Sam's News — health — 2026-09-22¶
Health/Neuroscience¶
7.5 Brain dopamine damage identified as cause of long COVID fatigue¶
PET brain imaging at CAMH revealed long COVID damages dopamine-releasing neurons in the striatum, correlating dopamine loss patterns with specific symptoms: motivation loss, movement slowing, and memory difficulties. The finding opens potential treatment strategies targeting the dopamine system.
- Long COVID affects approximately 5% of global population (~2 million people in Canada)
- Lower ventral striatum dopamine linked to loss of motivation
- Dorsal putamen dopamine reduction associated with slower movement
- Caudate putamen dopamine loss connected to memory difficulties
- No current evidence-based treatments exist for long COVID
Sources: ScienceDaily AI Web Searched, ScienceDaily — Health RSS
Biomedical Research¶
7 Stem cell transplants restore movement in mice after stroke¶
Researchers at the University of Zurich transplanted human neural stem cells into stroke-damaged brains one week post-stroke, where they survived, differentiated into neurons, regenerated tissue, restored motor function, and improved blood-brain barrier integrity over five weeks.
- Transplanted cells survived and most transformed into neurons communicating with existing brain cells
- Treatment restored motor function and improved blood vessels, inflammation, and blood-brain barrier integrity
- Stroke affects approximately 1 in 4 adults over lifetime, with ~50% experiencing lasting disabilities such as paralysis or speech difficulty
- Study addresses traditionally permanent brain damage with neural stem cell therapy
Sources: ScienceDaily AI Web Searched, ScienceDaily — Health RSS
Health Policy¶
6 Insurance rarely covers integrative therapies proven to relieve cancer symptoms¶
Research demonstrates that integrative therapies reduce cancer pain, fatigue, anxiety, and nausea, yet insurance companies rarely provide coverage.
Sources: STAT News RSS
Policy¶
6 Congress opposes proposed political review panel for NIH grant approvals¶
Members of Congress express strong opposition to a plan creating a panel of political appointees to review NIH research grants.
Sources: STAT News RSS
5.5 Influential GOP health policy expert continues backing $1 trillion Medicaid cuts¶
A prominent Republican health policy expert maintains support for $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts with further policy targets being considered.
Sources: STAT News RSS
5 Opinion: Global social media bans for teens lack clear evidence of effectiveness¶
Wellcome's Camilla Iannone argues that researchers must examine the impact of social media regulation on teenagers as bans spread worldwide.
Sources: STAT News RSS
Funding¶
6 Major philanthropic donation accelerates multiple sclerosis research breakthroughs¶
The Mendoza family's donation is advancing multiple sclerosis research initiatives and scientific breakthroughs.
Sources: University of Miami Web Search
Politics¶
5.5 Ohio gubernatorial race centers on COVID response, health costs, and scientific trust¶
The race between Amy Acton and Vivek Ramaswamy represents a direct test of heartland attitudes toward health care and pandemic response.
Sources: STAT News RSS
Research¶
3.5 AAUE leadership marks first year with medical research initiatives and funding¶
University leadership has overseen medical projects and research breakthroughs supported by monthly subventions during their inaugural year.
Sources: Independent Newspaper Nigeria RSS