Medical & Health Sciences

Histology is the science dealing with the structure and analysis of cells and their formation into tissues and organs. The profession is responsible for the preparation of all pathological tissue samples removed and collected from the human body for the microscopic detection of tissue abnormalities for disease diagnosis and treatment. Despite advances in immunohistochemistry, molecular diagnostics, and digital pathology, the US Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments (CLIA) regulations from 1988 have not evolved to reflect histology’s scientific demands, including performing complex diagnostic tasks essential to patient care. Elizabeth Chlipala from Premier Laboratory (LLC), Longmont, Colorado and colleagues argue for a national certification requirement and regulatory oversight for histologists. Citing current problems including quality issues, workforce shortages, and the need for standardized practices, these experts argue that recognizing histologists under CLIA would elevate the profession, ensure competency, and improve patient outcomes, challenging the current position of the College of American Pathologists.

Dr Masumi Kamiyama, Associate Professor at Jumonji University, Saitama, Japan, leads research into the early detection and prevention of diabetic nephropathy, which is kidney damage caused from long-term high blood sugar that makes it harder for the kidneys to filter waste, and can potentially lead to kidney failure. Dr Kamiyama and colleagues are exploring the role of a protein called angiotensinogen (AGT) as an early biomarker of kidney damage. The team studies the potential of plant-based antioxidants, called isoflavones, to slow or halt kidney damage from highly reactive molecules, such as oxygen free radicals. Ongoing research by Professor Han Lamers (University of Oslo) and Professor Bettina Reitz-Joosse (University of Groningen) reveals how Fascist Italy weaponized ancient Rome’s language to legitimise its power and connect Mussolini’s regime to Italy’s imperial past. Their projects involve collaboration with an international team of mostly junior researchers based in Norway, the Netherlands, Austria, and Italy.

Myocardial infarction, commonly termed as a heart attack, is a major cause of death and poor health worldwide. Regenerating heart tissue is an exciting and promising concept that can have significant benefits in myocardial infarctions and related diseases, but this has not yet been achieved in real-life clinical treatments. In a collaboration between Goethe University Frankfurt and Goethe University Hospital, Professor Jaya Krishnan and colleagues address this by controlling pathologic genes involved in the development of heart failure that develops after heart attacks. The researchers demonstrate a new way of treating heart disease by aiding in the division and regrowth of heart cells after a heart attack.

The correct functioning of the human immune system depends on its ability to recognise danger, such as tumour cells, viruses, and bacteria. Scientists are learning how immunoproteasome activation can overcome the mechanisms by which cancer cells escape immune responses. Immunoproteasomes are small high molecular weight protein-degrading machines that signpost abnormal proteins made by cancer cells, directing the immune system against them. Dr James Driscoll at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center is using novel proprietary small molecules to selectively boost the catalytic activity of immunoproteasomes, which increases the tumour killing (or cytotoxic) effect of a group of white cells called T-cells. These findings provide a strong rationale for developing personalised therapeutics that target immunoproteasomes, for cancer and other immune-mediated conditions.

Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating condition that strips away people’s memory, thinking, and independence. By 2050, it is expected to affect over 100 million people around the world, making it a high priority for scientific and medical research. Researchers are now exploring the potential for mechanical and light-based stimulation of the brain and nervous system to treat Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. At the University of Minho in Portugal, Francisca Monteiro is developing a PhD project supervised by a multidisciplinary set of experienced researchers, who have reviewed the evidence behind these approaches, including whole-body vibration, auditory stimulation, transcranial ultrasound stimulation, and photobiomodulation. The team aims to synthesize the evidence to support these treatments and understand what further work is needed.

Cancers often develop because of faulty DNA repair systems. PARP inhibitors (PARPi) are a class of targeted anti-cancer drugs that exploit this weakness, by inhibiting a complementary DNA repair system, to selectively target the tumour. However, these medicines need to be taken every day, creating a burden on patients and reducing the options for combination with other anticancer therapies. Professor Nicola Curtin and her team at Newcastle University investigated how long different PARPi stay active in cancer cells after a single dose and how this influences their effectiveness when combined with another anti-cancer drug.

For many types of inherited eye disease, there are currently very limited treatment options. These conditions, which are linked to distinctive genetic mutations, can eventually lead to blindness. Dr Henri Leinonen from the University of Eastern Finland leads a research team at the Leinonen Retina Laboratory investigating degenerative eye diseases and exploring drug therapies to treat these devastating conditions. This work is bringing fresh hope to millions around the globe.

Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive and deadly forms of brain cancer, known for its rapid progression and resistance to treatment. Professor Louis Burton Nabors and Dr Natalia Filippova at the University of Alabama have highlighted the role of the immune system in this cancer, and in particular, a receptor called TREM1, which is involved in disease severity and progression. They developed a novel compound called SRI42127, which can block this pathway and reduce tumour growth in laboratory experiments. Their work shows that targeting the tumour’s immune support network may offer a promising new approach to developing effective therapies.

For decades, healthcare systems have focused primarily on treating diseases rather than preventing them. Now, groundbreaking research from the University of Michigan demonstrates that investing in prevention – particularly for type 2 diabetes – can improve health outcomes and significantly reduce costs. Their comprehensive studies provide compelling evidence that could reshape how we approach chronic diseases.

Healthcare systems worldwide face mounting pressures from rising costs, ageing populations, and increasingly complex patient needs. To address these challenges, researchers at the All-Wales Intensive Learning Academy for Innovation in Health and Social Care at Swansea University are exploring innovative approaches that deliver better value in healthcare provision. The team led by Dr Daniel Rees and Dr Roderick Thomas are leading efforts to develop new models of collaborative learning and research that bring together healthcare providers, industry partners, and academic institutions to drive innovation in health and social care.

Exploring the complex mechanisms of cell development processes and DNA structure is critical to understanding how certain diseases, such as cancer, can arise. Professor Danny Reinberg and Dr Havva Ortabozkoyun from the University of Miami in Florida, USA, work to reveal the epigenetic mechanisms at play during cell division and development and, in turn, disease processes. Together, they are discovering new protein molecules involved in genome organisation, deepening our understanding of how cancers and other related conditions can develop.

Even if you’ve never heard of them, you’ve used polyurethanes. Producing them requires toluene diisocyanates, which may/can induce asthma when inhaled. A 5-year study claimed to conclude that cumulative TDI exposure over time was indicative of asthma incidence. However, a reanalysis by a team at the International Isocyanate Institute points the finger instead at the frequency of unprotected high-exposure events, like accidental spills or plant maintenance. This finding guides the way for future advances in worker safety.

Undergoing surgery comes with many risks. Numerous factors can influence the outcome, from the choice of anaesthesia to the type of operation. Long and complex procedures can require blood transfusions, which introduce yet another risk factor to the mix. Dr Michelle Roets from the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in Queensland seeks to help mitigate these risks through intraoperative cell salvage, a different type of blood transfusion which could revolutionise surgical outcomes.

In the world of respiratory health, treating tuberculosis infections is an ongoing challenge. Dr Wilber Sabiiti from the University of St Andrews in the UK, delves into the impact of various tuberculosis treatments on the intricate community of microorganisms residing in the respiratory tract. He explores the impact of seven different treatment regimens and their effects on the microbiome, which is crucial for maintaining respiratory health and well-being.

The landscape of work is undergoing a radical transformation, with flexible arrangements and remote working becoming increasingly embedded in organisational culture. However, for the estimated 15-20% of people who are neurodivergent – including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and other cognitive differences – navigating the workplace can present unique and sometimes overwhelming challenges. Researchers at the University of Bath have conducted the largest UK study of its kind, exploring how flexible working practices can support neurodivergent employees in the workplace, revealing both challenges and opportunities for creating more inclusive work environments.

Targeted alpha-particle therapy is an emerging approach to treating cancer that aims to deliver radiation precisely to tumours while sparing healthy tissue. Dr Sandra Davern from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and her colleagues are at the forefront of developing new lanthanide vanadate nanoconstructs doped with alpha-emitting radionuclides for this application. Their recent work provides key insights into the structure and properties of these novel nanomaterials, paving the way for more effective radiotherapies.

Heart failure remains one of the most challenging conditions facing healthcare systems today, with hundreds of thousands of new cases diagnosed annually. Professor James Calvin from Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry has led groundbreaking research comparing two innovative approaches to supporting patients: personal health coaches and smartphone reminders. His team’s findings suggest that combining human support with digital technology could transform how we help patients manage this complex condition.

The mechanisms via which viral diseases infect and progress within the human body have become the subject of intense scrutiny since the emergence of the serious respiratory condition COVID-19, although many other viruses remain woefully under-researched. Recently, Dr Hermann Salmhofer and colleagues at the Paracelsus Medical University in Salzburg, Austria, have described the successful treatment of a harmful systemic virus affecting the kidneys, and suggest a possible new treatment target to mitigate the progression of the disease and prevent the development of permanent organ damage. Their findings, combined with broader research on viral infections, highlight the critical importance of both preventive measures and targeted treatments in managing viral diseases.