Researchers have developed a noninvasive method to detect anemia using grayscale photos of the eye’s conjunctiva, taken with standard smartphones. By applying machine learning to spatial and textural features extracted from over 12,000 photos of 565 children aged 5 to 15, the study found strong associations between these features and anemia status. Unlike other approaches, this method does not rely on color analysis or specialized equipment, making it practical for use in low-resource settings. The findings suggest a scalable, affordable tool for anemia screening in children, especially in areas with limited access to laboratory testing.

A research team from Westlake University has published a groundbreaking study in Science Bulletin, demonstrating the innovative use of thin-film deposition technology to create micron-scale metal patterns on the surface of tardigrades, often regarded as the "toughest creatures on Earth." This breakthrough not only adorns them with a "metallic armor" but also realizes the intriguing concept of artificially controlling biological movement. The study extends the boundaries of traditional fabrication techniques. Where precision nanotechnology intersects with billions of years of evolutionary wisdom, this extraordinary convergence may spark a technological singularity that redefines the boundaries of life and machine.

A recent review published in Genes & Diseases sheds light on the complex and multifaceted role of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in cancer progression, with a particular focus on the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). Traditionally recognized for its critical functions in neural development, FMRP is now emerging as a key regulator in cancer biology, influencing tumor growth, metastasis, and therapy resistance. This growing body of knowledge presents a shift in understanding how RNA metabolism can drive oncogenic processes and potentially offer novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

John N. Weinstein, M.D., Ph.D., chair of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology and professor of Systems Biology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, has been elected to the 2025 class of Fellows of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Academy in recognition of decades of combined laboratory and computational work pioneering multi-omic molecular profiling, including the introduction of new laboratory techniques, clustered heat maps, and early innovations in artificial intelligence for cancer drug discovery.