ClinicalResearch.com

Pet wearables like smart collars and health trackers are becoming popular tools to help monitor things like your pet’s activity, behavior, and even heart rate. As one example, veterinarians can use the data to adjust diuretic therapy to the minimum effective dose for pets with heart conditions. These devices can also give owners a better peek into how their furry companions are doing between vet visits, and may even help spot changes early. These gadgets are fun (and super useful), but vets say they’re not a substitute for regular care and preventive visits.

How Pet Health Trackers are Changing Veterinary Clinical Trials and Pet Care Veterinary algorithms build individual baselines to detect subtle shifts in a pet's health and therapy response.

A new clinical trial of an experimental drug called retatrutide shows it may lead to even greater weight loss than current blockbuster obesity GLP-1 medications. In the study, people with obesity lost an average of more than 25% of their body weight, and some lost substantially more, by targeting three different hormone pathways involved in appetite and metabolism. While side effects like nausea were common, most were manageable, and the results move the injectable drug closer to potential FDA approval. This matters because obesity is linked to diabetes, heart disease, and other serious conditions, and a more powerful treatment could significantly expand options for people who have not had enough success with existing treatments.

Trial of next-gen weight-loss drug retatrutide shows users lose almost a third of their body weight While drugs such as Wegovy target a single gut hormone, retatrutide is among a new class of GLP-1 drugs that aims at three hormone receptors

A newly reported clinical trial in kids with Tourette syndrome found that an investigational medication significantly reduced the frequency and severity of involuntary motor and vocal tics compared with placebo, without the sedation and weight gain that often limit current treatments. Tourette syndrome is a neurological condition that usually begins in childhood and can interfere with school, work, and social life, yet treatment options have been limited and often come with challenging side effects. The results suggest this targeted therapy could offer a more effective and better-tolerated option for managing tics.

Investigational Drug Lowers Tourette Relapse Risk in Kids Ecopipam maintains tic improvement, phase III study shows

For most people living with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the standard initial treatment is a CPAP machine. These devices are effective, but also uncomfortable, noisy, and hard to use consistently. That’s why new research is generating excitement. A recent clinical trial tested a once-nightly pill designed to address the underlying cause of airway collapse during sleep, and many participants experienced fewer breathing interruptions and improved oxygen levels.

Once-Nightly Pill Targets Airway Collapse to Control Sleep Apnea In a groundbreaking advancement within the field of sleep medicine, researchers have unveiled compelling evidence supporting the efficacy of a novel oral pharmacologic therapy for obstructive sleep

For many cancers, immunotherapy offers hope, but it doesn’t always work. Some tumors can “hide” from the immune system, making treatment less effective. Scientists trying to address this challenge recently found that a common asthma drug, Singulair, may help “switch off” the mechanism tumors use to escape immune attack. In mouse models using tissue from breast, melanoma, ovarian, colon, and prostate cancers, scientists either removed the key tumor pathway or blocked it with the drug. This lead to slower tumor growth and a stronger immune response.

Common asthma drug may turn off tumor 'switch' tied to immunotherapy resistance A drug widely used to treat asthma and allergies may also help fight aggressive cancers, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study that uncovered how tumors hijack common white blood cells to evade immunotherapy.

Health experts are raising concerns about ultra-processed foods. Packaged snacks, sugary drinks, and fast food, all of which are becoming a major part of many kids’ diets in the US, are increasingly linked to chronic health issues. Growing research suggests these foods may be connected to a wide range of long-term health problems, including asthma. Researchers suspect the inflammation caused by ultra-processed foods might irritate the lungs leading to the development of asthma. This finding only reinforces the importance of fresh food items.

Experts sound alarm on food linked to serious chronic disease in kids According to experts, one type of food may be tied to serious chronic disease in kids.

A Nova Scotia woman living with advanced ovarian cancer is helping scientists shape a new research project exploring immune-based treatments. By sharing her experience, she’s helping researchers better understand the disease, and develop therapies that work with the body’s immune system. Her experience is a reminder that patient voice can play a vital role in advancing cancer research.

NS ovarian cancer patient helps inform 'natural killer' treatment project In 2018, Halifax's Teresa Arthur was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer. Now eight years into her journey, she is helping a Halifax lab research how to treat ovarian cancer with what's called natural killer cell immunotherapy.

How you spend sitting time may matter for brain health. A new study suggests that mentally passive activities like watching TV may raise dementia risk, while mentally engaging activities such as reading, puzzles, or games may help protect the brain. These results suggest that even small changes in daily habits could make a difference over time.

Mentally passive behaviors may increase your risk for dementia. How to protect your brain | CNN People who spent more time in mentally passive activities while sitting had a significantly higher risk of developing dementia later, according to a new study.

New research suggests that repeated head impacts, even without a concussion, may change the gut microbiome. Scientists looking at the experiences of college football players in the US found that their gut bacteria shifted within days after hard hits, and continued to change over the season. Because the gut plays a role in inflammation and brain health, this study adds to growing interest in the gut–brain connection.

Head impacts are associated with altered gut microbiome in football players Non-concussive head impacts—hits to the head that don't cause clinically detectable symptoms—are correlated with subsequent changes to the gut microbiome in a small sample of US collegiate football players, according to a study published in PLOS One by Ahmet Ay and Kenneth Douglas Belanger of Co...

Recent reporting highlights that psychedelic-assisted therapies (including psilocybin-based treatments) are approaching potential FDA review and approval, following controlled clinical trials for conditions such as PTSD, depression, and substance use disorders. The research emphasizes tightly regulated dosing, structured psychotherapy, and clinical oversight in order to distinguish these treatments from recreational use. Several states, including Texas, are investing in infrastructure and research ahead of possible regulatory changes.

Psychedelic treatments are on the verge of FDA approval. Why Texas is pushing for them | Houston Public Media Texas is helping shape the future of psychedelic therapies. Here's how they work and what access could look like.