Understanding the association between hormone therapy and autoimmune disease risk

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in the world among women, with more than 2.3 million cases a year, and continues to be one of the main causes of cancer-related mortality. Precisely predicting whether this type of tumor will reappear remains one of the key challenges in oncology.

Chinese researchers have revealed a mechanism that triggers metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)—the most common type of primary liver cancer—through the production of acetate by tumor-associated macrophages.

Deficiency of the gene melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) is linked with obesity among adults. A recent study has found that the same deficiency also leads to surprising outcomes such as reduced risk of heart disease, lower cholesterol, and triglycerides. These results contradict the well-established correlation between obesity and cardiovascular diseases.

Inspired by tensions between health and financial well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new model could significantly improve predictions of how disease will spread by acknowledging the trade-offs in a health crisis between public health and personal welfare.

Scientists at CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, have identified simpler and less invasive methods to improve Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, potentially making it easier for patients to access emerging treatments.

Scientists from the A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs (A*STAR IDL) have uncovered a surprising mechanism showing how mosquito saliva can alter the human body's immune response during chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection, contributing to Singapore's broader efforts to strengthen infectious disease preparedness.

In a city, coworking hubs bring people and ideas together. Inside cancer cells, similar hubs form—but instead of fueling progress, they supercharge disease. That's what researchers at the Texas A&M University Health Science Center (Texas A&M Health) have discovered inside the cells of a rare and aggressive kidney cancer.

A new study led by Rice University's Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede has revealed that protein clumps, or plaques that clog the brain, associated with Parkinson's disease are not merely waste; they can actively drain energy from brain cells. These clumps, composed of a protein called alpha-synuclein, were found to break down adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule responsible for powering nearly all cellular activities.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive muscle wasting and limb paralysis. This neurodegenerative condition results from the gradual destruction of motor neurons, the nerve cells that control muscles.

Many women during menopause complain about brain fog, which includes symptoms like forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, and mental fatigue, often due to fluctuating hormone levels. A literature review was conducted to examine published studies that explore the link between structural brain changes during menopause and cognitive, emotional and physiological outcomes.

Despite growing recognition of sex differences in traumatic brain injury (TBI) outcomes, the interaction between hormone transitions–particularly menopause–and brain injury remains significantly underexplored in both research and clinical care. A new study suggests a greater focus on hormone changes when diagnosing and treating TBIs in menopausal women.

Digestive health issues are highly prevalent among perimenopausal and menopausal women, with many reporting the onset or exacerbation of symptoms during this life stage. Despite symptom burden, formal diagnoses and effective treatment remain limited. That's the conclusion of a new study focused on gut health during the menopause transition.

Many symptoms, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, are commonly associated with the menopause transition. One of the lesser-known symptoms that worsens in midlife is dry eyes. A new study suggests that postmenopausal women exhibit a higher prevalence of dry eye disease than perimenopausal women.

Women are significantly more likely than men to develop Alzheimer's disease. Earlier age at menopause is associated with a greater risk for late-life cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. A new study suggests that this risk is even higher in women who carry the APOE e4 gene variant or who have systemic inflammation.

Anxiety is a common and significant symptom of menopause and perimenopause, largely due to hormone fluctuations. Numerous studies have focused on the potential benefits of hormone therapy in reducing anxiety. A new systematic review indicates the treatment does not consistently impact anxiety symptoms in midlife women. Results of the review were presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Orlando, held October 21–25.

Arc Institute, Gladstone Institutes, and University of California, San Francisco, scientists have developed an epigenetic editing platform that enables safe modification of multiple genes in primary human T cells, addressing a key manufacturing and scalability challenge in next-generation cell therapies.

A novel combination therapy pairing a DNA-synthesis inhibitor with a targeted radiopharmaceutical may improve outcomes for patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors, according to new clinical trial data presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2025.

While the expression "touch grass" is most often used as a meme to teasingly tell fellow internet users to log off and venture outside, there is research-backed evidence that reconnecting with sensory experiences only found in the physical world is highly beneficial for overall well-being.