Slime as a material for multifunctional spheres
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 23-Dec-2025 18:11 ET (23-Dec-2025 23:11 GMT/UTC)
Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed hollow microspheres made of mucus and polydopamine using a simple and scalable production method. These tiny spheres are intended to serve as packaging for therapeutic substances, for example in joints or on the oral mucosa. Their properties and mode of action can be adjusted by the choice of materials and are also influenced by the surrounding biological environment.
Rheumatoid arthritis has traditionally been framed as a self-contained autoimmune disease confined to joints, yet mounting clinical and molecular evidence now argues that it functions as a hub within an expansive web of interacting disorders. Drawing on 392,423 Finnish residents—12,555 of whom carry an RA diagnosis—disease-wide association scanning traces 1,289 distinct medical events before and after the first rheumatology clinic visit. By coupling survival modelling to systematic nosology, clusters of pre-RA liabilities and post-RA sequelae emerge that dissolve the boundary between “the index disease” and apparently unrelated organ pathology.
As China continues its rapid development, the emergence of new pollutants poses significant challenges to environmental sustainability and public health. A new study titled "Addressing the Challenges of New Pollutants in China: Current Status, Knowledge Gaps, and Strategic Recommendations" provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of new pollutants, identifies critical knowledge gaps, and offers strategic recommendations for effective pollution control and risk management.