A new study shows that coral reefs don’t just provide a home for ocean life, they also help set the daily “schedule” for tiny microbes living in the water nearby. Over the course of a single day, the quantity and types of microbes present can shift dramatically. To see this in detail, researchers took frequent water samples and used a mix of genetic and ecological methods and tools, as well as advanced imaging techniques, to track what was happening hour by hour. They found that reefs can shape microbial communities through natural interactions like grazing and predation, as well as changes in the reef’s close microbial partners. These daily ups and downs offer a fresh window into how reefs work and influence the surrounding environment— and could even point to new ways to keep an eye on reef health.

From 1990 to 2021, global leukemia prevalence increased, whereas overall DALYs declined, indicating divergent trends between disease occurrence and health burden. Leukemia burden exhibited substantial heterogeneity across age, sex, subtype, and sociodemographic levels, with a pronounced bimodal age pattern and consistently higher burden in males. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia was the most prevalent subtype, while acute myeloid leukemia accounted for the largest share of DALYs; marked burden reductions were observed for ALL and CML. Burden decreased in high-SDI regions but continued to rise in low-SDI settings, highlighting persistent global inequalities in leukemia care. High body mass index, tobacco use, and occupational carcinogen exposure were key modifiable risk factors, and therapeutic advances likely contributed to DALY reductions, though benefits remain unevenly distributed.

Recycled rubber granulate made from used car tires is widely promoted as a sustainable material for playgrounds, sports fields, and running tracks. However, new research suggests that the smallest rubber particles may release harmful chemicals into the environment and pose risks to soil organisms, plants, and potentially human health.

A new rapid test for hepatitis C could help identify many more patients who could be cured of the deadly disease, but its use may be limited unless insurers’ reimbursement rises to cover its high cost, according to researchers from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. The finger-stick test can be performed and results obtained in about an hour in an emergency department, clinic, or doctor's office. Point-of-care tests enable patients to start treatment while they are still in the clinic or emergency room, thereby making it much more likely they will be cured.

Cancer cachexia is commonly present in various cancers, including live, pancreatic, gastroesophageal, and bile duct cancers, and is associated with chemotherapy toxicity. M-MDSC induces mTEC apoptosis and impairs T cell negative selection, which leads to autoimmune T-cell infiltration of normal organs and serves as a prerequisite for the occurrence of irAEs. In addition, irAEs patients have higher levels of circulating M-MDSCs. M-MDSCs associated with cancer cachexia can serve as potential predictive biomarkers for irAE in advanced cancer patients.

Discover how human adipose tissue can be transformed into functional organoids representing all three germ layers—mesoderm, endoderm, and ectoderm—using a novel, streamlined method. This new study published in Engineering highlights the potential of adipose tissue for regenerative medicine, offering a scalable and clinically relevant alternative to traditional organoid generation techniques.

Discover how AI is revolutionizing RNA drug development in a new article published in Engineering. Learn about the potential of AI to enhance RNA therapies, address current limitations, and unlock new opportunities for personalized medicine. Explore the future of AI-driven drug discovery and its impact on healthcare.