The FDA approved the first-ever treatment for chronic hepatitis delta virus infection, a rare but aggressive liver disease affecting approximately 15 million people worldwide. In a separate development, Phase 2 trial results published in JAMA showed a new oral GLP-1 drug achieved 15.4% weight loss in patients with obesity. Researchers also reported progress in CRISPR-based personalized gene therapy for infants with rare metabolic disorders.
Researchers have uncovered a molecular switch that explains why exercise keeps aging muscles healthy. By reducing levels of the DEAF1 gene, physical activity allows older muscles to clear damage and repair themselves. An Oxford-developed calculator predicts individual statin side effect risk.
New research from Mass General Brigham shows that the BCG tuberculosis vaccine remodels the brain's immune environment and alters Alzheimer's-related biomarkers in older adults without evidence of the disease. The yearlong study found BCG reduced amyloid-beta levels in spinal fluid while increasing them in blood, suggesting the vaccine may help clear Alzheimer's proteins from the central nervous system.
The World Health Organization declared the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius officially over on July 2, ending a three-month saga that killed three people, quarantined passengers on a luxury liner, and triggered a global health alert. The rodent-borne Andes virus (ANDV) infected 13 people across multiple locations, with cases confirmed in passengers who had disembarked before symptoms appeared.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared the first blood test for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease, marking a turning point in dementia care. The Lumipulse G pTau217/β-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio, developed by Roche and Eli Lilly, measures tau protein fragments that signal amyloid buildup in the brain. The test achieved 97.3% negative predictive value, meaning it can reliably rule out Alzheimer's without expensive PET scans or invasive spinal taps.
A new study has found that breaking up prolonged sitting time with short movement breaks may lower the risk of dying from cancer by 22%. The research adds to mounting evidence that sedentary behavior carries health risks independent of exercise levels. Meanwhile, vitamin A and D supplements may improve lung health in asthma patients, a green Mediterranean diet may offer more health benefits than the traditional version, and semaglutide shows promise in reducing complications for diabetes patients with peripheral artery disease.
Medicare's new GLP-1 Bridge program began July 1, offering eligible beneficiaries access to blockbuster weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound for $50 per month. The two-year pilot program marks the first time Medicare has covered obesity medications, potentially expanding access to millions of seniors.
Researchers at Guangzhou Medical University tracked nearly 88,000 people for over eight years and found a significant link between higher levels of daytime light exposure and reduced dementia rates. The study, published in GPS Journal, suggests that getting enough bright light during the day may help protect against the neurodegenerative disease. Participants with consistently high daytime light exposure had a substantially lower risk of developing dementia compared to those with low exposure, even after adjusting for age, sex, lifestyle, and medical factors.
A panel of FDA advisers on June 18 voted to recommend Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine, mFlusvia, for adults aged 50 and older. If approved by the full FDA, it would become the first mRNA-based seasonal flu shot on the market. The vote came after a highly unusual public dispute in which a top FDA official initially blocked the company's application due to heightened vaccine scrutiny under Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. The shot targets the 2026-27 flu season.
A study of over 463,000 adolescents found that teens who use cannabis face up to double the risk of developing serious mental health conditions including psychotic disorders and bipolar disorder. The research, published in the journal Addiction, is one of the largest ever conducted on adolescent cannabis use and mental health outcomes.