PAIN
Prevalence of depression and anxiety among adults with chronic pain: In this systematic review and meta-analysis of depression and anxiety among individuals with chronic pain, approximately 40% of adults had clinically significant depression and anxiety. Women, younger people, and people with nociplastic pain were most likely to have depression and anxiety. The co-occurrence of chronic pain with depression and anxiety is a significant public health concern. Open JAMA Network
Over-the-counter pain relievers linked to improved recovery from concussion
People who take over-the-counter pain relievers after a concussion may recover faster than those who do not take pain relievers, according to a preliminary study released today, March 5, 2025, that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 77th Annual Meeting taking place April 5–9, 2025, in San Diego and online. The study does not prove that pain relievers improve recovery after concussion; it only shows an association. People who took pain relievers were also about 15% more likely to return to having no symptoms more quickly than those who did not take pain relievers. At 50% recovery, those taking the medications had no symptoms one day sooner than those not taking the medications. At 90% recovery, they had no symptoms three days sooner. Those who took pain relievers also had lower scores on tests of how severe their symptoms were overall and how severe their headaches were. The researchers also found that the earlier people took the pain relievers after the injury, the faster they recovered. For instance, at 50% recovery, those who started using pain relievers on the first day of their injury returned to play and had resolution of symptoms approximately eight days faster than those who started taking them after five or more days.
Drug may prevent some migraine attacks in children and teens: For children and teens living with migraine, there may be a new preventive treatment, according to a preliminary study released today, February 26, 2025, that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 77th Annual Meeting taking place April 5–9, 2025, in San Diego and online. Researchers found the drug zonisamide, which has been used to treat seizures, may reduce migraine days in this age group. This study does not prove that zonisamide reduces migraine days; it only shows an association.
Physical activity boosts mental health in women with chronic pelvic pain disorders: A new Mount Sinai study provides compelling evidence that exercise can significantly help the mental well-being of millions of women living with chronic pelvic pain disorders (CPPDs), such as endometriosis and uterine fibroids. The researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai found that activities like brisk walking or aerobic exercise can lead to measurable improvements in mental well-being, regardless of pain levels or history of anxiety or depressive disorders. Their findings were reported in the February 26 online issue of the Journal of Pain Research. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1074921
Use of strong synthetic opioids during surgery linked to poor composite experience of pain: The use of powerful synthetic opioids, such as sufentanil and remifentanil, during surgery is linked to a subsequent poor ‘pain experience’---a composite of emotional, cognitive, and physical aspects of pain— suggests research published in the open access journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine.
Both sides of the coin: Lack of consensus on continuing vs. discontinuing opioid medications prescriptions for adults with chronic pain: Chronic pain is complex and difficult to treat. Prescribing opioid pain medications has become controversial but may help some patients. With the goal of informing clinician practice, a new study explores the harms and benefits of continuing and of discontinuing the long-term prescription of opioid medicines to adults with chronic pain. The authors analyzed the opinions of 28 experts on the harms versus benefits of maintaining, tapering or terminating opioid pain medication prescriptions for chronic pain, a common condition worldwide that is typically quite difficult to treat. The study authors found a lack of consensus among the experts on how to treat chronic (lasting three or more months) non-cancer pain. Slightly more than a third of the experts (36 percent) believed that long-term opioid therapy is beneficial, while an equal percentage indicated that it should be discontinued. More than half of the experts believed that patients can experience harm from overly rapid tapering and discontinuation, while some recommended attempting a slow taper (even with a prior unsuccessful taper), possibly with addition of medications to manage withdrawal) in order not to maintain opioid therapy. Some of the experts advocated for switching patients to buprenorphine, which diminishes the effects of physical dependency to opioids, such as withdrawal symptoms and cravings, and is used to treat pain. Some considered adding non-opioid pain therapies (including re-trying these therapies even if they were unhelpful in the past) as well as engaging in shared decision-making with the patient, although there was little consensus on how to accomplish these options. Some, but not all of the experts, noted the benefit of addressing co-occurring conditions related to patient safety, such as alcohol use, mental health symptoms and opioid side effects. “Management of patients at risk of harms from both continuing and discontinuing their long- term opioid therapy: A qualitative study to inform the gap in clinical practice guidelines” Pain Practice.
Experts strongly recommend against spine injections for chronic back pain: Spine injections should not be given to adults with chronic back pain because they provide little or no pain relief compared with sham injections, say a panel of international experts in The BMJ today. Their strong recommendations apply to procedures such as epidural steroid injections and nerve blocks for people living with chronic back pain (lasting at least 3 months) that is not associated with cancer, infection or inflammatory arthritis.
