Pediatric ear, nose and throat (ENT) infections are highly prevalent and may require invasive surgical procedures to extract samples for identifying causal pathogens. However, this takes time and patients are prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics until results are available. This leads to increased treatment costs and antibiotic-derived side-effects. A new Pediatric Investigation study examines the potential of a new diagnostic tool – microbial cell-free DNA (mcfDNA) testing – which may offer a simple alternative to traditional culturing methods.

Urban infrastructure, such as stormwater management ponds (SWMPs), have the potential to be rehabilitated and provide critical freshwater habitat in urbanized watersheds if designed adequately. We tracked different native fish species using passive integrated transponder technology to assess the level of connectivity between a rehabilitated SWMP and a river. We found a high degree of connectivity between the two habitats, even during challenging environmental conditions such as high water temperatures and abundant submerged vegetation.

Scientists at KAUST and collaborators have developed an ultra-thin silicon film embedded with silver nanorings to enhance light absorption.  By optimizing interactions between the cavity and plasmonic modes and leveraging deep learning, they achieved over 100% photocurrent improvement. This contribution holds great promise for creating highly efficient and customizable devices, including solar cells, photodetectors, and optical filters.

Obesity, recognized as a complex and growing health issue, is associated with an increased risk of various cancers. A comprehensive review provides insights into the mechanisms linking obesity to cancer risk and discusses potential clinical implications. Inflammation, hormonal imbalances, gut microbiota dysregulation, adipokine level disruptions, and physical and biochemical stimuli are identified as key mechanisms through which obesity influences cancer development. Chronic low-grade inflammation in adipose tissue, marked by increased proinflammatory immune cell infiltration and cytokine release, is a significant characteristic of obesity and plays a role in carcinogenesis. Hormonal disturbances, such as elevated estrogen levels, contribute to the development of obesity-related cancers, especially in postmenopausal women. The gut microbiota is also dysregulated in obesity, promoting inflammation and carcinogenesis. Adipose tissue, an active endocrine organ, secretes adipokines like leptin and adiponectin, which can either promote or inhibit cancer development when their levels are altered in obesity. Additionally, physical stimuli such as increased abdominal pressure and interstitial fibrosis contribute to the risk of obesity-associated cancer.