An experimental treatment for chronic hepatitis B has shown encouraging results in two large phase 3 clinical trials, with around one in five participants achieving a functional cure after completing a finite course of treatment. The studies involved more than 1,800 adults across 29 countries and evaluated bepirovirsen, a therapy designed to help the immune system regain control of the virus rather than simply suppressing it.

Currently, most people with chronic hepatitis B require lifelong antiviral medication, as existing treatments rarely eliminate the virus completely. In the trial, around 20% of participants receiving bepirovirsen achieved a sustained functional cure, compared with none of those receiving a placebo. Response rates were even higher, at around 26%, among participants with lower levels of the virus at the start of the study.

While further research is needed to improve response rates and assess long term outcomes, the findings represent an important step towards new treatment options for the more than 250 million people worldwide living with chronic hepatitis B.

Learn more: Hepatitis B: Bepirovirsen helps 1 in 5 achieve functional cure

A new analysis of NHS data has found a worrying increase in type 2 diabetes among young adults in England, particularly women in their 20s. Researchers at Imperial College London analysed data from the English National Diabetes Audit between 2011 and 2024 and found that, while diagnoses have fallen slightly among older adults, rates have risen rapidly in people under 40. Around 12,000 people under the age of 30 are now living with type 2 diabetes, with women accounting for a growing proportion of these younger cases.

Researchers believe the trend is closely linked to rising obesity levels, which have increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2019 and 2025, new obesity cases rose by 16% among people aged 20–29 and by almost 20% in those aged 30–39.

Early-onset type 2 diabetes is associated with a greater risk of serious complications, including heart attacks, strokes and long-term organ damage, making early diagnosis and effective weight management especially important. The findings also suggest the increase is now being seen across a broader range of the population, highlighting the need for stronger prevention strategies, improved follow-up care for those at higher risk, and wider access to support for maintaining a healthy weight.

Read the article: More women in their 20s are getting type 2 diabetes – BBC News

A new Ebola vaccine developed by researchers at the University of Oxford has entered its first human clinical trial just eight weeks after development began, making it the first of four vaccine candidates to reach this stage in response to the current outbreak.

The vaccine targets the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has caused more than 1,700 confirmed cases and over 600 deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Around 50 healthy volunteers in the UK will take part in the Phase 1 trial to assess the vaccine’s safety and ability to trigger an immune response, while preparations are also underway for future studies in Africa.

The vaccine uses the same viral vector technology as the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, allowing researchers to rapidly adapt an existing platform without compromising on safety testing. If successful, the study could pave the way for larger clinical trials and provide an important new tool to help control the current outbreak and improve preparedness for future Ebola epidemics.

Read the article: UK starts first vaccine trial, eight weeks into Ebola emergency – BBC News

A new study suggests that how active you are during the day, not just how much you exercise, may play an important role in maintaining brain health as you age. Researchers found that older adults with more consistent daily patterns of activity and rest tended to have larger brain volumes in areas linked to memory and emotion.

In contrast, people with more fragmented routines, frequently switching between activity and inactivity, showed greater brain shrinkage in regions commonly affected by Alzheimer’s disease, such as the hippocampus and amygdala.

The findings suggest that maintaining a stable daily rhythm, with sustained periods of activity during the day and proper rest at night, could help protect against neurodegeneration. Disrupted circadian patterns may contribute to structural brain changes over time and potentially increase dementia risk.

To support a less fragmented rest activity rhythm, experts recommend keeping consistent sleep and wake times, getting regular exposure to natural daylight, staying physically and socially active during the day, and avoiding long periods of inactivity. Limiting daytime naps and maintaining a structured daily routine may also help reinforce healthier activity patterns and support long term cognitive health.

Read more about the findings: https://bit.ly/4cVbC32

A recent outbreak of meningitis B in Kent has raised concerns due to how quickly cases have spread, particularly among young people in schools and universities. The condition is caused by Neisseria meningitidis group B bacteria, which can lead to serious infections of the brain and bloodstream.

How does it spread?

Meningitis B spreads through close, prolonged contact, as the bacteria live in the nose and throat. Common routes include coughing, sneezing, kissing, and sharing items such as drinks, cigarettes, or vapes. It is not easily spread through casual contact, but environments like shared accommodation can increase risk.

What are the symptoms?

Early symptoms can be mild and flu-like, including fever, headache, fatigue, and nausea. As the illness develops, more serious signs may appear, such as a stiff neck, sensitivity to light, confusion, and vomiting. A distinctive rash that does not fade when pressed is a key warning sign. Symptoms can worsen rapidly, sometimes within hours.

When should you seek medical help?

Meningitis B is a medical emergency. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek urgent care immediately. Warning signs like confusion, drowsiness, seizures, or a spreading rash require immediate attention. Early treatment with antibiotics is critical and can be life-saving.

Why early action matters

Although rare, meningitis B can progress very quickly and lead to severe complications, including sepsis, organ failure, or long-term damage. Prompt recognition and treatment significantly improve outcomes.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4v2auS8

The largest Parkinson’s disease clinical trial ever conducted has been launched in the UK, aiming to speed up the discovery of treatments that could slow or stop the progression of the condition. The £26 million study, known as EJS ACT-PD, will recruit up to 1,600 people with Parkinson’s across more than 40 hospitals nationwide.

The trial uses an innovative multi-arm, multi-stage design, allowing several potential treatments to be tested at the same time. This approach enables ineffective treatments to be stopped early while promising ones continue, potentially reducing the time needed to identify effective therapies by several years.

The study is led by researchers at University College London and Newcastle University, with support from the NIHR, the Medical Research Council, and Parkinson’s charities. Initial treatments being tested include repurposed drugs already used for conditions such as high blood pressure and prostate enlargement.

Researchers hope the trial will identify treatments that go beyond symptom management and help slow the underlying progression of Parkinson’s disease.

Learn more about the trial: https://bit.ly/3LrKPQV