Prof. Yossi Buganim and his research team at the Faculty of Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have achieved a groundbreaking milestone in the field of cell reprogramming. Their latest study, published in Nature Communications, reveals a remarkable breakthrough in converting skin samples into functional human placenta cells. This achievement has significant implications for understanding pregnancy development, studying pregnancy-related diseases, and advancing cell therapies.

The research opens new avenues for investigating the causes of infertility, complications during pregnancy, and long-term health implications for both mothers and babies.

Reprogramming cells to assume new identities has been a focus of Prof. Buganim’s lab, which utilizes specialized proteins to modify gene expression. By transforming skin cells into other cell types, the team enables the study of specific diseases and the potential development of cell-based therapies. However, accessing cells from the placenta, a critical organ in pregnancy, has long been a challenge due to technical and ethical constraints.

Malaria, a mosquito-borne infectious disease mostly found in tropical climates, is now on American shores. Late Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a spat of cases — one in Texas and four in Florida — discovered in May and June that were locally acquired versus acquired while traveling abroad. This is the first time this has happened since 2003.

The CDC said that all five patients received treatment and are recovering, but the agency remains on alert for any new cases. While malaria was once a public health threat in the US, its presence was eradicated in the early 1950s. The last major outbreak was in 2003 with eight patients in Palm Beach County, Florida, all of whom had significant outdoor exposure.

For now, the CDC says the risk of catching malaria in the US “remains extremely low.” However, the instance shouldn’t be taken lightly, especially as many of us will be spending more time outdoors and traveling during the summer. Here’s what you need to know.

The rapid rise of digital and data-driven technology in healthcare could offer unprecedented potential in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer worldwide.

A study of more than 8 million adults in Ontario, Canada suggests that even a modest loss of kidney function is associated with increased health risks. The study, published in The BMJ, could lead to better approaches to prevent chronic kidney disease and related conditions, particularly in younger adults.

“The dogma is that healthy, young adults don’t need to worry about kidney function unless it drops to around 50% of the normal level, but our research suggests that even a more modest 20–30% drop may have consequences and we may want to have earlier conversations about prevention and monitoring,” said senior author Dr. Manish Sood, senior scientist, nephrologist and Jindal Research Chair for the Prevention of Kidney Disease at The Ottawa Hospital and professor at the University of Ottawa.

The research team examined ICES health record data from 2008 to 2021 for every Ontario adult aged 18–65 who had at least one blood test for kidney function, but no history of kidney disease. They found that 18% of those in the 18–39 age group had kidney function that was modestly below normal levels, but not low enough to be diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. Individuals in this “gray zone” faced a modestly increased risk of kidney failure, death and cardiovascular events such as heart attack.