An international team, led by the Immunogenetics Research Laboratory (IRLab) at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and the Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, has identified associations between modifications in the placenta and the risk of developing schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression disorder. The study, published in Nature Communications, was coordinated by Dr. Nora Fernandez-Jimenez, assistant professor at the UPV/EHU Faculty of Medicine and Nursing and researcher at Biobizkaia, with Dr. Ariadna Cilleros-Portet as the first author.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a formulation consisting of Kalonji (Nigella sativa) and Sirka (vinegar) in treating acne vulgaris, comparing it with the commonly used benzoyl peroxide 5% gel. A total of 40 participants aged 13-40 were treated over a 28-day period. The study measured the outcomes using the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS), Cook’s Acne Grading Scale (PSAG), and the Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI). While the results did not show significant differences between the two treatments, the use of Kalonji and Sirka demonstrated potential as an alternative acne treatment, especially considering its traditional use in Unani medicine. This study highlights the importance of exploring alternative, safer treatment options for acne, with further research needed to confirm the formulation’s effectiveness on a larger scale.

This review highlights the growing interest in ginsenosides, especially Compound K (CK), as potential anti-aging agents due to their promising effects on skin health. Rare ginsenoside Compound K, a highly active deglycosylated metabolite of ginsenosides, demonstrates significant anti-aging properties. This review discusses the anti-skin aging mechanisms of Compound K, including improving skin barrier, protecting against photoaging, supplementation of extracellular matrix, regulation of autophagy, resistance to inflammation, activation of longevity gene family, regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and bioenergy, and antioxidant Journal Pre-proof repair of cell damage.In addition, the physicochemical properties and transdermal absorption effects of CK were described in detail. In the end, the article emphasizes the need for further research into the molecular mechanisms of Compound K's anti-aging effects and its potential applications in developing natural anti-aging skincare products.

Collagen, a primary structural protein in the mammalian extracellular matrix, plays a crucial role in supporting, repairing, and protecting tissue cells. With sources ranging from natural extraction to artificial synthesis, collagen has significant applications in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, medicine, and the food industry. Its unique structure, excellent biocompatibility, and low antigenicity make it highly valuable in the cosmetic industry, where it is widely used in skincare products and medical aesthetic procedures to combat skin aging and enhance skin health. This paper reviews the sources and types of collagen utilized in cosmetics, explores its effects on skin, and discusses its future prospects in dermatology and cosmetic applications.

On October 21, 2024, the research team led by Professor Lv Han from Capital Medical University Affiliated Beijing Friendship Hospital, in collaboration with the team led by Professor Jiang Jiehui from Shanghai University, conducted a population-based cohort study to investigate the long-term effects of unhealthy lifestyles, metabolic abnormalities, and other risk factors on brain aging. The results demonstrated that these risk factors significantly accelerate brain aging, and the researchers proposed key strategies to promote brain health. The study was published in the Research under the title "Discovery of High-Risk Clinical Factors That Accelerate Brain Aging in Adults: A Population-Based Machine Learning Study" (Research 2024; 7: Article 0500. DOI: 10.34133/research.0500).

An FFG-funded consortium of Austrian research groups from the University of Vienna, MedUni Vienna and Technikum Wien together with company partner DOC Medikus GmbH has developed an innovative bioanalytical test system for radiopharmaceutical drug candidates for cancer diagnosis and therapy. It does not require any animal testing at all and enables automated, fast and highly precise analyses. The new method was presented in detail in the renowned Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Gases used in anaesthesia are potent greenhouse gases, and their total global impact has not previously been known. A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health led by Lund University shows that greenhouse gas emissions from anaesthetic gases have decreased by 27% over the last ten years. By swapping out the anaesthetic gas with the highest climate impact, the climate impact of anaesthetic gases could have been reduced by a further 69%.