Reuters reported on 18 October that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo had spread to North Ubangi, the eighth affected province. Two cases were confirmed there, including one death. The outbreak has also crossed borders, with infections reported in Uganda and Kenya.

Keck Medicine of USC reported that it had launched a clinical trial testing an investigational treatment for knee osteoarthritis. The announcement was published approximately three days before 18 October. This is a trial announcement, not proof that the treatment is effective.

ScienceDaily reported on 17 October on research suggesting that dysfunction in certain brain cells may contribute to age-related cognitive decline by disrupting the production of myelin, the insulating material around nerve fibres.

The World Health Organization published an update on 16 October about its Group of Friends of Traditional Medicine, highlighting international cooperation and priorities in the field.

ScienceDaily reported on 15 October on research led by Oregon Health & Science University examining late-night eating and liver-disease risk in nearly 200,000 people. The reported relationship is an association and does not prove that late eating directly causes liver disease.

ScienceDaily reported on 15 October on research into DEAF1, a gene that becomes overactive with age and interferes with aspects of muscle function. The findings may help explain some biological mechanisms behind age-related muscle decline.