Mississippi hospital system closes all clinics after ransomware attack
abcnews - A ransomware attack has forced the University of Mississippi Medical Center to close clinics and cancel elective procedures for a second day
AI Summary: A cyberattack forced the University of Mississippi Medical Center to take Epic and other systems offline, leading to canceled appointments, closed clinics and an FBI response. Officials say investigations are ongoing while clinicians scramble to deliver care without their usual electronic lifelines.
Grail’s Galleri Blood Test Falls Short in Large Cancer-Screening Study, Shares Sink 50%
Frank Vinluan / medcitynews - Despite missing statistical significance, Grail said the observation of trending improvement suggests potential for better results with more time, so the company is extending follow up by up to a year. More detailed trial results will be submitted for pre…
AI Summary: Grail’s multi‑cancer Galleri blood screen failed to meet the primary endpoint in a large UK trial, undermining claims of near-term population screening utility and prompting a sharp market reaction. Researchers noted signals that merit further study, but the study outcome raises fresh doubts about broad clinical deployment and reimbursement prospects.
'Universal' nasal-spray vaccine protects against viruses, bacteria and allergens in mice
livescience - In an early animal test, a new nasal-spray vaccine has shown promise against a variety of germs and a common allergen, scientists report.
AI Summary: Scientists reported a nasal-spray vaccine that protected mice against a range of respiratory viruses, bacteria and even a common allergen, a tantalizing step toward a universal respiratory vaccine. The animal data look promising, but human trials are essential before anyone ditches annual shots for a single spritz and a prayer.
Your Cat May Share the Same Cancer Genes as You, and Offer Clues for Treatment
discovermagazine - Learn how cats and humans can share key cancer mutations — and why those similarities could guide future treatment research.
AI Summary: A comparative genomics study finds the household cat shares key cancer mutations with humans across several tumor types, offering a practical animal model for understanding tumor biology and testing therapies. Researchers suggest these feline-human parallels could accelerate translational oncology for both species, turning a once-dismissed pet anecdote into useful science.
Ultramarathon Running Could Rapidly Age and Breakdown Red Blood Cells
discovermagazine - Learn more about the impact ultramarathon running has on red blood cells and how it may do more harm than good for the body.
AI Summary: New research shows that extreme ultramarathon efforts cause rapid red blood cell breakdown and markers of accelerated cellular aging, potentially impairing oxygen delivery and recovery. Scientists warn that while endurance feats make great headlines, the physiological cost to blood health may be substantial and warrants monitoring in athletes.
Immune cells from pediatricians help uncover an antibody cocktail against RSV and hMPV
medicalxpress - Researchers in China recently published a study in Science Translational Medicine describing a new antibody cocktail for protection against two common viruses. The proposed preventative treatment consists of antibodies identified in pediatricians who have…
AI Summary: Researchers mined the blood of pediatricians — occupationally exposed to many childhood viruses — to isolate highly potent antibodies, then combined them into a cocktail that neutralizes respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV). Preclinical results show strong neutralization and protection, offering a promising prophylactic or therapeutic option for infants and at-risk adults.
FDA formalizes one pivotal trial policy via NEJM perspective
Zachary Brennan / endpoints - Top FDA officials said that a single pivotal trial requirement will be the “new default standard” for drug approvals, a move that goes beyond the agency’s prior discretion around not requiring two trials. In a ...
AI Summary: The FDA has moved to make a single pivotal trial the new default for drug approvals, abandoning the long-standing two-study standard to speed access and ease OTC transitions. The policy, outlined by agency leaders and discussed in a NEJM perspective, raises questions about evidence thresholds and downstream safety monitoring. Welcome to faster approvals — now let's hope that lone study behaves.
Nevada Debuts Public Option Amid Tumultuous Federal Changes to Health Care
Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez / kffhealthnews - The state recently became the third to offer a public option health plan through its Affordable Care Act marketplace. But researchers said it’s unlikely to fill the gaps left by sweeping changes at the federal level.
AI Summary: Nevada has rolled out a public-option plan on its Affordable Care Act marketplace, becoming the third state to do so as federal policy shifts rattle the insurance landscape. Officials tout lower-cost choice for consumers, while researchers warn the move won’t plug major coverage gaps or fully offset the effects of federal changes.
N.I.H. Director Will Temporarily Run C.D.C. in Leadership Shake-Up
Sheryl Gay Stolberg / nytimes - Dr. Jay Bhattacharya will serve as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention until President Trump appoints a permanent director.
AI Summary: Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, currently NIH director, has been appointed acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stepping into leadership amid recent departures. He will oversee CDC operations until a permanent nominee is confirmed, inheriting immediate pandemic and preparedness responsibilities — because who doesn’t love an unexpected federal acting role?
F.D.A. Reverses Decision and Agrees to Review Moderna’s Flu Vaccine
Christina Jewett and Rebecca Robbins / nytimes - Moderna said it had held further discussions with regulators and announced that the agency would accept the company’s application for approval of its flu vaccine that uses mRNA technology.
AI Summary: After renewed discussions with the company, the FDA reversed its earlier stance and agreed to accept Moderna’s amended application for an mRNA seasonal influenza vaccine. Regulators will now evaluate the submitted safety and efficacy data to determine whether the shot meets approval standards — a regulatory about-face that will keep flu-watchers and investors awake.
As some people push to make profound autism its own diagnosis, this family is raising twins with it
medicalxpress - Connor Murphy walked in circles around his dad, then flopped down on the kitchen floor, got up and walked in circles again.
AI Summary: In a candid portrait, parents caring for twins with severe developmental differences describe daily realities—stereotyped behaviors like pacing and collapse—while advocacy grows to recognize "profound autism" as a distinct diagnosis. Families say a separate label could unlock tailored services and protections, but critics warn of stigma and diagnostic fragmentation; labels aren't magic wands.
