The findings, presented today at the ESOT Congress 2025, mark a significant step forward in overcoming the biggest challenge in xenotransplantation: rejection by the human immune system.

Scientists from Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have developed a novel ultrasound-driven therapy that activates dormant cancer drugs directly inside tumors. By combining low-intensity ultrasound with specially designed nanoparticles, the team achieved a 99% tumor suppression rate and 66.7% cure rate in mice. This non-invasive approach minimizes side effects and could revolutionize targeted cancer treatment.

A new study is the first to map changes to specific gut bacteria based on interactions between human microbes and insect-killing chemicals observed in the lab and an animal model. The analysis showed that over a dozen pesticides influence human gut bacteria growth patterns, affect how gut microorganisms process nutrients and camp out inside some bacteria. Experiments in mice showed that one gut bacteria species provides some protection against pesticide toxicity, hinting at the possibility for a probiotic approach to preventing some of their damaging health effects.