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Medicine & Health

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 30-Oct-2026 10:16 ET (30-Oct-2026 14:16 GMT/UTC)

Jeonbuk National University study reveals why diabetics are more vulnerable to air pollution's cellular toll

Jeonbuk National University, Sustainable Strategy team, Planning and Coordination Division
Peer-Reviewed Publication

People with diabetes may be especially vulnerable to air pollution, which can accelerate bone marrow stem cell aging, finds a study from Jeonbuk National University. Researchers exposed diabetic and non-diabetic mice to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and found that it intensified inflammation and stem cell damage, particularly in diabetic mice. Inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome reduced these effects, suggesting a potential target for mitigating air pollution’s harmful effects.

Journal: Journal of Hazardous Materials

Tokyo University of Science Distinguished Professor Kenso Soai wins the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026

Tokyo University of Science
Business Announcement

Distinguished Professor Kenso Soai of Tokyo University of Science, Japan, has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry alongside Professor Emeritus Henri B. Kagan of France for their pioneering contributions to asymmetric organic synthesis. Distinguished Prof. Soai was recognized for discovering the “Soai reaction,” which demonstrates how asymmetric autocatalysis can amplify molecular handedness. This breakthrough provides important insights into chemical chirality and offers a model for investigating the origins of biological homochirality.

Study reveals distinct cellular and genetic differences in colorectal cancer in younger patients

Mass General Brigham
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Mass General Brigham researchers from the Gene Lay Institute, along with researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and the Broad Institute, have uncovered biological clues to why colorectal cancer can behave more aggressively in younger people. Published today in Nature Medicine, the study — the largest of its kind — lays a foundation for understanding age-associated differences in colorectal cancer and exploring future treatments.

Journal: Nature Medicine
Funder: Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Helen Gurley Brown Foundation/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Project P Fund, Patrick Beauregard Fund, Poorvu-Jaffe Fund for Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Research, The Thau Fund, The Eigner Fund for Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer, Klarman Cell Observatory at Broad Institute, American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professor Award

Study reveals distinct cellular and genetic differences in colorectal cancer in younger patients

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers, along with Mass General Brigham researchers from the Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, and the Broad Institute, have uncovered biological clues to why colorectal cancer can behave more aggressively in younger people. Published today in Nature Medicine, the study — the largest of its kind — lays a foundation for understanding age-associated differences in colorectal cancer and exploring future treatments.

Journal: Nature Medicine

Better prosthetic limb control from MIT researchers

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Peer-Reviewed Publication

MIT researchers showed they can accurately track muscle movement using tiny magnetic beads implanted in the muscle. These measurements could make it easier for people with certain types of amputations to control their prosthetic limbs.

Journal: Nature Sensors
Funder: Yang Tan Collective at MIT, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program

Can we eradicate tuberculosis? A review of obstacles to eliminate the disease

Bentham Science Publishers
Book Announcement

Despite decades of research and public health interventions, tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose a significant global health challenge. Can We Eradicate Tuberculosis? A Review of Obstacles to Eliminate the Disease explores the persistent barriers to TB elimination, examining the medical, socioeconomic, cultural, and healthcare-system factors that continue to affect prevention and control efforts.

Project uses biomarkers to prevent infections and injuries in Paralympic athletes

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
Peer-Reviewed Publication

In a presentation at FAPESP Week Netherlands, a researcher highlights the use of biochemical variables to tailor athletes’ rest periods and guide young talent, with a focus on the 2028 and 2032 Paralympic Games.

Funder: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Europe launches VICTOR-XR to make virtual worlds safer, smarter and connected to reality

Universitat Jaume I
Grant and Award Announcement

Virtual worlds are rapidly moving beyond gaming and entertainment into factories, hospitals and training environments. Yet one major challenge remains: ensuring that what happens in a virtual environment accurately reflects what is happening in the real world.

To address this challenge, the European research initiative VICTOR-XR, launched under Horizon Europe’s Cluster 4 – Digital, Industry and Space, within the HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-HUMAN-14 topic, brings together 16 partners from seven countries to develop a new generation of intelligent, human-centric Extended Reality (XR) technologies.

Over the next three years, VICTOR-XR will create technologies that continuously synchronise physical environments with their virtual counterparts using Digital Twins, multimodal sensing, and AI-powered cognitive assistants. By combining vision, speech, gaze tracking, biosignals and haptic feedback, the project aims to deliver immersive experiences that are more realistic, more responsive and ultimately more trustworthy.

Funder: European Union (HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-HUMAN-14)

International review offers new guidance on understanding the benefits of indoor plants

University of Surrey
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Indoor plants and green walls can reduce certain air pollutants by around 10-30 per cent, while some indoor greening systems could cut the energy needed to cool buildings in certain office zones by up to 27 per cent, according to an international review led by the University of Surrey.

Journal: Eco-Environment & Health

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