About 40% of East Asians suffer from alcohol intolerance, known as “Asian Flush Syndrome,” caused by an ALDH2 genetic mutation. Beyond facial flushing, this mutation carries serious cardiovascular risks. Carriers experience more severe heart damage during heart attacks, though the mechanism was unclear. A study led by Professor Yin Huiyong at City University of Hong Kong, published in Circulation, reveals that ALDH2 triggers ferroptosis—a form of cell death—during myocardial infarction. This accelerates cardiac tissue deterioration, explaining the heightened vulnerability. The discovery not only solves a long-standing mystery but also opens new avenues for precision prevention and treatment for millions worldwide.

The risk of serious or fatal heart disease can be predicted with artificial intelligence (AI) analysis of mammograms, according to research published in the European Heart Journal.

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis show in a new study that GLP-1 medications may be effective at treating and preventing substance use disorders across all major addictive substances studied, suggesting these drugs target a common biological pathway underlying addiction.