Thanks to enzyme-based biocatalysis, an enormous range of pharmaceutical active ingredients and other complex molecules can be synthesized in an environmentally friendly manner. Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have now developed a technology that allows to assemble enzymes into millimeter-sized, storable beads. In this process, the enzymes not only act as catalysts but also constitute the beads’ material itself. In a further variant, the enzyme networks can be combined with living cells. A patent application has been filed for the technology. The results have been published in Advanced Materials. (DOI: 10.1002/adma.75120)

A new review in the Journal of Sport and Health Science proposes a translational roadmap for turning tai ji quan into a scalable, evidence-based form of exercise medicine for preventing falls among older adults. The article highlights strong evidence for tai ji quan’s safety, effectiveness, and cost value, while outlining three priorities for broader impact: clinical workflow integration, decentralized virtual trials, and responsibly governed Augmented AI.

Atrial fibrillation can develop during sepsis, a life-threatening response to infection, and is linked to higher risks of stroke, death, and recurrence. A new review in the Journal of Intensive Medicine brings together evidence on how often sepsis-associated atrial fibrillation occurs, who is at risk, and how it is diagnosed and managed. With no randomized trials defining optimal management and no specific guidelines, the authors offer practical guidance and identify research priorities to standardize care.

Periodontitis can damage tooth-supporting bone as stem cells lose their regenerative capacity with age. Researchers at Sichuan University found that IGFBP5 reduced cellular senescence and restored bone-forming ability in dental follicle stem cells by modulating WNT5B-related signaling. An engineered hydrogel carrying IGFBP5-overexpressing cells improved periodontal bone regeneration in rats. The findings highlight a potential strategy for rejuvenating therapeutic stem cells and supporting the development of regenerative treatments for age-related periodontal bone loss.

Historically high sea temperatures are damaging coral reefs around the world. Very high heat stress leads to coral bleaching, and prolonged bleaching can lead to coral colony death. But now scientists have found a simple method that can help protect the most vulnerable Caribbean corals: the installation of temporary shades, which protect against UV and irradiance damage, over particularly delicate corals. In an experiment in the Florida Keys, carried out in 2024 — the second-hottest summer on record in those waters — they found these shades minimized bleaching and even helped corals recover some of their color, indicating improved health.  

A small capsule could change how we study the microbiome of the small intestine. A team, led by researchers at the University of Tokyo, has created a pill-shaped device designed to take samples from the small intestine using a tiny extendable brush. Still in the early stages of development, they have demonstrated that the device could be magnetically controlled to move through extracted pig intestines and sweep useful samples from the intestinal surface. In the future, this type of device could provide a more comfortable and complementary option to current endoscopic procedures.