Analysis of 115 NASA photographs from 13 astronauts, published in Eye & ENT Research, showed that spaceflight consistently elevates the lower eyelid, reducing MRD2 (margin reflex distance 2) by a mean of 1.0 mm (p < 0.001). All astronauts exhibited this “reverse ptosis,” with 62% showing a clinically significant change (≥ 1 mm). The effect appears to occur rapidly and persist throughout missions, likely driven by cephalad fluid shift and elastic recoil of facial tissues. The study was retrospective and limited by image quality and lack of symptom data; future research with standardized imaging is needed to explore mechanisms and potential impacts on ocular health during long-duration spaceflight.

August 24–25, 2026 | Hong Kong, China

Alex Aliper, PhD, Co-founder and President of Insilico Medicine, has been invited to attend the Global Unicorn Summit in Hong Kong on August 24. He will participate in a panel discussion titled "What Will Power the Next Wave of Global Growth?" from 15:00 to 15:50.

August 26–28, 2026 | Hong Kong, China

Alex Aliper, PhD, Co-founder and President of Insilico Medicine, has been invited to attend the MedTech World Asia summit in Hong Kong on August 27. He will deliver remarks and join a panel discussion titled "AI & Precision Medicine: Turning Data into Targeted Care" from 12:35 to 13:10. Subsequently, Dr.Aliper will attend a luncheon titled "Cross-Border Exit Architecture for Asian MedTech Companies" on August 28, from 12:45 pm to 13:45 pm.

Inherited retinal disorders (IRDs) lead to vision loss and, in many cases, to complete blindness in those affected. Professor Uwe Wolfrum of the Institute of Molecular Physiology at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) is a leading researcher on a specific form of these disorders: the human Usher syndrome. In recognition of his scientific achievements in ophthalmology and vision research, Professor Wolfrum was recently honored by the renowned Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London (UCL).

Using in vivo mouse models and primary in vitro alveolar epithelial cell cultures, researchers found influenza A virus (H1N1) preferentially infects alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells in the early stage of lung alveolar infection. Compared to alveolar type 1 (AT1) cells, AT2 cells exhibit significantly delayed production of type I/III interferons, interferon-stimulated genes and chemokines, which drives elevated viral replication and higher infection susceptibility.