Medical Xpress
Blood test that detects tumor DNA could help guide treatment when cancer has spread
Researchers have found that a blood test detecting circulating tumor DNA could meaningfully improve treatment decisions for patients with metastatic cancer, based on findings from one of the largest randomized controlled trials of its kind. The study, presented at ESTRO 2026, suggests the liquid biopsy approach offers a less invasive way to monitor disease progression and tailor therapy. For the millions diagnosed with advanced cancer each year, more precise treatment targeting could translate directly into better outcomes.
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What to know about new Ebola outbreak that has killed 65 people in Congo
Africa's top public health body has confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in Congo's Ituri province, marking the country's 17th outbreak since the disease first emerged there in 1976. At least 65 people have died, raising urgent concerns about containment in a region with a fraught history of managing the hemorrhagic fever. The recurrence underscores the persistent threat Ebola poses to Central Africa and the ongoing challenges of outbreak response in remote, conflict-affected areas.
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Analysis shows how using obesity drugs for weight loss is associated with a clinically relevant drop in blood pressure
GLP-1 and other obesity drugs do more than shrink waistlines — a major meta-analysis of over 43,000 adults finds they also deliver meaningful reductions in blood pressure, with systolic BP falling 0.34 mmHg for every 1% of body weight lost. Presented at the European Congress on Obesity, the findings draw on 32 studies and strengthen the cardiovascular case for this class of drugs. For the millions of obese patients also managing hypertension, the implications extend well beyond the scale.
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Discovery of fat-burning 'switch' could lead to advances in bone disease treatments
Researchers have identified a molecular switch that activates a secondary energy-burning pathway in brown fat, solving a mystery that has puzzled scientists for years. The finding, published in Nature, deepens our understanding of how brown fat generates heat — a process previously thought to rely on a single mechanism. The discovery opens a potential new avenue for treating bone disease, with broader implications for metabolic research.
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Severe childhood malaria linked to cognitive impairment later in life
Surviving severe childhood malaria carries a hidden cost. A new study published in JAMA finds that children who endure cerebral malaria or severe malarial anemia face cognitive and academic deficits that persist well into adolescence. The findings underscore the need for stronger prevention strategies in high-burden regions where millions of children remain at risk each year.
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