EurekAlert! News by Subject: Medicine & Health

Medicine & Health

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 21-Jun-2026 02:16 ET (21-Jun-2026 06:16 GMT/UTC)

9-Feb-2026

Obesity linked to one in 10 infection deaths globally

University College London
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Just over one in 10 deaths worldwide from a wide range of infectious diseases can be attributed to obesity, finds a major new study led by a University College London (UCL) researcher.

Journal: The Lancet
Funder: Wellcome Trust, Academy of Finland, Medical Research Council

9-Feb-2026

UC Irvine scientists create powerful enzyme that quickly, accurately synthesizes RNA

University of California - Irvine
Peer-Reviewed Publication

UC Irvine scientists used directed evolution to engineer a DNA polymerase that can quickly and accurately produce RNA, overcoming a fundamental limitation of natural enzymes.

The new enzyme, C28, synthesizes RNA with high fidelity, supports long sequences, and enables reverse transcription and DNA-RNA amplification, expanding experimental capabilities.

The National Science Foundation supported the research.

Journal: Nature Chemical Biology

9-Feb-2026

Physicians are not providers: New ACP paper says names in health care have ethical significance

American College of Physicians
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new ethics policy paper from the American College of Physicians (ACP) says the term ‘provider’ should not be used to describe physicians, and using the blanket term undermines physicians’ ethical responsibility, clinical integrity, and professionalism.

Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine

9-Feb-2026

Scientists propose new framework to track and manage hidden risks of industrial chemicals across their life cycle

Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Industrial chemicals are essential to modern society, supporting products ranging from plastics and electronics to pharmaceuticals and agricultural supplies. However, scientists warn that many of these chemicals can transform and spread through the environment in ways that are difficult to track, creating complex pollution mixtures that threaten ecosystems and human health. A new study introduces an innovative framework designed to better understand and manage these risks across the entire life cycle of industrial chemicals.

9-Feb-2026

Can the digital economy save our lungs and the planet?

Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

As high-speed internet, cloud computing, and digital platforms become the backbone of modern life, a vital question emerges: Is this digital explosion good for the environment? A sophisticated new economic simulation reveals that the answer is a resounding "yes"—provided we choose the green path.

Journal: Carbon Research

9-Feb-2026

Firearm injury survivors face long-term health challenges

Rutgers University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Survivors of firearm injuries often experience long-term physical and functional health challenges that extend beyond the initial trauma, according to Rutgers Health researchers.

Their study, published in the Journal of Urban Health, examined the physical health needs, health care access and barriers to care for firearm injury survivors. The work was done in collaboration with street outreach workers from Cure4Camden, a Camden, N.J., community-based violence intervention program.

Journal: Journal of Urban Health
Funder: South Jersey Institute for Population Health

9-Feb-2026