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Study reveals distinct brain roles for MNK1 and MNK2 enzymes

Researchers at the Max Delbrück Center show that two related enzymes, MNK1 and MNK2, act on the brain to regulate different behaviors.

19 Feb 2026

Genome sequencing data reveals new insights into Epstein-Barr virus immunity

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can cause certain types of cancer or autoimmune diseases, but how the body controls this common viral infection is largely unknown.

19 Feb 2026

Syzygium jambolanum extract shows promise for diabetes management

The search for effective and accessible therapies for diabetes continues to draw attention to medicinal plants with a long history of traditional use.

19 Feb 2026

Exercise pills could offer new hope for depression treatment

We all know the feeling: the mental clarity that comes after a good run or a heavy workout. Science backs this up, even showing that for non-severe depression, exercise can be just as effective as antidepressants or therapy.

19 Feb 2026

New guidelines outline comprehensive care for acute pulmonary embolism

Early detection and prompt treatment of acute pulmonary embolism (PE), a sudden and potentially life-threatening blood clot that blocks arteries in the lungs, is critical.

19 Feb 2026

MULTI-evolve accelerates protein engineering with machine learning

The search space for protein engineering grows exponentially with complexity. A protein of just 100 amino acids has 20^100 possible variants-more combinations than atoms in the observable universe.

19 Feb 2026

Gut bacteria patterns help predict insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes, study finds

Researchers used 16S rRNA sequencing and machine learning to identify gut microbiome patterns associated with insulin resistance severity in people with type 2 diabetes. XGBoost models showed that specific bacterial genera, including Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium, help distinguish individuals with higher insulin resistance from healthy controls.

19 Feb 2026

DeepRare AI helps shorten the rare disease diagnostic journey with evidence-linked predictions

Researchers developed DeepRare, an LLM-driven multi-agent diagnostic system that integrates clinical descriptions, phenotype data, and genomic information to improve rare disease identification. Across thousands of cases, the system showed higher diagnostic recall than existing AI tools and clinicians in benchmark testing, while providing traceable reasoning linked to medical evidence.

19 Feb 2026

Brain neurons after exercise drive long-term endurance gains

When you finish a run, your muscles may feel like they did all the work. But researchers at The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) and the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) have discovered that what happens in your brain after a run may determine whether you gain endurance over time.

19 Feb 2026

Prenatal infection increases risk of alcohol misuse in adulthood

Exposure to infection and other immune stress in the womb increases the likelihood of alcohol misuse in adulthood, a risk that may be reduced through prenatal antioxidant treatment, a new Washington State University study shows.

19 Feb 2026

Brainstem nerve cells found to stabilize blood pressure fluctuations

Doctors usually focus on a person's average blood pressure, but research increasingly shows that how much blood pressure fluctuates from moment to moment is just as important.

19 Feb 2026

Onset of "the munchies" after cannabis use could offer clues to help people with appetite loss

The urgent onset of "the munchies" after cannabis use isn't imaginary – it's a cognitive response that occurs regardless of sex, age, weight or recent food consumption and could offer clues to help people struggling with appetite loss.

19 Feb 2026

Study reveals bacterial duo driving chronic constipation

Scientists at Nagoya University in Japan have found two gut bacteria working together that contribute to chronic constipation.

19 Feb 2026

Key protein regulates slow oxytocin release in the brain

The brain does not only communicate through fast electrical impulses; it also relies on slower, more diffuse chemical signals that modulate our emotional and social states over time.

19 Feb 2026

Single blood test predicts onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms years ahead

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed a method to predict when someone is likely to develop symptoms of Alzheimer's disease using a single blood test.

19 Feb 2026

Second pregnancy leaves distinct and lasting changes in the maternal brain

Researchers at Amsterdam UMC have discovered that a second pregnancy alters the female brain. Previous research from the same group had already demonstrated the impact of a first pregnancy on the female brain.

19 Feb 2026

Loose clothing sensors enhance clinical movement tracking

Loose-fitting e-textiles may offer superior motion tracking capabilities, enhancing recognition accuracy and prediction over conventional rigid sensors.

19 Feb 2026

Study reveals coffee triggers distinct cytokine responses compared with pure caffeine

A randomized crossover pilot study in healthy adults found that coffee and isolated caffeine produce distinct short-term immune responses despite equivalent caffeine doses. The results suggest non-caffeine coffee compounds may influence cytokine activity and caffeine metabolism, although findings remain preliminary due to the small sample size.

19 Feb 2026

New cellular discovery shows promise for treating painful lymphedema

A newly discovered cellular mechanism shows promise for treating painful lymphedema.

18 Feb 2026

Does Ginkgo biloba help dementia? New review examines the evidence

A major Cochrane review examines whether a widely used herbal supplement truly supports cognitive function, revealing modest dementia benefits but limited evidence for prevention or early impairment.

18 Feb 2026