New research in JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network finds that small, targeted prompts delivered to cancer patients and providers at the right moment can significantly increase the number of serious illness conversations that take place.

A new analysis from the PURE-China cohort suggests a J-shaped association between daily sitting time and cardiovascular disease and mortality risks. Among 41,733 Chinese adults followed for a median of 11.9 years, the lowest risk occurred at around 4 hours of sitting per day. While replacing sitting with physical activity was beneficial among high-sitting adults, modest sitting appeared potentially protective among low-sitting, highly active individuals.

A study of 52 college students found that VR mindfulness meditation improved emotion regulation, relaxation, and mindful attention more than audio-only practice. The strongest results came from a self-developed EEG-interactive VR forest that changed in response to users' brain signals, while lavender scent improved relaxation but appeared to reduce concentration.

Diagnostic laboratories are central to disease surveillance and epidemic preparedness, yet poor adherence to biosafety and biosecurity protocols can put laboratory staff, communities and the environment at risk. This study assessed biosecurity and biosafety practices in 96 public and private biomedical and veterinary laboratories in Benin. Using a cross-sectional design, biomedical laboratories were evaluated with the Biosafety and Biosecurity in Laboratory Tool, while veterinary laboratories were assessed using the Laboratory Mapping Tool. Data were collected through KoBoCollect and analysed using R. Most laboratories showed poor compliance with established guidelines: 42% were classified as very high risk, 38% as high risk, 15% as moderate risk and only 5% as low risk. Strengthened policies and targeted capacity-building for laboratory staff and managers are urgently needed.