PAIN
Pain Prevalence Higher in Women, Increases Most Rapidly Before 55: A large global study found that pain prevalence increases most rapidly before age 55 and is consistently higher in women than men across 11 body sites. Back pain was the most commonly reported type of pain, affecting 40% of participants. The likelihood of experiencing any bodily pain increased with age, while high intensity and generalized pain peaked in mid-to-late adulthood before declining. Smoking, obesity, and lower household income were associated with a higher burden of pain. Nature MedicineTrusted Source
FDA-approved epilepsy drug may help reverse osteoarthritis damage: Researchers at Yale have identified a promising new approach to osteoarthritis that could do more than simply ease pain. The epilepsy drug lacosamide appears to block a protein involved in both pain signaling and cartilage destruction, helping damaged joints shift back toward repair in preclinical studies. Bioactive Materials
Your favorite music could help reduce the pain of small medical procedures: Scientists find that playing patients’ favorite music during a cannulation minimizes pain Frontiers in Pain Research
Years of opioid use do not improve chronic pain, study finds Taking opioids for years does not seem to improve pain and functioning in people with chronic back pain, according to a new Northwestern University study that compared 70 long-term opioid users to 70 similar patients not taking opioids. The study also found large differences in brain activity between the two groups and identified new molecular markers, including some involving serotonin receptors, that could lead to new treatment for pain and for tapering off opioids. The study, published on Oct. 1 in the journal Brain, comes with an important nuance. Even though the opioid group didn’t fare better, it also wasn’t much worse off.
Minimally invasive technique offers lasting relief for carpal tunnel syndrome: A minimally invasive ultrasound-guided hydrodissection of the median nerve technique offers long-term relief for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome with fewer side effects than steroids, according to a new study published today in Radiology, a journal of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
UC San Diego researchers discover why chronic low back pain feels "personal"
Movement-triggered pain flares activate the brain's "self network," suggesting that treatments like mindfulness and psilocybin may be more effective than traditional symptom-based approaches. “Brain mechanisms supporting movement-evoked chronic low back pain”
Exercise averts knee osteoarthritis in young people: Exercise-based rehabilitation and education can reduce the chance of knee osteoarthritis following ACL reconstruction in people aged under 40, as well as improve pain and quality of life, a study by La Trobe University researchers has found. Annals of Internal Medicine.
A surprisingly simple way to relieve knee arthritis pain without pills or surgery: A surprisingly simple change in how you walk could help relieve knee arthritis pain and even slow joint damage. In a year-long clinical trial, researchers found that adjusting the angle of a person's foot while walking reduced osteoarthritis pain by an amount comparable to medication, without requiring drugs or surgery. Even more promising, MRI scans revealed that participants who adopted the personalized walking technique experienced slower deterioration in a marker of knee cartilage health. The Lancet Rheumatology Materials provided by University of Utah
Low-dose radiation therapy may slow progression of knee osteoarthritis, long-term study indicates:Randomized trial links treatment to sustained symptom relief, less joint deterioration and lower disability risk, with fewer knee replacements in patients with grade 2 disease. American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.
Less is more: Exercise rivals common pain meds: From osteoarthritis to a splitting migraine, when you’re experiencing pain, exercise can seem like the last thing you want or think you should do. But according to new Adelaide University research it could be one of the most effective ways to help ease your symptoms. In a new study of 157 systematic reviews, 2736 randomised controlled trials and 221,279 participants, researchers found that exercise can significantly reduce acute and chronic pain across a wide range of conditions including musculoskeletal, neurological, inflammatory, and cancer-related pain.
Virtual reality may ease short-term pain and anxiety in patients with cancer: Virtual reality (VR) may help patients with cancer experience less pain and anxiety in the short term, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis published in Healthcare and Rehabilitation.
Patients with chronic pain may benefit from group medical visits: This study examined how group medical visits facilitate four types of social support: emotional, appraisal, informational, and instrumental. Qualitative data was collected within a randomized trial at San Francisco safety-net clinics. Patients were assigned to group visits consisting of 12 weekly two-hour sessions of clinical care, pain education, mindfulness, gentle movement, and discussion. Groups were co-facilitated by primary care and behavioral health clinicians, as well as a movement and mindfulness instructor. Patients reported all four types of social support. The Annals of Family Medicine
Women experienced less pain during IUD insertion using a new method:
A simple method involving local anaesthesia in the uterus can reduce pain during IUD insertion, according to a new study from the Karolinska Institutet, published in the journal JAMA. The method also increased the proportion of women who found the procedure tolerable. The results may encourage more women to choose an IUD as a method for contraception.
