Medical & Health Sciences

Glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer, continues to challenge medical professionals with its poor survival rates. Recent groundbreaking research by Dr Silvia Remeseiro and her colleagues at Umeå University in Sweden has shed light on the complex epigenetic and chromatin-related mechanisms underlying the communication between neurons and glioma cells. This research opens new avenues for understanding and potentially treating this formidable disease.

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is a method of screening for genetic abnormalities in the unborn child through a simple blood sample taken from the mother. The non-invasive nature of the test has minimal to no risk to the mother and foetus and, since 2012, has been applied extensively around the world. As NIPT technology advances, Dr Markus Stumm of Medicover Genetics in Germany and his colleagues from Cyprus discuss the different techniques used, their strengths, their limitations and important considerations for pregnancy management.

Balancing starting a family with career goals is a difficult challenge many women have to face, which can lead to inequalities in various aspects of their lives. Dr Zhongwei Huang and the team at NUS Bia-Echo Asia Centre for Reproductive Longevity and Equality (ACRLE) are pioneers in reproductive health research. They work to improve female reproductive longevity and equality, exploring novel approaches to tackle fertility and conception problems, and ways to maintain optimal healthspan later in life.

Ankle injuries are very common but notoriously difficult to treat due to the complexity of the ankle anatomy, compounded by the range of surgical options available. Dr Markus Regauer, a leading orthopaedic surgeon from SportOrtho Rosenheim and Schön Klinik Vogtareuth, worked with a team of clinicians and scientists at the Musculoskeletal University Centre Munich to thoroughly review the published literature. This was combined with Dr Regauer’s extensive surgical experience to produce a practical guide for surgeons to guide the best treatment for individual ankle (syndesmotic) injuries.

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and efforts to provide new and more effective treatments are critical. Professor Roger Harrison from the University of Oklahoma has developed new methods to target cancer using annexin proteins and carbon nanotubes. The annexin proteins allow tumour cells to be selectively targeted while healthy cells are spared. Combining these novel molecules with established options, such as immunotherapy, is proving very effective.

The ever-growing applications of health technology have reached the world of occupational health. Mr Jack Latus from the Latus Group, based in the UK, endeavours to make the workplace safe, healthy, and productive. His company is one of the leading occupational health providers, paving the way for exploring new approaches to improve health in the workplace with pioneering technology to boost accessibility to occupational health services.

The discomfort some people feel when looking at clusters of holes or bumps – known as trypophobia – has intrigued scientists for over a decade. New research reveals how this mysterious condition relates to our innate disease-avoidance responses. Dr Christopher DiMattina from Florida Gulf Coast University, together with his departmental colleague Dr R Nathan Pipitone, is leading research to understand why these innocuous patterns can trigger strong aversive responses, revealing important insights about how our brains process visual information and respond to potential threats.

Understanding how gut health influences overall well-being is an emerging frontier in biomedical research. A pioneering team of researchers in the US and Germany is harnessing artificial intelligence to create a digital twin that elucidates the complex links between the stomach and the brain. This innovative approach promises to shed light on a range of perplexing gastrointestinal disorders and pave the way for personalised therapies targeting the intricate dialogue between the digestive and central nervous systems.

Feeding young children is a complex and nuanced process that goes far beyond simply providing nutritious food. How caregivers interact with children during mealtimes can have profound effects on eating behaviours, growth and development. An interdisciplinary team of researchers in early child health, nutrition, and development from RTI International, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, conducted groundbreaking work to refine our understanding of responsive feeding – the back-and-forth process between caregivers and children during mealtimes. Their research in Bangladesh provides new insights into measuring responsive feeding behaviours and highlights the importance of considering the emotional context of meals.

Malignant spinal cord compression is a common complication of advanced cancer, which can lead to major health problems if it is not discovered and treated urgently.

Professor Michael McKay is based at the North West Cancer Centre in Tasmania, and specialises in radiation oncology. He carries out vital research into how this potentially life-changing condition can be managed with radiotherapy and other approaches to identify the best evidence-based therapies for patients with this devastating diagnosis.

Diagnosing disorders of the brain and other organs can often feel like solving a challenging puzzle. Analyzing non-blood body fluids provides valuable clues that can help address this complexity. To enhance this process, Dr. Petr Kelbich from Jan Evangelista Purkyně University and Masaryk Hospital in Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic, introduced an innovative method called Cytological-Energy Analysis.

Carrying a pregnancy is associated with numerous health problems, but little is known about the impact of pregnancy loss on heart health. Dr Maka Tsulukidze from the Florida Gulf Coast University, Dr David Reardon, based at the Elliot Institute, and Dr Christopher Craver at the Charlotte Lozier Institute in Arlington, conducted research into the adverse effects of pregnancy loss on heart function and health. In particular, their research focused on the impact of pregnancy loss on the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Cancer research is an ever-evolving field of science fuelled by the pressure of the ongoing need to find new approaches to tackle this killer. Dr Zhi-yong Huang is based at the Tongji Medical College at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China. He works tirelessly to develop novel treatments for diseases of the liver and biliary system, with a particular focus on liver cancer surgery. He has pioneered methods to optimise the treatment of this type of cancer.

Diabetes is a widespread health concern affecting millions worldwide. Recent research suggests an unexpected ally in the fight against this disorder: the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine. Originally developed to prevent tuberculosis, BCG is now showing promise in managing and potentially preventing type 1 diabetes. Dr Denise Faustman from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Harvard Medical School is leading groundbreaking studies that are reshaping our understanding of diabetes treatment and prevention.

