A decade-long study reveals a sharp rise in vaping among ex-smokers, particularly younger adults, fueled by disposable e-cigarettes and changing social trends. Study: Prevalence and uptake of vaping among people who have quit smoking: a population study in England, 2013-2024. Image Credit: Shutterstock AI In a recent study published…

From cells to solutions: The Human Cell Atlas pioneers a global effort to map human biology and bridge health inequities with cutting-edge genomics. Perspective: The commitment of the human cell atlas to humanity. Image Credit: Sinhyu Photographer / Shutterstock In a recent perspective article published in the journal Nature Communications, over 30…

Post-pandemic rebound in antibiotic consumption, especially in middle-income countries, raises concerns about antimicrobial resistance and global health challenges. Study:  Global trends in antibiotic consumption during 2016–2023 and future projections through 2030 . Image Credit: Saiful52/Shutterstock.com In a recent study published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a group…

Viruses are lean, mean, infection machines. Their genomes are tiny, usually limited to a handful of absolutely essential genes, and they shed extra genomic deadweight extremely fast. Usually. Coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), appear at first glance to be an exception. They have some extra "accessory" genes in addition to the usual…

Researchers uncover how SARS-CoV-2 rewires cholesterol metabolism, highlighting a novel target to combat COVID-19's metabolic and cardiovascular effects. Study: Manipulation of Host Cholesterol by SARS-CoV-2. Image Credit: Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock *Important notice: bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide…

From food ads to body image pressures, a global review exposes how social media drives unhealthy dietary habits in children as young as five. Review: Negative Influence of Social Media on Children’s Diets: A Systematic Review. Image Credit: Jelena Stanojkovic / Shutterstock Scientists at the University of North Texas, USA, have conducted…

While the trial confirmed asunercept’s safety and tolerability, it failed to achieve statistically significant improvement in clinical outcomes compared to standard care. Study:  Efficacy and safety of asunercept, a CD95L-selective inhibitor, in hospitalised patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19: ASUNCTIS, a multicentre, randomised, open-label, controlled, phase 2 trial . Image Credit: Pormezz/Shutterstock.com In…

During the COVID-19 pandemic, genomic surveillance proved vital in helping understand the evolution and spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Now, an international group of researchers is calling for its potential to be harnessed to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a major global challenge that could ultimately result in many more deaths than the coronavirus pandemic. AMR…

A clinical trial finds that integrative cognitive behavioral therapy (PG-CBT) is more effective than present-centered therapy (PCT) in reducing grief severity and comorbid symptoms after treatment, providing hope for individuals with prolonged grief disorder. Study:  Grief-Specific Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs Present-Centered Therapy . Image Credit: Microgen/Shutterstock.com In a recent study published…

Harnessing AI agents and human expertise, researchers accelerate the design of innovative nanobodies to combat evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants. Study: The Virtual Lab: AI Agents Design New SARS-CoV-2 Nanobodies with Experimental Validation. Image Credit: Shutterstock AI *Important notice: bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should…