Low Back Pain Guidance Urges Watchful Waiting With Low-Impact Movement: New guidance on managing acute low back pain encourages clinicians to take an active role in managing recovery before turning to more intensive treatments. The new guideline from the American Academy of Pain Medicine, published in the journal Pain Medicine, emphasizes movement, heat therapy, and over-the-counter medications.
Supervised physical therapy improves short-term knee pain and function after ACL surgery in young adults: A randomized clinical trial found that supervised physical therapy after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery) yielded greater improvements in pain, function, and muscle strength compared to a self-directed exercise program, at least in the short term. The findings can inform management of chronic knee symptoms of ACL surgery. The study is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Tai chi roadmap charts path to next-generation exercise medicine for falls prevention: The review summarizes more than three decades of research showing that tai ji quan (also known as Tai Chi) can reduce falls and improve mobility among older adults, particularly when tested in adequately powered randomized controlled trials. Reported effects across major trials and meta-analyses support tai ji quan as a safe, low-cost, and clinically useful intervention. The article also notes that tai ji quan is included in public health and clinical recommendations, including falls-prevention guidance and evidence-based intervention compendia. Journal of Sport and Health Science
Cannabis users were twice as likely to commit violence, review finds: A review of more than 265,000 people found that cannabis use was associated with higher rates of both committing violence and becoming a victim of it. The researchers say the link is significant but does not prove cannabis itself is the cause. Researchers from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) combined data from 63 studies involving more than 265,000 people. They analyzed the general population separately from people receiving psychiatric care. Psychological Medicine
Insufficient evidence to back medical cannabis for insomnia: A new Cochrane review finds that existing evidence is too uncertain to determine whether medical cannabis improves sleep or daytime functioning in people with insomnia.
Think cannabis helps you sleep better? Think again: The study found both lifetime and recent cannabis use were associated with poorer objectively measured sleep quality, even though participants generally did not perceive their sleep to be worse. The scientists followed participants from young adulthood into middle age for nearly 35 years, repeatedly tracking their cannabis use over time. In middle age, participants wore a wrist-based sleep monitor for a week and completed sleep surveys, allowing the scientists to compare objective measures of sleep with participants' own perceptions of how well they slept. The study found both long-term and recent cannabis use were associated with poorer sleep quality when the wrist-worn monitoring device objectively measured participants’ sleep. However, participants who used cannabis generally did not report sleeping worse than people who didn't use it. The findings suggest cannabis-related sleep disruptions may go unnoticed by users themselves, the study authors said. The study was published today (Oct. 9) in JAMA Network Open
Longer sleep may be linked to a higher risk of kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes: People with type 2 diabetes who sleep longer may have an increased risk of developing or worsening existing diabetic kidney disease, according to a study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society. “Longer Sleep Duration and the Incidence and Progression of Diabetic Nephropathy: A Prospective Cohort Study”
Dogs and owners disturb each other in the night, but still get pretty good sleep: Sleeping alongside your dog probably doesn’t disrupt your sleep as much as you might think, according to a study published October 7, 2026 in the open access journal PLOS One. Over a period of four weeks, results from activity monitors – worn on the wrist for humans and on the collar for dogs – found that sharing the bed with a dog did not significantly impact sleep duration or sleep quality, even in cases where owners reported feeling like their dogs were disturbing their sleep. Nighttime activity was strongly correlated, with humans and their dogs commonly becoming active around the same time in the night, but more often than not the humans began moving before the dogs did, suggesting that owners are disturbing their dog’s sleep more than the other way around.
Active acupressure offers clinical benefits for rosacea: A device-free, on-demand active acupressure intervention offers clinical benefits for patients with rosacea when combined with pharmacotherapy, according to a study published online Oct. 14 in JAMA Dermatology.
FDA APPROVALS
• new oral combo drug for a common breast cancer mutation. The treatment includes Inluriyo (imlunestrant) taken with Verzenio (abemaciclib) for adults with ER-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer with ESR1 mutation that has spread after hormone therapy.
• atezolizumab (Tecentriq, Genentech) with a combination of chemotherapies as adjuvant treatment for adult patients and pediatric patients aged 2 years or older with stage III mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) colon cancer.
• Tavapadon (JUVMO, AbbVie) tablets for adults with Parkinson's disease (PD), the first and only selective D1/D5 receptor agonist approved for this indication.
