New research presented today at the 41^st Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS 2025) reveals that menopause may significantly influence how multiple sclerosis (MS) first presents in women, as well as the types of associated health conditions they experience. These novel findings could pave the way for more targeted, personalised treatment strategies for women tailored to their life stage.

New research from the Arnold School’s Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics has found disparities in mortality rates and life expectancy for Americans living with sickle cell disease or cystic fibrosis. The study, which was led by third-year doctoral student Hiluf Abraha and published in JAMA Pediatrics (the highest-ranked journal in the field), found that despite medical advances in the treatment of both conditions, individuals with sickle cell disease have experienced more modest gains in life expectancy compared to those with cystic fibrosis. Further, they are facing increased mortality rates, while deaths in the cystic fibrosis population have declined.

USC researchers have found evidence of threadworm (scientific name: Strongyloides stercoralis) in South Carolina in two different studies. Their research, which was published in The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, was led by  School of Medicine Columbia’s Matthew Haldeman and epidemiology professor Melissa Nolan and was conducted in USC’s Institute of Infectious Disease Translational Research.

Building on her previous research into maternal and infant health during pregnancy and after birth, epidemiology associate professor Nansi Boghossian has published new findings in JAMA. Collaborating with colleagues* from the Vermont Oxford Network and the University of Vermont, Boghossian investigated postnatal life support provided to infants born during the periviable period of pregnancy (between 22- and 25-weeks’ gestation) and their subsequent survival.

Biomedical engineers at Duke University have developed a platform that combines automated wet lab techniques with artificial intelligence (AI) to design nanoparticles for drug delivery. The approach could help researchers deliver difficult-to-encapsulate therapeutics more efficiently and effectively.