Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. If detected early, it can be efficiently treated, but the cost and discomfort of colonoscopies - the main diagnostic method currently in use - often result in delayed diagnosis. Using machine learning algorithms, a team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) identified for the first time all human gut bacteria to a level of detail that makes it possible to understand the physiological importance of the different microbial subgroups. This inventory was then used to detect the presence of colorectal cancer according to the bacteria present in simple stool samples, a non-invasive and low-cost screening tool. The potential applications are vast, ranging from the diagnosis of other cancers to a better understanding of the links between gut microbiota and health. These findings are published in Cell Host & Microbe.

New research published by Wiley online in CANCER indicates that many patients with advanced cancer report receiving treatment focusing on longevity over comfort, even when their goal is the opposite.

Genetic testing of IVF-created embryos could help more women over 35 have a baby in less time, a clinical trial by researchers from King’s College London, King’s College Hospital, and King’s Fertility has found.

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Tsukuba showed that individuals who maintain regular daily sleep patterns tend to have greater global cognitive performance. The study also found that blood biomarkers related to the pathology of Alzheimer's disease were most elevated in individuals with moderate sleep regularity and lowest among those with either highly irregular or excessively rigid patterns—indicating a potential inverse U-shaped relationship.

Children residing in “very low-opportunity” neighborhoods are up to 20 times more likely to be hospitalized for gun injuries than those living in the most advantaged areas, reports a new multi-state study led by Northwestern Medicine.

A recent review of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care underscores the need for expert bodies to produce evidence-based guidance and that Canada should ensure a renewed task force is adequately funded and supported, argues a commentary in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.251038.

Tobacco smoking is the number one cause of preventable disease and death in Canada; it is highly addictive and hard to stop. Recognizing these challenges, a new guideline from the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care provides a menu of effective options to help people quit smoking, with behavioural and medication options and a natural health product that can be tailored and combined for personal choice. The guideline is published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.241584.