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Medicine & Health

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 19-May-2026 09:16 ET (19-May-2026 13:16 GMT/UTC)

Patient-specific human liver model to understand disease mechanisms

Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG)
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Three-dimensional multicellular human liver model: For the first time, a 3D human organoid model, developed with liver tissue from patients, consists of three liver cell types, derived from adult hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, and liver mesenchymal cells.

Retaining structure and function: The novel complex organoid models, or assembloids, reconstruct essential structural and functional features of the human periportal liver region and have patient-specific traits. They capture key aspects of human liver physiology in a dish, including drug detoxification and metabolism.

Liver disease investigation: When manipulated, this human periportal liver model can mimic several characteristics of biliary fibrosis. It provides a platform to study liver diseases in humans, accelerate the development of new drugs, enable early diagnosis, and advance personalized medicine.

Journal: Nature
Funder: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, European Research Council, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, German BMBF Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Croucher Foundation, German Cancer Aid Max Eder Grant

Confused by the doctor's questionnaire? U of A study suggests it's common

University of Arizona
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new paper suggests that a widely used questionnaire for triaging mental health symptoms could be giving providers poor data to inform treatment – and that a fix could be as simple as rewriting some of the questions.

Journal: JAMA Psychiatry

How do brains stay stable, and when might a dose of flexibility be helpful?

Salk Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Salk scientists discovered the protein CCN1—secreted by non-neuronal brain cells called astrocytes—stabilizes brain circuits in adulthood. The CCN1 pathway may be a powerful target for therapeutics that regulate neuroplasticity in Alzheimer’s, depression, or PTSD, or promote repair after injury or stroke.

Journal: Nature

Rural-urban differences in the prevalence of chronic pain among adult cancer survivors

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: The multivariable findings of this study showed that chronic pain was more prevalent among rural than urban cancer survivors even after controlling for covariates, suggesting an association between chronic pain and additional factors. For example, survivorship resources are generally less available in rural areas, and rural residents may lack access to pain specialists or face insurance challenges accessing pain care.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

mRNA revitalizes aging immune systems—the liver as a fountain of youth

German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ)
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Can the weakened immune systems of older individuals be rejuvenated? Researchers from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the HI-STEM* institute, and the Broad Institute have demonstrated that this is possible with an innovative approach. In a study now published in Nature, the team showed that mRNA technology can be used to transform the liver in mice into a temporary source of important immune regulatory factors that are naturally lost during aging. This restores the formation of new immune cells, allowing older animals to develop robust immune responses again and fight tumors effectively.

Journal: Nature

Food insecurity, burnout, and social isolation among resident and fellow physicians

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: In this cross-sectional study, nearly 1 in 7 graduate medical education trainees screened positive for food insecurity. Food insecurity was associated with important well-being outcomes including burnout. These findings suggest that academic medical institutions should pursue systemic solutions to address food insecurity among resident and fellow physicians as a means of supporting their well-being.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

Colorectal cancer survival predicted by AI using clinical and molecular features

Impact Journals LLC
Peer-Reviewed Publication

BUFFALO, NY – December 17, 2025 – A new research paper was published in Oncotarget (Volume 16) on December 15, 2025, titled “Machine learning-based survival prediction in colorectal cancer combining clinical and biological features.”

Journal: Oncotarget

PolyU develops ultra-stable, mucus-inspired hydrogel to boost gastrointestinal wound healing

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed an acid-resistant “ultra-stable mucus-inspired hydrogel” (UMIH), marking a breakthrough in the field of gastrointestinal medicine. Traditional hydrogels—gelatin-like materials that absorb and retain water—are widely used to aid wound healing and extend drug release. However, they usually break down in acidic environments like the stomach. Inspired by the natural properties of gastric mucus, a PolyU research team has developed UMIH, a hydrogel that adheres 15 times more strongly than conventional gastric mucosal protectants, showing considerable potential for wound repair and targeted drug delivery and promising large‑scale commercialisation.

Journal: Cell Reports Physical Science

Sharp rise in nicotine pouch use in Great Britain driven by young men

University College London
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Use of nicotine pouches has risen substantially in Great Britain over the last five years, particularly among young men, with one in 13 (7.5%) men aged 16 to 24 now using them, according to a new study led by researchers at UCL (University College London).

Journal: The Lancet Public Health
Funder: Cancer Research UK