Recognising the precise steps involved in the differentiation process of stem cells into various cell types is crucial to regenerative medicine. Researchers face the specific challenge of how to fine-tune and optimise protocols for directing stem cells to differentiate into specific cell lineages. As such, the directed differentiation to skeletal muscles has not yet advanced to the clinical trials stage. Dr. Michael Hicks from the School of Medicine at the University of California, Irvine, is working to change this with his extensive studies into the transition of stem cells into skeletal muscles.

Unravelling the complex communication pathways between cells is vital to identifying new therapeutic targets for certain bone diseases. Dr Tomonori Kaifu is based at the Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University in Japan. Over the years, his research has focused on cell signalling via the dendritic cell immunoreceptor. He works to understand the various roles of this receptor in regulating the immune system and metabolism of the bones, with the aim of developing novel therapies for metabolic bone diseases and autoimmune conditions.

Hip and knee replacements are key for the health and well-being of many people. Unfortunately, the materials used in these procedures are known to wear and corrode once placed within the human body. Dr Stefano Mischler and his team from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, together with Professor Dr Brigitte Jolles-Haeberli and her team from Lausanne University Hospital in Switzerland, have conducted exciting new research that advances our understanding of the factors influencing corrosion in the human body. Their work has exciting implications for the future monitoring of implant conditions, particularly valuable in the face of our increasingly ageing population.

Understanding complex concepts in chemistry can be challenging for students, especially in large classes where individualised attention is limited. Traditional multiple-choice questions often focus on rote memorisation rather than deep understanding. Dr Sonia Underwood and colleagues at Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University, and Kansas State University, as part of the 3DL4US project, have developed a novel approach to create multiple-choice questions aligning with three-dimensional learning principles. This collaboration brings together a wealth of expertise and perspectives of chemistry, biology, and physics faculty who encourage students to engage with material deeper, promoting better comprehension and retention of core concepts.

There is a recognised need for healthcare professionals to provide culturally sensitive care. Dr Anna Robinson-Barella from the School of Pharmacy at Newcastle University is leading research working to integrate cultural competency training into pharmacy education and the pharmacy profession. Her studies reveal insights from both pharmacy staff and students on how best to equip the next generation of pharmacists with these vital skills. This work aims to transform pharmacy practice and reduce health inequalities for patients from diverse, minoritised backgrounds.

Sacroiliac joint fusion is a popular surgical procedure to address lower back pain. Despite this, a careful review of the literature shows that we have little solid evidence to confirm that the procedure is particularly effective at reducing pain. Dr Engelke Marie Randers and Dr Thomas Johan Kibsgård at the University of Oslo conducted a thorough trial to determine the real-world therapeutic benefit of this surgery – with important results.

Metastatic abdominal cancers pose a unique set of challenges for clinicians. Dr Patrick Wagner from the Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute is exploring important new ways to tackle these malignancies. With the help of his team, he carries out groundbreaking research into utilising the patient’s own immune system as well as exploring methods of drug delivery to fight these extremely challenging forms of cancer effectively.

For most of human history, our ancestors lived in small, close-knit groups. But how did these early social structures evolve into the complex societies we see today? Esteemed researcher Dr Patrick Manning of the University of Pittsburgh has spent years investigating the development of human households and communities over time. His research reveals how biological, cultural and social evolution shaped our species’ journey from small prehistoric groups to today’s large-scale societies.

Innate immunity, our standing defence against viruses, bacteria, and other infections, is comprised of a vast network of biomolecules working in orchestrated balance to defend against pathogens. Researchers have theorised that ADP-ribosylation – where ADP-ribose groups are added to modify host and viral biomolecules – may constitute an active part of the innate immune system. Dr Bernhard Lüscher and Dr Patricia Korn from RWTH Aachen University lead a team that studies the role of ADP-ribosylation and viral function.

Understanding the individual immune response is key to diagnosing and treating a range of diseases. One way of characterising immune cells is through flow cytometry, where cells are tagged with fluorescent markers known as fluorochromes. Detectors use these markers to understand the different physical and chemical features of the individual cells and the overall immune cell population. Dr Linda Hammerich and a team from Charité-Universitätsmedizin in Germany have optimised this technique to investigate up to 31 different cells or markers from one blood test using currently available technology.

Buildings play a significant role in our global energy consumption, accounting for one-third of the total energy used worldwide. Unfortunately, they are also responsible for nearly 40% of carbon dioxide emissions generated annually. To combat climate change, address energy scarcity, and achieve net-zero carbon goals, focusing on sustainable renewable energy and energy-efficient building technologies is key. Dr Praveen Cheekatamarla of Oak Ridge National Laboratory is working with his colleagues to advance energy-efficient and decarbonisation technologies. Their work is critical in tackling these challenges and analysing innovative solutions.

A frozen shoulder can significantly impact a person’s well-being. The constant pain and ongoing stiffness can sometimes only be relieved with surgery. Expert orthopaedic surgeon Dr Kenneth Cutbush from St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital in Brisbane, Australia, works tirelessly to help ease the suffering of patients with various shoulder problems. Alongside colleagues, he pioneers a minimally invasive surgical technique, the frozen shoulder 360° release.

The SARS-CoV2 surface spike protein is a rational target for COVID-19 vaccination. However, spike protein glycosylation helps the virus evade the immune system, undermining vaccination efforts against newer variants. Dr Chi-Huey Wong’s group at Academia Sinica, Taiwan, is hoping to combat this by glycoengineering protein- and mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines.

Sexual minorities face unique challenges that can negatively impact their mental and physical health. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues, leading to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and substance use among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals. Dr Carolyn Fallahi and her colleagues at Central Connecticut State University have been studying the effects of minority stress on sexual minorities, particularly in the context of the pandemic. Their research sheds light on the complex relationships between minority stress, mental health symptoms, and substance use in this vulnerable population.