• baricitinib for the treatment of severe alopecia areata(AA) in patients aged 12 years and older
• Zanvastro the first drug that directly targets Alexander disease
• Anktiva (nogapendekin alfa inbakicept-pmln), given with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), to include adults with high-grade papillary-only bladder cancer that has not spread into the bladder muscle and has not responded to BCG treatment.
• The Autus Size-Adjustable Valve, a surgically implanted pulmonary heart valve for pediatric patients with congenital pulmonary valve disease.
• Emcitate (tiratricol) tablets for oral suspension to treat peripheral thyrotoxicosis (excess thyroid hormone levels in the blood that causes symptoms, such as rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure and adverse effects on metabolism) in patients with MCT8 deficiency, also known as Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome.
PREVENTION: Exercise
Wall Squats, Planks Once a Week May Help Lower Your Blood Pressure: Just one or two isometric exercise sessions per week may help lower blood pressure in the short term, according to a new study. Performing isometric exercises, such as wall squats and planks, three times a week may provide long-term benefits. Experts say people beginning an isometric exercise program should start slowly and build up their routine over time. BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine.
Aerobic Exercise May Improve Brain Health in Postmenopausal Women: Regular aerobic exercise can significantly improve thinking skills like planning and decision making in postmenopausal women, according to recent research. The greatest cognitive benefits were observed in those who engaged in 45 minutes of moderate aerobic activity four times per week. With two-thirds of Alzheimer’s cases occurring in older women, exercising during and after menopause may influence cognitive resilience. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease
Only one workout helped older adults lose fat and keep muscle: A six-month study suggests that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may offer older adults a powerful advantage: losing body fat while keeping their muscle. Unlike moderate-intensity workouts, which led to a small loss of lean muscle, HIIT preserved it while also improving body composition around the waist. Science Daily
Exercise program supports better attention and slows biological aging in breast cancer survivors. Two studies from a randomized clinical trial suggest exercise may benefit attention and memory while altering epigenetic markers tied to aging. “Effectiveness of an Exercise Intervention on Cognition in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial” and “Exercise Slows Biological Aging in Breast Cancer Survivors: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Trial”
Physical Activity Linked to Slower Cognitive, Motor Progression in Parkinson Disease: For individuals with mild-to-moderate Parkinson disease (PD), higher levels of physical activity are associated with slower cognitive and motor progression, according to a study published online Oct. 7 in Neurology. https://www.healthday.com/healthpro- Neurology,
Regular walking is good for people with COPD, even if they live in areas with higher air pollution: Regular walking reduces symptom flare ups for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, even if they live in an area with poor air quality, according to a study published in ERJ Open Research [1].
Higher daily step counts linked to fewer mental health problems in early adolescence, study finds: A study of more than 5,500 adolescents in the US found that those who took more daily steps at age 11 to 12 had fewer mental health problems a year later. The relationship held all the way up to 12,000 or more steps a day, with no sign of the benefit levelling off within this data. Adolescents with the highest step counts also showed differences in brain areas linked to movement and mood and these differences explained associations between step counts and mental health. JAMA Network Open
Research reveals keys to helping colon cancer survivors boost motivation to stay active: New research shows how colon cancer survivors can overcome mental hurdles to stick with long-term exercise—a shift in mindset that could lower their risk of the disease coming back and improve their chances of survival. In a study tracking patients in a three-year structured exercise program, the results showed that because of the support they received, participants experienced a boost in confidence, enjoyment and motivation to make exercise part of their regular routine. The paper is published in the JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Walking, Yoga, or Zumba? Which Exercises Help Relieve Menopause Mood Symptoms: Physical activity may help support mood and improve quality of life during the menopause transition, according to a study published on October 13 in Menopause, the journal of the Menopause Society. This review of 12 clinical trials involving over 1,000 people ages 40 to 65 found that both aerobic and mind-body exercises may be associated with reduced depressive symptoms and improved well-being. The researchers found that aerobic based exercises (walking, Zumba, dance) showed the strongest effects on reducing depressive symptoms and improving overall quality of life. This may be particularly relevant during perimenopause when women may be more vulnerable to mood instability due to estrogen. fluctuations. Mind Body activities (yoga, tai-chi) were shown to have a greater effect on improving psychological quality of life. These exercises involve mindfulness, body awareness, and breathwork. They may help improve emotional regulation.
