New analysis reveals how geography, race, and income drive widening health disparities, underscoring the urgent need for targeted action to reduce inequities in longevity. Study:  Ten Americas: a systematic analysis of life expectancy disparities in the USA . Image Credit: Shutterstock AI / Shutterstock.com In a recent study published…

Two rival hospitals in Terre Haute, Indiana, pulled back their merger application Monday, just days before the state was due to rule on the deal amid growing backlash to such medical monopolies. The proposed merger between Union Health and Terre Haute Regional Hospital, the only acute care hospitals in Vigo County, Indiana, would have left…

New evidence shows how booster shots offer robust protection against long COVID, emphasizing their importance in battling Omicron-era health challenges. Study: The impact of vaccination on preventing long COVID in the Omicron era: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Image Credit: p.ill.i / Shutterstock *Important notice: medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that…

A decade-long study reveals a sharp rise in vaping among ex-smokers, particularly younger adults, fueled by disposable e-cigarettes and changing social trends. Study: Prevalence and uptake of vaping among people who have quit smoking: a population study in England, 2013-2024. Image Credit: Shutterstock AI In a recent study published…

From cells to solutions: The Human Cell Atlas pioneers a global effort to map human biology and bridge health inequities with cutting-edge genomics. Perspective: The commitment of the human cell atlas to humanity. Image Credit: Sinhyu Photographer / Shutterstock In a recent perspective article published in the journal Nature Communications, over 30…

Post-pandemic rebound in antibiotic consumption, especially in middle-income countries, raises concerns about antimicrobial resistance and global health challenges. Study:  Global trends in antibiotic consumption during 2016–2023 and future projections through 2030 . Image Credit: Saiful52/Shutterstock.com In a recent study published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a group…

Viruses are lean, mean, infection machines. Their genomes are tiny, usually limited to a handful of absolutely essential genes, and they shed extra genomic deadweight extremely fast. Usually. Coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), appear at first glance to be an exception. They have some extra "accessory" genes in addition to the usual…

Researchers uncover how SARS-CoV-2 rewires cholesterol metabolism, highlighting a novel target to combat COVID-19's metabolic and cardiovascular effects. Study: Manipulation of Host Cholesterol by SARS-CoV-2. Image Credit: Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock *Important notice: bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide…

From food ads to body image pressures, a global review exposes how social media drives unhealthy dietary habits in children as young as five. Review: Negative Influence of Social Media on Children’s Diets: A Systematic Review. Image Credit: Jelena Stanojkovic / Shutterstock Scientists at the University of North Texas, USA, have conducted…

While the trial confirmed asunercept’s safety and tolerability, it failed to achieve statistically significant improvement in clinical outcomes compared to standard care. Study:  Efficacy and safety of asunercept, a CD95L-selective inhibitor, in hospitalised patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19: ASUNCTIS, a multicentre, randomised, open-label, controlled, phase 2 trial . Image Credit: Pormezz/Shutterstock.com In…