Medical Bulletin 30/September/2026 - Video

Here are the top medical news for today:

Study Finds Nearly 95% of Viral Korean Skincare TikTok Videos Make Misleading Claims

Nearly 95% of viral TikTok videos about Korean skincare and “glass skin” contained at least one potentially misleading claim, while basic safety advice was often missing, according to research presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2026.

Researchers analysed popular videos related to Korean skincare and glass-skin routines using a neutral TikTok account in May 2026. After exclusions, 38 videos were assessed for the accuracy, reliability and quality of their dermatological information.

About 95% of the videos contained at least one potentially misleading claim. Around 84% did not consider differences between skin types, while 45% promoted combining multiple active ingredients without adequate safety guidance. About 32% promised instant results.

Basic safety information was particularly limited. Only one video mentioned the risk of skin irritation, while two discussed sun protection. None mentioned contact dermatitis or advised viewers to consult a dermatologist.

All the videos were classified as unreliable or less reliable, and none provided an external source or reference. About 82% were created by non-physician influencers, 11% by beauty brands and 8% by other beauty content creators. None were produced by dermatologists.

A separate observational study presented at the congress highlighted possible consequences of following social-media skincare trends. It involved 94 patients who developed new or worsened skin conditions after using products promoted online.

Chemical exfoliants containing alpha-hydroxy acids or beta-hydroxy acids were involved in 34% of cases, followed by over-the-counter retinoids at 27%, vitamin C products at 14% and niacinamide products at 11%.

Nearly half of the patients had copied complete routines from social media, while 63% were using more than three active ingredients at the same time. Reported reactions included irritant contact dermatitis, acne worsening, rosacea flares, pigmentation and superficial chemical burns.

Researchers stressed that Korean skincare itself is not the concern. The main issue is complex, one-size-fits-all routines promoted without individualised safety advice. Further, “viral” skincare advice does not necessarily mean it is safe or suitable for every skin type.

REFERENCE:

1.Paysano, M. L., Talah, B. A. D., Elias, M. C., & Kreuz, M. (2026, September 30–October 3). Glass Skin or Barrier Breakdown? Evaluating the Quality and Safety of Viral Korean Skincare Routines on TikTok. EADV Congress 2026, Vienna, Austria.

2.Hormi, O., El yamani, L., Moujahid, S., Denna, S., Zerrouki, N., & Zizi, N. (2026, September 30–October 3). When skincare trends go wrong: Dermatologic complications of viral social media products. EADV Congress 2026, Vienna, Austria.

Low-Dose Radiation Linked to Lasting Improvement in Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms: Study

Low-dose radiation therapy may provide more than pain relief for early knee osteoarthritis, with a long-term study suggesting it could also slow disease progression.

The findings, to be presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting, come from an integrated analysis of a randomised trial involving 292 patients in Russia. Participants were followed for a median of 11.9 years.

Patients had symptomatic knee osteoarthritis at Kellgren-Lawrence grades 0, 1 or 2, meaning they had early or mild disease. They were randomly assigned to receive medication alone or medication combined with low-dose radiation therapy. The radiation treatment delivered a total dose of 4.5 Gy over 10 sessions.

Both groups initially reported less pain. However, improvements in pain, physical function and quality of life were more sustained among patients who received radiation therapy.

MRI scans followed for three years also showed less structural deterioration in the radiation therapy group. At 12 months, MRI scores showed slight improvement compared with worsening in the medication-only group, with the difference remaining significant during follow-up.

Researchers also examined longer-term outcomes using regional health records. Across the study population, low-dose radiation therapy was associated with a 67% lower adjusted hazard of government-certified disability related to knee osteoarthritis.

The greatest apparent benefit was seen among 78 patients with grade 2 disease. Disability occurred in 31% of patients who received radiation therapy compared with 61% of those receiving medication alone. Knee replacement was performed in 14% and 36%, respectively.

Researchers suggested that grade 2 disease may represent a stage when inflammation and joint damage are established but substantial structural damage has not yet occurred.

However, the findings do not establish that low-dose radiation is disease-modifying. The trial was conducted at a single centre, participants knew their treatment, and the control group did not receive simulated radiation Larger multicentre randomised trials with simulated radiation controls and long-term follow-up are needed to confirm the findings.

REFERENCE: Bobby (Nagendra) Koneru, et al.; Randomized Trial of Low-Dose Radiotherapy for Knee Osteoarthritis: Patient-Reported, Structural and Long-Term Clinical Endpoints; American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting

Pomegranate Compound Shows Potential to Improve Heart Function by 80%: Study

A natural compound produced after eating foods such as pomegranates may improve heart function in experimental models of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a form of heart failure.

Researchers found that urolithin A improved measures of heart function by up to 80% in animal models. The compound helped heart tissue relax, reduced fibrosis, or harmful scarring, and limited enlargement of heart muscle cells.

HFpEF occurs when the heart can pump blood normally but becomes stiff and cannot relax properly between beats. This makes it harder for the heart to fill with blood. The condition accounts for half of heart failure cases and can cause breathlessness, fatigue and reduced exercise capacity.

