Health - Thursday, April 23, 2026

This week on "The Readout LOUD": a CAR-T biotech's dramatic turnaround, and drugmakers' tactics to drive more scripts. Listen now.

A deal with Regeneron was the last of 17 initially sought by the White House.

The constant pressure that the heart is under from beating thousands of times a day may create an environment hostile to cancers

The Trump administration, in a stark departure from the "Just Say No" era, is funding psychedelics research and rescheduling marijuana.

A rare group of adults over 80, known as SuperAgers, are rewriting what we thought was possible for the aging brain. With memory abilities comparable to people decades younger, their brains either resist or withstand the damage typically linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Decades of research reveal that their social lifestyles and unique brain biology may hold the key to preserving cognitive function. Scientists believe these insights could pave the way for new strategies to delay or even prevent dementia.

Legislators in two states are resisting efforts to restrict prescription drug affordability boards.

Since the 1918 pandemic, the military has acknowledged the threat of influenza. Now that’s changing.

Scientists have identified two specific types of brain cells that behave differently in people with depression, offering a clearer picture of what is happening inside the brain. By analyzing donated brain tissue with advanced genetic tools, the researchers found changes in neurons linked to mood and stress, as well as in immune-related microglia cells. These differences point to disruptions in key brain systems and reinforce that depression is rooted in biology, not just emotions.

A new minimally invasive procedure may help people keep weight off after stopping popular drugs like Ozempic and semaglutide—something most patients struggle with. In a clinical trial, those who underwent a technique called duodenal mucosal resurfacing regained far less weight compared to others after discontinuing the medication. The procedure works by renewing the lining of the upper small intestine, potentially “resetting” metabolism and preserving the benefits of weight loss.

A new virus-fighting plastic film could transform everyday surfaces into invisible defenders against disease. Instead of relying on chemicals, this flexible material is covered in microscopic pillars that physically stretch viruses until they burst, rendering them harmless. In lab tests, it destroyed or disabled about 94% of virus particles within an hour, showing impressive effectiveness.