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Medicine & Health

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 3-Jun-2026 19:15 ET (3-Jun-2026 23:15 GMT/UTC)

Impact of climate change on mental health: webinar by the German and South African national academies on an emerging field of research

Leopoldina
Meeting Announcement

Extreme heat, natural disasters, food insecurity: climate change is known to have serious consequences for human physical health. In many places, scientific findings are being used to develop adaptation strategies and to mitigate the consequences of climate change for human health. But what about mental health? Research in this field is still in its early stages. As a result, climate, health and development policy also lacks strategies for prevention and treatment. To draw attention to this area of research, the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) are opening the discussion in an international virtual panel discussion on Tuesday, 9 June.

Lipid metabolic remodeling shapes early human maternal-embryo interface function

Science China Press
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Metabolic regulation at the maternal-embryo interface is essential for successful embryo implantation, yet its dynamics in humans remain poorly understood because of ethical and technical constraints. Researchers established a physiologically relevant maternal-embryo interaction model by co-culturing human blastoids with 3D endometrial assembloids, enabling analysis of metabolic changes during the implantation window. The study provides a systematic view of metabolic dynamics at the human maternal-embryo interface, identifies lipid remodeling and arachidonic acid (ARA) metabolism as key regulators of maternal and embryonic responses during implantation, and offers a mechanistic basis for diagnosis and metabolic intervention strategies in implantation failure.

Journal: Science Bulletin

Biobased spintronics

Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Magnetic field sensors are found in automobiles, smartphones and security systems. But many of these components are made of materials that are neither health- nor environment-friendly and are complex to produce. In Nature Communications (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-71077-9), an international team led by researchers from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) has now presented a sustainable alternative: printed sensors composed of iron, iron oxide and bio-based materials like cellulose and starch. They measure magnetic fields reliably, are resource-saving to produce and can purportedly be disposed of safely or recycled after use.

Journal: Nature Communications

Cannabis use does not lower testosterone

Université de Genève
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The effects of cannabis on the hormonal system and male fertility remain controversial within the scientific community. A study conducted by the University of Geneva (UNIGE), in collaboration with the Swiss Center for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), provides a new answer by showing that cannabis use does not reduce testosterone levels in young men and may even increase its testicular synthesis. However, this increase in hormone levels cannot be directly linked to fertility. These conclusions are based on a detailed analysis of plasma samples from 94 Swiss conscripts. In addition, the researchers identified two new hormonal biomarkers that may help detect regular cannabis use. The findings have been published in Communications Medicine.

Journal: Communications Medicine

A new AI model enables more efficient analysis of colorectal cancer samples

University of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers at the Faculty of Information Technology at the University of Jyväskylä have used artificial intelligence to speed up the analysis of colorectal cancer samples and predict the functioning of the cells’ DNA repair mechanism. The AI model's analysis can help shorten diagnosis times, reduce costs, and improve the analysis's accuracy. The research was conducted in collaboration with the Central Finland Welfare Region and is co-funded by the European Union.

Journal: Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine

Nutrition’s role in chronic fatigue

Osaka Metropolitan University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

An Osaka Metropolitan University-led research team found that deficiencies in vitamin B₁₂ and folate lead to elevated homocysteine levels, which may be linked to fatigue and decreased motivation.

Journal: Nutrients

Scars of life: study shows impact of atopic dermatitis on educational and career choices

Elsevier
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Atopic dermatitis (AD), the most common form of eczema, impacts patients’ life trajectories beyond the physical scars. A novel study shows that adults with AD, particularly those with childhood onset, report significantly greater limitations in their educational and professional choices, with up to 38% of childhood-onset patients reporting career restrictions and more than 36% reporting constrained study choices, compared to individuals whose disease began in adulthood. The findings of the new study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology (JID), published by Elsevier, provide a scientific basis for more comprehensive, early, and multidimensional care that goes beyond symptom control for patients with AD.

Journal: Journal of Investigative Dermatology
Funder: La Roche-Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique

Gut microbe found to worsen sepsis by triggering hyperinflammatory immune responses

National Research Council of Science & Technology
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A research team led by Dr. Hwi-Won Seo and Dr. Choong-Min Ryu at the Infectious Disease Research Center of the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), in collaboration with Prof. Doo-Jin Kim at Chungbuk National University, has now identified a specific gut microbial group that can dramatically worsen sepsis by excessively sensitizing immune cells.

Journal: Nature Communications
Funder: Ministry of Science and ICT

Plant-forward and low-insulinemic diets may help reduce weight gain and obesity risk during menopause, long-term study finds

National University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A large long-term study of nearly 40,000 women has found that women who eat more plant-based, low-insulinemic foods may gain less weight and have a much lower risk of developing obesity during the years around menopause. A low-insulinemic diet refers to a diet that is less likely to cause repeated spikes in insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and fat storage.A large long-term study of nearly 40,000 women has found that women who eat more plant-based, low-insulinemic foods may gain less weight and have a much lower risk of developing obesity during the years around menopause. A low-insulinemic diet refers to a diet that is less likely to cause repeated spikes in insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and fat storage.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

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