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Feature Stories

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 8-May-2025 06:09 ET (8-May-2025 10:09 GMT/UTC)

Caffeine kick with health risks

BfR Federal Institute for Risk Assessment

Caffeine is almost ubiquitous in everyday life. It is found in the typical morning cup of coffee, in black tea, in cola, in energy drinks and even in chocolate. "In moderate amounts, caffeine has a stimulating, positive effect," explains biologist Dr Anke Ehlers in the new episode of ‘Risk’ – the science podcast from the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). In high doses, however, caffeine can cause sweating, anxiety and heart rhythm disorders, as well as affect the growth of the foetus in the mother's womb. In extreme cases, severe overdoses from food supplements can even be fatal.

University of Tennessee microbiology lab tracks immune response

University of Tennessee at Knoxville

Assistant Professor Andrew Monteith’s lab at the University of Tennessee is studying how neutrophils detect infection and why this process fails in lupus patients. The research, published in Cell Host & Microbe, shows that neutrophils from lupus patients cannot detect bacterial lactate, preventing NETosis and leading to more severe infections.

Journal: Cell Host & Microbe

Building blocks of innovation: Light-induced symmetry changes in tiny crystals

DOE/Argonne National Laboratory

Argonne researchers have shown that they can use light to temporarily alter the crystal symmetry within lead sulfide quantum dots. This process reduces the off-centering of lead atoms and affects the electronic properties of the quantum dots.

Journal: Advanced Materials

No more excuses: Break the chain of transmission to end tuberculosis – World TB Day 2025

American Thoracic Society

”TB anywhere is TB everywhere,” said tuberculosis expert Philip Hopewell, MD, in the latest ATS Breathe Easy podcast.

The U.S. has one of the lowest incidence rates of TB in the world, yet in January, an outbreak caused 2 deaths, and 67 persons developed latent TB in Kansas, which set off alarm bells in public health.

ETRI develops processor for real-time hologram generation

National Research Council of Science & Technology

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) has announced the development of a programmable semiconductor-based digital holographic media processor (RHP) using Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology.

Funder: Ministry of Science and ICT

New era in drug-resistant TB management powered by NGS

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health challenge, affecting millions each year. Globally, an estimated 10.8 million people contracted TB, with 1.25 million deaths. Genetic sequencing is one of the most promising advancements in TB management, which allows for early detection, personalized treatment, and better public health strategies.

Long-term inflammation raises questions about white snus

University of Gothenburg

Painful inflammation that takes months or up to a year to heal – this can be seen in the mouth after using white snus. Researchers in oral medicine at the University of Gothenburg will now look more closely at the effects of the popular white snus.

Breaking the age stereotype: colon cancer surges in youth

During Colon Cancer Awareness Month, we delve into the factors that are driving this alarming shift. Discover how genetic testing is emerging as a powerful tool in the prevention and early detection of CRC.

CU first to offer new deep brain stimulation treatment for Parkinson’s disease patients

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

An update to the traditional deep brain stimulation device enables adaptive pulses of electricity that help to lessen the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and inform future research.

Key to managing legacy munitions in the Baltic Sea

Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)

21 March 2025/Kiel/Rønne. It is well known that the Baltic Sea is contaminated with remnants of munitions from past wars. However, many questions remain about the exact locations of these munitions and their condition after decades under water. Three major projects at national, Baltic Sea and European level are currently working to consolidate existing knowledge and develop technologies to safely identify submerged munitions. GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is contributing to these efforts with three Baltic Sea expeditions. The first mission has now begun: the research vessel ALKOR is testing and further developing state-of-the-art mapping and analysis techniques in German and Danish waters, with a particular focus on the sea areas at the exit of the Flensburg Fjord / Lille Belt, west of Bornholm and the Bay of Lübeck.

Funder: European Union

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