A study in Science in One Health models the spread of the invasive freshwater snail Physella acuta (P. acuta) in China. Led by researchers from Sun Yat-sen University, it uses advanced modeling with data from GBIF and WorldClim, via MaxEnt and other tools. Since its discovery in Heilongjiang in 1993, P. acuta has rapidly spread, threatening ecosystems by altering food webs and degrading water quality, and posing public health risks. Four environmental factors, including precipitation and temperature, significantly influence its distribution, with the model showing high accuracy (AUC = 0.918). Currently, suitable habitats cover 10.22% of China. Climate change may reduce these habitats, especially in the south, while shifting the distribution slightly north, endangering new regions. These findings are vital for conservation and public health, offering a basis for enhanced monitoring and control strategies to safeguard ecosystems, economies, and public well-being from this invasive species.

A research team led by the School of Public Health in the LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), in collaboration with the Centre for Immunology & Infection (C2i), has achieved a significant breakthrough in developing broadly protective, live-attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIV). These innovative LAIV platforms offer potential to develop universal influenza vaccines that induce a more robust immune response against various virus subtypes, including both human and avian strains. These achievements have resulted in multiple patents and impressive accolades at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva 2025, including the Saudi Innovation Excellence Prize and two Gold Medals, one of which came with Congratulations of the Jury.

 

Patients with subacute subdural hematoma (sASDH) do not have an optimal non-surgical therapeutic strategy. In this study, scientists from Capital Medical University, Beijing, and Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, present five case studies where patients received atorvastatin plus low-dose dexamethasone for sASDH. They report resolution of hematomas in all patients, with no recurrence or progression during the six-month follow-up period.  This may be a potential alternative treatment for patients who prefer non-surgical therapy for sASDH.

How does obesity affect insulin production? Researchers at Tohoku University are shining light on new stages of the ERK pathway.