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Medicine & Health

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 22-Dec-2025 15:12 ET (22-Dec-2025 20:12 GMT/UTC)

Researchers diagnose disease with a drop of blood, a microscope and AI

University of Tokyo
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Scientists developed an automated, high-throughput system that relies on imaging biofluid droplets for disease diagnosis, reducing the number of consumables and equipment needed for biomedical testing. In the workflow, images of a drying droplet are analyzed by machine-learning algorithms to diagnose abnormalities in blood. Differences in the drying process of biofluid droplets are used to distinguish between normal and disease samples. This technology can also be used with other bodily fluids, including saliva and urine, and may provide a fast, cost-efficient diagnostic testing means in underserved communities and developing countries.

Journal: Advanced Intelligent Systems

UC San Diego researchers expand virus-based treatment options for antibiotic-resistant infections

University of California - San Diego
Peer-Reviewed Publication

UC San Diego researchers are using bacteriophages — viruses that kill bacteria — to fight antibiotic-resistant pathogens, a major threat to public health.

Journal: Nature Communications

Phase 2 clinical trial results show potential to shorten TB treatment time

TB Alliance
Reports and Proceedings

New clinical trial results presented by TB Alliance at the Union World Conference on Lung Health show that the novel antibiotic candidate sorfequiline (TBAJ-876), a next-generation diarylquinoline, has the potential to improve tuberculosis (TB) treatment when combined with pretomanid and linezolid in a treatment regimen known as “SPaL.”

The NC-009 trial (a pan-Phase 2 clinical trial) showed that, overall, sorfequiline had greater activity than bedaquiline. The 100 mg SPaL regimen had greater activity against TB than the standard of care HRZE (isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol), indicating the potential to shorten treatment time for active TB. In addition, the SPaL regimen had a comparable safety profile to the standard of care for people with drug-sensitive TB (DS-TB).

Meeting: Union World Conference on Lung Health 2025

Unraveling tea’s genetic heritage: Study reveals five distinct assamica lineages across Asia

Maximum Academic Press
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A research team has uncovered five distinct evolutionary lineages of Camellia sinensis var. assamica, reshaping our understanding of tea domestication and diversity.

Journal: Beverage Plant Research

From mutation to medicine: How neoantigen dendritic cell vaccines are reshaping cancer immunotherapy

China Anti-Cancer Association
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new generation of personalized cancer vaccines is taking shape through the use of neoantigen-based dendritic cell (DC) vaccines.

Journal: Cancer Biology & Medicine

All-you-can-eat: Young adults and ultra-processed foods

Virginia Tech
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A Virginia Tech team studied 27 young adults, ages 18–25, in a tightly controlled crossover trial. After two weeks on an ultra-processed diet, only the 18–21 group ate more — even when full — highlighting their greater susceptibility.

Journal: Obesity
Funder: NIH/National Institutes of Health

Did US cities’ indoor vaccine mandates affect COVID-19 vaccination rates and outcomes?

Wiley
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Research published in Contemporary Economic Policy reveals that despite widespread adoption of indoor vaccine mandates in major US cities during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no consistent evidence that these policies significantly increased vaccination rates or reduced COVID-19–related outcomes.

Journal: Contemporary Economic Policy