News &amp; Updates

A 5-day treatment course with nirmatrelvir–ritonavir appears to extend its benefit past the acute infection period, having been linked to reduced long COVID risk in the randomized controlled PANORAMIC Norway trial.

Nirmatrelvir–ritonavir for acute infection also mitigates long COVID risk

Smoking tied to reduced physical activity in adults with respiratory disease

Cigarette smoking and use of heated tobacco products (HTPs) are both linked to lower physical activity in Japanese adults, especially those with respiratory diseases, according to a study.

Smoking tied to reduced physical activity in adults with respiratory disease

Walking with huffing helps clear airway during bronchiectasis exacerbation

Active cycle of breathing technique (ACBT) and walking with huffing demonstrate similar efficacy in improving sputum expectoration and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in hospitalized adults with exacerbation of bronchiectasis, a study has found.

Walking with huffing helps clear airway during bronchiectasis exacerbation

14 Aug 2026

Comorbidities prevalent in patients with RA

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) also suffer several comorbidities, the most common being circulatory and metabolic disorders, according to a Bangladesh study.

Comorbidities prevalent in patients with RA

14 Aug 2026

Semaglutide may extend benefits in COVID-19

In a prespecified secondary analysis of the phase III FLOW trial, semaglutide reduces the risk of serious infections and COVID-19 events in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Semaglutide may extend benefits in COVID-19

14 Aug 2026

Three-strain probiotic may benefit menopausal women

A three-strain probiotic formula appears to improve menopause-associated symptoms and quality of life, as shown in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Three-strain probiotic may benefit menopausal women

Real-world data support neoadjuvant immunotherapy in dMMR/MSI CRC

13 Aug 2026 by

Neoadjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy demonstrates notable activity in non-metastatic deficient mismatch repair/microsatellite instability-high (dMMR/MSI) colorectal cancer (CRC), with high response rates and favourable clinical outcomes, as shown in the ongoing ambispective international observational study AGEO-NEO-MSI.

Real-world data support neoadjuvant immunotherapy in dMMR/MSI CRC

Obesity tied to higher disease activity in children with JIA

In children newly diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), obesity is associated with increased disease activity and limited access to healthy food in chain grocery stores, suggests a Canada study.

Obesity tied to higher disease activity in children with JIA

Nutritional anaemia raises mortality, readmission risks in patients with AECOPD

13 Aug 2026 by

Anaemia affects nearly one in five patients hospitalized for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and contributes to increased postdischarge mortality and readmission, a study has found. Its most common subtype is nutritional anaemia, followed by anaemia of chronic disease (ACD).

Nutritional anaemia raises mortality, readmission risks in patients with AECOPD

13 Aug 2026

Does prenatal Ramadan exposure affect child growth?

Conflicting results over the effect of prenatal Ramadan exposure on child growth have been resolved in a recent study, which restricted samples to multifaith regions and accounts for growth faltering.

Does prenatal Ramadan exposure affect child growth?