A new study shows that researcher independence is not a simple PhD milestone but rather an ongoing, uneven process. Using a “river of experience” method with six researchers, it reveals independence as a lifelong journey shaped by personal agency, relationships and structural conditions, highlighting the need for more sustained and contextualized approaches to researcher development.

Games, shopping, social media, pornography: The Internet offers many temptations. While most people use the Internet in moderation, some develop addictive behaviors. A multicenter study with over 1,000 participants with and without problematic Internet use found that all participant groups showed a tendency to approach internet-related cues. However, this automatic and unconscious pull was significantly stronger among individuals with problematic Internet use. “This indicates that certain training programs can be developed to help affected individuals distance themselves from such stimuli,” says Professor Martin Diers of the Ruhr University Bochum Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Germany. The study was published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions on May 12, 2026.

New research published in Gastroenterology highlights how culture, social environment, stress, and economic conditions influence disorders of gut–brain interaction, including irritable bowel syndrome. The review, co-authored by Professor Agata Mulak of Wroclaw Medical University as part of the Rome V Criteria update, argues that sociocultural factors play a significant role in symptom development, healthcare-seeking behavior, and treatment outcomes. The findings support a more holistic and personalized approach to gastrointestinal care.