A new review highlights the growing importance of miR-23b, a small but powerful regulator of gene expression, in shaping the development and progression of a wide range of cancers. This molecule, part of the broader family of microRNAs, is increasingly recognised for its complex and sometimes contrasting influence on tumor behaviour, offering fresh perspectives on how cancer can be better understood and managed.

A research team from the School of Public Health at the LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), has developed an innovative global viral genomic blueprint, showing that strategically targeting genomic surveillance on international travellers at two major aviation hubs could accelerate the detection of emerging viral variants by days, even with substantially limited global resources. The findings were published in Nature Communications, offering a practical pathway towards establishing a sustainable global early warning system for future pandemics.

Could athletes trade meat for plants and maintain their performance? In a multi-university study, researchers found that recreational runners and resistance trainers did just that. The study, published in Nutrition Journal and coauthored by Rutgers Director of Behavioral Nutrition and Registered Dietitian, Peggy Policastro, found no statistically significant differences in how far recreational runners ran or how much weight resistance trainers lifted after four weeks on each diet.

Researchers from the University of Manchester, alongside international collaborators from Neuroscience Research Australia, ETH Zurich, Karolinska Institutet, and Atlantic Technological University, have conducted a new systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the role of active video games, or "exergames," in fall prevention for older populations.

Medicinal plants have long supplied compounds used in health care, cosmetics and natural pigments, but many of their most valuable chemicals remain difficult to produce sustainably. 

A study performed by Sammy Ahmed, assistant professor of human development and family science in the University of Rhode Island College of Health Sciences, is shedding light on how much workshops and coaching help preschool teachers develop their students’ executive function.

This review highlights Anoectochilus roxburghii as a promising natural skincare ingredient with strong translational potential. Traditionally known as the “King of Medicine” and “Golden Herb,” A. roxburghii contains polysaccharides, flavonoids, and kinsenosides that may support antioxidant defense, anti-inflammatory regulation, skin barrier repair, and brightening effects. The article connects traditional medicinal value with modern cosmetic science, emphasizing topical, skin-relevant mechanisms rather than systemic pharmacological effects. It also discusses product development opportunities, including serums, masks, creams, and soothing formulations, while identifying key challenges such as extract standardization, clinical validation, safety assessment, and scalable industrial application.

Platinum resistance remains a major obstacle in ovarian cancer treatment. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as important regulators of cancer progression and drug resistance. This study identified circSFPQ_008 as a key driver of platinum resistance in ovarian cancer through the circSFPQ_008/SFPQ/BRCA1 axis. Targeting this pathway sensitized ovarian cancer cells to platinum chemotherapy, suggesting a promising therapeutic strategy for overcoming drug resistance. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of platinum resistance and identify potential therapeutic targets for ovarian cancer.