Epidural steroid injections for chronic back pain: An AAN systematic Review: The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has developed a new systematic review to summarize for neurologists and other clinicians the evidence for epidural steroid injections and whether they reduce pain and disability for people with certain kinds of chronic back pain. The systematic review is published on February 12, 2025, online in Neurology®. It updates a 2007 assessment by the AAN.
Novel Nasal Device May Help Reduce Monthly Migraines: Weekly nonpharmacologic intranasal kinetic oscillation stimulation is linked to a significant decrease in monthly headache days (MHDs) with moderate to severe intensity in patients with chronic migraine, a new study suggests. published online on January 9 in Neurology.
COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Daily cannabis use linked to public health burden: A new study analyzes the disease burden and the risk factors for severity among people who suffer from a condition called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Researchers at the George Washington University say the condition occurs in people who are long-term regular consumers of cannabis and causes nausea, uncontrollable vomiting and excruciating pain in a cyclical pattern that often leads to repeated trips to the hospital. While the exact prevalence of the condition is unknown, many experts say that the condition is on the rise as the number of daily or near daily users of cannabis has increased in the US. A survey of 1,052 people who report suffering from cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome found that: 85% reported at least 1 emergency department visit and 44% reported at least 1 hospitalization associated with the hyperemesis symptoms. Early age of cannabis initiation was associated with higher odds of emergency department visits; Daily use of cannabis before the onset of the syndrome was nearly universal, with over 40% of respondents reporting they used marijuana more than 5 times a day; Prolonged use was common with 44% reporting using regularly for more than 5 years before onset of syndrome. The study, Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is Associated with High Disease Burden: An Internet-based Survey, Annals of Emergency Medicine on Feb. 20, 2025.
Customized smartphone app shows promise in preventing further cognitive decline among older adults diagnosed with mild impairment: A growing body of research indicates that older adults in assisted living facilities can delay or even prevent cognitive decline through interventions that combine multiple activities, such as improving diet, solving puzzles and increasing social interactions. Multidomain interventions, including games and exercises delivered through smartphone-based apps, have also proven effective in slowing cognitive decline in this population. One such intervention is the Silvia Program, a free, cognitive health care lifestyle app that offers one-on-one coaching from a clinical psychologist, cognitive exercises and activities, personalized routine suggestions and a voice analysis tool that can detect symptoms of dementia. The researchers recruited 20 residents experiencing mild cognitive impairment and conducted a randomized clinical trial with 10 participants receiving the Silvia intervention and 10 in a control group that had no interventions. While initial cognitive assessments showed no significant difference in the baseline scores between the two groups, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and other statistical analyses revealed that the Silvia group showed significant improvement (p = 0.04) while the control group showed a nonsignificant decline (p = 0.49). The intervention group also exhibited improvements in visuospatial/executive function (the ability to successfully complete a task), language, delayed recall and orientation scores. Their attention scores decreased, however, and naming and abstraction scores remained unchanged. The study was published recently in Public Health and Practice.
FDA ACTION
• Approved the thrombolytic tenecteplase (TNKase, Genentech) for treatment of acute ischemic stroke in adults.
• Approved the first adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS) system for Parkinson’s disease (PD) that self-adjusts therapy to individual brain activity in real time.
• Approved Encelto (revakinagene taroretcel-lwey), an allogeneic encapsulated cell-based gene therapy for the treatment of adults with idiopathic macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel).
•Aapproved the first generics of Xarelto (rivaroxaban), 2.5 mg, tablets to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adult patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and to reduce the risk of major thrombotic vascular events in adult patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), including patients who have recently undergone a lower extremity revascularization procedure due to symptomatic PAD.
• Approved Odactra to include use in individuals 5 through 11 years of age to treat house dust mite induced nasal inflammation (allergic rhinitis), with or without eye inflammation (conjunctivitis).
• Approved Ctexli (chenodiol) for the treatment of cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) in adults
PREVENTION
Exercise
Physical activity linked to lower risk of dementia, sleep disorders, other diseases: People who get moderate to vigorous physical activity may be less likely to develop dementia, stroke, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders, according to a preliminary study released today, February 27, 2025, that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 77th Annual Meeting taking place April 5–9, 2025, in San Diego and online. The study also found that the more time people spent sitting, the more likely they were to develop one of these diseases.