PREVENTION: Sleep
Insomnia Isn’t Just Exhausting — It May Raise Your Risk of Stroke, Dementia: A recent review has found that insomnia may be associated with an increased risk of stroke and hospitalization. The researchers also found evidence of an association between insomnia and depression, suicidal behaviors, and dementia. These findings add to growing evidence that insomnia may be linked to health risks beyond poor sleep and impaired daytime functioning. Sleep Medicine Reviews
Sleep and Disease Risk: Researchers analyzed wrist tracker data from more than 95,000 UK Biobank participants to study how real-world sleep patterns might affect the risk for nearly 1100 diseases. More deep sleep was associated with lower odds of seven conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and major depressive disorder (MDD), they found. Longer sleep duration also showed a benefit, with the lowest disease risk observed among participants who slept 6-8 hours per night. More time spent in REM was associated with a decreased risk for 83 different conditions across 12 major disease categories, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and dementia, a large prospective cohort study showed. Medscape
Study finds a smartwatch can help screen for obstructive sleep apnea: New research suggests that a consumer smartwatch can help identify adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea, offering a way to screen for a common sleep disorder that often goes undiagnosed. Results show that the Samsung Galaxy Watch demonstrated high accuracy for detecting moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea among adults aged 22 and older. It correctly distinguished those with moderate-to-severe sleep apnea 94% of the time, with a 94% sensitivity and 67% specificity at its default setting. The device achieved 100% sensitivity and specificity among high-risk individuals with high hypoxic burden, a physiologic marker of low oxygen saturation in the blood.
Frequent and unintentional daytime napping linked to higher dementia risk in older adults: The study, published online October 5 in The Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, followed 995 U.S. Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older who were free of dementia at the start of the study in 2013 and tracked them for up to 10 years using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, a nationally representative survey of older adults. The researchers found that participants who napped frequently—defined as most days or every day—had a 48% higher risk of developing dementia compared to those who rarely or never napped, even after accounting for demographic factors, health conditions, and nighttime sleep characteristics such as sleep duration, daytime sleepiness, and a measure of obstructive sleep apnea risk.
PREVENTION: Diet
Taking Blood Pressure Meds? DASH Diet Likely Safe for Potassium Levels: A new study reports that the DASH diet does not significantly increase potassium levels in people taking high blood pressure medication. Researchers said that the diet doesn’t appear to cause significant changes in kidney function. Experts say the DASH diet offers many health benefits, but they recommend that people gradually integrate it into their daily lives. Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2026
Cutting Back on Ultra-Processed Foods May Help Ease Depression Symptoms: A small study found that reducing ultra-processed food (UPF) intake was associated with improvements in depression symptoms. The findings add to previous research linking high UPF consumption with an increased risk of depression. JAMA Psychiatry
Ultra-Processed Foods Linked to Higher Risk of Multiple Diseases, Death: Eating more ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is associated with an increased risk of several serious health problems and even a greater chance of early death. A large study published on September 22 in Family Medicine and Community Health found that those who ate the most UPFs were more likely to develop chronic illnesses, including: heart disease, cancer, obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, mental health conditions, digestive disease.
8-Hour Time-Restricted Eating Window May Lead to Greater Weight Loss: An 8-hour eating window was linked to greater weight loss than a 12-hour window or no time restriction, but not significantly more than a 10-hour window. Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a form of intermittent fasting that limits eating to a set number of hours each day without necessarily restricting calories. Shorter eating windows were linked to modest weight loss, but researchers found limited effects on blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. Nutrition & Diabetes
Are You Eating Enough Whole Grains to Lower Your Heart Disease Risk? A large meta-analysis suggests that eating more whole grains may offer substantial cardiovascular benefits. The findings show that every additional 48 grams of whole grains consumed per day was associated with improvements in body weight, waist circumference, total cholesterol, and inflammatory markers. The greatest cardiometabolic benefits appeared at 60 to 100 grams of whole grains per day, or 4 to 6 servings. Whole grains, such as oats, brown rice, whole wheat, and farro, offer cardiovascular and metabolic health benefits as part of a balanced diet. European Heart Journal
Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Linked to Increased Gastric Cancer Risk: The regular consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with an increased risk of developing gastric cancer, yet a similar link is not observed with beverages containing artificial sweeteners, despite carcinogenic warnings about the sweeteners, new research showed. “To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the association between sugar-sweetened beverage intake and gastric cancer incidence,” reported the authors in the study, published recently in Gastro Hep Advances.
