With perinatal or birth period depression being linked to maternal well-being and child development, researchers examined whether antibiotic use might be linked to mental health during pregnancy. An analysis of data from approximately 94,000 participants found that antibiotic use before and during early pregnancy was associated with higher odds of psychological distress, with a stepwise pattern observed. The findings may inform discussions about appropriate antibiotic use among women planning pregnancy.

A review in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, involving researchers from Wroclaw Medical University, suggests that SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) may be linked to worsening symptoms of allergic diseases such as asthma, food allergies, and chronic urticaria.

This connection likely involves the gut–immune axis, where disturbances in gut microbiota can influence immune responses. However, the relationship is correlational, not causal, and more research—especially in adults—is needed.

In some patients, diagnosing and treating SIBO may help improve allergy symptoms, particularly when the disease suddenly worsens or does not respond to standard therapy.

Promoting the development and application of more accurate, ethically responsible artificial intelligence tools adapted to real clinical needs in order to improve the quality of healthcare is one of the main objectives of the NursIA network, an initiative led by a multidisciplinary team at the Universitat Jaume I in Castelló. The network brings together five research groups in fields such as nursing, biostatistics, machine learning, process mining and applied ethics, with the aim of contributing to the transformation of healthcare through innovative AI-based solutions that improve patient safety and the efficiency of healthcare processes.

Funded by the Universitat Jaume I’s 2025–2026 programme for the promotion of research and knowledge transfer, the network aims to generate impact in three key areas: scientific and technical development, institutional collaboration and knowledge transfer, and communication and outreach. Planned activities include a conference on the practical implementation of AI in clinical environments, the first open NursIA conference on artificial intelligence and healthcare transformation, and several scientific publications on AI applied to healthcare.

A research team at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin has developed a test that can determine a person’s chronotype based on their hair roots. It is intended to lay the foundation for circadian medicine – that is, medicine that is more closely aligned with the human body’s internal clock. Applied to approximately 4,000 people, the new method also reveals that women and men differ slightly in their biological rhythms, and that lifestyle has a greater influence than previously assumed. The results have now been published in the journal PNAS*.

Researchers at Aarhus University report a proof-of-concept DNA needle inspired by bacteriophages that can deliver molecules directly into cells and help them remain active. In laboratory experiments, the structure avoided endosomal trapping, a major limitation in current delivery methods. The approach may support future development of RNA-based therapies and treatments for rare genetic disorders.

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) has emerged as a critical player in both neurological and peripheral diseases. In a comprehensive review, researchers from Sichuan University examine the diverse cellular functions of LRRK2, its pathogenic mechanisms in Parkinson's disease and other disorders, and recent advances in LRRK2-targeted therapies. The review highlights how LRRK2 mutations disrupt intracellular signaling, mitochondrial function, and lysosomal homeostasis, while also exploring the therapeutic potential of LRRK2 kinase inhibitors currently under clinical development.