Moderate-to-vigorous walking or other types of physical activity may improve retinal health, according to a large population study using a national database from the United Kingdom. Researchers found people who exercised more intensely appeared to gain more protection against retinal thinning, a hallmark of age-related macular degeneration. mdsc.pe/4z1N4xO

Among non-hospitalised adults, those with physician-diagnosed long COVID had a 14% higher risk of developing incident hypertension than those without long COVID, pointing to the need for closer heart health follow‑up and routine blood pressure monitoring in those with lasting post‑COVID complaints. mdsc.pe/4zKOTPL

LIVE TOMORROW ➡️ mdsc.pe/4skIUyB Stay ahead of evolving cardiovascular science. Gain expert guidance on refined BP targets, measurement, and treatment strategies. 📅 October 26th ⏰ 9:00am ET #Hypertension #Cardiology #ISH2026

Explore novel strategies for anemia management in patients on dialysis. Review emerging treatment approaches, practical clinical considerations, and ways to individualize care for better outcomes. 🔗 mdsc.pe/4ybNi4L

Every doctor can get bogged down with an endless daily to-do list consisting of everything from pre-authorizations and prescription refill requests to handling in-box messages from the patient portal, and endless electronic health record tasks. These critical (but often invisible) tasks done “behind the scenes” usually take place before patients arrive in the early hours of the morning or at home late into the night — and are drivers of both burnout and exhaustion, with much of this non-patient work spilling into weekend and weeknight hours. mdsc.pe/47CtfkL

Nearly half of the individuals who were drinking when they started using GLP-1 receptor agonists (RAs) reported drinking less within 3 months, with higher odds among those who screened positive for potentially unhealthy past-year alcohol use, US survey data showed. mdsc.pe/4zIfUTM

A nonprofit physicians’ group has sued to force withdrawal of the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, alleging the process violated federal administrative law. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine filed its complaint in US District Court in Washington, DC, contending that the guidelines were written by a committee with conflicts of interest and little transparency. mdsc.pe/4i63sq1

A prospective registry finds no evidence of increased birth defect risk with dupilumab exposure, although researchers acknowledge that more data are needed. mdsc.pe/4stqRqg

A quality improvement project nearly quintupled the rate of children receiving evidence-based, shorter courses of antibiotics for pneumonia and sinus infections, cutting unnecessary drug exposure without increasing treatment failures, according to the researchers. Research increasingly shows shorter courses of antibiotics — 3-5 days for community-acquired pneumonia and 5-7 days for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis — are safe in children. But clinical adoption has lagged, leaving kids exposed to 10-day regimens that elevate risks for antibiotic resistance, adverse drug side effects, and unnecessary costs. The new study, published in Pediatrics, demonstrates that combining EHR modifications and peer comparison data with frontline clinician champions can establish shorter antibiotic durations as standard care. mdsc.pe/4elyvwM

A meta-analysis found that structured obesity management training programs for healthcare professionals (HCPs), defined by clear learning objectives and curricula, were significantly associated with improved HCP competencies — especially confidence. Only the longer programs (≥ 4 hours) were associated with a significant improvement. mdsc.pe/3U5tRMH

Explore how clinical metagenomic sequencing can support infectious disease diagnosis when conventional testing falls short. Review practical considerations for test implementation, interpretation, and integration into clinical care. 🔗 mdsc.pe/4yt5g3c

The use of cholesterol-lowering statins was associated with a 15% lower risk of developing open-angle glaucoma at 5 years and with a substantially reduced need for laser or surgery in patients who already had the condition. The associations held up, although somewhat weaker, at 10 years, and were seen with drugs such as atorvastatin and rosuvastatin. mdsc.pe/3W0mgzp

Occupational exposure to specific solvents is linked to increased odds of Parkinson’s disease (PD), with the risk increasing as the number of solvent types rise. In a cross-sectional analysis of more than 31,000 participants, several solvents used in industrial cleaning and manufacturing were associated with higher odds of PD. The strongest associations involved trichloroethylene (TCE), kerosene, and carbon tetrachloride, with significant links also found for mineral spirits, methyl ethyl ketone (butanone), toluene, and jet fuel. Each additional solvent type reported was associated with 17% higher odds of PD. Tap the link to read more on the analysis: mdsc.pe/4e9IvJt

Protein restriction, rather than higher-protein intake, could improve metabolic health in older adults and extend both healthy life expectancy and overall lifespan. This is the conclusion reached by Bailey Knopf, researcher, and Dudley Lamming, PhD, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in Cell Press Blue. In their review, the researchers examined published studies on protein restriction and identified six effects of reduced protein intake, along with the molecular mechanisms that may promote healthy aging. These benefits appear to be driven primarily by the restriction of specific amino acids, particularly methionine, leucine, isoleucine, and valine. mdsc.pe/4iZme4w

A Canadian student reflects on how patients are shaping her approach to care and questions if a strained healthcare system will allow her time to truly listen. mdsc.pe/4dTfGku

Women who received individualized, bloodwork-guided testosterone therapy reported improvement across a range of symptoms, according to a retrospective observational study presented at The Menopause Society 2026 Annual Meeting in San Diego. Patients surveyed cited better energy and mood as top benefits, above sexual desire. Read more about the research at the link: mdsc.pe/3VRJl7B

The human body has around 4000 tendons to connect more than 650 skeletal muscles to 206 bones. When a muscle contracts, the tendon stretches, pulling the bone from where it is to where you want it to be. That’s how you create movement, and potential problems. If the tendon is too stiff, the muscle takes the hit. If the tendon can’t match the force of the muscle, it gives way. Chronic injuries are the result of accumulating more stress over time than the tendon can fully recover from. Those chronically overworked and under-recovered tendons will eventually develop tendinopathies — areas of the tendon where the collagen is no longer directionally aligned. But even if you manage to stay active without damaging your connective tissues, you’ll eventually have to navigate the challenges of aging. To learn more about strengthening exercises, what to feed your collagen, and more, tap the link: mdsc.pe/3U7RzrD

Must-read has a secondary meaning when it comes to brain health. Scientists have long recognized that getting lost in a page-turner can reap cognitive benefits far beyond the thrill of the chapter. Now, a growing body of research is bringing them closer to understanding why, as shown by a new review in Psychological Medicine. In children and teens, reading is linked to improved attention, executive function, and mental health. In adults, it helps lower stress and loneliness and increase empathy and cognitive function. Reading for pleasure, the authors said, is “an accessible and low-cost protective factor across the lifespan” that can serve as a scalable intervention. Tap the link to read more: mdsc.pe/3VJx6tH

ME/CFS can be difficult to recognize in patients with long COVID and overlapping comorbidities. Explore how to apply diagnostic criteria, navigate complex presentations, and deliver more personalized care in this expert-led CME activity. 🔗 mdsc.pe/4jEHr3V

Advancing care in Dravet syndrome depends on early diagnosis, evolving evidence, and access to emerging therapies. Applying current clinical insights can help optimize treatment approaches and improve outcomes for patients and families living with this condition. mdsc.pe/4dTJw8t