Could ‘cognitive drills’ when warming up give athletes a head-start? Integrating cognitive tasks into physical warmups can significantly enhance sport, exercise, and cognitive performance, even under conditions of sleep deprivation, a new study has revealed. Brain Sciences
Small amounts of moderate to vigorous physical activity are associated with big reductions in dementia risk: A little movement could help prevent dementia, even for frail older adults, suggests a new study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The researchers found that engaging in as little as 35 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week, compared to zero minutes per week, was associated with a 41% lower risk of developing dementia over an average four-year follow-up period. Even for frail older adults—those at elevated risk of adverse health outcomes—greater activity was associated with lower dementia risks. The researchers found dementia risk decreased with higher amounts of physical activity. Dementia risks were 60% lower in participants in the 35 to 69.9 minutes of physical activity/week category; 63% lower in the 70 to 139.9 minutes/week category; and 69% lower in the 140 and over minutes/week category. For their analysis, the researchers analyzed a dataset covering nearly 90,000 adults living in the U.K. who wore smart-watch-type activity trackers. The study was published online January 15 in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association.
Physically demanding work is not enough to stay healthy: Leisure-time physical activity is key for type 2 diabetes risk reduction: Researchers have found that engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity during leisure time, regardless of occupational physical activity, is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. A combination of sedentary leisure-time activity and demanding occupational activity may increase the risk. Findings from a novel study, appearing in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, add to the body of knowledge that simple lifestyle changes, like recreational physical activity, can make a big difference and can contribute to the global prevention of type 2 diabetes.
Exercise May Close Survival Gap for Colon Cancer Patients: Higher levels of physical activity reduced the survival disparity between patients with stage III colon cancer and matched individuals from the general population, a recent study found. However, among patients without tumor recurrence at 3 years, survival rates closely approached that of the general population, regardless of physical activity levels. published online Cancer.
Adding 2,500 Daily Steps May Improve Heart Health In Female Cancer Survivors: Moderate daily exercise — through exercise sessions or hitting daily step goals from walking — significantly reduced the risk of death from cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal cancer survivors.The preliminary research was presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2025Trusted Source In another promising development from the study, researchers found that exercising at levels below current recommendations showed significant benefits, underscoring that every little bit counts when it comes to exercise. The findings are essential for the long-term health of cancer survivors, who are at increased risk of CVD compared to other adults. “While health benefits were maximized at 60 min [per] day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and around 5,000–6,000 steps/day, there were substantial health benefits evident at amounts below these levels,”
Resistance exercise may be best type for tackling insomnia in older age: Resistance or muscle strengthening exercise, using weights or the body itself, may be the best type of exercise for tackling insomnia in older age, suggests a pooled data analysis of the available research, published in the open access journal Family Medicine and Community Health. Aerobic exercise or a mix of strength, aerobic, balance, and flexibility exercises also seem to be effective, the analysis indicates. Family Medicine and Community Health
Physical activity linked to lower risk of dementia, sleep disorders, other diseases: People who get moderate to vigorous physical activity may be less likely to develop dementia, stroke, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 77th Annual Meeting . The study also found that the more time people spent sitting, the more likely they were to develop one of these diseases.
Sleep
Do Sleep Patterns Affect Glycemic Control? Insufficient sleep duration and late sleep onset, alone or in combination, were associated with increased glycemic variability in middle-aged and older adults. published online in JAMA Network Open.
New study links sleep debt and night shifts to increased infection risk among nurses: This study, which analysed self-reported data from 1,335 Norwegian nurses, found that shift work – particularly night shifts – was associated with a higher risk of several infections, including the common cold. Published in Chronobiology International, the peer-reviewed findings emphasise the importance of adequate sleep and shift management in reducing susceptibility to infection.
Bad sleep harms old-age memory by disrupting the brain’s ‘waste removal system’: The research team studied 72 older adults using functional MRI scans and sleep recordings. The findings indicate that poor sleep quality adversely affects normal brain function by deactivating the restorative glymphatic system. “The results clearly reveal the effect of sleep on the human brain’s network through the glymphatic system, which in turn affects memory performance in older adults.” The results of the study add important evidence that sleep quality affects cognitive health through the underlying neural relationships. Molecular Psychiatry
Insomnia, lack of sleep linked to high blood pressure in teens: Teenagers who slept less than 7.7 hours in a sleep lab were observed to be almost three times more likely to have elevated blood pressure than well-rested peers. Those who reported insomnia and slept less than 7.7 hours in a sleep lab were five times more likely to have stage 2 hypertension when compared with well-rested peers. The study did not find a notable link between elevated blood pressure or stage 2 hypertension risk among adolescents who reported insomnia but slept 7.7 hours or more. Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle & Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2025.
