A new “wipe test” on firefighter gear has been likened to “turning on a blacklight in a dark room,” and may lead to important safety protocols to help firefighters reduce their risk of cancer. In the study, invisible cancer-linked PFAS chemicals were detected on every set of firefighter gear examined. The findings offer a practical tool to help firefighters reduce exposure to these “forever chemicals” which linger on gear long after a fire is out.

A five year field study in southern China shows that a single application of biochar combined with reduced nitrogen fertilizer can boost sugarcane growth, reshape soil life around the roots, and cut carbon dioxide emissions from the field for years without additional fertilization.

A new multi-state project, led in part by Marvella Ford, Ph.D., at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center and funded by Stand Up To Cancer, is testing an innovative patient-navigation model to increase lung cancer screening among Black adults in the Southeast – a group disproportionately affected by lung cancer and underrepresented in screening trials. Through partnerships with federally qualified health centers, clinic staff identify eligible patients and connect them with trained navigators who help them overcome barriers such as transportation, cost and difficulty completing electronic forms. Early results from the program, called the Southeastern Consortium for Lung Cancer Screening (SC3), show strong engagement: 170 Black adults have enrolled so far, all receiving personalized support to complete lung cancer screening. The researchers say the community-driven model could serve as a national blueprint for improving early cancer detection and reducing health disparities.

A research paper by scientists from Beihang University proposed a machine learning (ML)-driven cerebral blood flow (CBF) prediction model, featuring multimodal imaging data integration and an interactive web application to address the challenge of quantitative CBF assessment during long-duration spaceflight.

The new research paper, published on Nov. 24 in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems, presented the development, validation, and deployment of the prediction model, demonstrating that carotid ultrasound-derived features can effectively predict regional CBF changes under simulated microgravity, providing an early warning tool for astronaut brain health.