Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

Researchers at Amsterdam UMC have developed a new diagnostic test that can quickly and accurately diagnose bacterial meningitis. The test measures the CRP protein in cerebrospinal fluid, a protein that is already often tested in blood to detect bacterial infections. Currently, it often takes a long time before meningitis is diagnosed, which delays the start of adequate treatment.

Researchers at Mass General Brigham have identified new biomarkers for tinnitus by measuring pupil dilation and subtle facial movements that correlate with the level of distress caused by the disorder. Published in Science Translational Medicine, the findings could lead to placebo-controlled treatment studies that have largely not been feasible due to lack of objective measures.

Digestive disorders can affect us all from time to time. Symptoms such as bloating and pain, often accompanied with some change in bowel habits, can be a feature of dietary changes, infection and stress. However, when these symptoms last a long time and no clear cause is found, they can be hard to diagnose and treat.

Whooping cough, a bacterial infection that can be especially dangerous for babies and young children, is on the rise. Already in 2025 the U.S. has recorded 8,485 cases. That’s compared with 4,266 cases during the same period in 2024.

Stiffness, aches or pain that sometimes radiates down to the legs—most backs protest at least once in a lifetime. Movement is often the best help. Therefore, researchers at Linköping University in Sweden and physiotherapists in health care have developed a model of care “BetterBack (BättreRygg)”, which has now attracted international attention.

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a serious disease that impairs mouth functionality, often leading to restricted opening and a high risk of malignant transformation. New research has uncovered a crucial player in this disease: cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP).

The Global Virus Network (GVN), representing eminent human and animal virologists from 80+ Centers of Excellence and Affiliates in 40+ countries, has published a comprehensive analysis and call-to-action in The Lancet Regional Health—Americas on the North American avian influenza virus, or H5N1, outbreak.

Current climate change trajectories and failing to meet sustainable development strategies could contribute to an increase in the global burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by 2050, according to a study published in Nature Medicine. The authors project that AMR could increase by up to 2.4% globally by 2050, and call for urgent action to address broader socioeconomic and environmental factors beyond simply reducing antibiotic use to mitigate the global AMR burden.

University of Miami Miller School of Medicine researchers have identified molecular evidence linking human papillomavirus (HPV) to thyroid eye disease (TED) through molecular mimicry involving HPV capsid proteins and autoimmune targets. Elevated antibody levels against HPV appeared in participants with TED, suggesting a possible immunological connection influencing disease development.

Functional cure, defined as durable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA titers below the lower limit of detection (LLOD), is associated with better clinical outcomes of chronic HBV infection and is regarded as the preferred treatment endpoint of novel therapeutic agents against HBV.