Public Health Today—23 January, 2026

This week’s Public Health update highlights advances in diagnostics, prevention, and disease biology, alongside observational insights into lifestyle, immunity, and public health. Updates span early detection tools, translational research, and population-level studies with potential clinical relevance.

In Today’s Newsletter

Dive deeper

🩸 Breast cancer liquid biopsy predicts treatment response [1] [UK • 18 Jan 2026]

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jan/18/simple-blood-test-can-predict-which-breast-cancer-treatment-will-work-best-study-finds
Context: Study involved 167 patients using a blood-based liquid biopsy (ctDNA measured).
Key point: Institute of Cancer Research, London, reported that low or undetectable circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) at baseline or after one treatment cycle was linked to better outcomes in advanced breast cancer (endpoint not specified).
Implication: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.

🧠 Finger-prick test explored for Alzheimer’s risk [2] [19 Jan 2026]

https://pharmaphorum.com/news/could-alzheimers-be-predicted-finger-prick-test
Context: International study in ~1,000 adults over 60, compared with PET/MRI and lumbar puncture.
Key point: Bio-Hermes-002 trial is evaluating whether a finger-prick blood test measuring pTau217, GFAP, and NfL can flag elevated Alzheimer’s risk.
Implication: May expand screening, initiation, and follow-up at scale.

🔥 Natural “off switch” for inflammation identified [3] [19 Jan 2026]

https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-discover-the-bodys-natural-off-switch-for-inflammation/
Context: Human model using sEH inhibitor GSK2256294; pain resolution accelerated without broad immunosuppression.
Key point: UCL researchers showed epoxy-oxylipins limit expansion of intermediate monocytes, acting as brakes on inflammation.
Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.

🤧 Nasal interferons shape common cold severity [4] [19 Jan 2026]

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-nasal-passages-defend-common-cold.html
Context: Lab-grown human nasal tissue model; blocking interferon led to widespread infection.
Key point: Yale scientists found rapid interferon responses in nasal epithelial cells can confine rhinovirus infection.
Implication: Could inform practice and payer discussions; interpretation depends on study design.

🦠 Controlled flu transmission trial defies expectations [5] [18 Jan 2026]

https://scitechdaily.com/breakthrough-experiment-how-we-can-stop-the-spread-of-flu/
Context: Quarantined hotel-floor trial (2023–2024), published in PLOS Pathogens (DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1013153).
Key point: University of Maryland study observed no flu transmission to healthy volunteers despite prolonged exposure.
Implication: Introduces evidence that may affect public health guidelines.

🏃 Cross-training linked to longevity [6] [20 Jan 2026]

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2512447-cross-training-may-be-the-key-to-a-long-life/
Context: 30+ years of follow-up in 111,000 US adults; observational self-reported activity.
Key point: Harvard cohort analysis linked higher exercise variety to lower all-cause mortality risk.
Implication: Could inform practice and payer discussions; interpretation depends on study design.

💉 Shingles vaccine associated with slower biological aging [7] [20 Jan 2026]

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/adult-non-flu-vaccines/shingles-vaccine-may-slow-biological-aging-older-adults
Context: Health and Retirement Study cohort (n=3,884); cross-sectional analysis.
Key point: USC study linked herpes zoster vaccination to slower biological aging markers in adults 70+.
Implication: Could inform practice and payer discussions; interpretation depends on study design.

🧬 Barnacle-inspired “living glue” for IBD [8] [19 Jan 2026]

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41555021/
Context: DSS colitis and IL-10 knockout mouse models; pre-clinical.
Key point: Engineered nonpathogenic E. coli secreted barnacle-derived adhesive protein to repair inflamed gut tissue in mice.
Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.

🚽 Vitamin B1 linked to gut motility genetics [9] [20 Jan 2026]

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-unexpected-vitamin-b1-emerges-genetic.html
Context: Genome-wide studies across European and East Asian cohorts.
Key point: Genetic analyses associated thiamine transport genes with stool frequency.
Implication: Could inform practice and payer discussions; interpretation depends on study design.

🥫 Preservative intake tied to metabolic risk [10] [20 Jan 2026]

https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2026/01/20/preservative-risk-puts-clean-label-in-the-spotlight/
Context: Observational data from >100,000 adults; causality not established.
Key point: NutriNet-Santé cohorts found higher intake of some preservatives associated with increased type 2 diabetes risk.
Implication: Introduces competition that may affect pricing and formulary access.

Why it matters

Blood-based diagnostics continue to move earlier into treatment decision-making.
Low-cost screening tools could reshape access to neurodegenerative therapies.
Understanding host immune responses refines prevention strategies beyond pathogen focus.
Lifestyle, vaccines, and food composition remain key levers in population health.

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FAQ

What is ctDNA and why does it matter in breast cancer?

Circulating tumour DNA reflects tumour burden and treatment response. Low or undetectable ctDNA was linked to better outcomes in an ICR-led study [1].

Which biomarkers are being tested for Alzheimer’s risk?

The Bio-Hermes-002 trial is evaluating pTau217, GFAP, and NfL from finger-prick blood samples [2].

What are epoxy-oxylipins?

They are fat-derived molecules shown by UCL researchers to naturally limit inflammatory immune cells [3].

Why didn’t flu spread in the controlled trial?

Low coughing, ventilation, and lower susceptibility in exposed adults likely reduced transmission in the University of Maryland study [5].

Does exercise variety matter more than volume?

Harvard observational data suggest variety adds benefit even at similar activity levels, though causality is unproven [6].

Entities / Keywords

Institute of Cancer Research, London (ICR); ctDNA; Bio-Hermes-002; Alzheimer’s disease; UCL; epoxy-oxylipins; sEH inhibitors; Yale University; rhinovirus; University of Maryland; influenza transmission; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; shingles vaccine; USC; inflammatory bowel disease; thiamine; NutriNet-Santé.