As cold weather sets in, viruses such as influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 are resurfacing. Quickly identifying symptomatic individuals is an essential part of any strategy to fight their spread. Yet, traditional thermal cameras, which measure facial temperature on the forehead or cheeks, are easily skewed by airflow, sweat, or face coverings—leading to unreliable readings.

To address this, a team at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) led by Professor Jinyang Liang, an expert in computational imaging, has developed SPIRIT (Single-pixel infrared imaging thermometry), a technology that could change how we screen for fever in public spaces.

A new collaborative study from Pusan National University and Yonsei University suggests that the FOLFIRINOX regimen showed numerically improved survival outcomes compared to current standards such as FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, and nal-IRI/FL, while maintaining manageable toxicity levels. These findings suggest that FOLFIRINOX could serve as a promising second-line treatment option for patients with advanced BTC following first-line chemotherapy failure, warranting further validation through prospective clinical studies.

New research led by the University of Plymouth, with partners at universities and healthcare facilities in the UK and USA, has found that targeted ultrasound can be used to change the function of a deep region of the human brain. Specifically, it can be used to target the nucleus accumbens, a tiny element of the human brain triggered when we experience something enjoyable, and used to help us learn behaviours that lead to rewards. With surgical treatments currently the only option to target this area of the brain, those behind the study believe it marks a turning point for neurotechnology, showing that a non-invasive ultrasound approach can influence behaviour and may one day help restore mental balance.