Obesity is rising among U.S. teens, yet fewer are actively managing their weight. A decade-long analysis of more than 85,000 high school students shows the highest rates among Black and Hispanic adolescents, while weight-loss efforts decline – especially in older teens and females. This widening gap highlights a troubling trend: many adolescents may face greater long-term health risks without adopting healthier habits. The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted strategies that support realistic body expectations and sustainable lifestyle changes.

The Research Center for Open Science and Data Platform^(*1) at the National Institute of Informatics released the beta version of the "Japan Open Science Monitor" on March 3, 2026.  This service is designed to visualize the progress of open science in Japan. Under the framework of the French Open Science Monitor^(*2), this service calculates and provides open access indicators for Japanese publications.  This enables the measurement of Japan's current standing in open science.

A new report warns that Generative AI-powered toys that ‘talk’ with young children need tighter regulation to ensure children’s psychological safety. The recommendations come from the first systematic study of how these toys influence development in the early years up to age five. While there is some optimism that AI toys could support aspects of childhood development, the study found that they misunderstand children, misread emotions and cannot engage in developmentally important types of play. The report raises concerns about children forming parasocial relationships with AI toys, potentially at the expense of essential human support.

The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) today announced the launch of Stem Cell Medicine: Parkinson’s Disease, a new continuing education course designed to equip clinicians with an evidence-based understanding of emerging stem cell therapies for Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Building on the success of the Society’s inaugural course, Stem Cell Medicine: From Scientific Research to Patient Care, this disease-focused program provides physicians and other healthcare professionals with deeper insight into how advances in stem cell science are moving toward clinical application in one of the most intensively studied neurological disorders.