Medicine

A new and potentially safer opioid has been tested in lab rats, and the results suggest it relieves pain with a lower risk of addiction than other drugs in its class.

A new drug that works by making tumors more susceptible to chemotherapy and the immune system has increased survival in those with advanced pancreatic cancer in a trial.

Trace amounts of antiseptic chemicals in hospital rooms may be driving tolerance and resistance in bacteria, a study finds.

A nasal spray in mice boosted lung immunity against viruses, bacteria and allergens — but a truly universal vaccine is still years away.

In a mouse study, scientists found that a bacterial sugar can be exploited to disable dangerous antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

Researchers showed that "exosomes" from pig semen may be used in a potential new treatment for retinoblastoma.

In an early animal test, a new nasal-spray vaccine has shown promise against a variety of germs and a common allergen, scientists report.

A new polymer gel can deliver insulin through intact skin in animal tests. It could someday offer a path toward needle-free diabetes treatment, some say.

Scientists are developing a microneedle patch that they hope could someday simplify IVF hormone delivery. They've tested it in animals.