In humans, Chlamydia psittaci causes psittacosis, a disease usually linked to contact with infected birds. We report two independent, epidemiologically unrelated events of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the megacity of Beijing associated with pet parrots, where convergent clinical, epidemiological, histopathological, and genetic evidence support the zoonotic transmission of C. psittaci from parrots to humans. These findings highlight an urgent need for the development and widespread adoption of certified diagnostic kits and standardized testing protocols for C. psittaci in clinical practice, both in China and globally.

Researchers found that patients who followed an exercise prescription while receiving chemotherapy reported fewer problems with thinking and memory and felt less mentally tired than those who received chemotherapy alone.

Immunotherapy given during and after chemoradiation did not improve survival for study participants with limited-stage, small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) according to the results of an international clinical trial, NRG-LU005, led by NRG Oncology in collaboration with the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology. The results are published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The trial did not meet its primary endpoint as the addition of the immunotherapy agent atezolizumab to chemotherapy and radiation did not significantly improve survival for those with limited-stage SCLC. However, twice-daily radiation therapy was associated with improved survival in this population.

Identifying the location of paraclinoid aneurysms (PAs) is important to predict the rupture risk and guide treatment decisions. However, existing risk prediction models have limitations such as selection bias. To address this, researchers have now modified a pre-existing high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging-based method for determining the exact location of PAs, using the cerebrospinal fluid notch and cavernous sinus enhanced signals. This new protocol can assist clinicians in treatment decisions and help determine individualized management strategies.

Boron agents termed GluBs, developed by Science Tokyo researchers, overcome a key limitation in cancer therapy by entering tumor cells through a pathway that standard drugs cannot use. The GluBs target ASCT2, a transporter abundant in aggressive cancers such as glioblastoma and breast cancer, rather than the LAT1 route. Results from cell and animal studies show the agents were safe and effective in limiting tumor growth, indicating potential to treat cancers with limited LAT1 expression.

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a new way to alter complex drug molecules using light rather than toxic chemicals – a discovery that could accelerate and improve how medicines are designed and made. 

Published today (Thursday 12 March) in Nature Synthesis, the study introduces what the team calls an “anti-Friedel–Crafts” reaction. A classic Friedel–Crafts reaction uses strong chemicals or metal catalysts under harsh experimental conditions. This means the reaction can only happen in the early stages of drug manufacturing, and is followed by many additional chemical steps to produce the final drug. 

The new Cambridge approach reverses that pattern, allowing scientists to modify drug molecules at the final stages of production. 

Rather than relying on heavy metal catalysts, the chemistry is powered by an LED lamp at ambient temperature. When activated, it triggers a self-sustaining chain process that forges new carbon–carbon bonds under mild conditions and without toxic or expensive chemicals.

In practical terms, this means chemists can make targeted changes late in the development of a new or existing drug rather than dismantling and rebuilding complex molecules from scratch – a process that can otherwise take months. 

“We’ve found a new way to make precise changes to complex drug molecules, particularly ones that have been exceptionally difficult to modify in the past,” said David Vahey, first author and a PhD researcher at St John’s College, Cambridge.

“Scientists can spend months rebuilding large parts of a molecule just to test one small change. Now, instead of doing a multistep process for hundreds of molecules, scientists can start with their hit and make small modifications later on.”

A pioneering research-industry partnership has used advances in indoor farming technology to grow pea shoots fortified with Vitamin B12, opening an exciting route to market for farmers and addressing a major public health need.