Wednesday, February 18, 2026
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AI-Generated Content: All summaries are AI-generated and may contain errors. Always verify with the original paper.

Today's Top Research

3 papers explained in plain English

Featured research
Feb 18, 2026 PLoS ONE

Psychiatrists Share Surprising Insights on Parent Mental Health

New Study Reveals Psychiatrists' Views on Supporting Parents with Mental Health Issues. A recent study found that many psychiatrists are hesitant to provide additional support to parents struggling with mental health problems, despite recognizing the importance of family involvement in treatment. The main obstacle is often the traditional individual-focused approach used in psychiatric care, which can lead to stigma and consent issues. However, some psychiatrists reported feeling empowered by their own experiences and confidence in conducting family meetings, suggesting that a more collaborative approach could be beneficial for both parents and children.

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Feb 18, 2026 PLoS ONE

New Study Explores Long COVID Treatment Approach

Researchers are testing a new online therapy program to help adults with long COVID-19 manage their emotional and cognitive symptoms. Long COVID-19 is a condition that can cause persistent physical, mental, and emotional problems, but there's currently limited research on effective treatments. The study aims to see if this group-based therapy, called the Unified Protocol, can improve outcomes for people with long COVID-19. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive the therapy or wait for treatment, and their progress will be tracked over several months. The researchers hope that those who receive the therapy will show greater improvements in emotional and cognitive symptoms, as well as changes in how their brains function and hormone levels.

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Feb 18, 2026 BMJ Medicine

New Hope for Mental Illness Patients Quit Smoking

Research suggests that certain medications and non-medication methods can help people with serious mental health conditions quit smoking. A study analyzed data from 74 clinical trials involving over 11,000 participants with schizophrenia, depression, or PTSD. The results showed that two medications, varenicline and bupropion, were more effective than a placebo in helping people with severe mental illness stay smoke-free for the long term. Nicotine replacement therapy was also found to be helpful in quitting smoking short-term, but had little lasting benefit. Combining medication with non-medication methods may also increase success rates.

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Explore Original Research

Want to dive deeper? These journals publish the original peer-reviewed research we summarize:

Nature Science The Lancet NEJM BMJ Cell JAMA PLOS ONE