Smoking tobacco is known to worsen symptoms of periodontitis and reduce responsiveness to treatment. Using high-resolution spatial transcriptomics, researchers identified differences between smokers and non-smokers in the expression of genes that weaken gum epithelial integrity and cause bone damage through inflammation. They also identified CXCL12 secreted by endothelial cells in gums as a crucial mediator of immune-cell recruitment that drives excessive inflammation. CXCL12 is a possible target for new therapies against periodontitis aggravated by smoking.

Vision-based structural health monitoring methods offer non-contact, full-field vibration measurement, reducing costs by eliminating the need for physical sensors or surface modifications. However, conventional methods rely on pixel-level data, which is noise-sensitive and exhibits instability. Now, researchers have developed a new virtual sensor framework, where superpixels, instead of pixels, are used as virtual sensors for vibration measurements. This method enhances robustness and accuracy, even in complex environments, without physical markers or contact sensors.

Cilk1 deficiency disrupts normal tooth development by altering primary cilia function and weakening Hedgehog signaling. This reduction triggers extra diastemal teeth, enlarges them under further signaling loss, and can ultimately cause molar fusion. Researchers propose a progressive model linking Hedgehog signaling levels to sequential changes in tooth patterning. The study highlights a previously unknown role for Cilk1 in shaping tooth morphology and improving understanding of developmental dental disorders in humans.

Every week 400,000 people take part in parkruns across the world, with the launch of parkwalkers - to support those walking the 5k routes - shown to have increased the proportion of new female participants and reversed a decline in the average age of new attendees.