Trajectories of sleep duration, sleep onset timing, and continuous glucose monitoring in adults: In this cohort study of middle-aged and older participants, persistent inadequate sleep duration and late sleep onset, whether alone or in combination, were associated with greater glycemic variability. These findings emphasize the importance of considering both sleep duration and timing for optimizing glycemic control in the general population. JAMA Network Open
Sleep health may impact mobility for women with chronic conditions: Researchers from University of Michigan Health used data from the Nurse’s Health Study - a cohort study of more than 70,000 women nurses followed over time with surveys given every 2 years and used the dataset to focus on the impact of sleep on future mobility, with a special focus on chronic health conditions that are known to affect mobility. The study findings, published in Sleep Epidemiology suggested that poor sleep health predicted a decline in mobility over the eight years following a chronic health diagnosis. Women with diabetes, osteoarthritis or multiple sclerosis who also had signs or symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea were more particularly likely to have future problems with mobility compared to counterparts who didn’t have signs of sleep apnea.
Study finds youth with concussion may benefit from monitoring sleep and limiting daytime naps:Researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital have found that when it comes to concussion recovery, sleep matters. In a study published today in British Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers found that limiting daytime sleep and getting approximately seven hours of sleep each night in the first week after a concussion may speed up recovery. “Youth who sleep more during the day or who sleep too much or too little each day may be at risk for slower concussion symptom resolution,”
Sleep apnea linked to increased risk of Parkinson’s, but CPAP may reduce risk: People with obstructive sleep apnea have an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, but if started early enough, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may reduce that risk, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 77th Annual Meeting The study found using CPAP within two years of a sleep apnea diagnosis reduced the risk of Parkinson’s.
Sleep trajectories and all-cause mortality among low-income adults: In this cohort study of 46,000 U.S. residents, nearly two-thirds of participants had suboptimal 5-year sleep duration trajectories. Suboptimal sleep duration trajectories were associated with as much as a 29% increase in risk of all-cause mortality. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining healthy sleep duration over time to reduce mortality risk. JAMA Network Open
Morning blue light therapy improves sleep and daily activity in older adults: Blue-enriched light can improve sleep quality and daily activity in older adults living at home, according to new research from the University of Surrey. Researchers found that this type of light therapy led to greater daytime activity, earlier bedtimes, regular sleep patterns and improved sleep quality, offering a promising, non-pharmacological approach to address age-related sleep challenges. The study, published in GeroScience, investigated the effects of different light conditions on 36 adults aged 60 and over. Participants self-administered both a control white light and a blue-enriched white light for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening, over an 11-week period. Researchers carefully monitored sleep patterns and activity levels using wearable technology and sleep diaries. The study found that the timing of light is crucial. They found that blue-enriched light is only beneficial in the morning, while exposure in the evening makes it more difficult to fall asleep and causes more restless nights.
Diet/Nutrition
Eating citrus fruit like oranges tied to 20% lower depression risk: Past studies show that certain lifestyle changes can help lower a person’s risk of developing depressive disorder, including certain foods such as olive oil and nuts.Now a study recently published in the journal MicrobiomeTrusted Source has identified oranges as another food that may help decrease depression risk.
Milk may help boost gut health, while cheese could harm it: A new study has found that distinct types of dairy products appear to affect the gut microbiome differently.
Scientists observed that drinking more milk was linked to an increase in two types of bacteria that may support gut health, while consuming more cheese seemed to lower levels of another beneficial type of bacteria.
Higher Calcium Intake May Lower Colorectal Cancer Risk: Higher calcium intake from dietary sources and supplements was consistently associated with a reduced risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) across different tumor sites, and increased consumption could benefit patients who don’t get enough of the mineral, a long-running cohort study found. Dairy, nondairy, and supplemental calcium sources all contributed to risk reduction. published online in JAMA Network Open.
New research links grape consumption to improved muscle health in both men and women: A new study from Western New England University (WNE) has revealed that long-term grape consumption significantly impacts muscle health, with notable benefits for both men and women. The research, published in the journal Foods, suggests that a diet including grapes can modify gene expression in muscle, potentially offering a new nutritional strategy for maintaining muscle mass and function. Around 30 million tons of grapes are consumed every year, and their benefits extend beyond nutrition. Grapes have been shown to affect heart, kidney, skin, eye, and gastrointestinal health, among others.
