Health

US researchers report a nasal‑spray 'universal' vaccine that, in animal tests, kept lung immune cells on a heightened state and reduced viral passage for about three months; human trials are planned.

Eric Dane, 53, died ten months after announcing an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis diagnosis and spent his last months fundraising and campaigning for ALS research and awareness.

A care assistant was sentenced to 21 years after pleading guilty to multiple sexual offences against elderly residents and to possessing indecent images; the court imposed an extended licence, a sexual harm prevention order and lifetime sex offender registration.

A care assistant pleaded guilty to nine counts of rape and to charges of making indecent images and was sentenced to 21 years; police say investigations continue and have appealed for any other victims to come forward.

A South African couple who drank large amounts of full‑fat cola and ate high‑calorie foods changed their diet and worked with a medical team, losing about 264kg (around 40 stone) between them; their 10‑year‑old son also lost weight.

Researchers report that low-oxygen conditions make red blood cells take up more glucose, lowering blood sugar in mice, and that a drug called HypoxyStat reproduced this effect and normalized high blood sugar in diabetic mice.

The Care Quality Commission raised Elmcroft Care Home's rating from inadequate to good after an inspection carried out between 17 December 2025 and 8 January; inspectors reported improvements and positive feedback from relatives and staff.

NHS England data shows 510,165 people had a recorded dementia diagnosis on 31 January 2026, a fall of 2,301 since 31 December 2025; 34,524 of those recorded were diagnosed before age 65.

Around 9.4 million people in the UK are thought to be living with anxiety or another mental health condition, and experts say some common behaviours — including social withdrawal, irregular sleep, heavy alcohol or caffeine use, and prolonged inactivity — can worsen symptoms. Evidence-based treatments such as talking therapies, medications and exercise are reported to help many people, and a public campaign is encouraging therapy uptake on the NHS.

Researchers and dental experts reported links between oral health and a range of systemic conditions, and dentists in the article emphasised regular check-ups and careful brushing technique.

An oncology dietitian told the Daily Mail that diets rich in plant-based foods and specific items — including lentils, shiitake mushrooms, oily fish, garlic, citrus, kefir and turmeric — are associated in research with biological effects that may lower cancer risk.

Research by the charity Sense reports many parents of disabled children are paying thousands a year for private therapies because SEND support and some Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) are delayed or do not meet needs; the government says it will set out reforms in an upcoming schools white paper.

The UK Health Security Agency reported 16 new measles cases in Enfield and 10 in Haringey this week, taking London's total to 88 so far this year. Most reported cases are in children under 10.

A study published in Science reports a nasal‑spray approach that leaves lung macrophages in a heightened state of readiness and, in animal experiments, reduced viral entry by about 100‑ to 1,000‑fold and lasted around three months.

Hailey Bieber said a 2022 mini-stroke and later heart surgery made her more vigilant about her body and still leaves her feeling nervous.

Researchers analysed tumours and healthy tissue from nearly 500 pet cats across five countries and found genetic changes in several feline cancers that resemble those seen in humans, notably mammary carcinomas with frequent FBXW7 and PIK3CA alterations.

More than 60 health bodies and charities have written to Northern Ireland's leaders urging introduction of minimum unit pricing after official figures showed alcohol-specific deaths rose from 219 in 2014 to 397 in 2024, an increase of 81%.

About one in three eligible women did not attend breast screening in 2024/25, and NHS England reports 19,291 breast cancers were detected through the programme that year.

A Northwestern study reported that avoiding food within three hours of bedtime improved heart-rate regulation and glucose measures in a small trial of obese adults, and biohacker Bryan Johnson highlighted the finding.

A coroner found that Britain's Got Talent dancer Kerri-Anne Donaldson died by suicide three days after she was arrested on suspicion of child sexual offending; the inquest criticised gaps in the later mental health assessment.

Zimbabwe has begun administering lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug administered twice a year, targeting more than 46,000 people at high risk across 24 sites with funding from the U.S. and the Global Fund.

European authorities say the likelihood of infant exposure to the cereulide toxin is now low after precautionary recalls of formula linked to contaminated ingredients; several countries reported infants with mild gastrointestinal symptoms and a small number of hospitalisations.

The MHRA has approved zanidatamab (Ziihera) for adults with advanced biliary tract cancer that is HER2-high and has progressed after prior treatment; a single-arm study in 80 patients reported tumour shrinkage or no detectable disease in about 52% of the 62 HER2-high participants.

Beverley Callard said she will have surgery on Friday at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital to remove two lymph nodes after an early breast cancer diagnosis, and she will return to the UK for radiotherapy and further treatment.

A Portsmouth man diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in 2020 says he persuaded his twin to have a PSA blood test in 2025, which led to an early-stage, operable diagnosis.

A Jersey Youth Service project ran half-term sessions at Le Squez Youth Centre for children aged 8–18 who care for family members, offering activities such as baking, karaoke and gaming to give them a break from responsibilities.

Great Ormond Street Hospital has developed a new cognitive rehabilitation programme for children after brain tumours and is trialling it with 36 participants; families of early enrollees have described the impact as life-changing.

Rosie Myers says she has lived with trichotillomania since childhood and that therapy helped her stop pulling for about eight years; she reports some areas remain thinner and has a trichologist appointment later this month.

Dr Anna Cabeca says she experienced premature menopause at 39 and later reports that adding maca and other diet and lifestyle changes coincided with a return of menstruation and reduced symptoms.

A small UK–Sweden trial reported that NHS staff who used a brief Tetris-based visual task experienced far fewer intrusive memories; researchers plan larger and more diverse trials to test the approach further.