Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology discover that a group of beneficial gut bacteria and their marine relatives use the same feeding strategies. This sheds new light on the potential of these bacteria for gut health research, as well as their role in marine carbon cycling.

At 11 AM on April 2, Korea University's College of Medicine (Dean Pyun Sung-bom) and Armed Forces Capital Hospital (Director Seok Woong) signed an MOU in the Korea University College of Medicine Main Building Conference Room for the development of public health and medical care, as well as the enhancement of medical training.

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a previously unknown biological process that helps explain why only a subset of patients with alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency develop liver disease.

Bitter-tasting herbal extracts have traditionally been used to support digestion, yet the molecular basis of their effects has remained largely unclear. The Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich has now gained new insights into this mechanism. Using a cellular model, its researchers demonstrated that herbal extracts can stimulate proton secretion in human gastric cells as key mechanism of gastric acid production, with combinations of extracts showing particularly strong effects. Extracts rich in polyphenols proved especially potent. The study further identified three human bitter taste receptor subtypes as key mediators of this response.

Population aging challenges not only longevity but also maintenance of independence. Muscle power declines earlier and faster than strength and is crucial for daily movements. It can be easily assessed using the 30-second sit-to-stand test and a simple equation. In 1876, older adults, low muscle power was linked to a higher likelihood of previous falls and fractures, and higher risk of hospitalization and mortality. This simple test provides a powerful, accessible biomarker of healthy aging.

As disasters increasingly disrupt lives through displacement, conflict, and climate-related emergencies, addressing long-term mental health recovery remains a major challenge. A correspondence from Juntendo University discusses that, while acute symptom assessment remains important, disaster psychiatry may benefit from a community-led approach to care. The authors discuss the importance of ibasho (community spaces of belonging and social purpose) and suggest that rebuilding routines, roles, and neighborhood connections may support long-term recovery and resilience.

A new multicentre retrospective study reports a new cerebral revascularization strategy for treating moyamoya disease that prioritizes preservation of the superficial temporal artery and individualized bypass selection based on vessel size. Tested among 303 adult patients, the strategy achieved high bypass patency rates, improved brain perfusion, and low long-term recurrent stroke risk during extended follow-up. These results suggest a practical, adaptable surgical pathway for improving clinical outcomes for this progressive cerebrovascular disorder.