Diet Changes Show Promise in Early Prostate Cancer: A diet high in omega-3 and low in omega-6 fatty acids, alongside fish oil supplements, may curb the growth of prostate cancer cells in men with early-stage disease, new data showed. Among men on active surveillance for prostate cancer, consuming this diet for a year led to a significant decrease in the prostate cancer tissue Ki-67 index, a biomarker for prostate cancer progression, metastasis, and death, according to findings from the phase 2 CAPFISH-3 study presented at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.
Mediterranean Diet May Cut Risk for Obesity-Related Cancers: Greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with a modest reduction in the risk for obesity-related cancers, particularly hepatocellular, kidney, and colorectal cancers, a new analysis found. The analysis also revealed that this association was independent of body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio. published online on February 25 in JAMA Network Open.
Large study of dietary habits suggests more plant oils, less butter could lead to better health: Researchers investigated data from over 200,000 individuals who were followed for more than 30 years, and found that higher intake of plant-based oils, especially soybean, canola, and olive oil, was associated with lower total, cancer, and cardiovascular disease mortality, whereas butter intake was associated with increased risk of total and cancer mortality. The researchers also found that less than a tablespoon of butter per day with equivalent calories of plant-based oils could likely lower cancer deaths and overall mortality by 17%. JAMA Internal Medicine
Low carb diets may increase colorectal cancer risk: Researchers recently studied different types of diets and bacteria to see if the gut microbiome and diet impact the development of colorectal cancer. The scientists combined three different diets with three different bacterial strains to see what effects — if any — the diets and bacterial strain had on the gut. They learned that a low carb, low fiber diet combined with a particular strain of Escherichia coli can lead to an increase in polyps in the colon, which can lead to developing colorectal cancer. Nature MicrobiologyTrusted Source
Intermittent fasting may help prevent blood clots: Researchers, using 160 study participants, human blood samples, and mice, found that intermittent fasting appears to help stop platelet activation and clot formation. The results suggest that it does this by enhancing the gut microorganisms’ production of indole-3-propionic acid, which then affects clotting. Life Metabolism
Vitamins/Supplements
Both lower and higher B12 levels may be linked to cognitive issues in older people: The study, which is published in Annals of NeurologyTrusted Source, found that those with lower B12 levels had slower processing speed, and higher levels were associated with more biomarkers of neurodegeneration.
Preventing Autoimmune Diseases: New Findings on Vitamin D, Omega-3 Supplements: Two years after the end of a randomized trial that showed a benefit of daily vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid (n-3 FA) supplementation for reducing risk for autoimmune diseases, the salubrious effects of daily vitamin D appear to have waned after the supplement was discontinued, while the protection from n-3 lived on for at least 2 additional years. "VITAL observational extension results suggest that vitamin D supplementation should be given on a continuous basis for long-term prevention of [autoimmune diseases]. The beneficial effects of n-3 fatty acids, however, may be prolonged for at least 2 years after discontinuation," they wrote in an article published on January 25 in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
High-Dose Vitamin D Curbs Disease Activity in Early Multiple Sclerosis: High-dose oral cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) supplementation significantly reduced disease activity in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the randomized, controlled D-Lay MS trial. The study was published online on March 10 in JAMA.
Other
Heavy Smoking Linked to Unexplained Stroke in Young Adults, Study Finds: A new study reports that people under 50 who smoke have a higher risk of experiencing an unexplained stroke. This is particularly true for males and adults ages 45 to 49, the researchers noted. They found that the more a person smokes, the higher the risk of having an unexplained stroke. People who smoke heavily — 20 packs of cigarettes a year or more — have even higher stroke risks. The findings were published on February 19 in Neurology.
Daily omega-3 supplements and regular exercise may slow aging: According to new research, regularly taking omega-3 and vitamin D supplements can support health and mitigate aging-related issues. In the study published in Nature AgingTrusted Source, researchers reported that taking these supplements over 3 years slowed biological aging by 3 to 4 months, with even greater effects observed when combined with exercise.
CPAP therapy for sleep apnea may help lower Parkinson's risk: In this new preliminary study, researchers suggest that individuals with obstructive sleep apneaface a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. However, early use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy may help reduce this risk. The findings, set to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 77th Annual Meeting — between April 5–9, 2025, in San Diego and online — indicate that starting CPAP within 2 years of a sleep apnea diagnosis lowers the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s.
