Your favorite music could help reduce the pain of small medical procedures
If you hate needles, music might make you feel better during a cannula insertion: but it has to be the right kind of music. Although different musical interventions have…
Health news · Friday, October 9, 2026
Today's health news, in one place.
42 stories from 20 trusted newsrooms, newest first. Tap a story to read it on the newsroom's own site.
Technology inspired by 3D printing could transform how medicines are tailored to patients
Technology inspired by 3D printing is already being introduced in hospitals and specialized pharmacies to produce personalized medicines tailored to individual patients. In her…
An experimental drug kills fat cells, rather than shrinking them
Participants in two small trials lost dangerous fat around their internal organs. This fat is linked to health issues like diabetes and heart problems.
Feeding Our Gut Microbiome for Better Health
Our gut flora is determined by what we eat, for good or for ill. When we eat meat (including seafood), dairy, or eggs, our gut […]
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2026
Each year I like to document the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine here on SBM - it’s a great reminder of the power of science to transform medicine. There is nothing like…
Why your boss matters more than remote or hybrid work when it comes to burnout and job satisfaction
A return to the office can mean very different things to different workers, which is why this debate often produces conflicting answers.
Idaho allows faith-based medical neglect to kill children
Idaho parents are shielded from criminal prosecution if they choose "prayer or spiritual means" over effective medical care for their children, even as their children keep dying.
The bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) international database: an update and ongoing call for data
1 in 13 adults under 30 already had hidden artery plaque
More than half of 16,000 apparently healthy adults had signs of atherosclerosis, with arterial plaques already detectable in about 1 in 13 people ages 18 to 29. Researchers say…
Social media provides valued community spaces for autistic young people
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that influences how people communicate and process information. A significant proportion of autistic children do not speak or speak…
Digital health promises shape the work of health care professionals
The future benefits expected from remote monitoring in health care are shaped by how professionals understand their current work and its associated challenges, a recent study…
How health care can benefit from AI, without costing the world
Artificial intelligence (AI) has had a transformative effect on health care. The technology has been tested and applied in almost every area, from disease diagnostics to…
Pharmaceutical company marketing negatively influences prescribing
Doctors' prescribing habits are heavily influenced by payments, gifts and free meals from pharmaceutical companies, leading to more prescriptions for more expensive, less…
A new AI tool distinguishes Ewing sarcoma from similar tumors
A team from the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) and the University of Valencia (UV) has developed and validated an artificial intelligence (AI) system capable of…
Maternal vaccines protect babies from serious infections, but unequal access limits benefits across Europe
Europe must act now to strengthen maternal vaccination during pregnancy and ensure all women and babies can benefit from a new generation of vaccines to protect against serious…
'Immune fog' may flag lung cancer risk years before tumor develops
A 'rising fog' may cloud the immune system's ability to detect tumors and may be the key to tackling lung cancer that is developing years before diagnosis. The team at…
Abdominal fluid reveals rare immune cells that may limit attacks on tumors
In a study published in Science Immunology, researchers used malignant ascites: fluid that accumulates in the abdomen of some patients when cancer metastasizes to the abdominal…
Electrical ablation boosts CAR-NK cell therapy against liver cancer, offering new strategy for refractory solid tumors
A research team has developed a combination immunotherapy that uses an electrical ablation technique to enhance the efficacy of immune cell therapy against liver cancer.
NAD-boosting treatment shows no Parkinson's benefit in yearlong trial
A major clinical trial involving 410 people with early Parkinson's disease has found no clinical benefit from nicotinamide riboside (NR), a compound that increases cellular…
Serum C7 levels predict liver-related events in metabolic fatty liver disease, study finds
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. As the disease progresses, liver fibrosis…
Elderly people could live independently for longer thanks to new home sensor system which detects emergencies
Older people could be monitored safely in their own homes without the need for intrusive cameras or wearable devices thanks to new research by Nottingham Trent University (NTU).