What to Expect at the World Cancer Congress 2026 – UICC
oncodaily - Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) shared a post on LinkedIn: “The preliminary program for the World Cancer Congress 2026 – taking place in Hong Kong and hosted by UICC […]
AI Summary: The Union for International Cancer Control released the preliminary program for World Cancer Congress 2026, outlining sessions on prevention, equity, innovation and global collaboration. The meeting will assemble policymakers, clinicians and advocates to debate strategy and share research—expect plenaries, networking and ambitious goals paired with painfully realistic budgets.
- Cutting-edge research: enzymes, AI, biomarkers transforming cancer care (23)
- Global oncology meetings: convening leaders and reviewers worldwide (14)
- Other: market, jobs, commentary, and patient communication (9)
- Previewing World Cancer Congress 2026: program, goals, real budgets (1)
- All Other Stories
Cutting-edge research: enzymes, AI, biomarkers transforming cancer care
Global oncology meetings: convening leaders and reviewers worldwide
Other: market, jobs, commentary, and patient communication
Previewing World Cancer Congress 2026: program, goals, real budgets
All Other Stories
Destructive meningitis cases raise concerns about emerging pathogen
medicalxpress - Penn State College of Medicine is reporting on two cases of destructive infant meningitis linked to Paenibacillus infection, documenting severe neurologic injury and raising concerns about diagnosis and treatment. Reports from Uganda first linked these or…
AI Summary: Penn State researchers reported two infants who developed severe, often destructive, meningitis linked to Paenibacillus infection. The rare cases resulted in serious outcomes and prompted clinical and public‑health scrutiny of an uncommon pathogen, highlighting diagnostic challenges and the need for heightened awareness among clinicians and investigators.
Intermittent fasting probably doesn’t help with weight loss
newscientist - Intermittent fasting appears to be no better than doing nothing when it comes to helping people who are overweight or have obesity lose weight
AI Summary: Large-scale reviews and new analyses find intermittent‑fasting regimens deliver weight‑loss results comparable to standard dietary advice or doing nothing special. The evidence undercuts the popular hype: fasting patterns don’t reliably outperform conventional approaches, and benefits often reflect overall calorie reduction rather than any magic timing effect.
Can medical AI lie? Large study maps how LLMs handle health misinformation
medicalxpress - Medical artificial intelligence (AI) is often described as a way to make patient care safer by helping clinicians manage information. A new study by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and collaborators confronts a critical vulnerability: when a m…
AI Summary: A broad analysis — including Mount Sinai research — shows large language models and medical AI systems can propagate false or misleading health claims when presented in realistic clinical language. Findings expose safety gaps, underline risks of unchecked deployment, and call for tighter guardrails, validation and clinician oversight before clinical use.
Physicians are not 'providers': New paper says names in health care have ethical significance
medicalxpress - A new ethics policy paper from the American College of Physicians (ACP) says the term "provider" should not be used to describe physicians, and using the blanket term undermines physicians' ethical responsibility, clinical integrity, and professionalism.
AI Summary: A new ethics paper contends that referring to doctors as “providers” erodes professional accountability and the ethical obligations central to medicine. Coverage highlights concerns that terminology matters for trust, clinical integrity and patient relationships, prompting debate about language use across health systems and policy forums.
Physicians push back on Alabama robotic ultrasound proposal
Mariah Taylor / beckershospitalreview - Alabama’s proposal to use robotic ultrasounds to close care gaps is being praised by national leaders but facing pushback from local physicians, KFF Health News reported Feb. 12. Alabama is facing above national average rates for infant mortality on top o…
AI Summary: Alabama’s plan to expand robotics in maternity services — including proposals for robotic ultrasounds and other automation — has provoked physician backlash. Clinicians warn that substituting machines for bedside assessment could erode accountability and patient safety in a state already wrestling with poor maternal outcomes, triggering a heated debate about technology versus hands‑on care.
Lilly appeals retatrutide classification ruling in case that could impact compounders
Alexis Kramer / endpoints - Eli Lilly is challenging a decision over how the FDA classified its experimental, next-gen obesity shot, in a case that could affect the ability of compounders to rival it. On Thursday, Lilly filed a notice ...
AI Summary: Eli Lilly is contesting a regulatory classification decision for its next‑generation obesity shot while simultaneously stockpiling doses ahead of potential U.S. approval. The dispute has broader implications for compounding pharmacies and has coincided with lawsuits accusing telehealth vendors and compounders of selling unapproved oral GLP‑1 alternatives — a messy intersection of commerce, regulation and patient safety.
Extracorporeal liver cross-circulation using transgenic xenogeneic pig livers with brain-dead human decedents
Abraham Shaked / nature - Nature Medicine, Published online: 09 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s41591-025-04196-3In a study of four brain-dead human decedents, extracorporeal liver cross-circulation using genetically modified pig livers provides essential hepatic functions, supporting…
AI Summary: In a controversial translational study investigators ran blood between genetically modified pig livers and brain‑dead human decedents using an extracorporeal cross‑circulation system to assess organ viability and function. The work explores a potential bridge to expand transplantable organs, laying technical groundwork while prompting ethical and regulatory questions about next steps.
New FDA-Approved Device Uses Electric Fields to Treat Pancreatic Cancer
discovermagazine - Learn more about the newly approved wearable treatment that disrupts pancreatic cancer tumor growth while letting patients continue daily life at home.
AI Summary: The FDA approved a wearable device that delivers alternating electric fields to disrupt pancreatic tumor growth, letting patients remain ambulatory while receiving treatment. Clinicians hail the noninvasive approach as a new adjunct to standard care, aiming to slow progression in a cancer that’s notoriously hard to treat — and yes, it literally plugs into hope.