Mitochondrial transplantation is emerging as an organelle-level therapeutic strategy for diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. A new Perspective in Science Bulletin discusses how engineered mitochondrial delivery systems may improve mitochondrial stability, targeting, and clinical translation.

What if cells that form scars after a spinal cord injury could become part of the repair process? Researchers have developed a genetic system that converts certain scar-forming cells into neurons, improving movement in mice and rats with spinal cord injuries.

No comprehensive global estimate of medical e-waste exists yet but research shows, for example, that 83 million wearable medical devices were placed on the European market in 2020 alone, on a trajectory to ~2 billion devices annually worldwide by 2050.

Unlike consumer electronics, many medical devices are classified as healthcare waste after use because of contamination concerns. Consequently, products containing valuable electronics, batteries, copper, gold, lithium and other critical materials are frequently incinerated even when components may remain reusable or recyclable.

The EU-funded Digital Health in the Circular Economy (DiCE) project report shows how to transform digital healthcare into a circular system that keeps products, components and valuable materials in use longer without compromising patient safety. "Digital health technologies are transforming healthcare. Millions of devices, from diabetes sensors and blood pressure monitors to advanced surgical instruments, are helping patients live longer, healthier lives while making care more personalised, efficient and effective. But the rapid growth of this market is creating a largely overlooked problem: a fast-growing stream of electronic waste. DiCE has shown how to mitigate that problem and recover increasingly precious and strategically critical raw materials."

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials involving 969 patients found that virtual reality (VR) was associated with short-term reductions in cancer-related pain and anxiety. Effects appeared more consistent in procedural settings and pediatric populations. However, because the evidence was low certainty and study methods varied substantially, further high-quality trials are needed before routine implementation.