Research suggests a handful of walnuts a day may make your diet less inflammatory: The study, “The Dietary Inflammatory Index is Lower Among Healthy Older Adults Consuming a Walnut-Supplemented Diet. Ancillary Results from the Walnuts and Healthy Aging Randomized Controlled Trial,” found that older adults who consumed 1-2 oz of walnuts (30-60 g) of walnuts daily had slightly but statistically significantly lower DII scores than those in the control group. The findings suggest that incorporating walnuts into the diet may shift the overall dietary patterns toward lower inflammatory potential. These findings add to previous results from the Walnuts and Healthy Aging Studyshowing that daily walnut consumption was associated with reductions in several circulating markers of inflammation. Together, the findings suggest that incorporating walnuts into the diet may influence both the inflammatory potential of the overall diet and biological markers of inflammation.
A low-fat vegan diet cuts liver fat by a third and improves insulin function in adults with type 2 diabetes, finds new study: Adults with type 2 diabetes who followed a low-fat vegan diet for 16 weeks, eating as much as they wanted, with no calorie counting or portion control, lost weight, reduced fat buildup in the liver and abdomen, and improved insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function, according to a new clinical trial published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care.
Ultra-Processed Food Intake May Not Be Linked to Colorectal Cancer: Researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) report that they found no association between overall intake of ultra-processed foods and colorectal cancer incidence among the more than 400,000 adults they studied. They said their findings are important because ultra-processed foods now accountTrusted Source for more than half of adults’ energy intake in the United States. They published their research on October 15 in PLOS Medicine. They note that there is a wide range of foods considered ultra-processed, and each may carry different risks.
Experts say people should adopt a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and calcium-rich foods to lower their risk of colorectal cancer.
Eating late at night linked to up to 30% higher risk of liver disease: Eating late at night could be putting your liver at risk, according to a large study led by Oregon Health & Science University. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 200,000 people and found that those who regularly ate after dinner or around bedtime had a 20% to 30% higher risk of liver disease, including fatty liver disease and cirrhosis. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology
PREVENTION: Vitamins/Supplements
Creatine may help build muscle even without exercise, researchers find: Creatine helped middle-aged adults gain muscle and strength even without a structured workout program in a new 12-week study. When combined with exercise and a calorie-reduced diet, it produced even greater strength gains while helping participants add lean tissue and lose fat. Researchers say the results strengthen the case for creatine as a potentially useful tool for maintaining muscle with age. Materials provided by Texas A&M University. ournal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition,
Vitamin C linked to fewer deaths in blood disorder trial: Vitamin C showed unexpected signs of benefit in people at risk of blood cancer. Vitamin C may do more than support the immune system. In a phase 2 trial of people with precancerous or low risk blood cancers, daily vitamin C did not slow abnormal cell growth, but it was linked to favorable changes in inflammation and fewer serious complications. An exploratory follow up also found fewer deaths among participants taking vitamin C than among those receiving placebo. Cancer
Scientists warn a popular vitamin D supplement may have a hidden downside: Not all vitamin D supplements are created equal, and new research suggests that one popular form may have an unexpected downside. Scientists found that taking vitamin D2 can actually lower the body's levels of vitamin D3, the form naturally produced by sunlight and more effective at boosting overall vitamin D. Previous studies also suggest that vitamin D3 may provide stronger immune protection against viruses and bacteria. Science Daily
Millions take calcium and vitamin D for bone health. A major review finds little benefit Calcium and vitamin D supplements may offer far less protection against fractures and falls than many older adults expect. A sweeping review of more than 153,000 adults found that calcium and vitamin D supplements, alone or together, do little to prevent fractures or falls in most older people. Researchers say the findings challenge routine supplementation for prevention and point instead toward strategies such as balance and resistance exercise. BMJ
High-dose vitamin D may improve cognition among those at risk of dementia, Emory study finds: In a study of 54 adults with sleep disturbances and mild cognitive impairments (MCI), two hallmarks of early dementia, participants taking at least 5,000 IU of vitamin D daily showed better cognitive function compared to those who didn’t. The study, recently published in Sleep Medicine, found that participants who reported taking 5,000 IU or more of vitamin D daily scored more than 13% higher on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) than those who didn’t, even after accounting for other factors. A screening tool to detect risk of developing dementia, MoCA is widely used to assess memory and thinking skills. In this study, lower daily doses of vitamin D were not associated with higher cognitive scores.
