February 19, 2026

A possible Alzheimer’s biomarker? Why REST protein levels are drawing attention

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

by Julie Nybakk Kvaal, University of Oslo edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Robert Egan Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source (a) The researchers increased the amount of a protein called REST in the right side of the brain’s memory center (the hippocampus) in mice with Alzheimer’s disease. The left side was used for comparison. (b) […]

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Computer brain games may boost white matter after chronic traumatic brain injury

February 19, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / chronic traumatic brain injury

by Jade McClain, New York University edited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Andrew Zinin Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source Credit: CC0 Public Domain Patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) who complete computerized cognitive games show improved neuroplasticity and cognitive performance, according to new research published in Journal of Neurotrauma. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change

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Study maps brainstem nerve cells that stabilize blood pressure minute to minute

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

by University of Virginia edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Andrew Zinin Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source Graphical Abstract. Credit: Circulation Research (2026). DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.125.326792 Doctors usually focus on a person’s average blood pressure, but research increasingly shows that how much blood pressure fluctuates from moment to moment is just as important. Excessive short-term variability is a

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A more accurate measure of calories burned: Model interprets leg motion as expended energy

February 19, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / leg motion

by Anne J. Manning, Harvard University edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Robert Egan Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source Researchers recruited study participants to validate the OpenMetabolics model against other, common fitness-tracking systems. Credit: Harvard University Though it might feel great to finish a workout and see “calories burned” pop up on your smartwatch, that

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New FAP-Index could transform early detection of severe liver disease

February 19, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / severe liver disease

by Centenary Institute edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Andrew Zinin Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source Credit: Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (2026). DOI: 10.1111/jgh.70294 Researchers from the Centenary Institute have developed a new diagnostic tool, the FAP-Index, that could significantly improve how doctors identify people at risk of serious liver damage caused by metabolic fatty liver

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13 Atorvastatin Side Effects and How to Manage Them

February 19, 2026 / Patient education / InnovateMed Author / atorvastatin

Atorvastatin (Lipitor, Atorvaliq) is a statin medication used to treat high cholesterol. It’s also used to lower the risk of heart attack or stroke in certain people who are at high risk. If you’re prescribed atorvastatin, take it at the same time each day and be consistent with treatment. But if you’re experiencing side effects, you may be wondering if there’s anything you can

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Brain organoids can be trained to solve a goal-directed task

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

Peer-Reviewed Publication University of California – Santa Cruz image: At top, a neural spike is read out and decoded to move the cart. On the bottom, a waveform indicates electrical stimulation into specific neurons to encode the pole’s angle into the organoid. This loop happens many times per second. view more Credit: Ash Robbins/ UC Santa

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FDA will drop two-study requirement for new drug approvals, aiming to speed access

February 19, 2026 / News update / InnovateMed Author / drug approval

by Matthew Perrone edited by Andrew Zinin Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source Dr. Marty Makary, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration speaks at an event on addiction recovery in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Washington, as Attorney General Pam Bondi and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum

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Lupus Rash in Pictures: How to Recognize and Treat It

February 19, 2026 / Patient education / InnovateMed Author / lupus rash

Written by Maryann Mikhail, MD | Reviewed by Maria Robinson, MD, MBA Updated on February 18, 2026Key takeaways: Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect the skin, joints, and internal organs. A skin rash may be the first sign of lupus, and it usually develops on the face, arms, or chest. The lupus rash can be triggered by

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Ultrasound-jiggled nanobubbles can crack cancer’s collagen ‘fortress’

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

by Case Western Reserve University edited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Robert Egan Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source Graphical abstract. Credit: ACS Nano (2026). DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5c21787 Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have discovered a way to breach one of cancer’s most stubborn defenses: the impenetrable fortress that solid tumors build around themselves. By injecting nanobubbles filled

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