Medical research news covering clinical trials, drug development, treatment breakthroughs, and advances in medical science.
Doctors at Mass General Brigham report that a genetically engineered pig kidney sustained patient Tim Andrews for 285 days, breaking the previous longevity record. Andrews lived with the organ for 271 days off dialysis before receiving a human donor kidney in January 2026, which is currently functioning well.
New research in Science indicates psilocybin protects mice against chemotherapy-induced nerve damage. UT MD Anderson researchers described this as the first use of psilocybin as a neuroprotective agent rather than a treatment for existing pain.
Research published in Nature Neuroscience reveals that structural brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease appear at least seven years before amyloid plaques become visible on scans. By tracking cognitively healthy adults over nearly two decades, scientists found early signals that could broaden treatment targets.
Washington University researchers identified that immune cells causing Alzheimer's neurodegeneration are activated by systemic triggers outside the brain. Using mouse models, the study suggests future treatments must address whole-body factors rather than focusing solely on cerebral symptoms.
Researchers at UC San Francisco published a molecular atlas detailing over a thousand protein interactions associated with profound autism. The study in Science aims to bridge the gap between genetic discoveries and new drug treatments for severe intellectual disability and epilepsy patients.
Scientists in India have profiled the venom gland of the social spider Stegodyphus sarasinorum, discovering bioactive compounds with potential for drug development. Published in Scientific Reports, the research highlights molecules that killed cancer cells in lab settings, though clinical applications remain distant.
Ruxandra Teslo contends that the current system for discovering new medical cures is fundamentally broken. The article likely critiques existing pharmaceutical or research frameworks, suggesting urgent need for structural reform to improve drug development outcomes.
NYU Langone Health researchers identified a 7% increased risk of male-pattern hair loss associated with GLP-1 medications like Ozempic. Published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, the study offers the first genetic evidence linking these drugs to androgenetic alopecia in predisposed men.
A multicentre randomized controlled trial in Germany demonstrates that liposuction is superior to conservative therapy for reducing pain and improving quality of life in lipoedema patients, despite higher serious adverse event rates. The study suggests liposuction as a promising treatment option.
The authors argue that liposuction should be redefined as a curative treatment for lipoedema, challenging current therapeutic paradigms. They cite rising prevalence data to highlight the disease's growing impact and advocate for shifting clinical goals toward surgical intervention rather than conservative management.