Medical Xpress news

Medical Xpress / Virtual reality emerges as a supportive space for self-disclosure, with nature settings leading the way

New Edith Cowan University (ECU) research suggests virtual reality (VR) may play a meaningful role in future mental-health support, and the design of the virtual space itself can make a surprising difference to how comfortable ...

Jan 15, 2026 in Psychology & Psychiatry
Medical Xpress / Researchers find at-home self-collection testing can expand STI and HPV screening

Researchers with UNC School of Medicine, Gillings School of Global Health, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center collaborated on a new study that highlights a simple but effective way to improve women's health screenings ...

Medical Xpress / Two types of underconfidence linked to anxiety and gender

Women and people with anxiety are both prone to low confidence in their own abilities, but a new study by University College London (UCL) researchers has found that the two groups are prone to two distinct types of underconfidence.

Jan 15, 2026 in Psychology & Psychiatry
Medical Xpress / The stop-smoking medication varenicline may also work for cannabis use disorder

A new randomized controlled trial has found promising evidence that the smoking cessation medication varenicline (Chantix/Champix) can help people with cannabis use disorder (CUD) to reduce cannabis use. CUD is a rising problem ...

Jan 15, 2026 in Medications
Medical Xpress / Glucocorticoid injection shows little benefit for knee osteoarthritis, clinical trial finds

Researchers in China have found no statistically significant advantage for infrapatellar fat pad glucocorticoid injection over saline for 12-week knee pain change or effusion synovitis volume change in inflammatory knee osteoarthritis.

Jan 14, 2026 in Arthritis & Rheumatism
Medical Xpress / The aggressive use of antibiotics could fuel mood disorders and anxiety

Antibiotics (ABs) are among the most used pharmaceutical drugs worldwide, as they are currently the most effective medicines for the treatment of bacterial infections. An excessive use of these drugs, however, can damage ...

Jan 14, 2026 in Psychology & Psychiatry
Medical Xpress / The protein periostin may promote the spread of pancreatic cancer—and pain—through nerves

A new Brazilian study has revealed the key role of the protein periostin and stellate pancreatic cells in allowing pancreatic cancer to infiltrate nerves and spread early, increasing the risk of metastasis. The research demonstrates ...

Jan 14, 2026 in Oncology & Cancer
Medical Xpress / Can biology reveal parental manipulation?

Parental alienation is when one parent manipulates the child into distancing themselves from the other parent. But does this leave detectable biological evidence?

Jan 14, 2026 in Genetics
Medical Xpress / How a 'quality-control' protein causes neurodegenerative disease

When it comes to neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and certain forms of dementia, researchers have known that protein quality control and damage to the nuclear pore are key players. However, ...

Medical Xpress / Maternal microbiome compound may hold key to preventing liver disease

Children born to mothers who consume a high-fat, high-sugar diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding face a higher risk of developing fatty liver disease later in life.

Medical Xpress / Bacterial toxin can counteract colorectal cancer growth

A toxin secreted by cholera bacteria can inhibit the growth of colorectal cancer without causing any measurable damage to the body. This is shown by a new study by researchers at Umeå University, Sweden. Systemic administration ...

Jan 14, 2026 in Oncology & Cancer
Medical Xpress / Specialized clinic visits reverse population weight gain in statewide pilot test

For years, endocrinologist Leigh Perreault, MD, felt there had to be a better way to help patients with weight management than sending them home with advice to change their diet and increase their exercise.

Jan 14, 2026 in Overweight & Obesity