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Researchers have suggested that metformin, a widely used diabetes medication, may help prevent long COVID when taken during or shortly after SARS-CoV-2 infection. With over a third of COVID-19 survivors developing long COVID, a condition lacking a definitive cure, the findings offer hope. A recent commentary, based on data from clinical trials, indicates that metformin can significantly reduce the risk of long COVID, with one case prevented for every 50 treated within 14 days of infection. Co-author Carolyn Bramante noted that metformin lowers viral load and has beneficial effects on the immune system, making it a low-cost, safe intervention. Experts emphasize the need for further research to understand the mechanisms behind these effects, which could lead to better diagnostics and preventive strategies for long COVID. The commentary highlights the potential public health implications of using metformin as a preventative measure against this chronic condition. 
Published: Feb 09 2026, 11 pmeznews.inNovo Nordisk's latest drug, CagriSema, has shown promising results in a 68-week clinical trial, outperforming semaglutide (Wegovy) in weight loss and blood sugar control. Participants receiving weekly injections of CagriSema experienced an average weight loss of 14.2% and a reduction in HbA1C scores by 1.91%, compared to 10.2% weight loss and 1.76% HbA1C reduction for those on semaglutide alone. CagriSema is a fixed-dose combination of semaglutide and cagrilintide, an amylin receptor agonist, which together enhance appetite control and glucose regulation. The trial involved 2,728 adults with type 2 diabetes inadequately managed by metformin. Novo Nordisk plans to submit a New Drug Application to the FDA for CagriSema by December 2025. Experts caution that while results are promising, further independent trials are necessary to fully understand the drug's effectiveness and side effects.
Published: Feb 10 2026, 12 ameznews.inA recent study published in *Neurology Open Access* has revealed that women who closely adhere to a Mediterranean-style diet may significantly lower their risk of experiencing strokes, including both ischemic and hemorrhagic types. The research tracked over 105,000 women with an average age of 53 for 21 years, finding that those with the highest adherence to the diet were 18% less likely to suffer any stroke, 16% less likely to have an ischemic stroke, and 25% less likely to experience a hemorrhagic stroke. While the observational nature of the study limits its ability to establish direct causation, researchers emphasize the importance of dietary habits in stroke prevention, particularly for women who face unique risk factors post-menopause. Experts advocate for the Mediterranean diet's emphasis on fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats as a flexible and effective approach to improving cardiovascular health and reducing stroke risk. Further research is needed to explore its applicability across diverse populations.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 6 pmeznews.inA recent study published in *The Lancet* highlights the potential of AI-supported mammography to enhance breast cancer detection and reduce the incidence of aggressive tumors. The Mammography Screening with Artificial Intelligence (MASAI) trial, involving over 105,000 women in Sweden, found that AI-assisted screenings resulted in a 12% reduction in interval breast cancers and a 27% decrease in aggressive cancer types, while increasing overall cancer detection rates by 29% without raising false positives. The technology, which acts as a "second pair of eyes" for radiologists, also significantly lightened the workload, reducing reading demands by 44%. Researchers noted that the AI tool improved sensitivity across various demographics without compromising specificity, suggesting broad applicability. While these findings are promising, further studies are needed to evaluate long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness in real-world screening programs.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 5 pmeznews.inA recent UK study suggests that a ketogenic diet may offer short-term benefits for adults suffering from treatment-resistant depression. This condition affects individuals whose symptoms persist despite trying at least two different antidepressants. In the trial involving 88 participants, those on a keto diet reported a more significant decline in depressive symptoms after six weeks compared to a control group following a phytochemical diet. Specifically, the keto group saw their scores drop by approximately 10 points on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), while the control group experienced an 8-point drop. However, by the 12-week follow-up, the benefits appeared to diminish, raising questions about the long-term efficacy of the diet. Experts caution that while the findings are promising, they do not replace established treatments and should be approached under medical supervision. Future research is needed to identify which individuals may benefit most from this dietary approach.