PREVENTION: Other
Low-Energy Diet Plus Structured Exercise Reverses Early Onset Diabetes: A new study has found that a combination of a low-energy diet and structured exercise reversed early onset type 2 diabetes in about half of participants. The research focuses on adults under 45 years old who developed type 2 diabetes early in life. The authors presented their findings at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting, held September 28 to October 2. The study was published on October 1 in The Lancet Regional Health AmericasTrusted Source.
‘Think Beyond SPF’: Sunscreen Isn’t the Only UV Protection Strategy: Regular clothes help; colored tops protect more than light fabrics. Side windows need UV film; windshield protects better; some supplements have limited evidence. Hats help, but ≥3-inch brim recommended; no hat fully blocks UV. Medscape
Reducing ultra-processed food (UPF) intake and being physically active can cut risk of type 2 diabetes, regardless of genetic make-up: Eating a diet low in ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and exercising can cut the risk of type 2 diabetes, even in those with a strong genetic disposition to the condition, new research being presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Milan, Italy (Sept 28 – Oct 2) suggests.
TREATMENT
Detached Nails More Than 4 Times Higher Among GLP-1 Users, Study Finds: GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic have been linked to unusual nail changes in a new study. GLP-1 users reported nail detachment more than four times as often as nonusers, and nail discoloration affected 46% of GLP-1 users, compared with 17% of nonusers. The differences held up among people who had lost weight, suggesting weight loss alone may not explain them. A companion study also notes that hair loss is a common side effect of GLP-1s. Experts share tips for preserving skin and hair health while taking GLP-1 medications. European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2026
Switching from GLP-1 Injections to Wegovy Pill Shows Additional Weight Loss of 4.1%: People with overweight or obesity who switch from an injectable GLP-1 medication to the Wegovy (semaglutide) pill may continue to lose weight, according to findings from the OCTANE study presented at the 2026 Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Milan, Italy. After 3 months, about 2 in 5 participants had lost at least 5% of their body weight. The proportion of participants with obesity decreased by 21.6 percentage points, from 87.1% at the start of the study to 65.5% after 3 months.
Oral GLP-1 Orforglipron (Foundayo) Achieves Weight Loss for Women of All Ages: A new GLP-1 pill called orforglipron (Foundayo) has been shown to help women lose weight, regardless of menopausal status, according to new research. A group of researchers, including senior author Hunter Thomas Hoffman, PharmD, a clinical research scientist affiliated with the drug’s manufacturer, Eli Lilly, analyzed data from two prior trials, ATTAIN-1 and ATTAIN-2Trusted Source, to arrive at this conclusion. These studies reveal that this medication works equally well for women who have not yet gone through menopause, those who are currently experiencing it, and those who are postmenopausal. The findings were presented at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD).
Increasing Ozempic Dose Linked to Lower Heart Risk Than Switching to Mounjaro: A real-world study found that people with type 2 diabetes who increased their Ozempic dose rather than switching to Mounjaro had a lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Those who increased their Ozempic dose to 2 mg had a 6% lower risk of MACE than those who switched to Mounjaro. Because the study was observational, it showed an association and does not prove that increasing the Ozempic dose caused the lower cardiovascular risk. European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting 2026 .
Microdosing GLP-1s Like Wegovy, Zepbound May Still Lead to Weight Loss: Recent research suggests that people may still lose weight while staying on the lowest starting doses of GLP-1 medications, such as Wegovy or Zepbound, for longer periods. After one year, people taking sustained low dose tirzepatide lost about 5.5% of their body weight, while those taking sustained low dose semaglutide lost about 2.2%. Lower doses were associated with more modest weight loss than higher doses, but sustained low dose semaglutide was also associated with lower rates of some side effects. Biology Methods & Protocols
Wellness Apps, Medically Tailored Meals Help Slow Weight Gain After GLP-1s: A small study found that structured support, including a digital weight management app or medically tailored meals, may help slow weight regain after stopping GLP-1 medications. Healthy eating habits, regular exercise, and ongoing medical support may help people maintain weight loss, while some may benefit from continuing GLP-1 medications long-term. Obesity Science & Practice
Trevogrumab Curbs Muscle Loss on GLP-1, Aids Regain After: The investigational antimyostatin drug trevogrumab not only reduced lean mass loss during treatment with semaglutide but it also increased lean mass during rebound weight gain after semaglutide discontinuation, new results from the phase 2 COURAGE study showed. In addition, a substudy showed that the effects of lean mass preservation were greater in patients with a lower lean mass at baseline. European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 2026 Annual Meeting.
