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Medicine & Health

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 23-May-2026 08:15 ET (23-May-2026 12:15 GMT/UTC)

Digital health literacy higher in lower-income countries, 30-country survey finds

CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A cross-national survey of 31,000 adults in 30 countries finds that digital health literacy is highest in low- and middle-income countries and lowest in high-income countries, challenging assumptions that national wealth translates into stronger digital skills.

Journal: Nature Health

Brain health shaped by lifetime mental, physical, environmental and lifestyle factors

American Heart Association
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new American Heart Association scientific statement highlights how experiences starting early in life and continuing through life may influence brain health and affect the risk of stroke, cognitive decline or dementia in later years, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement, published today in the Association’s peer-reviewed scientific journal Stroke.

The link between reduced inpatient care and suicide

Lund University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

In Sweden, more resources have been allocated to expanding outpatient psychiatric care while the number of inpatient beds is steadily declining. A study by Lund University shows a statistical link between fewer psychiatric beds and higher suicide rates. The study was published in The Lancet Regional Health –Europe.

Journal: The Lancet Regional Health - Europe
Funder: Region Skåne

Transfer RNA fragment rewires metabolism, fueling colorectal cancer's spread to liver

Science China Press
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A study published in Science Bulletin identifies tRF-Glu-TTC-013, a tRNA-derived fragment, as a key driver of colorectal cancer liver metastasis. The researchers found that the molecule promotes tumour progression by enhancing glutamate metabolic reprogramming through a newly defined CREB3L1–AMDHD1 pathway.

Journal: Science Bulletin

Bismuthmelanin biomaterial shields body from radiation and eases acute radiation syndrome

KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers created a bismuth-coordinated melanin material that provides in vivo physical radiation shielding and ROS scavenging. It markedly mitigates acute radiation syndrome and boosts mouse survival from 20% to 60% after lethal total body irradiation.

Journal: Supramolecular Materials
Funder: National Key Research and Development Program of China, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

Chinese Medical Journal article review highlights a growing global consensus on acute-on-chronic liver failure

Chinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) has been recognized for almost 30 years, but there is still no unified definition or diagnostic standard worldwide. Recently, the core clinical features used to describe ACLF have narrowed these differences and built a broader consensus. This review updates the latest changes in disease classification, summarizes the current understanding of ACLF pathogenesis, outlines new treatment targets, and presents a three-stage mouse model that supports testing of potential therapies.

Journal: Chinese Medical Journal
Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Shanghai Oriental Talents Program Top-notch Talent Project, Project for Discipline Leaders in the Three-year Action Plan (2023–2025) for Strengthening the Construction of Public Health System in Shanghai, Program for young outstanding academic leaders, Shanghai Rising Stars of Medical Talent Youth Development Program Outstanding Youth Medical Talents, Shanghai talent development fund, Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty

University of Barcelona researchers identify a key protein in the inflammatory response to infections

University of Barcelona
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Whenever there is a wound or infection, the body produces an inflammatory response. This is the body’s first line of defence, and macrophages — cells of the innate immune system — play a key role: first, they help eliminate pathogens and other infectious agents, and then they trigger the mechanisms that repair the damage caused during the inflammatory process.

Journal: Cell Reports

Second call for entries: Applications still open for the 2026 Semmelweis–Richter journalism Award

Semmelweis University
Grant and Award Announcement

The Semmelweis–Richter Journalism Award 2026 is now open for entries in two categories: Women’s Health and Pharmaceutical Strategies and Innovation. Deadline: June 9, 2026 (23:59 CET).

Feel the beat, not the burn: Study shows your favorite playlist can help you train harder and longer

University of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto
Peer-Reviewed Publication

New research from the University of Jyväskylä (JYU) shows that letting exercises choose their own music can boost endurance by nearly 20 % - without making the workout feel any tougher. The findings have practical benefits for both athletes and everyday exercisers.

Journal: Psychology of Sport and Exercise