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Scientists have discovered that grove snails can produce five distinct types of mucus, each designed for a specific purpose, from lubrication and adhesion to defense and protection during hibernation. The key appears to be calcium. Researchers found that different mucus varieties contain dramatically different calcium concentrations, allowing the snails to alter how their slime behaves. Calcium can link structural proteins together, making the mucus either more slippery, flexible, sticky, or rigid. The discovery reveals that calcium has a surprisingly versatile role beyond building shells and bones. Researchers believe this natural ability to switch between mechanical properties could inspire new smart materials, including adaptable protective coatings, adhesives, lubricants, and materials for wound or tissue repair.

Scientists have uncovered a hidden interaction between immune cells, nerves, and triple-negative breast cancer that may help tumors grow and resist treatment. Researchers found that tumors can recruit macrophages, immune cells normally involved in healing and defending the body, and influence them to release brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This protein can attract nerve fibers into the tumor, creating a supportive network that may promote cancer growth and survival. The newly formed nerve connections could also contribute to treatment resistance and potentially help cancer spread. The findings reveal an unexpected relationship between the nervous and immune systems in cancer and suggest that targeting the signals linking macrophages, BDNF, and nerves could eventually offer a new strategy for treating aggressive breast tumors.

A low-fat vegan diet may help people lose weight without requiring calorie counting, strict portion control, or constant hunger. In a 16-week clinical trial, participants following a diet centered on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes consumed about 357 fewer calories per day, even though the overall amount of food they ate changed very little. The findings suggest that the type and composition of foods may influence energy intake and weight management, rather than simply reducing portion sizes. By emphasizing nutrient-rich, plant-based foods that are naturally lower in fat and energy density, people may be able to reduce calorie intake while maintaining food volume and satiety. However, individual responses can vary, and longer-term studies are needed.

The microbes that give artisan cheeses their distinctive flavors may also have potential benefits for gut health, according to new research. Scientists studying three traditional British cheeses found that bacteria involved in cheese maturation changed the foods’ aromas and textures while producing bioactive compounds that could influence human health. Some of these microbial metabolites have been linked to reduced inflammation, cholesterol regulation, and appetite control. The findings suggest that fermentation may do more than enhance the taste and texture of cheese - it could also create compounds that interact with the gut microbiome and influence physiological processes. However, these potential health benefits require further research, particularly studies in humans, before fermented cheese can be considered a proven strategy for improving gut health.

New research suggests that painful childhood experiences, particularly criticism, may not permanently shape how people respond to failure. Young adults who used imagery-based therapy to revisit and reinterpret distressing childhood memories experienced reductions in fear of failure, guilt, sadness, and stress. The approach appears to work by helping individuals mentally reshape the emotional meaning of past experiences rather than simply suppressing them. Researchers found that some of these improvements persisted over time, suggesting that emotional responses linked to difficult memories may be more flexible than previously thought. The findings highlight the potential of memory-focused psychological therapies for addressing long-lasting effects of childhood experiences, although further research is needed to determine how broadly and effectively these approaches can be applied.

Cocoa is attracting attention for its potential effects on mood and brain health, thanks to compounds called polyphenols, particularly flavanols and procyanidins. A recent review found that some studies have linked cocoa and dark chocolate consumption with improvements in mood, depressive symptoms, fatigue and certain aspects of cognitive performance. Cocoa flavanols may also support blood flow to the brain and influence inflammation and the gut-brain connection. However, the evidence is far from conclusive. Human studies have produced mixed results, especially for memory, attention and overall cognition, while many promising findings come from animal research. Researchers say larger, longer-term clinical trials are needed to determine whether cocoa can provide meaningful benefits for brain health.

CAR-T cell therapy has transformed treatment for some blood cancers, but solid tumors remain difficult to target because they often lack a unique marker that CAR-T cells can recognize. Researchers at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering have developed an experimental approach called SHIFTERS that could overcome this challenge. The technology uses low oxygen levels inside tumors and focused ultrasound as two signals to temporarily make cancer cells display CD19, a marker already recognized by certain CAR-T cells. In laboratory and animal models of brain and liver tumors, this triggered stronger immune attacks and significant tumor shrinkage. Researchers also found that marking only a fraction of tumor cells could activate a broader response. However, SHIFTERS remains experimental and has not yet been tested in humans.

A new study suggests that body mass index, or BMI, may not fully capture how obesity affects a person’s health. Researchers studying more than 2,300 candidates for metabolic bariatric surgery found that people with similar BMI levels could have very different disease burdens and surgical risks. Using newer definitions, researchers classified obesity as either clinical, where excess body fat is already causing organ dysfunction, or preclinical, where organ function remains preserved despite excess fat. About 74% of candidates had clinical obesity and faced higher cardiovascular, mortality and surgery-related risks than those with preclinical obesity. The findings suggest that assessing actual health effects of excess fat, rather than relying on BMI alone, could improve treatment decisions and surgery prioritisation.

Bedbugs are tiny, reddish-brown insects that hide in mattresses, furniture, clothing and other narrow spaces before coming out at night to feed on blood. Their bites can cause itchy welts, although some people have no reaction at all. While bedbugs are not currently considered proven transmitters of human disease, researchers are investigating whether they could potentially spread infections such as MRSA. Bedbugs have also become increasingly difficult to control because many populations have developed resistance to common insecticides. Experts recommend checking hotel rooms before unpacking, keeping luggage away from beds and washing and drying clothes after travelling. If an infestation is suspected, act quickly and consider professional pest control rather than randomly using chemicals.

AI is increasingly being used in IVF laboratories to analyse embryo images, time-lapse videos and developmental patterns, helping embryologists identify subtle features that may be difficult to assess consistently. However, AI cannot identify a universally “perfect embryo” or guarantee implantation and pregnancy. Recent clinical evidence has been promising but inconclusive, with a major multicentre trial finding no clear advantage of AI-assisted selection over conventional embryo assessment. Experts say AI is best viewed as an additional tool rather than a replacement for embryologists. Human professionals still provide clinical judgement, laboratory expertise, quality control and accountability. As the technology develops, the future of IVF may involve closer collaboration between AI systems and embryologists rather than machines taking over the process.