A research team from the Tsinghua University and the Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a big data-guided algorithm for personalizing transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment in depression. Using over 3,000 brain scans, the method improves targeting precision and shows stronger links to treatment efficacy than conventional approaches.

Fungal infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, are responsible for nearly four million deaths annually—however, current treatments are limited and are frequently ineffective. Now, scientists at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and the University of Georgia discover how the lethal pathogenic fungus, Cryptococcus neoformans, thrives, allowing them to identify potential novel therapeutic targets for treatment.

Using SARS-CoV-2-infected obese mice as model for cytokine storm seen in COVID-19, Institute of Science Tokyo researchers demonstrate efficacy of iguratimod in reducing excess inflammation without reducing antiviral immune response. Iguratimod significantly improved survival in these mouse models compared to when steroids like dexamethasone were administered. Conventional steroids reduce the inflammation while also suppressing immune responses against SARS-CoV-2, leading to reduced viral clearance from the lungs. Iguratimod presents a promising therapy for COVID-19-related inflammatory syndrome. 

RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences has announced the appointment of Professor Garry Duffy as the university’s 30th Professor of Anatomy and Head of Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine.

Cancer remains one of the most pressing global health challenges, with millions of new diagnoses each year. While precision medicine and targeted therapies have transformed treatment strategies, many patients still face drug resistance and disease recurrence. A new review published in Genes & Diseases highlights the critical role of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, offering a powerful preclinical platform that more accurately mimics human tumors. These models could revolutionize drug development, improve treatment efficacy, and guide personalized therapies.

 

Breast cancer remains the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide, posing a critical challenge to global health. Amid the complexities of this disease, an emerging focus on metabolic reprogramming has shed light on novel treatment avenues. A newly published review delves into the intricate alterations in glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolism that drive breast cancer progression and explores promising therapeutic strategies designed to exploit these metabolic dependencies.

A study from ETH Zurich shows that premature aging disrupts bone structure and osteocyte networks in an age- and sex-dependent manner. Using the PolgA mouse model, researchers found significant declines in bone density, osteocyte morphology, and lacuno-canalicular connectivity by 40 weeks of age. Male mice exhibited more severe deterioration. Advanced imaging and computational analysis confirmed the damage. The findings position PolgA mice as a valuable model for studying cellular mechanisms underlying age-related bone loss.