IMPACT Feb 2026
Focus Feature: Why less may be more when it comes to MS treatment
New Kaiser Permanente research shows that extending rituximab dosing to every 12 months is as effective as dosing every 6 months for MS patients. Extended time between doses was shown to maintain control of the disease while reducing other health risks.
R&E News and Features
Staying active during pregnancy helps keep postpartum weight off
An analysis of nearly 60,000 pregnancies showed that people who stayed physically active before and during pregnancy had less postpartum weight retention than those who got little exercise.
Wildfire smoke studies reveal differing health risks
One new Kaiser Permanente study showed that wildfire smoke may be raising mortality risk for older adults, while another showed wildfire smoke may be increasing the risk of autism among children whose mothers were exposed.
Study evaluates heart disease risk prediction across Asian ethnicities
Researchers assessed the PREVENT cardiovascular risk equation’s ability to predict cardiovascular disease risk in Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Other Pacific Islander adults and found its accuracy differed across ethnic subgroups.
In the News
Statins may protect against asthma exacerbations in Black patients, patients with obesity
HealioFebruary 10, 2026Study suggests shingles vaccine may help lower Alzheimer’s and dementia risk
News MedicalFebruary 10, 2026How did Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mom die? His new interview brings attention to a difficult topic
Health DigestFebruary 7, 2026Exposure to wildfire smoke late in pregnancy may raise autism risk in children
MedicalXpressJanuary 20, 2026After the L.A. fires, heart attacks and strange blood test results spiked
Los Angeles TimesDecember 18, 2025Misidentified species implicated in triazole-resistant aspergillus infections
ContagionLiveDecember 7, 2025
Five questions...
for Dr. Hui Zhou
Hui Zhou, PhD, MS, a research scientist biostatistician and mother of this year’s Rose Queen, answers questions about her career in science, and how she connects her job, community involvement, and motherhood.