New ECDC data released for World Hepatitis Day shows that Europe has made significant progress against hepatitis B and C. However, uneven implementation of testing, vaccination, treatment and harm-reduction measures means the region is not on track to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

Researchers are developing Australia’s first quality-of-life measure specifically for people aged 65+ receiving subacute care, such as rehabilitation after illness or injury. The tool will assess factors older people value most, including independence, social connection, emotional wellbeing and meaningful activities, rather than focusing solely on clinical outcomes. Researchers hope it will provide a consistent way to evaluate care across hospital and aged care settings, improve service planning and investment, and ensure older Australians’ experiences and priorities are better reflected in care decisions.

Salvia miltiorrhiza, a medicinal plant widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, suffers severe yield and quality losses under salt stress—a growing concern as soil salinization expands worldwide. 

Maintaining and improving quality of life (QOL) and extending a healthy lifespan are among the most important objectives for an aging society. A research group led by Dr. Keiko Odera and Dr. Ryoya Takahashi (former professor) from the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences has reveal that lifelong supplementation of PQQ (BioPQQ, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.) and its derivative IPQ in senescence accelerated mouse (SAM) P8 reduces mortality risk during midlife and delays the progression of aging and age-related decline in muscular function. Furthermore, PQQ and IPQ supplementations in middle age improve age‑related declines in muscular function. This study was published in the Food & Function on May 11, 2026 (Open Access Article).