To understand how DJ-1 hydrolyzes cyclic 3-phosphoglyceric anhydride—a highly reactive, toxic cellular metabolite—researchers from Japan performed molecular simulations and biochemical assays, including mutational analyses, confirming DJ-1’s role in the pathogenesis of hereditary Parkinson’s disease. A mutant DJ-1 causes recessive Parkinson’s disease, but the molecular mechanism of this process has not been well studied. By revealing the amino acids involved in its catalytic activity, this work lays foundation for future functional studies on DJ-1.

Wastewater surveillance at treatment plants offers a low-cost, early warning method for detecting COVID-19. Researchers in Japan conducted an economic evaluation of a system for long-term care facilities that combines wastewater data with clinical testing thresholds to guide timely interventions. Their findings show that this approach could generate significant healthcare savings and improve outbreak response. The study supports wastewater surveillance as a scalable, cost-effective strategy for enhancing pandemic preparedness in vulnerable populations.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare across multiple fields, and prostate cancer (PCa)  is no exception. A recent review conducted by researchers discusses the role of AI in clinical practice against PCa. According to this study, AI models enable early detection of PCa with high accuracy while minimizing errors. AI models used in molecular subtyping and precision medicine also offer personalized treatments—improving the overall quality of life of patients.

The University of Copenhagen is excited to announce Deep Origin as the latest tier 3 sponsor of the 12th Aging Research & Drug Discovery Meeting, the world's largest conference on aging research in the biopharmaceutical industry that will transpire on August 25 - August 29, 2025 on-site at the Ceremonial Hall, University of Copenhagen, and online.

This study addresses the critical gap in epidemiological data on antenatal depression in China, a condition that profoundly impacts maternal and infant health. Conducted as a cross-sectional survey from December 2019 to March 2023, the research enrolled 100,200 pregnant women across 27 hospitals in 11 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous areas. Late-pregnancy depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). This survey reveals that the overall prevalence of possible depression (EPDS >9) was 25.8%, and probable depression (EPDS >12) was 11.4%, with significant regional variation (highest in North China, lowest in East China). Young maternal age, low education levels, low family income, unemployment, living alone, unmarried/divorced status, unintended pregnancy, multiple pregnancy, insufficient social support, tobacco/alcohol use, and poor sleep quality were identified as risk factors for antenatal depression. Notably, family support, particularly from partners, emerges as a pivotal intervention target for reducing antenatal depression risk.