Medical Xpress news

Medical Xpress / Overlooked ribosomal DNA may help explain human size differences

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA), made from many copies of ribosomal DNA (rDNA), is the core component that powers ribosomes—protein-building machines in our body. It helps build proteins by linking amino acids together, and can also ...

Apr 14, 2026
Medical Xpress / Modern lifestyles may be affecting how our bodies recycle estrogen

Our industrialized, modern lifestyles may be increasing how much estrogen (the female sex hormone) gets recycled in our bodies, according to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. ...

Apr 14, 2026
Medical Xpress / Combining new drug with chemotherapy extends survival of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients in clinical trial

Platinum-based chemotherapy is a standard treatment for ovarian cancer, but its effectiveness can be limited in some cases. In some patients, the disease returns or progresses within six months of the last platinum dose, ...

Apr 14, 2026
Medical Xpress / Blood test can predict Alzheimer's disease progression years before symptoms or brain scan changes

A study by investigators at Mass General Brigham has found that a blood test of plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (pTau217), an Alzheimer's disease biomarker, can predict the progression of amyloid PET scan changes and cognitive ...

Apr 14, 2026
Medical Xpress / Largest study of pregnancy sickness uncovers six new genetic links

The USC research team that recently identified the hormone-encoding gene GDF15 as a key driver of pregnancy sickness has identified nine additional genes linked to its most severe form, hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). Six of ...

Apr 14, 2026
Medical Xpress / People who consume ultra-processed foods have worse muscle health, study suggests

Researchers found that a diet high in ultra-processed foods is associated with higher amounts of fat stored inside thigh muscles, regardless of calorie or fat intake, physical activity or sociodemographic factors in a population ...

Apr 14, 2026
Medical Xpress / Popular AI chatbots are confidently dispensing medical misinformation, analysis shows

A substantial amount of medical information provided by five popular chatbots is inaccurate and incomplete, with half (50%) of the responses problematic: 30% were somewhat, and 20% were highly problematic. These are the results ...

Apr 14, 2026
Medical Xpress / Why fasting can lead to a longer lifespan

Restricting calories has long been recognized as a powerful way to live longer, with periods of intermittent fasting proving more effective than a steady diet. However, the mechanism behind this phenomenon has been unclear. ...

Apr 14, 2026
Medical Xpress / New drug doubles 1-year survival in pancreatic cancer trial

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers and among the hardest to treat, with most patients surviving less than a year after diagnosis. But a new drug developed at Northwestern University may soon help patients live ...

Apr 14, 2026
Medical Xpress / Parental depression timing may shape adult children's mental health for decades

A new Yale study shows how the timing of depression in mothers and fathers affects mental health in their adult children. This includes influences on depression, anxiety, and psychotic disorders.

Apr 14, 2026
Medical Xpress / Neurons don't run on sugar alone: Hidden fat droplets help drive brain signaling, appetite and weight control

The brain is the body's command center, and neurons are the workhorses that carry out its commands. They transmit signals that regulate many bodily functions, including key metabolic processes such as appetite, body weight ...

Apr 14, 2026
Medical Xpress / Researchers discover what may be the root cause of preeclampsia—and how to fix it

Preeclampsia is a life-threatening pregnancy complication that affects roughly 1 in 10 pregnancies worldwide and, in the United States alone, around 5%–8% of pregnancies. The condition can lead to severe, long-term health ...

Apr 14, 2026