2 out of 25 lifestyle and environmental factors affect aging the most, study finds: Now, a new study recently published in the journal Nature MedicineTrusted Source provides more evidence of how lifestyle and environmental factors influence how we age. Researchers found that smoking, socioeconomic status, physical activity, and living conditions were the factors that had the most influence on mortality and biological aging. Smoking alone was associated with 21 diseases, and socioeconomic factors and tiredness frequency with 19 diseases.
Chronic Stress Linked to Higher Stroke Risk In Young Adults, Especially Females: New research published on March 5 in Neurology suggests that stress is not only a significant risk factor for stroke, but it appears higher for females than males.
The study builds on evidence showing how stress plays a role in stroke risk but also raises important questions about its effects on females compared to males. Female participants in the study reported higher levels of stress, while stress was also more strongly correlated with stroke risk than males.
More Evidence Shows HPV Shot Helps Prevent Cervical Cancer: The February 27 reportTrusted Source builds on existing evidence supporting the immunization against HPV, or human papillomavirus, which is commonly spread through sexual activity.
From 2008 to 2022, cervical cancer screenings showed an 80% decrease in rates of precancerous lesions among females ages 20 to 24, the report found. While many HPV cases cause little to no symptoms and resolve without intervention, some may lead to cervical cancer in females and other forms of cancer in males.
Exercise and healthy eating behaviour together provide the best protection against cardiovascular diseases: The study highlighted the link between visceral fat and inflammation, especially in women with low physical activity. Both physical activity and flexible eating behaviour can help reduce visceral fat, but the effect is likely to be more effective when the two are combined. Scientific Reports
Fitness apps fuelling disordered eating: Flinders University researchers reviewed 38 studies to examine the links between the use of diet and fitness apps and the risk of users becoming obsessive about weight loss, body image, calorie counting, and excessive exercise. The research found that those who use health and fitness apps regularly were more likely to have problematic habits related to food and exercise. “We found that young adults who use diet and fitness apps have greater disordered eating symptoms, such as harmful or restrictive diets, and have negative thoughts about body image when compared to those that don’t use them.” Body Image
Anxiety, Depression, and Insufficient Exercise Linked to IBD Flare: Psychosocial factors, such as anxiety and depression, are associated with an increased risk for both self-reported “clinical” and symptomatic, or “hard,” flare in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), suggested a study of UK patients. The research was presented at the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) 2025 Congress. “Anxiety, sleep, and somatization were associated with an increased risk of clinical flare, and depression and lack of exercise were associated with an increased risk of hard flare.”
Vaping Not Effective for Smoking Cessation: Vaping does not help most people quit smoking cigarettes, according to a new study. A study published on March 5 in JAMA Network OpenTrusted Source found that people who both vape and smoke are more likely to increase their nicotine dependence. Among the most successful ways to quit vaping and smoking are quitlines and nicotine replacement therapy.
TREATMENT
Which diabetes drugs are linked to the lowest depression risk? A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine examined how glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs, also known as “GLP-1 drugs”), sold under brand names such as Ozempic, affected depression risk compared to two other medications used in diabetes treatment. The rates of depression were similar for the GLP-1RA group and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) group. However, compared to participants taking dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4is), GLP-1RAs were associated with a slight decrease in depression risk.
Novel bone marrow transplant can cure sickle cell disease, study suggests: A bone marrow transplant process co-developed by investigators at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center is safe and curative for adults with sickle cell disease, according to results of a trial completed at Johns Hopkins and about 20 additional cancer centers nationwide and in London. The treatment, available at multiple U.S. medical centers, is a viable and less costly alternative to recently approved gene therapy products for sickle cell disease, the authors say. During this type of transplant, called reduced-intensity haploidentical bone marrow transplantation, bone marrow is given by a "half-matched" donor, such as a parent, sibling, child, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle or cousin of the patient.
Novel stem cell therapy repairs 'irreversible' corneal damage in clinical trial: Results from a phase 1/2 clinical trial of a novel stem cell treatment for cornea injuries found 14 patients treated and tracked for 18 months had a more than 90% success rate at restoring the cornea's surface and improvements in vision. The procedure, called CALEC (cultivated autologous limbal epithelial cells) involves taking stem cells from a healthy eye, expanding it into a graft over several weeks, then transplanting it into a patient's damaged eye. The groundbreaking procedure was developed to help people with injuries like chemical burns that lead to irreversible limbal stem cell deficiency, and the researchers hope the new findings warrant additional trials. Nature Communications
Research shows blood test may provide personalized dietary therapy for patients with irritable bowel syndrome: Michigan Medicine and Cleveland Clinic researchers have found that patients with irritable bowel syndrome were more likely to experience less abdominal pain if they followed a diet guided by the results of a blood test, compared to those who followed a sham elimination diet. The blood test in this study (InFoods IBS, Biomerica) was specifically developed for patients with IBS and determined a positive test result for each food that triggered an above normal Immunoglobulin G antibody response, which is a marker of inflammation in patients with IBS. The study results were published in Gastroenterology.
