EurekAlert! News by Subject: Medicine & Health

The landmark study, which involved scientists at King’s College London, published in Nature Medicine, highlights how the nervous system plays an important role in the development of the disorder.

Journal: Nature Medicine

28-Jul-2026

Ivermectin taken at the start of pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes

Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), an institution supported by the ”la Caixa” Foundation, found no increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth or major congenital anomalies among women inadvertently exposed to ivermectin during the period from two weeks before conception to the first four weeks of pregnancy.

Journal: EClinicalMedicine
Funder: Unitaid

28-Jul-2026

How our body's natural recycling system could help reduce inflammation

Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers at the VIB and KU Leuven, together with international collaborators, have discovered that blocking autophagy – the body's natural recycling system for worn-out cell components – in specialized blood vessels can reduce inflammation in mice with psoriasis. Unlike many current therapies, this strategy reduces inflammation without weakening the immune system. The findings, published in the journal Immunity, reveal a promising new approach for treating chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Journal: Immunity
Funder: ERC, FWO, German Research Foundation, iBOF Atlantis consortium, EOS MetaNiche consortium, NRW-Nachwuchsgruppenprogramm

28-Jul-2026

World Hepatitis Day 2026: Despite progress towards eliminating hepatitis in Europe, gaps in prevention measures keep 2030 targets out of reach

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
Reports and Proceedings

New ECDC data released for World Hepatitis Day shows that Europe has made significant progress against hepatitis B and C. However, uneven implementation of testing, vaccination, treatment and harm-reduction measures means the region is not on track to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

28-Jul-2026

Measuring more than recovery: new healthcare tool for older Australians

Flinders University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers are developing Australia’s first quality-of-life measure specifically for people aged 65+ receiving subacute care, such as rehabilitation after illness or injury. The tool will assess factors older people value most, including independence, social connection, emotional wellbeing and meaningful activities, rather than focusing solely on clinical outcomes. Researchers hope it will provide a consistent way to evaluate care across hospital and aged care settings, improve service planning and investment, and ensure older Australians’ experiences and priorities are better reflected in care decisions.

Journal: BMC Geriatrics
Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

28-Jul-2026

Guava leaf extract shows promise against diabetes-related lipid problems and oxidative stress: a study in rats

Bentham Science Publishers
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The study was conducted by Raj Kumari, Professor and Dean at I.T.S College of Pharmacy, Muradnagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, and is published in Glucolipid Metabolic Disorders (In Press, available online).

Diabetes rarely occurs alone—it is frequently accompanied by abnormal cholesterol and fat levels in the blood, along with cellular damage from oxidative stress, both of which raise the risk of complications such as heart disease. A new study, published in Glucolipid Metabolic Disorders, investigated whether a common tropical fruit plant, guava (Psidium guajava), could help address both problems at once.

Journal: Glucolipid Metabolic Disorders