February 19, 2026

Childhood BMI changes genetically linked to adulthood diabetes and heart disease

February 19, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / body mass index

by University of Queensland edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Robert Egan Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain A University of Queensland study has modeled how genes can influence a child’s body mass index (BMI) over time and how they may contribute to the risk of developing diseases, such as heart disease […]

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The Retroevolutionary Origin of the Eukaryotic Spliceosome

February 19, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / Eukaryotic Spliceosome

By Hugo Francisco de SouzaReviewed by Lauren Hardaker Introduction What Is the Spliceosome? Retroelements and Mobile Genetic Elements The Retroelement Origin Hypothesis Evidence Supporting a Retroevolutionary Origin Implications for Eukaryotic Genome Evolution Alternative Views and Open Questions Conclusions References Further Reading What if the defining machinery of eukaryotic life began as a genomic parasite, and its domestication

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Onset of “the munchies” after cannabis use could offer clues to help people with appetite loss

February 19, 2026 / Clinical Practice / InnovateMed Author / appetite loss

Washington State UniversityFeb 19 2026 The urgent onset of “the munchies” after cannabis use isn’t imaginary – it’s a cognitive response that occurs regardless of sex, age, weight or recent food consumption and could offer clues to help people struggling with appetite loss. Those findings from a collaborative study, conducted by researchers at Washington State

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Brain stimulation device cleared for ADHD in the US is overall safe but ineffective

February 19, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / brain stimulation

A large multicentre clinical trial involving the University of Southampton has shown that a device cleared by the USA FDA to treat ADHD is not effective in reducing symptoms. ADHD – illustrative photo. Image credit: Pixabay (Free Pixabay license) The device – which uses an approach called trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) – was cleared for use by

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Mitochondria and aging: A central axis in Parkinson’s disease pathogenesis

February 19, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / aging

New review unravels how mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular aging converge to drive Parkinson’s disease Peer-Reviewed Publication Compuscript Ltd image: (A) In early/mid-stage PD, the nigrostriatal pathway (indicated by red arrow) is primarily affected, leading to impaired voluntary movement control due to dopamine depletion in the striatum. During late-stage PD, three additional pathways are compromised: the

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Red blood cells soak up sugar at high altitude, protecting against diabetes

February 19, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / diabetes

A new study from Gladstone Institutes shows red blood cells act as hidden glucose sponges in low-oxygen conditions, explaining why people living at high altitude have lower diabetes rates and pointing toward new treatments. Peer-Reviewed Publication Gladstone Institutes image: Scientists at Gladstone Institutes discovered that red blood cells act as hidden glucose sponges in low-oxygen conditions, explaining why

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Why is everyone stuck on kinesiology tape?

February 19, 2026 / Patient education / InnovateMed Author / kinesiology tape

by Emily Brognano, Tufts University edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Robert Egan Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source Credit: Yan Krukau from Pexels It’s available over the counter at the local pharmacy or online, comes in a variety of colors, and is seen on the bodies of countless athletes across the world, but what exactly

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Scientists discover ‘bacterial constipation,’ a new disease caused by gut-drying bacteria

February 19, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / gut drying bacteria

by Nagoya University edited by Stephanie Baum, reviewed by Robert Egan Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source Researchers have identified a two-step bacterial process driving a new type of constipation. One bacterium removes protective sulfate groups while another consumes the exposed colonic mucin. Credit: Tomonari Hamaguchi, Nagoya University Scientists at Nagoya University in Japan have found

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Blood test ‘clocks’ can predict when Alzheimer’s symptoms will start

February 19, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / Blood test

by Shawn Ballard, Washington University in St. Louis edited by Stephanie Baum, reviewed by Robert Egan Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source WashU Medicine researchers have developed a model to estimate when Alzheimer’s disease symptoms will begin based on the accumulation of amyloid and tau proteins in the brain. These proteins build up predictably over time,

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New treatment offers hope for young eating disorder patients

February 19, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / eating disorder

by Murdoch Children’s Research Institute edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Andrew Zinin Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Melbourne researchers have successfully tested a new therapy for a complex and increasingly common eating disorder among teenagers. The study found that an enhanced treatment model, developed by Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI),

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