Hydroxychloroquine Slows Progression of Cutaneous Lupus to SLE: Early initiation of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) reduces the risk for progression to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by 87% over time. published online Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Ritlecitinib Shows Long-Term Benefits in Alopecia Areata: Ritlecitinib demonstrates long-term improvements in regrowth of scalp hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes at 24 months in adults and adolescents with alopecia areata (AA) and ≥ 25% scalp hair loss. published onlineon January 23, 2025, in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.
Low-Dose Aspirin Cuts CRC Recurrence: Low-dose aspirin reduced colorectal cancer (CRC) recurrence rates by more than half in patients with tumors harboring mutations in the PI3K signaling pathway, according to findings from the phase 3 ALASCCA trial. American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium 2025
ASCO Updates Treatment Guidance for Newly Diagnosed, Advanced Ovarian Cancer: The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has released updated guidelines for neoadjuvant chemotherapy in newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer, introducing changes in patient selection and treatment strategies. The changes reflect emerging evidence on racial disparities, treatment outcomes, and quality of life considerations. The publication of the new guidance follows dramatic shifts in treatment patterns over the past decade. The new guidelines maintain the recommendation for platinum/taxane-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy but introduce modifications regarding timing and duration.
Obesity Reduces Response to Urate-Lowering Therapy in Men With Gout: Obesity significantly reduced the effectiveness of febuxostat-based urate-lowering therapy among men with gout, with those with obesity showing lower target achievement rates and more flares than their normal-weight counterparts. published online on February 10, 2025, in Rheumatology.
Drug more than doubles survival time for glioblastoma patients: Results of a trial revealed that a unique investigational drug formulation called Rhenium Obisbemeda (186RNL) more than doubled median survival and progression-free time, compared with standard median survival and progression rates, and with no dose-limiting toxic effects. Nature Communications
New study supports caution regarding use of steroids: A new study of more than 2,900 patients provides evidence that it's likely best to use as little corticosteroid medicine as possible when treating people who have lupus pericarditis, a common heart complication of the autoimmune disease Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). JAMA Network Open
Treating Males for Bacterial Vaginosis May Reduce Recurrence in Females: New research suggests a common vaginal infection may actually be a sexually transmitted infection. Researchers say bacterial vaginosis (BV) also occurs in males despite being often viewed as a condition affecting only females. Treatments for BV, which has a high recurrence rate, should include treating the other sexual partner. The study found that treating both partners for the infection significantly lowered the recurrence rate. The New England Journal of Medicine.
OTHER
Bird Flu Spread to Humans May Be a Few Mutations Away, but Overall Risk Is Low: Meanwhile, a growing bird flu outbreak is of increasing concern. A recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)Trusted Source from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows three new human cases of the H5N1 bird flu virus. All three individuals were veterinarians working with multiple animals, including dairy cattle. However, none of them had worked with cattle that had known or suspected bird flu, although one did work with H5N1-positive poultry. None of the human cases exhibited any symptoms, suggesting the virus may be stealthily spreading to humans.
Hormonal Birth Control Linked to Heart Attack and Stroke, but Overall Risk Is Low: New research suggests certain types of hormonal contraceptives are linked to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Estrogen-containing contraceptives — especially the vaginal ring and skin patch — had the highest risk, according to the study findings, which were published on February 12 in The BMJTrusted Source. However, the group of Danish researchers emphasized that the absolute risk was still low. They recommend physicians consider the risks of hormonal birth control to make informed decisions for patients.
Later Onset Menopause Linked to Lower Risk of Stroke, Heart Attack: According to a new study, females who started menopause at ages 55 and older had healthier cardiovascular systems than those who stopped menstruating earlier. The findings, published January 30 in Circulation ResearchTrusted Source, offer insight into why females who hit menopause later have a lower risk of heart attacks and stroke. The authors explained that reduced levels of certain triglyceride-derived lipid metabolites contributed to lower oxidative stress, which leads to improved endothelial function.