Published: Feb 07 2026, 3 pmeznews.inResearchers at Mass General Brigham have developed an advanced AI model, named Brain Imaging Adaptive Core (BrainIAC), designed to enhance the early detection of brain-related health issues, including dementia, brain aging, and cancer. Trained on nearly 49,000 brain MRI scans, BrainIAC leverages vast datasets to predict disease risks and identify brain tumor mutations more effectively than traditional methods. This model's ability to analyze large amounts of data allows clinicians to make informed decisions about preventive measures and treatments, potentially improving patient outcomes. Experts emphasize the significance of early diagnosis in neurology, noting that BrainIAC's performance in diverse clinical scenarios could revolutionize how brain MRIs are interpreted. The model is now available as open-source for researchers and practitioners, with plans for further enhancements to expand its applications in various brain diseases.
Published: Feb 06 2026, 10 pmeznews.inA recent study published in *The Lancet* suggests that older adults who receive the shingles vaccine may experience a lower risk of developing dementia. Researchers analyzed health records of nearly 230,000 older Canadians and found that those eligible for the shingles vaccine were two percentage points less likely to receive a dementia diagnosis over a 5.5-year period. This study builds on previous research indicating that the shingles vaccine could prevent various medical conditions, including cardiovascular diseases. Lead author Dr. Pascal Geldsetzer emphasized that this research establishes a potential cause-and-effect relationship between shingles vaccination and dementia prevention, particularly noting a more significant protective effect in women. Experts, however, urge caution, highlighting that the study's findings may not apply universally, especially as the Zostavax vaccine is no longer used in the U.S. where the newer Shingrix vaccine is recommended. Further investigation is needed to confirm these promising results.
Published: Feb 06 2026, 11 pmeznews.inA recent review published in *Nutrients* highlights the significance of understanding one’s chronotype—whether a morning lark or a night owl—in optimizing health, muscle growth, and weight management. The study suggests that aligning training and eating habits with one’s biological clock can enhance performance and metabolic health. Night owls, often facing challenges such as irregular sleep and eating patterns, are encouraged to shift their largest meals to earlier in the day and prioritize protein intake to support muscle maintenance. Experts recommend exercising in the late afternoon or evening when energy levels are higher, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule to aid recovery and hormone balance. This tailored approach aims to counteract the risks associated with muscle loss and obesity, particularly in an aging population, emphasizing the importance of working with one’s natural rhythms rather than against them.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 11 pmeznews.inA recent study published in *Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Digital Health* reveals that artificial intelligence (AI) can analyze abdominal CT scans to predict fall risk in adults as early as middle age. Researchers from the Mayo Clinic found that abdominal muscle quality, specifically muscle density, is a more accurate predictor of fall risk than muscle size. The study involved nearly 4,000 adults aged 20 to 89, highlighting that lower muscle density in participants aged 45 to 64 significantly increased their risk of falls, suggesting that core strength in midlife may influence mobility later in life. These findings underscore the potential for routine CT scans to identify individuals at risk, paving the way for early interventions such as strength training and lifestyle changes. The study emphasizes the importance of maintaining core strength throughout adulthood, as falls remain a leading cause of injury among older adults, with substantial health and economic implications.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 5 pmeznews.inResearchers have shown promising results in treating aggressive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the most common form of pancreatic cancer, using a novel three-drug combination in mouse models. The combination includes the RAS(ON) inhibitor daraxonrasib, along with afatinib and SD36, which collectively target key components of the KRAS signaling pathway. This approach effectively eliminated tumors and prevented resistance, a significant hurdle in current treatments. The study, published in *PNAS*, demonstrated that simultaneous administration of these drugs led to long-lasting tumor regression without relapses. Despite the encouraging findings, experts caution that further research is necessary to assess the therapy's safety and efficacy in humans, as well as to address challenges such as drug approval and dosing. The study represents a critical step toward developing more effective treatments for one of the deadliest cancers, with potential implications for personalized medicine in the future.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 1 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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