The official launch of Skin, a new fully open-access dermatology journal, was marked by its inaugural editorial board meeting in Beijing on March 14, 2026. Over 160 leading experts gathered to support the journal’s mission to build a world-class academic platform, amplify Chinese research globally, and advance international collaboration in skin health. A tripartite cooperation agreement was signed to accelerate the journal’s development.

In contrast to the misconception that breastfed babies sleep less as breastmilk is easily digested, a new study of 82,918 infants found that children who received breast milk during the first six months of life were less likely to experience short sleep duration at one year of age than those who were exclusively fed formula. Using data from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study, the researchers proposed biological mechanisms that may help explain this association.

The gut microbiome plays an important role in inflammatory bowel disease. In the research project MikrobiomProCheck, researchers are investigating how microbiome data can in future be used for diagnostics, disease monitoring and personalised therapies. Bielefeld University is contributing clinical, bioinformatic and data-driven expertise to this collaborative project spanning North Rhine-Westphalia.

Researchers from Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin developed a unified multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) platform applicable to formalin-fixed liver tissues, organoids, primary liver cells and liver-on-a-chip systems. By combining sequential antibody stripping with an open-source image-processing tool, CytoPrixm, the workflow enables multidimensional spatial phenotyping using standard fluorescence microscopy and commercially available reagents. The study lowers technical and financial barriers to spatial biology research and provides a scalable framework for investigating cellular interactions and disease microenvironments in hepatology.

CT scans of ancient crocodile brains reveal clues to 100 million years of evolution. New study uses digital reconstructions of living and extinct crocodylians to untangle the evolutionary history of long-snouted crocodiles. By digitally reconstructing the internal anatomy of fossil skulls, the researchers identified a series of morphological differences in the braincase and associated sensory structures among long-snouted crocodiles from different geological periods. The findings demonstrate the growing importance of implementing non-destructive imaging techniques in palaeontology.

A 31-year global analysis covering 204 countries shows the absolute burden of viral skin diseases has surged by over one-third since 1990, now affecting 84.7 million people annually. The study identifies children under 15 and older adults as the most vulnerable groups and reveals widening socioeconomic disparities, calling for targeted public health interventions to address inequities.

A 31-year global analysis covering 204 countries shows the absolute burden of viral skin diseases has surged by over one-third since 1990, now affecting 84.7 million people annually. The study identifies children under 15 and older adults as the most vulnerable groups and reveals widening socioeconomic disparities, calling for targeted public health interventions to address inequities.

Cronkhite–Canada syndrome (CCS) is a rare, non-hereditary hamartomatous polyposis syndrome of the gastrointestinal tract accompanied by ectodermal changes. The cause has remained unknown for decades, with no clear germline mutations identified. A new multi-omics study reveals that expanded TNF-α-producing CD4⁺ T cells and IL-1β-secreting macrophages drive excessive mucus secretion and colonic hamartoma formation through a positive feedback loop inducing epithelial prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) production, offering potential therapeutic targets for this puzzling disease.