Medical Bulletin 22/October/2025 - Video

Here are the top medical news for the day:

Study Finds Fatty Acids as Key Driver of Triple-Negative Tumor Growth

Researchers at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, have found that triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) uses lipids—or fatty acids—as fuel, making it more aggressive in patients with obesity. The National Cancer Institute-funded study indicates that targeting elevated lipid levels could slow tumor growth and guide safer dietary strategies for patients and survivors.

Lead researcher Dr. Keren Hilgendorf explains that lipids, often overlooked in obesity research, are key building blocks for tumor development. “Breast cancer cells are essentially addicted to lipids,” she said, emphasizing that their abundance in obese individuals may explain higher cancer prevalence and severity.

The team conducted preclinical studies using mouse models on high-fat diets as well as models genetically engineered to have hyperlipidemia—high blood lipid levels—without other obesity-related traits like elevated glucose or insulin. This approach allowed them to isolate the specific impact of lipids on cancer growth. Their findings showed that high lipid availability alone accelerated tumor proliferation, while reducing lipids significantly slowed it, even in the presence of metabolic risk factors.

The results suggest that lipid-lowering medications, already in clinical use for cardiovascular conditions, might be repurposed to suppress certain cancer types. The researchers, however, caution that more testing in human models is needed. They further advise that breast cancer patients avoid high-fat diets such as keto, which might unintentionally feed tumor growth.

The team plans to explore whether lipid-lowering drugs can enhance chemotherapy response and to study the mechanisms through which lipids fuel cancer cell proliferation in breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancers.

Reference: Vieira, R. F. L., et al. (2025). Hyperlipidemia drives tumor growth in a mouse model of obesity-accelerated breast cancer growth. Cancer & Metabolism. doi.org/10.1186/s40170-025-00407-0.

Kiwifruits May Effectively Relieve Symptoms of Chronic Constipation, Study Suggests

Scientists from King’s College London have released the first-ever evidence-based dietary guidelines for adults with chronic constipation, offering new directions for treating this widespread condition. The recommendations identify specific foods and supplements that can effectively relieve symptoms such as infrequent bowel movements, straining, and hard stools.-

Their analysis was jointly published in the Journal of Human Nutrition & Dietetics and Neurogastroenterology & Motility, with endorsement from the British Dietetic Association.

Kiwifruit is especially beneficial for digestive health due to its high fiber content and the enzyme actinidin, which aids protein digestion and improves bowel regularity. It is rich in vitamin C—providing more per serving than many fruits—and antioxidants that reduce inflammation and promote immune health. Kiwi also supports nutrient absorption, lowers cortisol levels to reduce stress, and can enhance sleep quality. Its prebiotic fiber nourishes gut-friendly bacteria, promoting a balanced microbiome critical for overall digestive and metabolic health.

Led by Dr. Eirini Dimidi, Reader in Nutritional Sciences, and Professor Kevin Whelan, the research team applied the GRADE framework to systematically assess studies on constipation management. A multidisciplinary panel—including dietitians, gastroenterologists, and nutritionists—reviewed over 75 clinical trials to form 59 recommendation statements and 12 research priorities.

The study found that eating kiwifruit, rye bread, and drinking mineral-rich water can significantly improve bowel health. In addition, taking psyllium fibre supplements, certain probiotic strains, and magnesium oxide supplements showed strong evidence of benefit. By contrast, commonly suggested solutions like general “high-fibre diets” and senna-based laxatives lacked reliable evidence of effectiveness.

Dr. Dimidi explained that while high-fibre eating has many general health benefits, robust evidence for its effect on constipation is lacking. The new guidelines, she said, give patients practical strategies to self-manage symptoms.

Reference: Dimidi, E., van der Schoot, A., Barrett, K., Farmer, A.D., Lomer, M.C., Scott, S.M. and Whelan, K. (2025), British Dietetic Association Guidelines for the Dietary Management of Chronic Constipation in Adults. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 38: e70133.https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.70133.

New Brain Research Uncovers How Music Triggers Movement, Emotion, and Connection

A new study published in The Journal of Neuroscience by researchers from Université catholique de Louvain reveals why our brains sync more naturally to sound than touch when it comes to rhythm perception. The team found that when people listen to rhythmic beats, their brains produce slow, steady waves that align perfectly with the music’s pulse. However, when the same rhythm is experienced through touch—like vibrations on the fingertips—these beat-like brain waves do not form.

The study involved 45 healthy adults who tapped along to rhythmic patterns delivered either through sound or tactile vibrations. Using electroencephalography (EEG) to monitor brain activity, researchers observed that sound induced low-frequency brain waves that mirrored the rhythm, resulting in more precise tapping. In contrast, touch caused brain activity to respond to individual vibrations without forming a cohesive beat pattern, leading to less steady tapping.

This research highlights the special link between hearing and rhythm perception, where the auditory system organizes rapid sensory events into slower, meaningful pulses called beats. Touch, however, processes vibrations as separate sensations, suited for detecting textures rather than grooves.

The findings offer exciting potential for therapies targeting neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease and stroke, where rhythm-based cues can support movement retraining. They also shed light on how rhythm training benefits language learning and attention in children, by coordinating timing between brain and body.

In essence, the study confirms that music moves us uniquely through sound, syncing our minds and bodies in ways touch simply cannot.

Reference: C.L. and S.N. designed research; C.L. performed research; C.L. and S.N. analyzed data; C.L. and S.N. wrote the first draft of the paper; C.L., T.L., R.P., and S.N. edited the paper; C.L., T.L., R.P., and S.N. ; Behavior-relevant periodized neural representation of acoustic but not tactile rhythm in humans; The Journal of Neuroscience; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0664-25.2025