Medicine

A team led by David Julius, the 2021 Nobel Prize winner in Medicine, has described the molecular mechanism by which intestinal tuft cells signal the brain to suppress appetite during parasitic infections. Published today in Nature, the study identifies communication via acetylcholine and serotonin that activates the vagus nerve. The finding could aid treatments for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.

24 Mwezi wa tatu, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI Imethibitishwa ukweli

Researchers working with the University of Auckland and Brazil’s University of São Paulo report that neurons in the medulla’s lateral parafacial (pFL) region—best known for helping drive forceful exhalations—also amplify sympathetic nerve activity and can raise blood pressure in an animal model of neurogenic hypertension. Inhibiting these neurons lowered blood pressure toward normal in hypertensive rats, findings published in Circulation Research.

New research published in Nature Medicine reveals that people with prediabetes can normalize blood sugar levels without losing weight. About one in four participants in lifestyle programs achieved this remission, offering protection against diabetes similar to weight loss methods. The key factors involve fat distribution and certain hormones.

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A 33-year-old man endured 48 hours without lungs after surgeons removed his severely infected ones to halt a deadly infection. An artificial lung system kept him alive until a double lung transplant could be performed. More than two years later, he lives a normal life with healthy lung function.

From April, heavy smokers aged 50 to 75 in Germany can access an annual free lung cancer screening. The program uses low-dose computed tomography to detect cancer early. It targets current and former smokers with at least 15 pack-years of smoking.

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Scientists have identified a mirror-image version of the amino acid cysteine, known as D-cysteine, that can slow the growth of certain cancers while sparing healthy cells. The molecule targets a specific transporter on cancer cell surfaces, disrupting key metabolic processes inside. In mouse studies, it significantly reduced aggressive breast tumor progression without major side effects.