STAT+: Vertex says its drug successfully reduced marker of kidney disease in late-stage trial
Vertex said a drug it secured as part of a $4.9 billion acquisition successfully reduced by half a key marker of a kidney disease known as IgA nephropathy.
Medical News
Scientists found a surprising way to make exercise work better
Exercise normally boosts the body’s ability to use oxygen, a key marker of health and longevity — but high blood sugar can block that benefit. Researchers found that a ketogenic diet helped mice normalize blood sugar and dramatically improved how their muscles responded to exercise. Their muscles became better at using oxygen and built more endurance fibers. The results suggest diet and exercise m
Popular pre-workout supplements linked to dangerous sleep loss
Pre-workout supplements promising extra energy for workouts may come with a hidden cost: severely reduced sleep. A study of people aged 16–30 found users were more than twice as likely to sleep five hours or less per night. Many of these products pack huge doses of caffeine and stimulants that can linger for hours. Researchers say the findings raise concerns about the impact on young people’s heal
FDA unveils 4th revision of draft guidance for looser biosimilar testing requirements
The FDA's newest draft guidance reinforces its previous commitment to streamlining biosimilar drug development by removing certain testing requirements for the cheaper biologic drugs.
STAT+: The ER staffing conflict, and no facility fee for a marmot
A battle between doctors and a hospital system is an early test of a new law designed to separate business and medicine.
Lilly rewards CEO David Ricks with $36.7M pay package for 2025, fueled by GLP-1 success
With sales booming at Eli Lilly, the Indianapolis company has compensated CEO David Ricks with a $36.7 million pay package in 2025, which is up from $29.2 million in 2024.
STAT+: A setback for Roche’s breast cancer drug
Wall Street's verdict on Prasad, generic semaglutide's new pricing, and other biotech news
Spruce hooks a commercial chief to prep for rare disease launch
Spruce Biosciences has named Dale Hooks as chief commercial officer, securing a leader with experience launching 21 products as the company heads toward a filing for its first FDA approval.
STAT+: Xenon Pharmaceuticals’ seizure drug shows strong efficacy in late-stage trial
Xenon Pharmaceuticals said its treatment for a common type of seizure disorder significantly reduced the frequency of those seizures compared to a placebo.
STAT+: As controversial decisions mount, FDA shuns public advisory meetings
The FDA is cutting back on public advisory committee meetings, even as the public and other stakeholders seek more transparency.
STAT+: Health tech company says it will dive into Medicare’s new chronic care experiment
How a remote patient monitoring company is reworking its tech to enroll in a Medicare program seeking to align payment with health care outcomes.
Parents’ stress may be quietly driving childhood obesity, Yale study finds
A Yale study found that lowering parent stress can help protect young children from obesity. When parents practiced mindfulness and stress-management skills, their kids showed healthier eating patterns and avoided the weight gain seen in families that only focused on diet and exercise.
Brain scans reveal how ketamine quickly lifts severe depression
A new brain-imaging study has revealed how ketamine produces its fast antidepressant effects in people with treatment-resistant depression. Researchers tracked changes in a critical brain receptor that helps neurons communicate and found that ketamine reshapes its activity in specific brain regions tied to mood and reward. These shifts strongly matched improvements in patients’ symptoms. The findi
165,000 dementia patients reveal hidden stroke risk from common drug
A massive UK study of more than 165,000 dementia patients has uncovered troubling new evidence about risperidone, a commonly used drug for severe agitation. Researchers found the antipsychotic increases stroke risk in dementia patients across the board—including those with no prior heart disease or stroke—challenging the long-held belief that some patients might be safer candidates than others. Be
Scientists say this simple diet change could transform your gut health
A growing trend called “fibermaxxing” is putting dietary fiber in the spotlight—and for good reason. Fiber plays a powerful role in keeping the body healthy, from supporting digestion and feeding beneficial gut microbes to helping regulate blood sugar and cholesterol. Researchers say getting enough fiber may even lower the risk of conditions like obesity, diabetes, and certain cancers.
STAT+: 5 lessons from Vinay Prasad’s turbulent tenure at the FDA
Vinay Prasad's unique ability to attract criticism — even when his bosses, including the president, wanted him to keep his head low — did him in at the FDA.
A new “magic mushroom” drug could treat depression without psychedelic hallucinations
Scientists are exploring a new way to harness the medical promise of psychedelic compounds without the mind-bending side effects. Researchers created modified versions of psilocin — the active form of psilocybin from “magic mushrooms” — that still target key serotonin pathways linked to depression and other brain disorders but appear to cause far fewer psychedelic-like effects.
Scientists discover hidden brain cells that may stop Alzheimer’s tau buildup
Scientists have uncovered a surprising new role for little-known brain cells called tanycytes that may influence the development of Alzheimer’s disease. These specialized cells appear to help remove toxic tau protein from the brain by transporting it from the cerebrospinal fluid into the bloodstream. When tanycytes become damaged or dysfunctional, tau can accumulate in the brain, a hallmark of Alz
Scientists finally reveal why mint feels cold
Scientists have revealed how the body’s microscopic cold sensor, TRPM8, detects both chilly temperatures and the cooling effect of menthol. The discovery finally shows how the sensation of “cool” works at the molecular level—and could inspire new treatments for pain and eye disorders.
Study finds phone use on the toilet may cause painful medical condition
Scrolling on your phone while sitting on the toilet might be doing more harm than you think. A new study found that people who use smartphones during bathroom visits had a 46% higher risk of hemorrhoids compared to those who don’t. Researchers discovered that phone users tend to spend significantly longer on the toilet, often getting distracted by news or social media, which may increase pressure