Statins Tied to Lower Risk for Glaucoma, Fewer Procedures: The use of cholesterol-lowering statins was associated with a 15% lower risk of developing open-angle glaucoma at 5 years and with a substantially reduced need for laser or surgery in patients who already had the condition. The associations held up, although somewhat weaker, at 10 years, and were seen with drugs such as atorvastatin and rosuvastatin. published online on October 6 in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
Statin Side Effects: What the Evidence Shows: The list of possible side effects attributed to statins is long: muscle pain, memory problems, depression, sleep disturbances, diabetes, and liver damage. However, a meta-analysis by the Cholesterol Treatment Trialists’ (CTT)Collaboration in The Lancet calls many of these associations into question. At the same time, the study confirmed that certain effects on muscles, the liver, and glucose metabolism can indeed occur. What matters, however, is their magnitude — and that is usually significantly lower than what the public criticism of these drugs would suggest.
Bowel cancer “melted away” after immunotherapy, then stayed away: A short course of immunotherapy before surgery may offer remarkably durable protection for some patients with stage two or three bowel cancer. In the NEOPRISM-CRC trial, 32 patients with a specific genetic form of bowel cancer received pembrolizumab for up to nine weeks before surgery instead of the usual post-surgery chemotherapy. After nearly three years of follow-up, none of the patients had experienced a cancer recurrence, including those who still had small traces of disease after treatment. Science Daily
Hormone Therapy May Help Improve Menopause Brain Fog, Mood Changes: Hormone therapy may affect changes in the brain that occur during menopause. A recent study has shown that hormone therapy may help improve “brain fog” symptoms during menopause. Another study found that hormone therapy may improve mood changes that are often associated with menopause. Other research has alleviated long-standing concerns over a possible link between menopause hormone therapy and dementia. Healthline
A breath of life beyond bronchodilation: A small but carefully documented retrospective case series from a US pulmonary hypertension clinic reports that nebulized ensifentrine an inhaled dual phosphodiesterase 3/4 inhibitor approved in 2024 for moderate-to-severe COPD, was associated with modest but consistent improvements in pulmonary hemodynamics, exercise capacity, and patient-reported breathlessness over six months in patients with severe COPD-associated pulmonary hypertension, without provoking exacerbations, worsening oxygenation, or significant adverse events. he Open Respiratory Medicine Journal
Updated guideline supports a personalized, evidence-based approach to tinnitus:
The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) published the Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG): Tinnitus Update in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. This update reflects what we've learned over the past decade. Every patient with tinnitus should receive a comprehensive hearing evaluation, and clinicians should ask directly about emotional distress and thoughts of self-harm. Strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, hearing aids, and sound enrichment can help people manage their tinnitus, but there's no single approach that works for everyone, so we encourage patients to talk openly with their clinicians about which options are right for them.”
IBS Symptoms Improved by FODMAP-Targeting Enzyme Combo: A commercially available enzyme combination supplement targeting fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) — known triggers of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) — showed significant benefits in improving symptoms in a prospective pre-post intervention study. American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting.
New Recommendations Released for CAR T-Cell Therapy for Autoimmune Disease: An international panel has released updated guidelines for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for autoimmune disease. The recommendations were originally released in 2024 and are coordinated by the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT), the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCT), and the Joint Accreditation Committee of ISCT and EBMT (JACIE). The updated guidelines appeared on October 5 in The Lancet Rheumatology.
Brodalumab Maintains Clinical Control in Plaque Psoriasis Through 52 Weeks: Brodalumab produced rapid and sustained disease control over 52 weeks in a real-world cohort of adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. published onlineon September 17, 2026, in Dermatology and Therapy.
Hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia – OB-GYNS set new rules for menopause treatment: For the first time since 2014, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has updated its guidelines for the treatment of symptoms commonly associated with menopause. ACOG, recommends hormone replacement therapy alongside certain antidepressants, nonhormonal medicines, and other treatments to address symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia and mood swings. NPR
OTHER
Women With Enlarged Breasts More Likely to Experience Migraine, Sleep Apnea: A new study found that women with macromastia (enlarged breasts) had higher odds of chronic migraine, neck pain, and obstructive sleep apnea than women without the condition. The findings suggest that macromastia may lead to more than physical discomfort, potentially contributing to multiple health conditions that affect quality of life. Women with macromastia experiencing frequent headaches, neck pain, or poor sleep quality should talk with their doctor to learn about their treatment options. General macromastia is often treated with breast reduction surgery, but other strategies, such as a supportive bra and physical therapy, may help alleviate discomfort. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain
What can and can't slow down aging: New study offers clues: Now, a study looking at these blood biomarkers has found that some dietary, lifestyle and pharmacological interventions may change the methylation patterns on a person’s DNA and indicate how fast they are aging. The study, published in Nature MedicineTrusted Source, found that a Mediterranean diet, regular exercise, some diabetes and weight-management medications, and some anti-inflammatory drugs might be linked to slower aging.
