Medicine

Pope Leo spoke during a visit to the French shrine of Lourdes, a major Catholic pilgrimage site associated with healing, declaring that medicine must never become a servant of programmed death. The remarks were reported by Vatican News and read as a reaffirmation of Church teaching opposing euthanasia and assisted dying, framed in defence of care for the sick and vulnerable.

The Trump administration is retreating from a proposed executive order that would have increased White House control over National Institutes of Health grant decisions. Reporting by Semafor says the plan to tighten oversight of NIH funding appears to be dead after significant pushback from scientists, universities and lawmakers, who warned it would politicise medical research funding decisions.

Stanford Medicine is drawing widespread attention with the claim that the human brain functions as two distinct organs rather than a single one. The announcement was reported by KRON 4 and has generated heavy engagement online. Details of the research, including how the finding was reached and its implications for neuroscience and medicine, were not included in the coverage available.

Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, the wife of former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, has died at the age of 100. A doctor by training and a prominent public figure in her own right, she was known for her decades alongside Mahathir, who served as Malaysia's leader for over 20 years. Details on the circumstances of her death have not yet been released, and tributes are expected from across Malaysian political life.

A debate is growing over legal responsibility when artificial intelligence systems used in healthcare make harmful errors. The question of liability — whether it falls on doctors who follow AI recommendations, hospitals that deploy the tools, or the companies that build them — remains largely unsettled, prompting calls for clearer rules as AI adoption in medicine accelerates.

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy are being linked to changes in sleep health, with researchers examining how significant weight loss affects sleep apnoea and other sleep disorders. The trend is prompting sleep medicine specialists to rethink diagnosis rates, treatment demand and how therapies like CPAP may be used as more patients take these medications.

People are taking smaller-than-prescribed doses of Ozempic, known as microdosing, hoping to lose weight while avoiding side effects. An obesity medicine doctor says the practice carries risks, is not well studied, and that low doses only make sense in specific cases under medical supervision, warning against self-adjusting doses of the drug.

A functional medicine expert has cautioned that high-dose GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic may affect more than appetite and food cravings, suggesting possible broader disruptions to the body that are not yet fully understood. The warning comes as GLP-1 medications continue to surge in popularity for weight loss, with many users reporting unexpected side effects.

The FDA has announced a new nationwide recall of a blood pressure medication, prompting the agency to urge patients taking the affected product to check their supply and consult their doctor or pharmacist. Further details, including the manufacturer, specific lot numbers, and the reason for the recall, have not been reported.

New research suggests that people who lose the same amount of weight can experience very different health outcomes, with identical weight loss not producing the same metabolic or cardiovascular benefits in everyone. The findings point to individual differences in how the body responds to weight loss and could affect how doctors evaluate diet success beyond the scale.

The South China Morning Post reports on the hidden risks of combining traditional Chinese medicine with Western prescription drugs. The piece highlights concerns that herbal remedies can interact with pharmaceuticals, altering their effectiveness or causing harmful side effects, particularly when patients do not tell their doctors about everything they are taking. It calls for greater awareness among patients and practitioners about these potential interactions.

Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson has been ruled out of the team's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to an ankle injury. His absence is a significant blow to the Vikings' offense, as Jefferson is one of the NFL's most productive pass catchers, and the team will need to adjust its game plan without him.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson exited the team's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after suffering an ankle injury. The severity of the injury was not immediately clear, and fans await updates on how long the star receiver might be sidelined and what it means for the Vikings' offense going forward.

New reporting indicates that people with insomnia face a higher risk of stroke, adding to growing evidence that sleep problems affect long-term cardiovascular health. The findings are being discussed as a reminder that chronic sleeplessness should be treated as a medical concern rather than a minor annoyance, with potential implications for prevention and patient screening.

A forum letter in Singapore argues that patients who combine Western medicine with traditional Chinese medicine should receive clinical judgment rather than blanket bans. The writer says doctors should focus on managing potentially harmful interactions and guiding patients honestly instead of dismissing or prohibiting complementary therapies outright, a stance that touches an ongoing debate over integrating traditional and modern care.

Heidi Overton, President Trump's nominee for FDA Commissioner, faced questioning from Senator Maggie Hassan at her confirmation hearing. Hassan pressed her on whether she would refuse an unlawful or improper directive from Trump, but Overton declined to entertain the possibility that the president could be wrong, drawing criticism that she would not commit to independent decision-making at the agency that regulates drugs and medical products.

Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 24-16 in an error-filled game, committing five turnovers but still holding on for the win. The result is drawing attention as the Bills overcame sloppy play to beat the Chargers, keeping their momentum going this season.

Platform trials, which test multiple treatments against a single control group, are changing how clinical evidence is generated in medicine. Commentators argue that regulators have not yet adapted their standards to this trial design, raising questions about how such evidence will be assessed for drug approvals.

Disc Medicine (IRON) is under scrutiny following an FDA setback and the disclosure of legal investigations, prompting investors to question whether the biotech stock is now undervalued. Coverage focuses on whether the share price already reflects the regulatory disappointment and litigation risks, or whether further downside remains for shareholders.

Geeta Swamy has been appointed Dean of Boston University's medical school, according to an announcement carried by The American Bazaar. The appointment places an Indian-American physician and academic leader at the head of one of the major US medical institutions. Coverage so far focuses on the announcement itself, with no further details provided in the available reports.

Dan Wilson is no longer manager of the Seattle Mariners, the club having parted ways with the former catcher who led the team. The news, first reported by Medicine Hat News, comes as the Mariners make a change at the top of their dugout. Details on the timing of the decision and who might replace Wilson have not yet been announced.

Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol, making him available to return to team activities and potentially game action. The league's protocol requires players to pass a series of supervised steps before being medically cleared following a head injury. His availability gives the Bears added depth at quarterback as they plan for their upcoming games.

New coverage reports that heart and kidney complications in patients with type 2 diabetes increase as the disease progresses over time. The finding underscores the cumulative toll of diabetes on cardiovascular and renal health and highlights the importance of long-term monitoring and management of blood sugar, blood pressure and kidney function in affected patients.