February 25, 2026

Ultrasound gives the brain a nudge in the right direction

February 25, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / Ultrasound

by Radboud University edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Robert Egan Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source Credit: Radboud University Neuroscientist Soha Farboud of the Donders Institute at Radboud University has succeeded in adjusting activity in specific brain areas using a new technique. With ultrasonic brain stimulation, she was able to influence whether people chose to […]

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Long-term brain effects of COVID-19 vs. flu: Study reveals key differences

February 25, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / covid

by Tulane University edited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Robert Egan Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Even a mild case of COVID-19 or the flu can impact the body long after the fever and cough fade, according to new Tulane University research that may help explain why some people struggle to

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Opioids aren’t effective for many acute pain conditions, researchers warn

February 25, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / opiods

by University of Sydney edited by Stephanie Baum, reviewed by Robert Egan Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A large review of opioid pain relievers prescribed for acute pain has found these medicines provide only small, short-term relief for some acute conditions and are ineffective for some others. The study set out

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Fat shaming doesn’t improve human health, it harms it, researchers find

February 25, 2026 / Patient education / InnovateMed Author / fat shaming

by Indiana University edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Alexander Pol Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source Credit: Andres Ayrton from Pexels Adolescence is a period defined by rapid physical, emotional, and social change, and for many young people, it is also shaped by body image issues and weight stigma. Those experiences, researchers say, can drive

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Unlearning fear faster: Activating certain neurons can accelerate the process

February 25, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / neurons

by Ruhr University Bochum edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Robert Egan Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source Chemogenetic inactivation of CRF neurons in the BNSTad impairs fear extinction. Credit: Translational Psychiatry (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41398-025-03799-1 Unlearning fear responses is a fundamental learning process in the brain. It allows us to flexibly react to formerly threatening situations once the

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New blood test score detects hidden alcohol-related liver disease

February 25, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / liver disease

by University of California – San Diego edited by Stephanie Baum, reviewed by Robert Egan Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have developed a new, easy-to-use blood test score that can help identify when fatty liver disease is being driven by excessive

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Charted: Severely obese adult

February 25, 2026 / News update / InnovateMed Author / obesity

By Maya Goldman Data: CDC; Chart: Axios Visuals Nearly 1 in 10 American adults qualified as severely obese in a sample ending in 2023, according to new data from the CDC. Why it matters: Obesity ranks at or near the top of Americans’ public health concerns and is fueling a surge of demand for GLP-1 drugs. The

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FDA OKs Milsaperidone (Bysanti) for Bipolar I Disorder and Schizophrenia

February 25, 2026 / Clinical Practice / InnovateMed Author / Bipolar disorder

Megan Brooks February 23, 2026 The FDA has approved milsaperidone (Bysanti, Vanda Pharmaceuticals) as first-line treatment for acute manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder and for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults. According to a company news release, milsaperidone is a “new chemical entity” in the atypical antipsychotic class of drugs. Milsaperidone is the

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Could a gene lower nicotine dependence? What a CHRNB3 variant suggests

February 25, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / nicotine

by Regeneron Genetics Center edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Robert Egan Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source ExWAS Manhattan plots. Credit: Nature Communications (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-68825-2 Variants in a nicotine receptor gene are associated with a lower likelihood of heavy smoking, according to a study published in Nature Communications. The findings are based on data from populations in Mexico

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It’s not just about the number on the scale: The hidden value of so-called ‘yo-yo dieting

February 25, 2026 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / 'yo-yo dieting

by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Robert Egan Editors’ notes The GIST Add as preferred source Credit: Pexels So-called “yo-yo dieting” confers long-term health benefits, according to a new study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers. “Yo-yo dieting” is a pattern in which individuals lose weight through lifestyle interventions but gradually

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