Using AI for just 10 minutes erodes your ability to persist at hard things: A UC Berkeley researcher co-authored a study that raises profound questions about how we interact with artificial intelligence in education — and daily life. A landmark study found that spending just 10 minutes relying on an AI tool significantly impairs our ability to focus and persist with difficult tasks. A preliminary draft made waves earlier this year, and the team presented the updated, peer-reviewed paper at the Conference on Language Modeling.
A plastic once thought harmless may be fueling fatty liver disease: One of the world's most common plastics may pose a hidden threat to liver health. Texas A&M researchers discovered that polyethylene microplastics can contribute to fatty liver disease, with potentially worse effects when combined with an unhealthy diet. Even more surprising, this widely used plastic was previously considered relatively harmless. Materials provided by Texas A&M University.
Loneliness may steal nearly 6 years of good health: A large study suggests loneliness and social isolation can cost people years of healthy life, especially when it comes to mental health. Men experiencing both lost about 5.8 years free from depression and anxiety, while women lost roughly 3.7 years. Nature Communications
Heart Failure Is Becoming More Common in Adults Under 65, Report Finds: An estimated 56 million people worldwide were living with heart failure in 2023, more than double the number in 1990, according to a new Global Burden of Disease (GBD) analysis published September 30 in JAMA CardiologyTrusted Source.
Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. Despite its name, heart failure doesn’t mean the heart has stopped beating. A separate 2026 report from the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) found that heart failure contributed to more than 450,000 deaths in the United States in 2023, with particularly sharp increases in mortality among adults under 65.
Mental health, sleep disorders among risk factors for long-term concussion symptoms: A new Curtin University study has found almost half of people who experience a concussion still experience problems a year later, while also revealing which factors put patients most at risk of long-term symptoms.The Concussion Recovery Study followed 232 adults aged 18-65 who had sustained a concussion and found 45.6 per cent still reported symptoms 12 months after their injury. Ongoing effects included fatigue, difficulty concentrating, headaches, dizziness, memory problems, sensitivity to noise and light, balance issues, irritability and more. Published in PLOS One, the research identified the strongest predictors of long-term symptoms, while also challenging commonly held assumptions about what leads to prolonged issues.
Scientists find a hidden problem with endless smartphone scrolling: Excessive smartphone use may be taking a hidden toll on the brain and body, with heavy scrolling linked to poorer memory, reduced attention, disrupted sleep, and potential balance problems. Researchers found that weak self-control and fear of missing out, rather than personality alone, are key factors behind problematic phone use. Acta Psychologica Materials provided by Semmelweis University.
Scientists reveal why some workout recovery tricks can backfire: Ice baths, massages, compression garments, and recovery supplements promise faster muscle recovery, but research suggests their benefits are often overstated, and some techniques may even undermine long-term gains. Scientists say the most effective recovery methods are far simpler and cheaper: getting enough sleep, eating well, and giving muscles time to rebuild. Materials provided by The Conversation.
Working towards an integrated, long-term approach for traumatic brain and spinal cord injury: In a new paper published in The Lancet Neurology, “Reframing traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury as chronic multisystem disorders: toward integrated, long-term care,” international experts across institutions and disciplines propose a fundamental shift in how traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries in adults are understood and managed. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) are still frequently treated as isolated events with time-limited consequences. However, many survivors develop cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, neurological, psychiatric and functional complications that can continue or emerge years after the original injury. Despite this long-term burden, surveillance is often fragmented or absent once patients leave acute care and rehabilitation. As a result, complications may not be recognized until they cause hospitalization, functional decline or other preventable harm.
Seven Workplace Solvents Linked to Parkinson’s Disease: In a cross-sectional analysis of more than 31,000 participants, several solvents used in industrial cleaning and manufacturing were associated with higher odds of PD. The strongest associations involved trichloroethylene (TCE), kerosene, and carbon tetrachloride, with significant links also found for mineral spirits, methyl ethyl ketone (butanone), toluene, and jet fuel. Each additional solvent type reported was associated with 17% higher odds of PD. The findings were presented on October 5 at the International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders (MDS) 2026.
