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UK Researchers Prepare NHS Trial for Nitrous Oxide as Rapid Depression Treatment

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Researchers at the University of Birmingham are preparing the first National Health Service (NHS) trial to test whether nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas,” can be safely and effectively used to treat severe or treatment-resistant depression. The move follows a major analysis combining the strongest clinical evidence to date on the gas’s potential antidepressant effects.

The study, published in eBioMedicine, examined how medically administered nitrous oxide (N₂O) affects adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD). TRD is typically diagnosed when patients fail to respond to at least two standard antidepressants, a situation affecting almost half of UK patients, earlier research indicates.

The analysis found that a single session inhaling 50 percent nitrous oxide produced significant reductions in depressive symptoms within 24 hours. These effects, however, were often short-lived, generally fading within a week. Repeated sessions appeared to provide more lasting improvements, echoing findings from studies on ketamine, another fast-acting treatment thought to influence similar glutamate pathways in the brain.

“Depression is a debilitating illness, made even more challenging by the fact that standard antidepressants do not provide meaningful relief for nearly half of patients,” said Kiranpreet Gill, PhD researcher at the University of Birmingham and lead author of the report. “This study consolidates the best available evidence suggesting that nitrous oxide can offer rapid and clinically significant short-term relief for patients with severe depression.”

While side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and headaches were relatively common, they were generally brief and no immediate safety concerns were identified. Researchers caution that the long-term effects of repeated nitrous oxide use remain largely unknown, and the limited number of trials makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions at this stage.

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The work is part of the NIHR-funded Mental Health Mission Midlands Translational Centre, which aims to improve care for patients with severe and treatment-resistant depression. The upcoming NHS trial will assess whether nitrous oxide can be delivered safely and acceptably in clinical settings, potentially adding a new option to the growing field of rapid-acting depression treatments.

Gill added that larger trials will be necessary to determine safe, repeatable dosing strategies and to evaluate the long-term outcomes for patients. If successful, nitrous oxide could become an important addition to current therapeutic options, offering fast relief for those who do not benefit from conventional antidepressants.

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Regulators Warn Against Use of Certain Abbott Glucose Sensors After Reports of Deaths and Injuries

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December 5, 2025

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US health authorities have issued an alert urging people to stop using specific models of Abbott Diabetes Care’s glucose monitoring sensors after the company linked the devices to seven deaths and hundreds of serious injuries around the world.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said this week that select batches of the FreeStyle Libre 3 and FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensors may report falsely low glucose readings. Incorrect readings over time can prompt people with diabetes to make unsafe treatment choices, including taking excessive carbohydrates or delaying necessary insulin doses.

In its notice, the FDA said such decisions could pose major health risks and may lead to severe injury or death.

The sensors track glucose in the fluid beneath the skin, providing continuous updates that are transmitted to a user’s phone or reader. Abbott said the alert covers around three million sensors distributed in the United States, all from a single production line. Around half of those units have either been used or are past their expiry date.

FreeStyle Libre 3 was approved for use in Europe in 2020, and the sensors are sold in several major markets including Germany, Spain, Italy, France, the Netherlands and the UK. As of 14 November, Abbott reported seven deaths and 736 serious incidents tied to the affected sensors worldwide.

The company said it has contacted all customers and healthcare partners about the issue and confirmed that it has identified and corrected the fault in the production batch linked to the problem.

The FDA is advising users to dispose of affected sensors immediately. Impacted devices include FreeStyle Libre 3 sensors with model number 72080-01 and unique device identifiers 00357599818005 and 00357599819002. The alert also covers FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensors with model numbers 78768-01 and 78769-01 with identifiers 00357599844011 and 00357599843014.

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Abbott has directed consumers to a dedicated website, FreeStyleCheck.com, where they can check whether their device is part of the affected lot and request a replacement at no charge. The company stressed that no other FreeStyle Libre products are involved in the warning.

Regulators said the alert will remain in place until they are satisfied that all potentially problematic sensors have been removed from circulation and replaced with updated units.

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Single HPV Dose Shown to Offer Strong Protection, Major Study Finds

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December 4, 2025

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A large study has found that a single dose of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine provides nearly the same level of protection as the traditional two-dose schedule, a result that could help expand vaccination programmes in low-income countries where access remains limited.

HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and is responsible for cervical cancer, which causes about 340,000 deaths each year. While most infections clear naturally, persistent cases can lead to cancer years later. Vaccines have been authorised in the European Union since 2006, and early-adopting countries have already recorded declines in precancerous cervical lesions.

