Medical Bulletin 13/April/2026

Here are the top medical news for today:

New Study Reveals Hidden Drainage System Within the Human Brain

Your brain is constantly cleaning itself—but scientists have just discovered a hidden “drainage switch” that controls how it happens.

A new study published in iScience by researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) has identified a previously unknown control point in the brain’s waste clearance system. The discovery centers on the middle meningeal artery (MMA), a structure now believed to play a crucial role in draining fluids and metabolic waste from the brain.

The brain relies on a specialized lymphatic system to remove toxins and maintain healthy function. Until recently, scientists had limited understanding of how this system operates in humans. Using advanced real-time MRI technology—developed through a collaboration with NASA—researchers were able to observe fluid movement in unprecedented detail.

In the study, scientists tracked cerebrospinal and interstitial fluid flow in five healthy individuals over a six-hour period. Surprisingly, the fluid traveling along the MMA did not behave like blood, which moves rapidly through arteries. Instead, it flowed slowly and steadily, resembling a drainage system. This provided the first direct evidence that the MMA is involved in lymphatic function rather than just blood circulation.

These finding challenges long-standing assumptions about the brain’s isolation from the rest of the body. The brain is protected by layers called the meninges, which were once thought to act as barriers. However, emerging research shows that these layers contain lymphatic vessels that connect the brain to the body’s immune and waste removal systems.

By identifying the MMA as a key control point, scientists now have a clearer picture of how the brain clears harmful substances. This could have major implications for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders, where waste buildup is a known factor.

The discovery opens new avenues for research, potentially leading to therapies that enhance the brain’s natural cleaning processes and improve long-term brain health.

REFERENCE: Mehmet Albayram, Sutton B. Richmond, Kaan Yagmurlu, Ibrahim S. Tuna, Eda Karakaya, Hiranmayi Ravichandran, Fatih Tufan, Emal Lesha, Melike Mut, Filiz Bunyak, Yashar.S. Kalani, Adviye Ergul, Rachael D. Seidler, Onder Albayram. Meningeal lymphatic architecture and drainage dynamics surrounding the human middle meningeal artery. iScience, 2025; 28 (11): 113693 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2025.113693

Creatine Alone Not Enough for Muscle Gain, Resistance Training Key, Study Suggests

Creatine may boost performance—but its real power depends on how you train.

A new systematic review and meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Nutrition reveals that the benefits of creatine supplementation are strongly influenced by training context, particularly resistance training. Researchers analyzed 39 randomized controlled trials involving healthy men aged 18 to 30 to understand how creatine affects strength, anaerobic performance, and body composition.

Creatine is widely known for enhancing the phosphocreatine system, which helps rapidly regenerate ATP—the body’s primary energy source during short, high-intensity activities. This makes it a popular supplement among athletes and gym-goers aiming to improve performance.

The study found that creatine significantly improved squat strength (1RM) and anaerobic power, including peak and mean performance in Wingate cycling tests. These benefits were observed across both resistance-trained (RT) and non-resistance-trained (non-RT) individuals, suggesting that creatine can enhance explosive performance regardless of training background.

However, when it came to body composition, the effects were more selective. Increases in lean body mass (1.61 kg) and fat-free mass (2.32 kg) were seen only in participants engaged in resistance training. This supports the idea that creatine works best as a “training amplifier,” enhancing the adaptations triggered by structured strength training rather than independently building muscle.

Interestingly, improvements in jump performance were modest and inconsistent, becoming significant mainly in longer studies (eight weeks or more) and among competitive athletes. No meaningful differences were found between daily and non-daily supplementation strategies.

The findings also highlight variability across studies due to differences in training protocols, participant fitness levels, and supplementation methods. Importantly, some of the early gains in lean mass may reflect increased water retention in muscles rather than true muscle growth.

Overall, the research underscores a key takeaway: while creatine can enhance strength and power broadly, pairing it with resistance training is essential for meaningful muscle gains.

REFERENCE: Gu, J. et al. (2026). Creatine supplementation in young men under resistance versus non-resistance training: A systematic review and meta-analysis of strength, performance, and lean mass. Frontiers in Nutrition. 13, 1800546. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2026.1800546. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2026.1800546/full

Research Shows Breastfeeding Linked to Better Long-Term Weight Outcomes for Mothers

Breastfeeding may shape your health decades later—not just in the months after childbirth.

A new study from the University of Oslo suggests that women who breastfeed for at least three months gain significantly less weight later in life. Published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the research followed over 170,000 participants from the long-running Women and Health Study in Norway, tracking weight changes from early adulthood into middle age.

The findings reveal a clear long-term benefit. Women who breastfed each child for three to 15 months gained up to 6.5 kilograms less over time compared to those who breastfed for shorter durations. The effect was most pronounced among women who were already overweight or obese before pregnancy. Among women with normal weight, the difference was smaller but still notable—up to 3 kilograms less weight gain over the years.

Researchers say breastfeeding likely contributes to this effect by increasing energy expenditure, as the body uses additional calories to produce milk. However, the relationship is not straightforward. Increased appetite during breastfeeding may offset some of the calorie burn, meaning outcomes can vary between individuals.

Interestingly, the association between breastfeeding and lower long-term weight was strongest among women who had children after 1980. This group is considered more reflective of modern lifestyles, including diet and breastfeeding practices, making the findings especially relevant today.

Beyond individual benefits, the study highlights broader public health implications. Supporting breastfeeding could play a role in reducing long-term weight gain and associated risks such as cardiovascular disease. At the same time, researchers emphasize the importance of personalized care, noting that women—especially those with overweight or obesity—may need additional support after childbirth.

Overall, the study reinforces that breastfeeding is not just beneficial for infants, but may also offer lasting health advantages for mothers well into later life.

REFERENCE: Skammelsrud, T. B., et al. (2026). Breastfeeding duration and maternal weight change through adulthood in a population-based cohort study. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.101134. https://ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S0002-9165(25)00726-9/fulltext