Light traveling through living cells is shaped by two interlinked processes—refraction from inhomogeneous structure and attenuation from absorption and scattering. Conventional phase-imaging methods can describe only one at a time. A new study from the Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS) of the National Institutes of Natural Sciences introduces a unified transport model that captures both processes simultaneously, defines exactly where the model can be applied, and confirms that biological tissues preserve a fundamental symmetry of light propagation across three orders of magnitude in optical depth. The model's outputs may further be translated into intracellular physical properties such as fluid viscosity, density, and local temperature, opening a route toward reading cellular environments quantitatively through light.

Researchers studied 23 cases of oral cancer with a burrowing growth pattern and found that rare carcinoma cuniculatum has a unique genetic fingerprint. The research found genetic alterations in FAT1, NOTCH1, PIK3CA, and CASP8, suggesting a potential explanation for its slow growth and favorable prognosis. These findings suggest that genetic testing could improve diagnosis and inform treatment decisions in oral cancer.

Chromosome numbers and cell size fuel cancer progression, according to new studies published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Cancer Research.

Breast cancer (BC) is a highly heterogeneous disease and remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women globally. While various treatment approaches exist, many patients eventually experience de novo or acquired drug resistance, leading to disease progression and distant metastasis. Chromosomal instability (CIN) is a hallmark of cancer that significantly impacts tumor evolution and the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). However, utilizing specific CIN variables to accurately predict patient prognosis and the immune landscape has remained a significant clinical challenge

Substantial and sustained weight-loss has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer and cancer-related death, mainly in women. Two new studies now provide clues to why the risk is reduced – and suggest that gender, metabolism and genetics may play a crucial role.

A new review article is drawing attention to the growing global impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) and the rapid progress in vaccines and therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing the burden of cervical and non-cervical cancers. The article highlights how evolving approaches are reshaping prevention, treatment, and long-term disease management.

A newly published review article brings attention to the expanding role of RBM15, a critical regulator of RNA m6A methylation, in the development and progression of a wide range of diseases, including cancer, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular conditions. The article highlights how this protein is reshaping understanding of gene regulation and opening new possibilities for targeted therapies.

A new review highlights how human evolution has shaped the presence of pathogenic variations in DNA damage repair (DDR) genes, offering a new perspective on why modern populations face increased cancer susceptibility. By connecting genetic change with the history of human populations, the article reveals how biological processes that once supported survival now also influence disease risk.

A new review article highlights the expanding importance of glutamine metabolism in shaping the tumor microenvironment, offering fresh perspectives on how metabolic interactions influence cancer progression and therapeutic response. The work brings together current understanding of how this essential nutrient drives communication between tumor cells and surrounding stromal components, opening new avenues for more effective cancer treatment strategies.