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Medicine & Health

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 18-Jun-2026 04:16 ET (18-Jun-2026 08:16 GMT/UTC)

Stowers Institute appoints former Cerner legal chief as new general counsel

Stowers Institute for Medical Research
Business Announcement

The Stowers Institute for Medical Research has named Dan Devers as General Counsel, effective January 26, 2026. In this role, Devers will provide strategic and operational leadership on all legal matters across the Institute and its affiliates, including governance, compliance, intellectual property strategy, and partnerships that support the Institute’s mission to uncover new knowledge in foundational biology and develop innovative ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease.

1 in 5 surveyed UK adults who have experienced the death of a pet report it as more distressing than experienced human deaths, with significant rates of prolonged grief disorder symptoms also being reported following pet loss

PLOS
Peer-Reviewed Publication

1 in 5 surveyed UK adults who have experienced the death of a pet report it as more distressing than experienced human deaths, with significant rates of prolonged grief disorder symptoms also being reported following pet loss

Journal: PLOS One

Pregnant women with IBD show heightened inflammation in vaginal mucosa

PLOS
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Pregnant individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have higher levels of pro-inflammatory immune molecules, known as cytokines, in their vaginal mucosa than their healthy counterparts, according to a new study published January 14, 2026 in the open-access journal PLOS One by Ana Maldonado-Contreras of University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, U.S., and colleagues. However, the study also suggested that higher-quality diets, with more vegetables and fewer added sugars, are associated with lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in pregnant women both with and without IBD.

Journal: PLOS One

Increasing muscle elasticity improves heart failure

University of Missouri-Columbia
Peer-Reviewed Publication

According to new research from the University of Missouri School of Medicine, there may be a way to stave off a type of heart failure by improving the elasticity of cardiac muscles.

Journal: Cardiovascular Research

Researchers uncover hundreds of emojis in patient records

Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A review of electronic health records found hundreds of emojis being used in various contexts.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

Trends in county-level childhood vaccination exemptions in the US

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: This study identified an increase in nonmedical exemptions to childhood vaccination requirements from 2010 to 2024, with wide variation among counties and states and an increase following the COVID-19 pandemic, which may contribute to resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. This county-level analysis reveals geographically focused areas of high vaccine exemptions that are less evident at the state level.

Journal: JAMA

Work hours, stress, and burnout among resident physicians

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: In this cross-sectional nationwide study of resident physicians in high-burnout specialties, longer work hours were associated with higher stress and self-perceived competency, but not with burnout. This suggests that work hours alone may not explain high burnout levels in residency; a more comprehensive approach beyond work hour restrictions is needed to support resident well-being in training.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

Quality of life of parents of premature infants

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, parental quality of life was lowest during the premature infant’s hospitalization. A family-centered approach, with timely and tailored support from the neonatal intensive care unit through the postdischarge period, is essential to protect and promote parental well-being.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

Should younger and older people receive different treatments for the same infection?

Salk Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Salk scientists discover the immune system handles infection differently in young and aged mice with sepsis, with the same immune responses that are advantageous in youth being disadvantageous in older age. The findings suggest therapies should be tailored to age-specific responses, with young and old patients receiving different optimized treatment plans, and also may help inform alternative treatment strategies as we enter a post-antibiotic era.

Journal: Nature