The diabetes drug, metformin, may mimic key benefits of exercise in prostate cancer patients, raising a molecule linked to weight and energy control even without activity. The finding suggests a new way to support metabolic health during hormone therapy, when patients often cannot exercise.

Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University and Japan System Techniques Co., Ltd. evaluated the 2019 Osaka-Higashi Line station openings using a natural experiment and health insurance claims. While the overall rail-line effect was not significant, Shigino Station, a well-connected transfer hub, showed an estimated cumulative reduction of about JPY 62,500 per medically treated person over four years, highlighting that station connectivity and local context may determinewhether new stations deliver healthcare cost benefits.