In contrast to the misconception that breastfed babies sleep less as breastmilk is easily digested, a new study of 82,918 infants found that children who received breast milk during the first six months of life were less likely to experience short sleep duration at one year of age than those who were exclusively fed formula. Using data from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study, the researchers proposed biological mechanisms that may help explain this association.

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed genetically engineered CAR T cells that specifically target and kill bladder cancer cells. The study, to be published June 26 in the Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM), demonstrates that direct delivery of these CAR T cells via a catheter can control bladder tumors in mice, raising hopes that a similar approach may be effective in humans.

This study explores the bidirectional skin–brain axis in 305 Brazilian adults, revealing strong correlations between anxiety, depression, and stress. Women exhibited significantly higher psychological symptom scores than men. Although dermatology-related quality of life showed weak correlations with mental health, nearly half of participants reported skin disorders and over half were at risk for a mental health condition. Probiotic intake showed no significant association with mental health outcomes, likely due to low consumption levels. Stress and depression independently predicted anxiety. The findings underscore the greater psychological burden on women and highlight the need for longitudinal, culturally tailored research on gut–skin–brain interactions.

The gut microbiome plays an important role in inflammatory bowel disease. In the research project MikrobiomProCheck, researchers are investigating how microbiome data can in future be used for diagnostics, disease monitoring and personalised therapies. Bielefeld University is contributing clinical, bioinformatic and data-driven expertise to this collaborative project spanning North Rhine-Westphalia.

Through interdepartmental collaboration, a young woman’s quality of life and ability to walk were restored following the laparoscopic removal of a rare, benign tumor of neurological origin in the lesser pelvis, known as a schwannoma (also called a neurinoma). In the Central and Eastern European region, only the Neuropelveology Program of Semmelweis University’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and its joint working group with the Department of Neurosurgery and Neurointervention perform procedures supported by intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring. The collaboration between the two departments is also facilitated by a newly acquired specialized mobile neuromonitoring device. The day after the successful surgery, the patient was discharged from the university, fully recovered.

This study highlights a practical formulation strategy to enhance the skin penetration of 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10H2DA), a key bioactive compound in royal jelly. By incorporating anionic cross-linked polymers, the authors achieved more than a tenfold increase in 10H2DA permeation compared with royal jelly extract alone. The study further confirmed epidermal penetration using DESI imaging mass spectrometry and demonstrated that higher skin hydration strongly promotes 10H2DA delivery. These findings emphasize that both formulation design and skin condition are critical for improving the dermal delivery of low-molecular-weight amphiphilic compounds.

The inaugural Goethe Science Diplomacy Award was presented on June 19, 2026, during Goethe University’s Summer Reception for international guests and researchers. The award, established by the Foundation for the Promotion of International Scientific Relations at Goethe University Frankfurt, recognizes researchers whose work strengthens international cooperation, promotes academic freedom and fosters dialogue across societal, cultural and political boundaries.