Drugs

High cholesterol levels are a common and potentially deadly health problem, but a new drug could help more people manage the condition. An experimental pill has been shown to reduce levels of “bad” cholesterol by 60% in a phase 2 clinical trial.

Scientists have developed a new technique that could eventually lead to new potential treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. The team investigated a compound that breaks down a protein associated with the disease, with tests in mice improving symptoms.

Scientists have discovered how a specific brain circuit functions during fentanyl withdrawal, potentially leading to relapse. Suppression of this could lead to better, targeted medical treatments for opioid use disorders.

While breathalyzers make it quick and easy to tell if someone is drunk, it takes more time and effort to determine if they're intoxicated by drugs such as cannabis. A new device known as Gaize could reportedly soon change that.

Male contraceptives have traditionally been limited to condoms and vasectomies. Now scientists have demonstrated a promising new method that takes the form of a pill that can be taken just before sex, greatly reducing fertility for 24 hours.

ALS is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease with poor outcomes, but a pair of new studies may point towards a more optimistic future. In tests in human cells and live mice, scientists identified promising new targets for potential treatment.

For half a century beta blockers have been used to help patients with cardiovascular problems manage their abnormal heart rhythms, but a new study tracking over a million people has found the common drug may also reduce aggression and violent behavior.

Scientists at MIT have developed bottlebrush-shaped molecules that can carry groups of different cancer drugs in just the right ratios. Tests in mice showed significantly improved outcomes compared to just giving the drugs loose.

Researchers have discovered an old class of antipsychotic drugs may offer clues to a novel kind of treatment for type 2 diabetes. While the drugs may be directly repurposed, they could also be slightly modified to specifically target blood sugar control.

In an ideal world, managing diabetes wouldn’t involve insulin injections but just popping a pill. Now a team of scientists has demonstrated an oral tablet that’s self-propelled by chemical “micromotors” to deliver insulin in the colon of rats.

The FDA has approved a new drug for patients in the early-stages of Alzheimer's disease but growing concerns over its safety and real-world efficacy have led to division amongst researchers, with some suggesting it should not be authorized for wide use.

Researchers in Japan have demonstrated a promising new cancer treatment. The team developed artificial DNA sequences shaped like hairpins that latch onto molecules overexpressed in cancer and trigger a strong immune response.