EurekAlert! News by Subject: Medicine & Health - News by Subject: Medicine & Health

Medicine & Health

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 16-Dec-2025 00:11 ET (16-Dec-2025 05:11 GMT/UTC)

Skin protein found to use physical tension to control tissue growth

Johns Hopkins Medicine
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Investigators at Johns Hopkins Medicine report new evidence that the protein Piezo1 controls skin growth by detecting when skin is stretched and then coordinating the metabolic and immune changes necessary for growth.

Journal: Nature Communications

New and recurring food insecurity during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: In this survey study examining food insecurity in the U.S. during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity declined among all subgroups between 2019 and 2021 but exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 2023; new food insecurity accounted for much of that increase. The increase in new food insecurity is concerning, as these households face elevated risk for adverse health outcomes.

Journal: JAMA Health Forum

Food insecurity and rural child and family functioning

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: The findings of this study suggest that caregiver stress and household instability may be key mechanisms by which food insecurity is negatively associated with child mental health.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

Pre-dialysis nephrology care disparities and incident vascular access among Hispanic individuals

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: This retrospective cohort study of incident hemodialysis patients found that system-based disparities in pre-dialysis access to nephrology care contribute to approximately one-third of incident vascular access disparities among Hispanic individuals. Targeted system-based remedies and policies are needed to improve timely identification and nephrology referrals among Hispanic individuals, for equitable improvements in incident kidney failure outcomes.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

3D printing “glue gun” can generate bone grafts directly onto fractures in animals

Cell Press
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Scientists have developed a tool made from a modified glue gun that can 3D print bone grafts directly onto fractures and defects during surgery. The tool, described September 5th in the Cell Press journal Device, allows scientists to quickly create complex bone implants without the need for prefabricating in advance. What’s more, the team optimized the 3D-printed grafts for high structural flexibility, release of anti-inflammatory antibiotics, and promotion of natural bone regrowth at the grafting site.

Journal: Device
Funder: National Research Foundation of Korea, Ministry of Science and ICT

Rutgers and RWJBarnabas Health study finds pocket ultrasound reduces hospital stays for patients with shortness of breath

Rutgers University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Trial suggests using bedside scans instead of traditional stethoscopes shortens hospitalization and lowers costs.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

Africa aging, health and socioeconomics study garners $25 million NIH award

University of Michigan
Grant and Award Announcement

A groundbreaking effort to better understand changing demographics in Kenya—and the resulting pressures on the country’s health system—has received a multi-million-dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health.