Research from Brandon Wilder, Ph.D., identifies malaria parasite protein fragments recognized by T cells in the liver that are shared across parasite species, offering a blueprint for a long-lasting, universal T cell-based malaria vaccine. Wilder says, “A T cell-based malaria vaccine has long been considered the field’s holy grail.”

In a column published in The Conversation, Emma Fenske, D.O., argues that despite alcohol’s normalized, celebratory role in society, it causes millions of deaths and significant health harm worldwide, and draws a parallel to tobacco’s decades-long decline through public education.

Gastroenterologists say a healthy bowel movement should take no more than about five minutes (some say three), and straining longer than that risks hemorrhoids, anal fissures and pelvic floor damage. Melissa Hershman, M.D., says, “Exercise is an excellent way to promote bowel motility. I often tell patients that your gut doesn’t move if you don’t”: HuffPost article republished by dozens of outlets across the country.

Research from Brandon Wilder, Ph.D., identifies malaria parasite protein fragments recognized by T cells in the liver that are shared across parasite species, offering a blueprint for a long-lasting, universal T cell-based malaria vaccine. Wilder says, “A T cell-based malaria vaccine has long been considered the field’s holy grail.”

A Johns Hopkins study finds that Oregon’s psilocybin program has expanded well beyond medical use — with many participants from wealthy, out-of-state backgrounds seeking general wellness or “expanded consciousness” — raising safety concerns about oversight for those with serious medical needs. Todd Korthuis, M.D., says, his group will be releasing their own findings, adding, “I am cautiously optimistic that expanding services through state regulated programs will be a good thing, but we won’t know that for sure until we have long-term data on people accessing these services.”

OHSU is mentioned in coverage by The Central Oregonian of a local event designed to increase cancer awareness and help people confront the illness.

OHSU receives a $1.7 million American Heart Association grant, led by Joshua Lupton, M.D., who survived his own cardiac arrest, to study improved defibrillator pad placement, shock timing via AI, and post-arrest recovery support. He says, “Medicine is full of examples where for one reason or another, observational studies suggest a benefit from one approach while a randomized clinical trial shows no benefit or even harm. This makes it critical to perform high-quality clinical trials, particularly for these life-threatening conditions.”

MedPage Today covers a case study that finds artificial intelligence smart eyeglasses could serve as a potential aid for people with low vision, though with mixed results. Benjamin Young, M.D., says, “These findings represent a potentially transformative advance in assistive technology for patients with low or no vision.”

Parents investigates why hCG levels rise and fall in early pregnancy, and what those levels might indicate. Maureen Baldwin, M.D., says, “After a miscarriage has been completed, there is not typically any need to monitor hCG levels. … If a home urine pregnancy test is still positive after a month, or if you still feel pregnant after a week, you should speak with your provider.”

Women’s Health shares insight on whether seeing both an OB/GYN and a primary care provider is necessary. Amy G. Cantor, M.D., says, “There’s definitely overlap when it comes to women’s health. Both PCPs and OB/GYNs can discuss birth control, perform breast exams, and address routine reproductive health concerns.”