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Study reveals stigmatizing responses in LLMs for addiction-related queries
As artificial intelligence is rapidly developing and becoming a growing presence in healthcare communication, a new study addresses a concern that large language models (LLMs) can reinforce harmful stereotypes by using stigmatizing language.
VCU Massey pioneers clinical trial of novel GGT-1 inhibitor PTX-100
VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is the first site in the United States to be activated in a global Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating PTX-100 (AKA GGTI-2418), a first-in-class small molecule inhibitor of geranylgeranyl transferase-1 (GGT-1), for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), a rare and often treatment-resistant T-cell lymphoma.
Discovery of TAF1's role could revolutionize cancer treatment
A new study led by Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., director of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, shows how a key molecule regulates the generation of new blood cells, a process called hematopoiesis that goes awry in cancer. The findings have the potential to lead to new therapeutic strategies targeting the molecule, a regulator of gene activity called TAF1.
Heavy smoking linked to atrophy in Alzheimer’s brain regions
MRI findings indicate that smoking is linked to reduced brain volume, raising concerns about dementia risk, especially with higher body mass index.
Addressing avoidable hospitalizations in terminally ill nursing home residents
Hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits can be distressing and costly for nursing home residents – especially those who are severely impaired or terminally ill. Despite their vulnerability, these individuals are frequently transferred to hospitals, even though up to 40% of such transfers over the past 25 years are considered potentially avoidable by health care professionals.
New study uncovers how prior obesity impacts viral consequences
A study comparing the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in lean and obese primates found different long-term consequences of the virus depending on prior obesity and metabolic disease. The results, which also highlighted how widespread long COVID symptoms are in animals, were published July 24th in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens by Charles Roberts of Oregon Health & Science University, USA, and colleagues.
New method uses magnetism for targeted drug delivery
Researchers have demonstrated that microscopic drug delivery containers can be magnetically steered to their targets, advancing the development of precision medicine for treating diseases such as cancer.
In-depth look at breast tumor growth and surgical delay effects
Using a novel method to analyze tumor growth rates, researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center have provided the most in-depth assessment to date of how fast breast cancers grow in patients and how surgical delays may affect breast cancer staging, which measures the extent of cancer spread in the body. The newly published study offers new insight into how tumors progress in the time between diagnosis and surgery.
New research shows neurogenesis slows in early adulthood, impacting memory
Age often brings a gradual decline in the ability to learn new things and retain memories. This phenomenon, often associated with the elderly, is linked to the brain's deteriorating capacity to generate new neurons-a process that primarily occurs in the hippocampus -as neural stem cells (NSCs) divide and mature. Recent research suggests this decline begins much earlier in life than previously thought, potentially starting in early adulthood.
Gene-edited mosquitoes slash malaria spread 93% using self-propagating shield
Scientists engineered a naturally occurring genetic variant (Q224) in Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes, making them highly resistant to malaria parasites without affecting fitness. A novel gene-drive system rapidly spread this protective trait through lab mosquito populations, offering a potential breakthrough for malaria control.
Hemp seeds: The surprisingly complete protein hiding in plain sight
Researchers reviewed the nutritional and functional potential of industrial hemp seeds, highlighting their complete protein, healthy fat, and fiber content. The review outlines how processing innovations and market forces could make hemp a leading ingredient in plant-based and functional foods.
Scientists open new atlas of genetic diversity with advanced sequencing
A global team mapped over 100,000 structural variants in human genomes by applying Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing and a novel graph-based analytical approach to samples from 26 populations. The study reveals the extraordinary complexity and diversity of human DNA, providing an open-access atlas that will accelerate discoveries in genetic disease and human evolution.
Commonly used type 2 diabetes medication linked to higher rate of heart-related conditions
New research from investigators at Mass General Brigham suggests that a commonly used type 2 diabetes medication is linked to a higher rate of heart-related conditions compared to medications that hit other targets.
Blocking nutrient scavenging weakens pancreatic tumor defenses
Cancer cells and tumors do not exist in a vacuum. Far from the isolation and self-sufficiency of the fictional Wakanda, tumors develop in and alter the nearby milieu of immune cells, connective tissue, blood vessels and a sea of proteins and carbohydrates that provide structure and other supportive functions.
Salk researcher awarded funding to boost immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer
Salk Institute Professor Diana Hargreaves was named a 2025 All-Star Translational Award Program grantee by the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
Older adults with serious illness face greater burdens after elective surgery
Older adults who have serious illness before undergoing elective surgery had hospital stays twice as long as similarly aged counterparts; were twice as likely to return to the hospital or the emergency department; and had almost double the yearly costs of health care, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
IRF-5 identified as key to preventing immune cell exhaustion
In fighting chronic infections or certain cancers, CD8+ T cells-the immune system's frontline soldiers-eventually become exhausted. They lose effectiveness and respond less efficiently to threats.
Expanding mastectomy access could prevent more breast cancer cases
More women at higher risk of breast cancer should be offered a mastectomy, according to a new study led by researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and Queen Mary, University of London.
Standard DNA tests miss most cases of NUT carcinoma
The diagnosis of a suspected lung, head, and neck cancer called NUT carcinoma should include additional testing capable of detecting gene fusions that are definitive markers of the disease, according to a study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute investigators.
Bias found in AI models diagnosing skin diseases across demographics
An international research team led by Assistant Professor Zhiyu Wan from ShanghaiTech University has recently published groundbreaking findings in the journal Health Data Science, highlighting biases in multimodal large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT-4 and LLaVA in diagnosing skin diseases from medical images.