A professional musician’s ability to regulate their emotional state plays an important role in guaranteeing a successful performance. Previous studies have explored how anxiety affects the nervous system, leading to lower performance quality. However, the characterization of the optimal pre-performance state was unclear and required further exploration. Now, however, researchers have examined the role of unique, positive life events in modulating nervous system activities of musicians and how they positively influence performances.

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease that affects millions and lacks effective treatments due to safety concerns, cost, and growing drug resistance. In a recent study, researchers from Japan discovered that onnamides, compounds isolated from marine sponges in Okinawa, exhibit potent anti-leishmanial properties. These molecules showed high efficacy and low toxicity in laboratory tests, offering a promising foundation for new therapies targeting leishmaniasis and other protozoa-derived infections.

In the last year, 38% of people age 50 and over said another adult attended at least one of their health care appointments, and 34% have accompanied another person over 50 to at least one appointment. Spouses, partners and grown children were the most common "care companions" cited.

It is well established that gut microbiome composition plays a pivotal role in human health – yet the precise connections are still not fully elucidated. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have moved a step closer to understanding these complex interactions: they have identified a cellular mechanism that alters the gut microbiome in a way that promotes cancer. An analysis of patient data shows that the findings also apply to humans.

The diagnosis and medical treatment of Alzheimer's disease, a condition that according to leading researchers in the field should be treated, has now advanced significantly. A series of articles in The Lancet provides both a comprehensive and thorough review of current research.

This study provided a comprehensive evaluation of CHARMS™ skincare cosmetics in terms of their ability to improve skin tone, their antioxidant properties, and the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with potential skin benefits. Skincare efficacy has become a growing consumer concern, particularly regarding antioxidant activity and skin-lightening effects. Using a clinical trial on 20 female volunteers, the research revealed that CHARMS™ products significantly enhanced skin appearance, with a 3.23% improvement in skin lightness and a 5.75% reduction in skin redness.

Antioxidant analysis demonstrated that the serum and cleanser exhibited the strongest radical scavenging activities, while the moisturizer showed the highest total phenolic content, and the cleanser yielded the highest flavonoid content. These findings suggest that each product in the CHARMS™ line contributes differently to skin protection and rejuvenation. Furthermore, electronic nose gas chromatography (e-nose-GC) detected VOCs such as limonene and γ-terpinene, compounds known for their skin-lightening and antioxidant effects.

Together, these results highlight the scientific basis for the cosmetic benefits of CHARMS™ skincare products. The combination of natural ingredients, antioxidant activity, and the presence of VOCs supports their effectiveness in reducing oxidative stress, preventing pigmentation, and improving skin tone. The study also confirmed that CHARMS™ products complied with Malaysia’s Control of Cosmetic Products regulations, underscoring their safety and suitability for daily skincare routines.

Overall, this work not only validated the claims of CHARMS™ cosmetics but also provided an evidence-based perspective on how antioxidant-rich ingredients and bioactive VOCs synergistically promote skin tone improvement. The findings suggest promising applications of CHARMS™ in both cosmetic and dermatological contexts, meeting consumer demand for safe, effective, and scientifically proven skincare products.

Professor Lim Chwee Teck, Director of the Institute for Health Innovation and Technology at the National University of Singapore and NUS Society Professor, has been elected an International Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering – one of the most prestigious honours in the global engineering community.