Vitamin D levels in midlife tied to lower dementia risk marker

Having higher levels of vitamin D in the blood in middle age is associated with lower levels of tau protein in the brain, which is a sign of dementia, years later, according to a study published April 1, 2026, in Neurology® Open Access, an official journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study does … Read more

Small molecule may block protein buildup in neurodegenerative diseases

A team of researchers from NYU Abu Dhabi and the University of Denver have identified a promising small molecule that could help slow or halt the progression of serious brain diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, offering new hope for treatments that go beyond managing symptoms. These diseases, which also include Lewy body dementia and multiple … Read more

Genomic study advances prioritization of variants in cancer diagnostics

Hiroshima University researchers have developed a practical framework to identify candidate pathogenic variants hidden among the large number of variants of uncertain significance (VUS) detected in comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) of cancers. This framework could improve the accuracy of precision oncology by more reliable prioritization of VUS. Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) enables comprehensive detection of … Read more

New therapy reprograms immune cells to reduce asthma inflammation

A collaborative effort between researchers at the Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, and Shenzhen University School of Medicine has provided the first proof-of-principle study demonstrating that targeting a receptor on the surface of anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells (Tregs) can restore their function and alleviate asthma in mice. The study, published March … Read more

Early treatment helps patient recover from rare kidney disorder

When Bradley Lawrence gained 25 pounds in two weeks and started experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath, he quickly sought care at NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn. He was soon diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, a rare kidney disorder that can cause permanent damage if left untreated. Five months later, Lawrence is now in remission and has … Read more

How could bisphenol A raise depression risk? Study identifies six key molecular targets

Researchers combined genetic epidemiology, transcriptomics, molecular docking, and mouse experiments to show how a common endocrine-disrupting chemical may influence biological pathways tied to major depressive disorder. Study: Bisphenol a exposure and major depressive disorder: an integrative analysis combining network toxicology, molecular docking, genetic epidemiology, and transcriptomic validation. Image Credit: monticello / Shutterstock A new study … Read more

Study reveals how extracellular matrix stiffness regulates breast cancer metastasis

A study by researchers at the University of California San Diego could make it easier to treat breast cancer by uncovering a new way the body helps prevent its spread. The scientists discovered a new role for an inflammatory protein called TYK2 in mechanotransduction, the process by which cells sense and respond to their physical … Read more

Lipid nanoparticles help CAR T cells melt pancreatic cancer barriers

Often diagnosed when surgery is no longer an option, pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat and has one of the lowest rates of survival among major malignancies. Like many solid tumors, the most common type of pancreatic cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), is shielded by the desmoplastic matrix-a dense barrier … Read more

Chronic colitis reshapes colon stem cells in ways that can accelerate tumour growth

Even after inflammation resolves, colonic stem cells can retain a hidden molecular memory that increases the likelihood of later tumour growth, offering a new mechanistic link between chronic inflammatory disease and cancer risk. Study: Epigenetic memory of colitis promotes tumour growth. Image Credit: Antonio Marca / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal Nature, … Read more

New method reveals hidden protein motions for improved drug design

For many of us “protein” is the key element of a food order. However, beyond your preferred choice of meats or plant-based alternatives, proteins encompass a large class of complex biomolecules whose chemical structure is encoded in our genes. Proteins have critical functions in living cells, they help repair and build body tissues, drive metabolic … Read more