Adults with disabilities misuse prescription drugs at high rates: Adults with disabilities are nearly twice as likely to misuse prescription drugs as adults without disabilities. “Almost 10% of the individuals with disabilities in our sample reported misusing prescription drugs within the past year, compared to 4.4% of individuals without disabilities,” Garcia said. “We saw the highest rates of drug misuse among adults with cognitive disabilities and young adults, and pain relievers were the most misused drug.” Garcia and her collaborators analyzed data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The data represented 47,100 adults and an estimated 10.9% reported at least one disability, including difficulties with vision, hearing, movement, cognition, self-care and communication. American Journal of Preventive Medicine
More Young Females Experiencing Untreated Perimenopause, Study Finds: According to the authors of a new study published on February 25 in npj Women’s HealthTrusted Source, over half of females ages 30 to 35 experience moderate to severe perimenopause symptoms. The findings show the majority of perimenopausal females do not seek treatment for their symptoms. This could be due to the cultural stigma surrounding perimenopause and menopause in general. The authors noted that perimenopausal females, as well as their doctors, often believe they are too young to be in menopause, so they dismiss their symptoms. When symptoms are left untreated, females may experience unnecessary difficulty, the authors say.
Child ADHD risk linked to mother’s use of acetaminophen: Fetal acetaminophen exposure increases the likelihood that a child will develop attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a study published Feb. 6 in Nature Mental Health. Prior research shows that upward of 70% of pregnant women use acetaminophen during pregnancy to control pain or reduce fever. The drug, which is the active ingredient of many pain-relief medications, is one of the few considered safe to take during pregnancy by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The new findings suggest, however, that doctors should reconsider prescribing medications with acetaminophen to mothers during pregnancy, the researchers said.
Rare Flu Complication Rose in Recent Years: Reports of children in the United States with influenza-associated encephalopathy or encephalitis (IAE) increased from none during the 2020-2021 flu season to a preliminary 14% for the 2024-2025 season, based on a new analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). IAE involves a range of neurologic syndromes triggered by flu infection of the respiratory tract, with diagnosis based on brain lesions detectable on imaging. The findings were published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
Levels of select vitamins & minerals in pregnancy may be linked to lower midlife BP risk: Women with higher levels of essential minerals circulating in their blood during pregnancy, particularly copper and manganese, along with vitamin B12, had a lower risk of developing high blood pressure in middle age, about 20 years later, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2025.
Chronic diseases misdiagnosed as psychosomatic can lead to long term damage to physical and mental wellbeing, study finds: A 'chasm of misunderstanding and miscommunication' is often experienced between clinicians and patients, leading to autoimmune diseases such as lupus and vasculitis being wrongly diagnosed as psychiatric or psychosomatic conditions, with a profound and lasting impact on patients, researchers have found. A study involving over 3,000 participants -- both patients and clinicians -- found that these misdiagnoses (sometimes termed 'in your head' by patients) were often associated with long term impacts on patients' physical health and wellbeing and damaged trust in healthcare services. Rheumatology
Marine Microplastics Linked to Neurologic Dysfunction: High levels of microplastics in ocean water have been linked to a higher prevalence of cognitive and other types of neurologic dysfunction in individuals living in US coastal communities. “Our study builds upon the emerging body of evidence linking microplastic exposure to neurotoxic effects by demonstrating a population-level association between marine microplastic pollution and increased prevalence of neurologic disabilities in coastal US counties.” American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 2025 Annual Meeting in April.
Multiple menopause symptoms linked to cognitive decline risk: A study has found that people who experience more menopause symptoms are more likely to have poor cognitive function and mild behavior impairments, both potential markers of dementia, as they age. The study, which is published in PLOS One, suggests that these markers of dementia may be mitigated by estrogen-based hormone therapy used to alleviate menopausal symptoms.
New Guidance on Seizures, Driving, and Medical Reporting: The first updated guidelines for seizures, driving licensure, and medical reporting in nearly two decades reflect a shift toward medical advisory boards to determine driver licensing for individuals with epilepsy and greater physician flexibility and immunity in reporting unsafe drivers. The consensus position statement was developed by experts from the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the American Epilepsy Society, and the Epilepsy Foundation of America.
Why Spring Allergies Are Expected to Be Longer, Stronger This Year: Seasonal allergies, which range from hay fever to allergic rhinitis and pollen allergies, seem to be arriving with greater intensity and lingering longer year after year. And no, you’re not imagining it. In some parts of North America, allergy seasons have been extended up to three weeks. Public health and research organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America point to climate change as a possible contributing factor to worsening allergy seasons.
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