Illnesses and conditions

Scientists have found out exactly how an exercise-triggered molecule suppresses hunger signals in the brain, leading to weight loss. It could be harnessed as a therapeutic, providing the same benefit without the work it takes to produce it naturally.

A new breakthrough removes the dangers involved in a process called STING, in which the body's own immune system can be enlisted to fight cancer. The finding clears the way for a powerful, and safe, weapon against tumors.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first intranasal diuretic for heart, liver and kidney disease patients, aiming to prevent a common and costly issue that results in more than a million hospitalizations each year.

When scientists study obesity, it's often focused on genetics, physical activity and poor eating habits. However, new findings show that stress, hardship, isolation and social inequality create the biological environment that underpins the epidemic.

Signs of immune system aging appear years before rheumatoid arthritis takes hold, offering new hope for early diagnosis and treatments that could slow or stop the disease before it starts, according to new research.

A new drug candidate could become a first-in-class medication, after impressive results in a mid-stage clinical trial for drug-resistant epilepsy. It now moves to Phase 3 trials, raising hope for people who suffer seizures despite being on medication.

A study has found people living with chronic pain tend to be more perfectionistic, less self-compassionate and – depending on the measure – less confident in their ability to cope. These traits may intensify suffering, but also point to new avenues for relief.

A squishy cartilage-like material has been developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge. It can be loaded up with either long-term or short-term pain killers that are released when the material senses chemical stress from arthritis.

Australia's embattled koalas have been given some good news for once, with the approval of the world's first chlamydia vaccine. More than a decade in the making, a single jab will now protect koalas from the disease decimating their populations.

In a landmark move, the FDA has given biotech company eGenesis the go-ahead to conduct a wider trial of pig-to-human kidney transplants, marking a significant step forward in addressing the critical organ shortage now facing thousands of Americans.

Starting aerobic exercise just two months after a stroke is safe and may help protect thinking skills, according to new research. The study provides fresh hope for stroke survivors that they can reduce their elevated risk of dementia.

A new study has presented what is called the Adipokine Hypothesis, suggesting one of the most common forms of heart failure may stem from biological changes in internal fat; sending out chemical signals that stir up inflammation.

A new drug that significantly lowers "stubborn" blood pressure is on the horizon, following the results of its Phase III clinical trial. The drug, called baxdrostat, is being hailed as the most promising advance in hypertension management in decades.

A new study flips the script on hypertension. Long blamed on the kidneys and blood vessels, it now seems the brain might be a silent instigator, especially in cases where standard treatments fail.

A carotenoid widely available in fruit and vegetables, and as a supplement, has been found to bolster the cancer-killing capacity of immune cells. It could be a valuable ally in immunotherapy treatment, helping to shrink tumors more effectively.