This study, published in Eye & ENT Research, compared LASIK surgery and contact lenses for myopia correction through a systematic review and meta-analysis of four studies with 2,141 participants. The key findings show that LASIK users report much higher satisfaction (88% vs. 54%) and have fewer complications (6.7%–9.5% vs. 19.9%) than contact lens wearers. However, LASIK causes more acute dry eye after surgery, while contact lenses lead to more chronic dry eye over time. Quality of life results were unclear due to differences in how studies measured it.

Analysis of 115 NASA photographs from 13 astronauts, published in Eye & ENT Research, showed that spaceflight consistently elevates the lower eyelid, reducing MRD2 (margin reflex distance 2) by a mean of 1.0 mm (p < 0.001). All astronauts exhibited this “reverse ptosis,” with 62% showing a clinically significant change (≥ 1 mm). The effect appears to occur rapidly and persist throughout missions, likely driven by cephalad fluid shift and elastic recoil of facial tissues. The study was retrospective and limited by image quality and lack of symptom data; future research with standardized imaging is needed to explore mechanisms and potential impacts on ocular health during long-duration spaceflight.

Inherited retinal disorders (IRDs) lead to vision loss and, in many cases, to complete blindness in those affected. Professor Uwe Wolfrum of the Institute of Molecular Physiology at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) is a leading researcher on a specific form of these disorders: the human Usher syndrome. In recognition of his scientific achievements in ophthalmology and vision research, Professor Wolfrum was recently honored by the renowned Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London (UCL).

Using in vivo mouse models and primary in vitro alveolar epithelial cell cultures, researchers found influenza A virus (H1N1) preferentially infects alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells in the early stage of lung alveolar infection. Compared to alveolar type 1 (AT1) cells, AT2 cells exhibit significantly delayed production of type I/III interferons, interferon-stimulated genes and chemokines, which drives elevated viral replication and higher infection susceptibility.

Young Bewick's swans only survive their first spring migration if they stay with their parents long enough. If they lose their parents in winter, they leave later and are unable to keep up with the rest of the population. As a result, there is a greater chance that they will die in their first year of life. This is shown in new research by biologists from the UvA and NIOO-KNAW, together with American and German colleagues, which was published on Aug. 20 in the journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology.

Modern biology research can now generate valuable data on an unprecedented scale. But there is one major obstacle: making sense of these complex high-dimensional datasets. A team at the University of Basel, Switzerland, has developed a new tool that can provide accurate pictures of the structures hiding within highly complex datasets. By helping scientists uncover hidden patterns in the data, the software will help to make new scientific discoveries.

- KAIST research team led by Professor Kwang-Hyun Cho identifies the ‘molecular lock’ that keeps cells trapped in an altered state

- Team develops technology to release the lock and restore cells to their original condition, opening new possibilities for cancer and aging research