The new research, conducted in Costa Rica, offers some of the strongest evidence to date that a single shot may be sufficient to prevent the most dangerous HPV strains. More than 20,000 girls aged 12 to 16 were enrolled in the study, which tested two widely used HPV vaccines. Half of the participants received one vaccine type and half the other. Six months later, half received a second dose, while the remainder were given an unrelated childhood vaccine instead.

Participants were monitored for five years and underwent regular cervical testing. Their results were compared with those from an unvaccinated control group. According to the findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, a single HPV dose provided about 97% protection against the strains most closely linked to cervical cancer — a rate comparable to two doses.

Previous studies had hinted at the potential effectiveness of a single shot, but the latest results offer firmer confirmation of durable protection. In an accompanying editorial, Dr Ruanne Barnabas of Massachusetts General Hospital said the evidence strengthens the case for broadening access to HPV vaccination, especially in regions where delivery of multi-dose schedules is a challenge. She noted that the tools to eliminate cervical cancer already exist, stressing the need for governments to implement vaccination campaigns widely and fairly.

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Most EU countries currently recommend two doses for girls and boys between the ages of 9 and 12, noting the virus’s link to several cancers, including head and neck cancers. Catch-up vaccinations are also recommended for people in their 20s who missed earlier immunisation.

WHO data shows that vaccination rates have risen in countries such as Spain and Germany over the past decade, while the United Kingdom and Italy have seen declines. Globally, fewer than one-third of adolescent girls have received an HPV vaccine.

Researchers noted that the study did not assess outcomes related to non-cervical cancers and that continued monitoring is necessary to understand long-term protection. Even so, the results are expected to guide future policy discussions as governments and health agencies seek to expand coverage and reduce preventable cancer deaths.

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New Research Suggests Daily Orange Juice Consumption May Influence Thousands of Genes Linked to Heart Health

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December 3, 2025

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A series of new scientific studies is shedding light on how daily orange juice consumption may shape key biological processes linked to cardiovascular health. Researchers say that the drink, a common part of breakfast for millions, appears to trigger changes in the activity of thousands of genes inside immune cells — many of which regulate blood pressure, inflammation and sugar metabolism.

The findings were highlighted by David C. Gaze, Senior Lecturer in Chemical Pathology at the University of Westminster, who reviewed the research in The Conversation. He noted that the latest results point to subtle but meaningful effects on systems that influence long-term heart function.

In one study, adults consumed 500 millilitres of pure pasteurised orange juice every day for two months. By the end of the trial, several genes associated with inflammation — including NAMPT, IL6, IL1B and NLRP3 — showed reduced activity. These genes are typically activated during physiological stress. Researchers also reported lower activity in SGK1, a gene that helps determine how efficiently the kidneys retain sodium, a factor tied to blood pressure regulation.

Scientists involved in the work say these changes suggest that regular orange juice intake may encourage relaxation of blood vessels while curbing inflammatory responses. These effects align with earlier findings showing that young adults who drink orange juice regularly tend to record lower blood pressure readings.

The research also supports long-standing interest in hesperidin, a natural flavonoid found in oranges. Hesperidin is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and the latest results suggest it may play a role in balancing cholesterol levels, supporting healthy blood pressure, and influencing sugar metabolism.

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Responses also varied depending on body type. Genes linked to fat metabolism appeared more responsive in overweight participants, while inflammation-related genes shifted more noticeably in leaner individuals.

Broader analyses have also pointed to benefits linked to insulin resistance and cholesterol management. A review of 15 controlled studies involving 639 people found that consistent orange juice consumption reduced insulin resistance and levels of LDL, the so-called “bad” cholesterol. Another study involving overweight adults recorded slight reductions in systolic blood pressure and a rise in HDL, considered “good” cholesterol.

In metabolite-focused research, orange juice consumption was associated with favourable changes in energy use, cellular communication and inflammation pathways. Volunteers who drank blood orange juice for a month showed an increase in gut bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids, compounds tied to healthier blood pressure and reduced inflammation.

Among people with metabolic syndrome, orange juice intake improved endothelial function — the ability of blood vessels to relax and widen. Better endothelial function is linked to lower risks of heart attack and other cardiovascular events.

Researchers say not all studies report large shifts in cholesterol or triglycerides, but the overall evidence points to a consistent trend: regular orange juice consumption may help reduce inflammation, support healthier blood flow and improve several markers linked to heart disease risk.

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