Large and complex construction projects (LCCPs) require substantial investments and often encounter significant challenges, such as cost overruns, time delays, and conflicting stakeholder interests. A new study reviews 165 peer-reviewed publications to propose a modernized value management framework tailored for LCCPs, paving the way for improved stakeholder collaboration and technological integration.

A 2025 study conducted by researchers from the Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy PAS, Wroclaw Medical University and the University of Connecticut shows that oral health, immune function and cognitive decline are closely interconnected in Alzheimer’s disease. The findings contribute to the growing concept of the mouth–brain axis, suggesting that even mild, chronic inflammation of the gums may have systemic consequences. The study demonstrated that patients with Alzheimer’s disease not only present worse oral hygiene and increased gingival inflammation, but also exhibit significant dysregulation of the immune system, characterized by reduced baseline activity alongside an exaggerated response to bacterial stimulation. This imbalance may reflect both immune exhaustion and hyperreactivity, which together can contribute to harmful inflammatory processes. Importantly, the severity of gingival inflammation was associated with lower cognitive test scores, regardless of age or sex, indicating a direct relationship between oral health and cognitive performance. The proposed mechanism suggests that chronic periodontal inflammation places a continuous burden on the immune system, leading to its dysfunction and facilitating the penetration of inflammatory signals into the brain, where they may enhance neuroinflammation and accelerate disease progression. The study also highlights a practical challenge, as individuals with Alzheimer’s disease tend to neglect daily oral hygiene, which further exacerbates the problem. These results underline that oral health should be considered an integral part of systemic health and dementia care, and that simple preventive measures, such as maintaining proper oral hygiene and supporting patients through caregiver involvement, may have meaningful implications for brain health.

Psittacosaurus was a genus of herbivorous dinosaurs that lived in the Early Cretaceous. Since the first report of Psittacosaurus discoveries in Mongolia a century ago, at least 12 valid species have been recognized to date. The unearthed fossils cover a complete developmental sequence from newly hatched juveniles to adult individuals. Recently, a joint research team from the Dinosaur Evolution Research Center of Jilin University and the University of Toronto Mississauga analyzed 13 juvenile Psittacosaurus fossils from the same nest, all containing gastroliths. The findings have significantly reshaped the traditional understanding of their feeding behavior—even individuals under one year of age ingested gastroliths to aid in digesting tough, fibrous plants. Lithological analysis of these gastroliths indicates that the juveniles likely obtained the stones locally, with their activity confined to the western Liaoning region and showing no evidence of long-distance migration. This study highlights a relatively stable feeding strategy throughout the life cycle of  Psittacosaurus, providing key insights into reconstructing the paleoecological evolution of early ceratopsians. The research has been published in SCIENCE CHINA Earth Sciences.

This study developed a hydrating oil-in-water (O/W) cream incorporating Echinacea extract as a natural preservative and antimicrobial agent, aiming to replace synthetic parabens commonly used in cosmetic formulations. The results demonstrated that the formulated cream exhibited excellent skin absorption and significant moisturizing capacity while maintaining desirable physicochemical stability. In antimicrobial preservative efficacy tests conducted over 28 days, the cream effectively inhibited bacterial growth, confirming the functional potential of Echinacea extract as a bioactive alternative to conventional preservatives. Moreover, under accelerated stability conditions, the formulation remained homogeneous and stable for six months without phase separation. These findings highlight the feasibility of utilizing plant-derived extracts to enhance both safety and performance in cosmetic products and provide experimental support for the development of natural, multifunctional skincare formulations.