Researchers found that a diet high in ultra-processed foods is associated with higher amounts of fat stored inside thigh muscles, regardless of calorie or fat intake, physical activity or sociodemographic factors in a population at risk for knee osteoarthritis. Higher amounts of intramuscular fat in the thigh could potentially increase the risk for knee osteoarthritis.

Fibroblasts are an essential component of the heart, as they play key roles in its structure, development and response to cardiac damage. In this context, a recent study led by the University of Barcelona presents an innovative in vitro model that enables the precise analysis of the activation mechanisms, cellular identity and functional properties of cardiac fibroblasts. These cells are not only fundamental during the embryonic development of the heart, but also play a decisive role in the fibrosis processes associated with various cardiovascular diseases.

Arsenic contamination in drinking water is a global issue, with over 200 million people estimated to be at risk. While water treatment plants remove the metal, the problem persists in low-resource areas or undertreated well water. So, researchers reporting in ACS Omega have designed a simple solution: an arsenic-removing teabag. The system is inexpensive, costing around 7 cents to clean a liter of water, and highly effective, removing over 90% of the arsenic ions present. 

A research paper by scientists from Tongji University developed a groundbreaking mechanotransduction-aware therapeutic platform that enhances the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy for acute lung injury (ALI).

The new research paper, published on Mar. 24 in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems, proposed a mechanotransduction-aware strategy for enhancing MSC potency via 3D culture and localized delivery.

Researchers at the University of Tokyo clarified how membrane lipid composition determines the surface charge of extracellular vesicles (EVs). They show that differences between exosomes and membrane-derived EVs arise from phospholipid asymmetry, particularly phosphatidylserine distribution. The study proposes zeta potential as a key indicator for EV classification and quality control, offering a foundation for standardization and rational design of EV-based therapeutics. This work was conducted as part of a JST COI-NEXT program, led by Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM).

Florida’s coral reefs are under siege from fast-spreading diseases like Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, yet their hidden structural impacts remain poorly understood. FAU researchers used advanced micro-CT imaging and deep learning to analyze coral skeletons in 3D, revealing subtle changes in porosity, density and thickness with 98% accuracy. This innovative approach offers a powerful new tool to rapidly assess reef health and better guide conservation strategies in the face of escalating environmental threats.

A research paper by scientists from Chinese Academy of Sciences proposed a hybrid frequency–phase–space encoding method, integrated with high-density electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings, to develop high-speed BCI systems.

The new research paper, published on Mar. 26 in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems, developed a groundbreaking visual brain-computer interface (BCI) that sets a new benchmark for noninvasive BCI communication speed.