Women’s health

TAR-200, a small drug-releasing implant, wiped out tumors in most patients with high-risk bladder cancer. Its slow, consistent release of chemotherapy proved far more effective than traditional short-term treatments. The therapy may replace bladder removal surgery for many and has earned FDA Priority Review due to its impressive results.

Researchers in Osaka have found that stem cells from fat tissue can repair spinal fractures similar to those caused by osteoporosis. By turning these cells into bone-forming clusters and pairing them with a bone-rebuilding material, rats regained stronger, healthier spines. The approach could offer a safe, minimally invasive alternative for treating bone diseases in humans.

Boston researchers linked nighttime light exposure to greater stress-related brain activity and inflamed arteries, signaling a higher risk of heart disease. The study suggests that artificial light at night disrupts normal stress responses, leading to chronic inflammation. Experts call for reducing unnecessary light in cities and homes to protect cardiovascular health.

Researchers found that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines significantly increased survival in lung and skin cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy. The vaccine appears to prime the immune system in a powerful, nonspecific way, enhancing cancer treatment outcomes. If confirmed, the discovery could lead to a universal cancer vaccine and transform oncology care.

Menopause brings profound shifts not just in hormones but in the very structure of the brain. Scientists have found that gray matter in regions tied to memory and thinking can shrink, while white matter may show damage linked to blood flow issues. Yet there’s hope — evidence points to partial recovery and adaptive changes postmenopause.

A groundbreaking study reveals that cancer patients who received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting immunotherapy lived dramatically longer than those who didn’t. Researchers from the University of Florida and MD Anderson Cancer Center discovered that the vaccine’s immune-activating properties may boost cancer-fighting responses, acting like a nonspecific “flare” that reawakens the […]

Researchers found that triple-negative breast cancer cells are “addicted” to lipids, a feature tied to obesity. By studying mice, they discovered that high lipid levels alone accelerate tumor growth. Lowering these fats slowed cancer progression, suggesting that lipid-lowering treatments could help. The findings also caution against high-fat diets such as keto for patients with obesity.

A long-term Australian study found that calcium supplements do not raise dementia risk in older women, countering previous fears. The research followed more than 1,400 participants for nearly 15 years and revealed no harmful cognitive effects. Scientists say these results should reassure those using calcium to prevent osteoporosis, though more research is needed across broader […]

Salk Institute scientists discovered that bile acids in the liver can weaken immune cell function, making immunotherapy less effective against liver cancer. They pinpointed specific bile acids that suppress T cells and found that supplementing with UDCA reversed the effect, controlling tumor growth in mice. Since UDCA is already used for liver disease, it could […]

Scientists have found a way to transform hard-to-treat tumors into targets for the immune system. Using two protein stimulators, they activated strong T-cell and B-cell responses and built immune structures inside tumors that improved survival and prevented recurrence. This approach could make existing immunotherapies and chemotherapies more effective and long-lasting.