Psychiatric disorders affect millions worldwide, but their diagnosis still relies on clinical observation instead of standard biological tests. In an attempt to identify reliable biomarkers, scientists in China have now launched the Brain-Gut Health Initiative, a large-scale longitudinal study combining neuroimaging, electrophysiology, microbiome sequencing, blood biomarkers, and clinical assessments across major psychiatric disorders. The findings revealed coordinated changes linking gut microbes, brain networks and symptoms—supporting the development of AI-assisted diagnosis and personalized therapies.

A team of researchers shows that a rare and extreme annular warming pattern in the tropical Pacific, combined with the accumulation of warm water in the upper western Pacific in spring 2026, will collectively drive a super El Niño event toward the end of this year.