research breakthrough

Hypersensitivity to cold—especially ice-cold feet—and a sensation of heaviness in the legs may be important, yet under-recognized indicators of varicose veins, according to a new large-scale study published in the journal Open Heart.

A powerful new discovery from Queensland researchers may offer a breakthrough in the battle against parasitic worms plaguing Australia’s livestock industry. A toxin extracted from the skin of the notoriously venomous stonefish has shown promising results in killing intestinal parasites without harming mammal cells.

A groundbreaking doctoral thesis by Andreea Badache at Örebro University has found that good hearing and vision are strongly associated with better cognitive health in older adults. The findings, based on extensive data analysis across Europe, offer significant implications for public health strategies, healthcare policy, and the quality of life in ageing populations.

What was once assumed to be the rough hide of deer or boar used in medieval bookbinding has now been revealed to be something much more surprising — sealskin. Researchers analyzing 12th- and 13th-century manuscripts from French monasteries have identified that the covers of dozens of these manuscripts were made from various types of seal, including harbour seals, harp seals, and bearded seals.

In a breakthrough that reshapes the understanding of immune system dynamics, researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Helmholtz Munich have identified that the human body begins preparing for severe disease scenarios far earlier than previously believed. Even in cases of mild or moderate infections, the body produces a subset of T cells predisposed to exhaustion—a phenomenon previously associated only with chronic infections and tumors.

Lyme disease continues to pose a growing public health concern, infecting an estimated 476,000 people each year in the United States alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The tick-borne illness, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, can lead to severe long-term complications, including debilitating fatigue, joint pain, and neurological issues, if left untreated. Despite decades of research and near breakthroughs, no human vaccine has yet proven commercially viable.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, and it’s on track to become even more lethal. By 2030, it is projected to be the second-leading cause of cancer deaths globally. Often diagnosed at a late stage, the disease is notoriously difficult to treat, with survival rates remaining dismally low despite decades of research.

In an unexpected fusion of fieldwork and laboratory science, researchers at the John Innes Centre have uncovered compelling evidence of ancient and conserved mechanisms behind how plants fall ill — findings that could shape the future of crop disease management and deepen our understanding of plant immunity.