Many promising drug molecules fail to reach patients because they do not dissolve well enough in water, limiting their effectiveness when taken orally. Now, researchers from Japan investigated an innovative method that uses sublimation to load drugs into a mesoporous silica carrier without relying on organic solvents. Using ibuprofen as a model compound, they showed that this approach can produce formulations with significantly enhanced solubility, offering a cleaner and more sustainable strategy for drug development.

Researchers at the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS) in Japan recently examined how different kinds of pesticides and fertilizers affect mandarin oranges across Japan. Analysis showed that while reducing pesticides enhanced the diversity of microbes in the soil, it also led to an increase in fruit disease caused by leaf pathogens. The real-world data from commercial farms thus indicate a trade-off above ground with potential ecological benefits below ground. The study offers important insights for the advancement of sustainable agricultural technologies and future policy development.

How comprehensive is our healthcare system, and who is being left behind? In this study, The University of Tokyo researchers synthesized the patients’ real-world experiences with complex genetic disorders into a single case. The study reveals how compartmentalized care leads to treatment refusal and patient harm, while coordinated interdisciplinary teams can restore well-being. It highlights the urgent need for reforms in medical education, care continuity, and health policy to create more inclusive, patient-centered healthcare systems.

Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), whether newly identified or re-emerging in human and animal populations, pose significant threats to global public health. China has experienced multiple EIDs outbreaks in recent years, underscoring the need for robust surveillance and early warning systems. Although China has established surveillance systems for events affecting climate, wildlife, livestock and poultry, and humans, the current systems remain inadequate for the early detection, monitoring, and prevention of zoonotic spillover events. The “One Health” approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health, offers a comprehensive strategy for mitigating EIDs risks. This study reviews China's national-level surveillance and early warning systems from a “One Health” perspective, highlighting key limitations and proposing future directions to enhance preparedness and response capabilities. The findings are intended to inform policy improvements and strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration for effective EIDs management.

A new machine learning tool has identified more than 250,000 cancer research papers that may have been produced by so-called “paper mills”.