Breakthrough: How radiation helps the immune system kill cancer

Radiation therapy, once thought of mainly as a local cancer treatment, is now showing power to awaken the immune system in surprising ways. Researchers discovered that combining radiation with immunotherapy can transform stubborn, unresponsive lung tumors into targets for immune attack—especially those considered “cold” and typically resistant. This happens through a rare and poorly understood effect where immune cells are activated systemically, not just at the radiation site. Patients whose tumors underwent this “warm-up” had significantly better outcomes, revealing a promising new strategy for fighting hard-to-treat cancers.

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Three-person DNA IVF stops inherited disease—eight healthy babies born in UK first

In a groundbreaking UK first, eight healthy babies have been born using an IVF technique that includes DNA from three people—two parents and a female donor. The process, known as pronuclear transfer, was designed to prevent the inheritance of devastating mitochondrial diseases passed down through the mother’s DNA. The early results are highly promising: all the babies are developing normally, and the disease-causing mutations are undetectable or present at levels too low to cause harm. For families once haunted by genetic risk, this science offers more than treatment—it offers transformation.

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Not just hot flashes: The hidden depression crisis in early menopause

Premature menopause isn t just a hormonal issue it s a deeply emotional one for many women. A new study reveals that almost 30% experience depression, and it s not just about hormone loss but also grief, identity, and support systems.

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Hormone therapy supercharges tirzepatide, unleashing major weight loss after menopause

Postmenopausal women struggling with weight loss may find a powerful solution by combining the diabetes drug tirzepatide with menopause hormone therapy. A Mayo Clinic study revealed that this dual treatment led to significantly greater weight loss than tirzepatide alone. Women using both treatments lost 17% of their body weight on average, compared to 14% in those not using hormone therapy—and nearly half achieved dramatic 20%+ weight loss.

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The fatal mutation that lets cancer outsmart the human immune system

Scientists at UC Davis discovered a small genetic difference that could explain why humans are more prone to certain cancers than our primate cousins. The change affects a protein used by immune cells to kill tumors—except in humans, it’s vulnerable to being shut down by an enzyme that tumors release. This flaw may be one reason treatments like CAR-T don’t work as well on solid tumors. The surprising twist? That mutation might have helped our brains grow larger over time. Now, researchers are exploring ways to block the enzyme and give our immune system its power back.

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Inside the tumor: AI cracks five hidden cell types to stop cancer’s comeback

A new AI tool, AAnet, has discovered five distinct cell types within tumors, offering a deeper look into cancer's inner diversity. This insight could transform how we treat cancer, enabling more personalized therapies that tackle every type of cell in a tumor.

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The pleasure prescription: Why more sex means less menopause pain

Keeping sex on the schedule may be its own menopause medicine: among 900 women aged 40-79, those active in the last three months reported far less dryness, pain, and irritation, while orgasm and overall satisfaction stayed rock-solid despite dips in desire and lubrication. The results hint that intimacy itself can curb genitourinary syndrome of menopause, a cluster of estrogen-related symptoms that erode quality of life.

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One shot to stop HIV: MIT's bold vaccine breakthrough

Researchers from MIT and Scripps have unveiled a promising new HIV vaccine approach that generates a powerful immune response with just one dose. By combining two immune-boosting adjuvants alum and SMNP the vaccine lingers in lymph nodes for nearly a month, encouraging the body to produce a vast array of antibodies. This one-shot strategy could revolutionize how we fight not just HIV, but many infectious diseases. It mimics the natural infection process and opens the door to broadly neutralizing antibody responses, a holy grail in vaccine design. And best of all, it's built on components already known to medicine.

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Proteins and pathways involved in inflammation are associated with changes in bone mineral density over time

Researchers have found that proteins and pathways involved in inflammation are associated with changes in bone mineral density (BMD) over time. The research, could potentially lead to the identification of biomarkers that would serve as early indicators of a person's risk for bone health issues later in life.

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Potential to prevent and treat a common type of inflammatory arthritis advanced by the identification of new genetic links

Researchers have discovered two genes, RNF144B and ENPP1, that cause calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) disease in Americans of European and African descent. This crystalline arthritis is caused by calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystal deposition in joints. The findings of this novel study open up promising new avenues for targeted prevention and treatment of CPPD disease, which are currently lacking.

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An artificial protein that moves like something found in nature

Proteins catalyze life by changing shape when they interact with other molecules. The result is a muscle twitching, the perception of light, or a bit of energy extracted from food. The ability to engineer shapeshifting proteins opens new avenues for medicine, agriculture, and beyond.

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PREVENT equation accurately estimated 10-year CVD risk and those with calcium buildup

A new risk calculator accurately identified participants who had calcium buildup in their heart arteries and those who had a higher future heart attack risk, in an analysis of about 7,000 adults in New York City referred for heart disease screening.

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How molecules can 'remember' and contribute to memory and learning

Researchers have discovered how an ion channel in the brain's neurons has a kind of 'molecular memory', which contributes to the formation and preservation of lifelong memories. The researchers have identified a specific part of the ion channel at which new drugs for certain genetic diseases could be targeted.

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South African study identifies two new breast cancer genes in black women

South African scientists have identified two new breast cancer genes -- RAB27A and USP22 -- in Black women, marking the first GWAS of its kind on the continent. This breakthrough highlights the need for Africa-centred genomic research and tools to improve cancer risk prediction and treatment.

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Incidence rates of some cancer types have risen in people under age 50

Researchers have completed a comprehensive analysis of cancer statistics for different age groups in the United States and found that from 2010 through 2019, the incidence of 14 cancer types increased among people under age 50.

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Incidence of several early-onset cancers increased between 2010 and 2019

In the United States, breast, colorectal, endometrial, pancreatic, and kidney cancers are becoming increasingly common among people under age 50, according to a new study.

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Removing ovaries and fallopian tubes linked to lower risk of early death among breast cancer patients with BRCA cancer genes

Women diagnosed with breast cancer who carry particular BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic variants are offered surgery to remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes as this dramatically reduces their risk of ovarian cancer. Now, researchers have shown that this procedure -- known as bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) -- is associated with a substantial reduction in the risk of early death among these women, without any serious side-effects.

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Low iron could cause brain fog during menopause transition

New research sheds light on an understudied area of science: iron levels in the blood and their relationship to cognitive performance in women transitioning into menopause. The findings are good news for women experiencing brain fog and other symptoms.

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Breast cancer mortality in women ages 20-49 significantly dropped between 2010 and 2020

Breast cancer deaths among women ages 20-49 declined significantly between 2010 and 2020, according to a new study.

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New machine algorithm could identify cardiovascular risk at the click of a button

An automated machine learning program has been able to identify potential cardiovascular incidents or fall and fracture risks based on bone density scans taken during routine clinical testing.

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