February 20, 2026

Tattoos: Signals for Altered Vaccine Responses, Cancer Risk

February 20, 2026 / Patient education / InnovateMed Author / tattoos

Tattoo inks are specialized compounds designed to permanently pigment the skin. They consist of a mixture of chemical compounds (pigments and dyes), including aromatic amines, phthalates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals such as chromium (green and blue dyes), cobalt (yellow and blue dyes), lead, antimony, arsenic, beryllium, nickel, and mercury (red dyes). Colored pigments are physical particles at […]

Tattoos: Signals for Altered Vaccine Responses, Cancer Risk Read More »

TikTok’s Baking Soda Skin Hack: The Sting Isn’t Worth the Rub –

February 20, 2026 / Clinical Practice / InnovateMed Author / baking soda

Pooja Sodha, MD DISCLOSURES December 09, 2025 The Financial Conundrum According to survey results reported by Advanced Dermatology earlier this year, Americans spend an average of $897 a year on their appearance and 1 in 6 spend more than they can afford on beauty and wellness, including skin care. In a time of economic uncertainty fueled by increasing

TikTok’s Baking Soda Skin Hack: The Sting Isn’t Worth the Rub – Read More »

Skin Penetration Enhancers

February 20, 2026 / Clinical Practice / InnovateMed Author / skin penetration

Leslie S. Baumann, MD DISCLOSURES February 02, 2026 Multiple factors influence the cutaneous absorption of drugs, cosmetics, and cosmeceuticals. To ameliorate wrinkles and aging skin, ingredients must provide dermal absorption to impart long-term effects. The pace at which absorption occurs relies on the particular ingredients in skin care preparations as well as skin temperature, strength of

Skin Penetration Enhancers Read More »

A Single Dose of Short-Acting Psychedelic Rapidly Eases Major Depression

February 20, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / major depression

Results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2a study of adults with moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder (MDD). The antidepressant effects were observed as early as 1 week following the session and, in some cases, lasted for up to 3 months. DMT is a rapid acting psychedelic with very short duration of psychedelic effects, making it

A Single Dose of Short-Acting Psychedelic Rapidly Eases Major Depression Read More »

Urine DNA test may spot Lynch syndrome urinary cancers before symptoms

February 20, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / lynch syndrome

by Newcastle University edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Andrew Zinin Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source Initial urine MSI analysis results from 81 individuals with a diagnosis of MSH2-Lynch syndrome (A) and a timeline of urine and tumor MSI analysis results for participants with an MSI-High urine result (B). Credit: eBioMedicine (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105969 A pioneering genetic

Urine DNA test may spot Lynch syndrome urinary cancers before symptoms Read More »

Study finds IGF speeds lymphatic vessel growth, hinting at new lymphedema therapy

February 20, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / lymphedema therapy

by University of Auckland edited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Andrew Zinin Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source In this living zebrafish larva, the lymphatic vessels are fluorescently labeled red, while blood vessels are green, allowing scientists to visualize vessel growth in a developing animal. Credit: University of Auckland Scientists have made a breakthrough that could

Study finds IGF speeds lymphatic vessel growth, hinting at new lymphedema therapy Read More »

Blood and urine DNA tests may help some bladder cancer patients avoid surgery

February 20, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / bladder cancer

by The Mount Sinai Hospital edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Andrew Zinin Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have reported promising findings that may help redefine treatment for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, a potentially aggressive form of the disease traditionally

Blood and urine DNA tests may help some bladder cancer patients avoid surgery Read More »

Oral vaccine strategy used modified bacterium to combat colorectal cancer

February 20, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / coloectal cancer

by Stony Brook University edited by Robert Egan, reviewed by Andrew Zinin Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source By modifying the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, researchers are developing a promising vaccine against colorectal cancer. Credit: CDC/Unsplash A research team investigating the use of the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes against colorectal cancer has discovered a way to build a modified version

Oral vaccine strategy used modified bacterium to combat colorectal cancer Read More »

Similar kinases play distinct roles in the brain—what this could mean for future therapies

February 20, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / similar kinases

by Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Robert Egan Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source Section of mouse brain tissue showing the messenger RNA for MNK1 (magenta) and MNK2 kinase (turquoise)—important enzymes that regulate the production of proteins—are both expressed in excitatory neurons (green) in the cortex. Credit: Erika Uddström,

New method estimates Epstein-Barr virus in blood using standard genome sequencing data

February 20, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / Epstein-Barr virus

by University of Bonn edited by Robert Egan, reviewed by Andrew Zinin Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source This electron microscopic image of two Epstein Barr Virus virions (viral particles) shows round capsids—protein-encased genetic material—loosely surrounded by the membrane envelope. Credit: PloS Biology (2005), DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.0030430.g001 The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can cause certain types of cancer or autoimmune

New method estimates Epstein-Barr virus in blood using standard genome sequencing data Read More »