What does the appendix do? Biologists explain the complicated evolution of this inconvenient organ
Most people know only two things about the appendix: You don't need it—and if it bursts, you need surgery fast.
Mar 9, 2026
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Gastroenterology news
Hidden blood mutations drive severe inflammatory bowel disease, but a new treatment target is in sight
Indiana University School of Medicine scientists have uncovered new evidence that an age-related blood condition may contribute to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Their findings suggest that a new drug strategy targeting ...
Mar 9, 2026
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Stay or stray? Why some gut microbes persist after fecal transplants
Scientists have identified why some gut microbes successfully stay in the gut after fecal transplants, while others are much more transient. The King's College London discovery could help make the treatment—which involves ...
Mar 9, 2026
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Heart and metabolic risk factors more strongly linked to liver fibrosis in women than men, study finds
Women with certain cardiometabolic risk factors, including type 2 diabetes and high waist circumference, face a greater increase in risk for liver fibrosis than men with the same risk factors. The study, just published in ...
Mar 9, 2026
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Human intestinal cell model enables precise detection of drug-induced barrier damage
Researchers have developed a human intestinal cell model that closely mimics the structure and function of the human gut, enabling more precise prediction of drug-induced gastrointestinal toxicity during the preclinical stage ...
Mar 9, 2026
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A virus hiding inside bacteria may help explain colorectal cancer
The gut bacterium Bacteroides fragilis has long presented researchers with a paradox. It has been associated with colorectal cancer, yet it also lives quite happily in most healthy people. A study by a Danish research team ...
Mar 8, 2026
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Why your gut microbiome and heart may be closer than you think
The gut microbiome plays an important role in many aspects of health, from digestion and immune function to metabolic balance and neurological processes.
Mar 6, 2026
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Short bowel syndrome has no drugs: A new compound could cut liver risk
When parts of the small intestine are diseased or die, the treatment can involve surgically removing the affected tissue. Although lifesaving, the procedure—referred to as a radical small bowel resection—can lead to long-term ...
Mar 6, 2026
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Half of Americans unaware of at-home colon cancer screening options
Colon cancer is now the deadliest cancer for adults under 50, yet it remains one of the most preventable since polyps detected and removed during screening can't turn into cancer later.
Mar 5, 2026
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Cannabis compounds show promise in fighting fatty liver disease
Researchers have discovered that non-psychoactive cannabis compounds, CBD and CBG, can significantly reduce liver fat and improve metabolic health. The study reveals that these compounds work by creating a backup energy reserve ...
Mar 5, 2026
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