Elevated lipoprotein(a) is associated with the progression of carotid atherosclerosis
Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a genetically determined blood lipid and an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, its association with the long-term…
Endocrinologist discusses life-or-death stakes of weak bones and how to protect against devastating falls
The hip joint is a well-known point of failure in the human body, especially as we age. It's no wonder the problem is familiar: In the U.S. alone, someone fractures a hip…
Involuntary eye movements could be targeted by restoring retinal dopamine, mouse experiments suggest
Researchers have found a possible way to stop abnormal signals in the retina that are linked to involuntary eye movements (nystagmus). In experiments on mouse retinas in the…
Automated breast ultrasound is effective alternative to handheld ultrasound for breast cancer screening, study finds
A new study in the Journal of the American College of Radiology has found that automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) and handheld ultrasound (HHUS) had similar cancer detection…
Natural compound shows promise against C. difficile while largely sparing healthy gut bacteria
The pathogen Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is naturally present in the intestines of many people. When present in small numbers, it usually causes no symptoms.…
Bending over on the job increases miscarriage risk, study says
Jobs that require pregnant women to bend over could be increasing their risk of miscarriage, a new study says.
Strong social networks predict higher fertility rates in new study
Communities where people report high levels of social support and frequent social interactions tend to have higher birth rates, regardless of their economic status. This…
Run/Walkers Need to Master These 2 Skills to Unlock Faster Times. Here’s What They Are and Exactly How to Practice Them
Do this simple drill each week to help you conserve energy, delay muscular fatigue, and finish every run/walk stronger.
Prime Day Might Be Over, but the 41% Discount on the Brooks Ghost Max 3, a Proven Winner, Is Still Happening
Our testers loved the foot-wrapping comfort and loads of cushioning for everyday runs.
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Over 50% Off Even Post Prime Day
The unisex, crowd-favorite supershoe is over half off for Prime Big Deal Days.
Eye contact may act as a learning “switch” for babies’ brains
Do babies soak up everything they hear? Not quite. A study of infants in the U.K. and Singapore suggests eye contact helps them decide which words are worth learning, possibly…
IT Band Syndrome Vs. a Meniscus Tear: How to Tell the Difference
The location and timing of your knee pain: and the presence of swelling or clicking: can offer important clues.
Does nail length shape how attractive you are? New research suggests it might
When people judged drawings of hands, medium-length nails and white polish earned the highest attractiveness ratings, while long nails and dark shades scored lowest. The…
Save $1,000 on the Peloton Cross Tread Before Prime Big Deal Days Ends
This limited-time deal makes Peloton's premium treadmill much easier to buy.
Conservatives’ more rigid thinking styles don’t seem to make them likelier than liberals to toe the party line
Conservatives tend to report more rigid thinking styles than liberals, but that doesn't appear to make them more likely to follow their party's lead. Across dozens of issues,…
What Is the Run/Walk Method? We Break It Down, Plus Explain the Benefits
This interval strategy can help both new and experienced runners pick up speed and run farther.
Shop Prime Big Deal Days Treadmill Sales to Save Up to 30% on Peloton, NordicTrack, Bowflex and More
Get the best deals to start your fall off on the right foot.
Physical attractiveness offers no protection for perpetrators of online misogyny
A recent experiment found that physical attractiveness does not protect internet trolls from judgment. When encountering online misogyny, users rely on the severity of the…
A love of intense sweetness shows a surprising link to financial choices
People with a strong preference for intensely sweet tastes tend to choose immediate, smaller rewards over delayed ones. New research suggests this impatience is largely…
Researchers probe the oxytocin system for clues to functional neurological disorder
Researchers exploring Functional Neurological Disorder found that while genetics alone don't explain the condition, epigenetic markers and salivary oxytocin levels interact in…
Winning the lottery helps men marry, but briefly raises divorce risk for women
Winning a lottery prize of about $140,000 made single Swedish men roughly 30 percent more likely to marry within five years. For married women, a similar windfall nearly…