Urolithin A is produced by the body after consuming foods such as pomegranates and walnuts. Researchers have studied the compound because of its links to healthy ageing and mitochondrial function.

The study identified a potential mechanism behind its effects. Urolithin A activated a protein called PKG1α, which is involved in blood vessel function and heart muscle relaxation. The compound acted on an amino acid in the protein, triggering a pathway linked to improved cardiovascular function.

The researchers tested urolithin A in engineered human heart tissue made from stem cells. The compound improved tissue relaxation, providing laboratory evidence that the mechanism may be relevant to human heart function.

However, the findings remain experimental. The strongest results came from animal models, while the human heart tissue experiments were conducted in the laboratory. Clinical trials are needed to determine whether urolithin A can safely and effectively treat HFpEF in patients.

REFERENCE: Jie Su, et al.; Targeting PKGIα Cys 42 attenuates cardiac dysfunction in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Science Advances, 2026; 12 (34) DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aec8088

Scientists Uncover Hidden Link Between Coffee, Gut and Brain Health

Coffee may influence the gut microbiome and brain function beyond its effects on alertness, according to a study published in Nature Communications.

Researchers from APC Microbiome Ireland at University College Cork examined 62 adults, including 31 regular coffee drinkers and 31 people non-drinkers. Regular drinkers consumed three to five cups daily.

Participants who drank coffee stopped for two weeks before coffee was reintroduced as either caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee. Researchers collected stool and urine samples and assessed mood, stress and cognition.

Stopping coffee was associated with changes in metabolites, suggesting that coffee consumption can influence metabolic activity involving gut microbes in the body.

After coffee was reintroduced, both caffeinated and decaffeinated groups reported lower stress, depression and impulsivity scores. Researchers also identified differences in several bacteria, including Eggertella and Cryptobacterium, among coffee drinkers.

Interestingly, caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee showed different associations. Improved learning and memory were observed among participants consuming decaffeinated coffee, suggesting that compounds other than caffeine may contribute to cognitive effects.

Caffeinated coffee was associated with lower anxiety and improved vigilance and attention. Researchers suggested that caffeine, polyphenols and other coffee compounds may directly influence the gut-brain axis through changes in gut microbes and microbial metabolites.

The gut-brain axis is a communication system involving the nervous system, immune signals, hormones and chemicals produced by microorganisms. Changes in these pathways could influence mood, stress and cognition.

However, the findings should be interpreted cautiously. The study included a small number of participants, and the associations do not prove that coffee directly causes changes in the microbiome, mood or cognition. The study was also sponsored by the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee.

Larger studies are needed to determine whether coffee components or microbiome changes are responsible for the observed effects.

REFERENCE:

1.Ayokunnumi Ogunsanya, et al.; USP15 regulates mitotic fidelity, metastatic potential, and chemotherapeutic response in ovarian cancer cells. Molecular Therapy Oncology, 2026; 34 (3): 201329 DOI: 10.1016/j.omton.2026.201329

2.Serena Boscaini, et al.; Habitual coffee intake shapes the gut microbiome and modifies host physiology and cognition. Nature Communications, 2026; 17 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-71264-8

Popular Supplement Shows Potential to Improve Muscle Strength Without Training: Study

Creatine may help preserve muscle mass and improve strength even without resistance training, while also showing possible benefits for memory, according to a small study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.

The randomised trial included 64 sedentary adults aged 45 to 65. Participants received either 10 grams of creatine daily or a placebo for 12 weeks. Neither participants nor researchers knew which treatment they received.

Participants could choose whether to follow an exercise and diet programme during the study. Among the 26 who did not participate, those taking creatine still showed increases in lean tissue mass and improvements in bench press and leg press strength, despite not increasing resistance training.

Among the 38 participants who changed their physical activity and diet, creatine was associated with greater reductions in body fat percentage and larger improvements in muscular strength and endurance after 12 weeks.

The study also found preliminary signs of improved cognitive function and memory among participants taking creatine, regardless of whether they exercised. However, these findings were exploratory and require confirmation in larger studies.

Creatine is naturally found in foods such as meat and seafood and is stored in muscles, where it helps provide energy during physical activity. It is one of the most extensively studied sports supplements, particularly for improving strength and exercise performance.

However, evidence about its benefits without exercise remains mixed. A previous two-year randomised trial involving about 200 older women found no improvement in lean mass or muscle strength from creatine without resistance training.

The current study also used a relatively high dose of 10 grams daily, so the findings should not be interpreted as evidence that everyone needs this amount.

Importantly, the study was small and included a limited follow-up period. The cognitive findings were exploratory, and further research is needed to establish whether creatine can independently improve muscle or brain health.

REFERENCE: Chun, J., et al.; Effects of creatine supplementation with and without exercise and diet intervention on body composition, cognitive function, and markers of health in middle-aged and older adults. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 23(sup1). https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2026.2716273