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Medicine & Health

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 13-Jun-2026 00:16 ET (13-Jun-2026 04:16 GMT/UTC)

Study reveals new way to strengthen immunity against the flu

University of Missouri-Columbia
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine are exploring ways to improve the influenza vaccine through targeting epitopes, which are distinct regions on the influenza virus's surface. They found this vaccine model prompted a more robust immune system response.

Journal: Nature Communications

“MitoCatch” delivers healthy mitochondria to diseased cells

Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers at the Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB) have developed MitoCatch, a system that enables targeted delivery of healthy mitochondria to specific cell types. By overcoming a long-standing challenge in mitochondrial transplantation, the approach allows efficient and selective transfer of functional mitochondria to specific cell types in multiple tissues. The technology opens new avenues for research and potential therapies for diseases linked to mitochondrial dysfunction, including neurodegenerative disorders, optic nerve diseases, and heart failure.

Journal: Nature
Funder: EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship to Alex Fratzl, EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship to Álvaro Herrero-Navarro, NCCR Molecular Systems Engineering | Grant to Botond Roska, Swiss National Science Foundation | Grant to Botond Roska, Carigest - FONDAZIONE TEOFILO ROSSI DI MONTELERA E DI PREMUDA | Grant to Botond Roska, Louis-Jeantet Foundation award, Körber Foundation | Award to Botond Roska, European Research Council | Advanced Grant to Botond Roska, Swiss National Science Foundation | Synergia grant to Botond Roska, Sedinum Foundation | Grant to Botond Roska and IOB PhD / MD PhD Program

Study reveals genome-wide host–virus genetic interactions in cancer risk

Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A study from Columbia University reports a major advance in understanding how interactions between human and viral genomes shape disease risk. The research found that variations in the Epstein–Barr virus, together with a specific immune-related gene (HLA-A*11:01), strongly influence the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer.

Journal: Nature

Online searches for gun-related harm

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: In this cross-sectional study of U.S. participants, intentional searches for gun-related harm content were reported by a notable minority of youth and young adults, especially those facing structural disadvantages and mental health distress. Public health strategies that combine digital interventions with structural reforms offer promising avenues to reduce gun-related harm among vulnerable populations.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

Consumer understanding of skin concerns with an AI-powered informational tool

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: In this study, AI applications were associated with increased accuracy and confidence of consumer understanding of skin concerns, with the degree of improvement in accuracy varying by the accuracy of presented conditions; benefits further improved when predictions were as accurate as possible. Imperfect guessing accuracy when predictions presented matched dermatologist differentials highlighted the need for further design improvements (such as the condition information presented) to help consumers better understand skin conditions.

Journal: JAMA Dermatology

Massive ancient-DNA study reveals natural selection has accelerated in recent human evolution

Harvard Medical School
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Applying new analytic methods to nearly 16,000 ancient genomes reveals natural selection has acted on hundreds, not dozens, of genes in West Eurasia over the last 10,000 years. More than half of the genes have known links to disease risk and other traits today, although it’s not yet clear what made each gene advantageous in prehistoric contexts. The work demonstrates the power of ancient DNA to illuminate human biology and medicine in addition to history.

Journal: Nature

Point-of-care hepatitis C testing in a tribal setting

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: The findings of this study suggest that a community-based point-of-care hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA testing program was feasible and was associated with a high percentage of same-day treatment for American Indian and Alaska Native participants. This study supports expanding point-of-care HCV RNA testing and integrated treatment to advance HCV elimination.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

Mitochondria keep immune cells “ready to respond”

Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Scientists at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC) and the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) uncover a key metabolic mechanism governing immune cell readiness

Journal: Cell Metabolism
Funder: Agencia Estatal de Investigación, European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR programme, Comunidad de Madrid, Fundación Científica Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer, Worldwide Cancer Research, European Union (ImnovAth), Inmunotek S.L., Fundación CRIS contra el Cáncer, “la Caixa” Foundation, European Research Council, CIBERFES, Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, CERCA Programme / Generalitat de Catalunya

Academic expert: Is social media addictive?

Michigan State University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A California jury awarded $6 million in a social media addiction case, a ruling Meta and Google plan to appeal, spotlighting growing legal and scientific debate. MSU researcher Dar Meshi says excessive use is linked to harm in some studies, but evidence is largely correlational and experts still disagree on whether it qualifies as a clinical addiction.

Journal: Nature