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Medicine & Health

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 15-Jun-2026 15:16 ET (15-Jun-2026 19:16 GMT/UTC)

Study reveals how chills develop and support the body's defense against infection

Nagoya University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

When running a fever during infection, we often feel chills, which prompt us to take action to warm ourselves, such as turning on a heater or adding layers of clothing. Increased body temperature helps inhibit pathogen growth and boosts immune cell activity. Researchers in Japan identified the neural mechanism behind chills and the instinct to increase body temperature during infection.

Journal: The Journal of Physiology

AI stethoscope can help spot ‘silent epidemic’ of heart valve disease earlier than GPs, study suggests

University of Cambridge
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Artificial intelligence could help doctors detect serious heart valve disease years earlier, potentially saving thousands of lives, a new study suggests.

Journal: npj Cardiovascular Health

Researchers rebuild microscopic circadian clock that can control genes

University of California - San Diego
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Circadian clocks play a crucial role in our health and well-being. Scientists are now getting closer to understanding how these clocks operate at their core by solving how these clocks within bacteria are able to precisely control when different genes are turned on and off during the 24-hour cycle.

Journal: Nature Structural & Molecular Biology
Funder: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

Genetic link between T2D and high blood pressure uncovered

University of Surrey
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure share a genetic link, new research from the University of Surrey, UK and the Université de Lille, France shows. People with one condition are more likely to develop the other.

Journal: Nature Communications

Building immunity against avian flu risks

Université de Genève
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Are seasonal flu antibodies also effective against avian flu? A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) has shown that a specific type of antibody associated with the former virus—already present throughout the population—may offer baseline protection against the latter. However, the level of protection varies depending on age and vaccination history. Published in Nature Communications, these findings provide valuable insights for anticipating a potential avian influenza pandemic.

Journal: Nature Communications

Treatment strategies after denosumab discontinuation in non-metastatic breast cancer treated with AI

International Osteoporosis Foundation
Peer-Reviewed Publication

This narrative review by an expert International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) Working Group highlights an under-recognized bone health risk in women with early-stage, hormone receptor–positive breast cancer treated with aromatase inhibitors and denosumab. Although denosumab effectively prevents treatment-related bone loss and fractures, its benefits rapidly reverse upon discontinuation, unlike those of bisphosphonates. The review warns that stopping denosumab can trigger a rebound increase in bone turnover, rapid bone loss, and spontaneous vertebral fractures—even in women without prior osteoporosis—underscoring that clinicians should anticipate denosumab discontinuation from the moment therapy is initiated and ensure a structured transition to alternative antiresorptive treatment, The review also outlines areas in need of further research, providing a valuable framework for further research priorities.

Journal: Osteoporosis International

Scientists develop novel nanothrombolytic strategy

Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers led by Prof. SHI Jianlin from the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a novel silicon-based nanothrombolytic therapy that achieves efficient thrombus clearance and in situ regulation of the coagulation microenvironment while minimizing systemic bleeding risk.

Journal: Science Advances

UL3DCN: A novel wearable thermal infrared imaging enhancement technology

Higher Education Press
Peer-Reviewed Publication

With the increasing frequency of natural disasters and health emergencies, wearable infrared thermal imaging devices have gained widespread use in the firefighting and medical fields. However, such devices tend to have poor imaging performance and often suffer from low contrast, dark areas, high noise and blurred boundaries, which greatly hinder practical applications.

Journal: Frontiers of Computer Science

Young scientists from across the UK shortlisted for largest unrestricted science prize

New York Academy of Sciences
Grant and Award Announcement

The Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists today announced the Finalists for the 2026 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in the United Kingdom. The Awards recognise scientific advances by UK researchers across Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, and Physical Sciences & Engineering. Now in its ninth year, each Blavatnik Awards Laureate will receive an unrestricted £100,000 (US$135,000) prize, while the remaining six Finalists will be awarded £30,000 (US$40,400) each.

This year’s Finalists include:

Chemical Sciences Finalists

Michael J. Booth, PhD – University College London (UCL)

Mathew H. Horrocks, PhD – The University of Edinburgh

Maxie M. Roessler, DPhil – Imperial College London

Life Sciences Finalists

Nicholas R. Casewell, PhD – Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Thi Hoang Duong (Kelly) Nguyen, PhD – MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

Pontus Skoglund, PhD – The Francis Crick Institute

Physical Sciences & Engineering Finalists

Radha Boya, PhD – The University of Manchester

Paola Pinilla, PhD – University College London (UCL)

Iestyn Woolway, PhD – Bangor University