Exaggerated Fears Over Cancer Biopsies Can Worsen Cancer - McGill University

Spinach, almonds, and sweet potatoes are often praised for their nutritional value. But new research from the UNC School of Medicine suggests that for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a naturally occurring compound in these foods may contribute to intestinal inflammation. The study, published August 13, 2026 in Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CMGH), was led by postdoctoral scholar Anna Salvador, PhD, RD, LDN, in the lab of Shehzad Z. Sheikh, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine and Genetics.

Researchers traced an immune pathway from brain-draining lymph nodes to tau-affected tissue, revealing how peripheral immune activity may become intertwined with neurodegeneration. Study: Priming of CD8+ T cells by peripheral dendritic cells exacerbates tau-mediated neurodegeneration. Image Credit: Antonio Marca / Shutterstock