Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is increasing rapidly, yet regional differences in burden and care quality remain unclear. This study aimed to compare regional incidence, mortality, and disability; evaluate care quality; identify key determinants; and project future incidence.

This cross-sectional study, published in Eye & ENT Research, investigated the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding contact lens (CL) use among students at the College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana. A total of 236 participants were enrolled via convenience sampling. The results revealed a striking mismatch: while nearly all students were aware of contact lenses, only a small proportion possessed adequate knowledge of standard care and usage, and the overall CL wearing rate was very low. Educational level was significantly associated with contact lens acceptability.

Multitasking while walking – be it mentally drafting a grocery list or replying to a text message on a phone—is simply second nature to many. For stroke survivors with weakened mobility and cognitive capabilities, however, this common practice of “dual-task walking”, can present a formidable challenge. A research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) that pioneered early studies on dual-task walking and fall risk in post-stroke individuals has conducted a follow-up study, which reveals that the interaction of cognitive task type and complexity can influence the degree and pattern of “dual-task interference” (DTI), resulting in a slip in physical and mental performance. The findings offer valuable clinical implications for the design of dual-task assessment and training for stroke rehabilitation.

A new review highlights the growing importance of miR-23b, a small but powerful regulator of gene expression, in shaping the development and progression of a wide range of cancers. This molecule, part of the broader family of microRNAs, is increasingly recognised for its complex and sometimes contrasting influence on tumor behaviour, offering fresh perspectives on how cancer can be better understood and managed.

A research team from the School of Public Health at the LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), has developed an innovative global viral genomic blueprint, showing that strategically targeting genomic surveillance on international travellers at two major aviation hubs could accelerate the detection of emerging viral variants by days, even with substantially limited global resources. The findings were published in Nature Communications, offering a practical pathway towards establishing a sustainable global early warning system for future pandemics.

Could athletes trade meat for plants and maintain their performance? In a multi-university study, researchers found that recreational runners and resistance trainers did just that. The study, published in Nutrition Journal and coauthored by Rutgers Director of Behavioral Nutrition and Registered Dietitian, Peggy Policastro, found no statistically significant differences in how far recreational runners ran or how much weight resistance trainers lifted after four weeks on each diet.

Researchers from the University of Manchester, alongside international collaborators from Neuroscience Research Australia, ETH Zurich, Karolinska Institutet, and Atlantic Technological University, have conducted a new systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the role of active video games, or "exergames," in fall prevention for older populations.

Medicinal plants have long supplied compounds used in health care, cosmetics and natural pigments, but many of their most valuable chemicals remain difficult to produce sustainably.