Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) represents a major global health concern and encompasses a spectrum ranging from hepatic steatosis and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately hepatocellular carcinoma. Insulin resistance, the pathogenic cornerstone of MASLD, drives enhanced peripheral lipolysis and increased hepatic de novo lipogenesis, thereby overloading the liver with lipids and inducing steatosis. Subsequent lipotoxicity, inflammation, and gut microbiota dysbiosis further exacerbate disease progression. The gut microbiota and their metabolites communicate with the liver via the gut-liver axis, forming a complex signaling network that directly or indirectly modulates hepatic metabolism, systemic immune responses, oxidative stress, and intestinal barrier integrity. In this review, we synthesize evidence for the beneficial and detrimental effects of the major human gut microbial communities and their metabolites during the course of MASLD. We delineate how these gut-derived factors regulate hepatic function through an integrated tripartite “gut-liver axis–oxidative stress–metabolic reprogramming” mechanism. These insights may inform microbiome-based precision interventions and accelerate the development of therapeutic strategies targeting MASLD.

A study led by Dr. Zeynep Seda Albayrak from Koç University identified three distinct psychosocial profiles among 158 adolescents receiving psychiatric outpatient care, each associated with different patterns of digital technology use. The findings suggest that problematic social media, smartphone, internet and gaming behaviors should be evaluated in relation to adolescents’ emotional, psychiatric and demographic characteristics rather than screen time alone.

Researchers assessed age-related changes in trunk stability, whole-body dynamic balance, hip strength, and functional mobility in 127 physically active adults aged 30 to 80 years. Trunk stability showed the most pronounced age-related decline, particularly in men, and was the variable most closely associated with whole-body dynamic balance among older adults.

A flexible sensor that fuses the body’s electrical and mechanical signals into a single data stream can monitor cardiac health and decode hand gestures from one patch on the skin, cutting the size, power and complexity of conventional multi-sensor wearable systems.

An international team of researchers, clinicians, educators, ethicists, and patient partners has developed and validated the Health CARE-AI (Contextual, Accountable, Responsible, and Equitable Artificial Intelligence) Framework. Published in JMIR Medical Education, the landmark study provides an actionable, consensus-backed roadmap for the responsible integration of AI across the health care learning and practice continuum.

The impact of obesity on brain ageing and the risk of dementia has long been a concern in the medical community. In clinical practice, body mass index (BMI) is commonly used as an assessment indicator, but it does not accurately reflect differences in fat accumulation across various body regions. A recent study by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has revealed that fat distribution in specific body regions is significantly and distinctly associated with brain structure and cognitive function. In particular, visceral fat was found to accelerate brain ageing and lead to cognitive decline, having more detrimental impact on brain health than any other type of fat.

Osteoporosis and other bone-loss disorders arise when bone-resorbing osteoclasts become overactive, yet the molecular drivers of this process remain incompletely understood. Researchers from Chonnam National University investigated caspase-11, an immune-related protein known for its role in inflammation and cell death. Using multiple models of bone loss and a combination of genetic and molecular approaches, the team explored whether caspase-11 has an unexpected function in bone remodeling, revealing insights into the mechanisms underlying pathological bone destruction.

A team of researchers from Yemen and Saudi Arabia analyzed and compared health security performance (HSP) between Gulf Cooperation Council and non-Gulf Cooperation Council countries within the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) for 2019 and 2021, recognizing the critical role of health security in managing global health threats. The study utilized data from the Global Health Security Index (GHSI) for 2019 and 2021. Key health security priorities were identified using the entropy objective weighting method. The VIKOR (VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje) method was employed to rank countries based on overall performance. K-means clustering was applied to group countries with similar health security profiles. Pearson’s and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients were used to assess relationships between independent HSP indicators and overall performance scores. A significant shift in health security priorities within the EMR was observed between 2019 and 2021, with prevention gaining prominence. Gulf Cooperation Council countries emphasized detection and reporting, while non-Gulf Cooperation Council countries prioritized health systems and prevention. Gulf Cooperation Council countries, particularly Qatar and Saudi Arabia, consistently demonstrated strong HSP. Conversely, non-Gulf Cooperation Council countries facing conflict and instability, such as Yemen, Somalia, and Syria, exhibited weaker performance. Health system capacity, prevention, detection and reporting, and risk environment showed robust correlations with overall HSP. This study underscores the necessity for tailored, adaptive policies to address HSP disparities across regions, highlighting investment in prevention, detection, and reporting. It stresses international collaboration, improved policy implementation, and ongoing research to enhance global health security systems across diverse contexts.