Illnesses and conditions

Scientists have made a major breakthrough in understanding how fat cells grow in size, in response to accommodating larger droplets of fat. The findings unlock a new path in tackling obesity, by reducing the amount of fat our cells can store away.

In a Phase 3 trial of more than 18,000 volunteers across three countries, a novel mRNA influenza vaccine developed by Pfizer has outperformed standard seasonal flu shots by 34.5%. It's yet another sign that this biotechnology is here to stay.

Scientists have found the clearest evidence yet that Epstein-Barr virus – which nearly all of us carry for life – is directly responsible for hijacking our immune system's cells to cause lupus, a chronic disease that affects up to a million Americans.

Cockroach infestations can worsen allergies and asthma in children, especially in low-income urban homes. Now researchers are better understanding why after discovering bacteria in their guts can release harmful substances called endotoxins into the air.

Some people don’t lose enough weight after bariatric surgery, but a new study shows that adding a daily shot of GLP-1 drug liraglutide can help patients shed extra pounds and may reduce the need for further surgery.

Millions of people with type 2 diabetes might actually be undermining their efforts to improve their health, with researchers demonstrating that the commonly prescribed metformin blocks the cardiovascular benefits normally gained through exercise.

Caffeine appears to do the opposite of what you might think when it comes to the heart. Scientists have found that a cup of coffee a day actually protects the heart from atrial fibrillation – a condition that can lead to stroke and heart failure.

A large international study of more than 23,000 patients has found that common medicines used to treat high blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as heartburn, may be impacting cancer treatment effectiveness.

Bitter taste receptors inside cancer cells have been found to be activated in the presence of anti-cancer drugs. Shutting these receptors down could make the cells more susceptible to drug treatment and help us fight the disease more effectively.

A promising “two-in-one” experimental drug could tackle both type 2 diabetes and heart disease by slashing cholesterol and inflammation, potentially offering a powerful new way to protect the heart and improve metabolism.

In a breakthrough for diagnostics, scientists have created an effective and easy test that identifies a heart failure biomarker in saliva, opening the door to more rapid and accessible life-saving medical interventions for this disease – and others.

A dangerous type of bird flu virus (called H5N1) continues to circulate among dairy cows in the US. Infected milk can expose other cows, pets, wild animals, and possibly humans to the virus, a potential threat beyond just the farm.

Scientists found that nearly every cancer harbors its own distinct community of microbes – tiny passengers that can influence how tumors start, spread, and respond to treatment, paving the way for a new era of precision medicine.

Researchers in Switzerland have stuffed a bunch of chips and sensors into socks to help people who suffer from some of the worst symptoms of diabetes – chronic pain and a loss of sensation in the feet that make it hard to walk.

A new study has pinpointed how the APOE4 gene variant sabotages the brain’s energy balance, blocking neurons from burning fat for fuel when glucose runs low, a discovery that could reveal new ways to prevent or slow Alzheimer’s disease.