Researchers in Japan developed a high-efficiency iron-based photocatalyst as a cheaper alternative to rare metals like ruthenium and iridium. This catalyst works with blue LED light, significantly reduces the use of chiral ligands, and enables the first synthesis of both enantiomers of heitziamide A, a natural medicine compound that suppresses respiratory bursts.

Gibson Oncology, a clinical-stage private pharmaceutical company headquartered in Miami, announced it has entered Phase 2 clinical trials with LMP744 for the treatment of first-time recurrent glioblastoma patients. During the Phase 2 trial, approximately 40 first-time recurrent glioblastoma patients will receive a once-a-day, one-hour infusion of LMP744 for five consecutive days, with biological analyses conducted on brain tissues obtained before and after this initial treatment period.

Enzymatic biofuel cells can act as self-powered wearable biosensors by converting chemicals in body fluids into electricity; however, manufacturing challenges have prevented their widespread adoption. Now, researchers from Japan have developed water-based ‘enzyme inks’ that enable single-step screen printing of complete biofuel cells onto paper substrates. The printed electrodes demonstrated superior performance and stability compared to those made using conventional methods, paving the way for mass-produced, battery-free wearable health monitors.

Tiny RNA molecules carried by extracellular vesicles in the bloodstream can accurately predict kidney function decline and cardiovascular risk in chronic kidney disease (CKD), as reported by researchers from Science Tokyo. By analyzing blood samples from a large cohort, the team identified multiple microRNAs linked to disease progression and built a model to distinguish high-risk patients with CKD. Clinically applying this risk score model can contribute to improved patient outcomes.