JAMA Editors' Summary

A roundup of a decade-long antibiotics vs surgery comparison for appendicitis and a nalbufine trial that cut chronic cough counts. A national look at cancer mortality shifts under age 50, including colorectal trends. Discussion of blood biomarker equity concerns for Alzheimer disease. Practical updates on opioid use disorder treatment and restless legs syndrome diagnosis and management.

Editor's Summary by Linda Brubaker, MD, and Preeti Malani, MD, MSJ, Deputy Editors of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, for articles published from January 10-16, 2026.

Discover how age-adjusted D-dimer testing is revolutionizing DVT rule-outs, especially for older adults. Explore the safety of prenatal acid-suppressants on child outcomes. Learn why ibuprofen is now the go-to for managing pediatric limb injuries. Find out about adolescent smartphone use in schools, revealing surprising trends in social media engagement. Plus, hear about new self-collection guidelines for HPV testing and innovative approaches to expanding access to HIV prevention. A blend of timely medical insights and groundbreaking research awaits!

Discover how mobile health texts can significantly aid TB patients in quitting smoking. Learn about innovative strategies in preventing infant RSV through nirsevimab versus maternal vaccination. Explore findings that reveal modest benefits of self-management and spinal manipulation for low back pain. Also, hear about the impressive impact of lay worker symptom check-ins on reducing emergency visits for cancer patients. Finally, dive into the rapid rise of private equity in IVF clinics and the implications for healthcare.

Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, a physician-scientist and Editor-in-Chief of JAMA, joins Jennifer Abbasi to delve into groundbreaking research from the past year. They explore the Laryngostat trial that successfully reduced blood pressure in treatment-resistant hypertension. Kirsten also discusses the promising results of GLP-1s in heart failure, a shingles vaccine's link to lower dementia risk, and a hepatitis B vaccine trail in HIV patients. Plus, they highlight lifestyle interventions that may boost cognition in older adults and the implications of a new trial on transfusion thresholds.

Discover how COVID-19 vaccination can significantly lower risks of severe maternal outcomes and preterm births. Learn about the disappointing findings of a study on valacyclovir for Alzheimer's, indicating it doesn't curb cognitive decline. Explore the alarming survey revealing limited abortion access in California clinics. Hear insights on the impact of potential policy changes to school vaccine mandates. Plus, get updates on a new H3N2 flu variant and WHO obesity medication guidelines. Dive into critical health discussions with expert perspectives!

Discover the latest breakthroughs in precision medicine with trials showing promising results for organ dysfunction and sepsis therapy. Dive into the challenges of cryopreserved platelets and learn about innovative approaches to pediatric care in managing PDA. Explore an update on febrile infants' prediction rules and the impacts of risk-based breast cancer screening. Uncover trends in vitamin K refusals and the ongoing debate in obesity management and CAR T-cell therapy advancements.

The hosts dive into WHO guidelines advocating for GLP-1 use in obesity management. They explore the implications of GLP-1 exposure during early pregnancy and its weight gain association. A trial assessing lung-protective ventilation during abdominal surgery finds no reduction in complications. They also discuss the impact of ARNI therapy on Chagas cardiomyopathy outcomes. Additionally, trends show rising methamphetamine use and its health consequences, alongside discussions on healthcare costs and innovative clinical updates.

Explore the benefits of lung cancer screening and how increasing uptake could save lives. Discover findings from a long-term study in Bangladesh linking reduced arsenic exposure to lower chronic disease deaths. Delve into the latest insights on managing peripheral neuropathy, from conservative approaches to advanced therapies. Plus, hear about the impact of AI in clinical settings and the importance of addressing issues like third-hand smoke and innovative payment models.

Dr. Stefan Tilg, an experienced hepatologist and author, dives into the intricacies of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). He reveals how modest weight loss can significantly impact liver health—5% for steatosis, 7–10% for inflammation, and up to 15% for fibrosis regression. The discussion also highlights the benefits of a Mediterranean diet and physical activity in improving liver conditions, even without weight loss. Additionally, there's a concise update on primary biliary cholangitis, shedding light on this rare autoimmune disease.