junction, a specialized synapse that connects motor neurons to skeletal muscle fibers.
» Substance use disorders linked to higher rates of recidivism in incarcerated Chilean women
10/16/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
Mental health disorders are more prevalent among incarcerated individuals than in the general population, and disorders related to substance use are especially prevalent among incarcerated women. Yet little research has focused on how women's mental health changes or persists following incarceration and during re-entry.
» Crucial protein enables immune system memory
10/16/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
Researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine have recently found that a certain protein may have a large influence on how the immune system functions.
» Pickleball Eye Injuries Rise Alongside the Sport's Popularity
10/16/25 from MedPageToday.com - medical news for physicians
(MedPage Today) -- Pickleball-related eye injuries have increased in recent years as the sport has skyrocketed in popularity, a cross-sectional study using a nationally representative database showed. Over 20 years, there were 2,472 records of...
» Collaboration finds no loss of patient confidence in environmentally friendly doctors
10/16/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
The doctor suggests opting for a treatment that is better for the environment. How do patients react to this? Doctors and psychologists together discovered that this has little impact on patient confidence in the doctor.
» Loops of RNA help drive synapse-building during visual system development in young mice
10/16/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
Wiring up the brain's trillions of circuit connections is an enormous job performed by a huge crew of molecules. Among the less understood members are circular RNAs, transcripts from DNA that assume a closed loop shape. A study by a team of neuroscientists centered at MIT shows that one such circular RNA from the Homer gene (circHomer1) takes on...
» Research reveals possibility of new drug therapy for hereditary diseases
10/16/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
A study published in Science reveals a cellular mechanism involved in the inheritance of genetic mutations. The study also points to a potential treatment that could reduce the risk of babies being born with serious, incurable mitochondrial diseases.
» Popular medications could change your gut health for years, experts warn
10/16/25 from Health News Today on Fox News
A new Estonian study suggests that everyday medications, including cold medicines and beta blockers, could have lasting impacts on gut health, affecting microbiome years later.
» Smartphone imaging system shows promise for early oral cancer detection in dental clinics
10/16/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
Oral cancer remains a serious health concern, often diagnosed too late for effective treatment, even though the mouth is easily accessible for routine examination. Dentists and dental hygienists are frequently the first to spot suspicious lesions, but many lack the specialized training to distinguish between benign and potentially malignant cond...
» A missing protein may hold key to rejuvenating aging blood cells
10/16/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
As our hair goes gray and our muscles weaken with age, our immune system also changes. In particular, the stem cells that become blood or immune cells can develop mutations, potentially leading to cancers or other dysfunctions.
» Prevalence of chronic kidney disease is elevated for patients with chronic hepatitis B
10/16/25 from Medical Xpress - latest medical and health news stories
Patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) have an increased prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a study published online Oct. 14 in BMC Gastroenterology.