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Hackers Deploy Linux Rootkits via Cisco SNMP Flaw in ‘Zero Disco’ Attacks

Cybersecurity researchers have disclosed details of a new campaign that exploited a recently disclosed security flaw impacting Cisco IOS Software and IOS XE Software to deploy Linux rootkits on older, unprotected systems.

The activity, codenamed Operation Zero Disco by Trend Micro, involves the weaponization of CVE-2025–20352 (CVSS score: 7.7), a stack overflow vulnerability in the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) subsystem that could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code by sending crafted SNMP packets to a susceptible device. The intrusions have not been attributed to any known threat actor or group.

The shortcoming was patched by Cisco late last month, but not before it was exploited as a zero-day in real-world attacks.

Disconnected cerebral hemisphere in epilepsy patients shows sleep-like state during wakefulness

Sleep-like slow-wave patterns persist for years in surgically disconnected neural tissue of awake epilepsy patients, according to a study published in PLOS Biology by Marcello Massimini from Universita degli Studi di Milano, Italy, and colleagues.

The presence of slow waves in the isolated hemisphere impairs consciousness; however, whether they serve any functional or plastic role remains unclear.

Hemispherotomy is a used to treat severe cases of epilepsy in children. The goal of this procedure is to achieve maximal disconnection of the diseased neural tissue, potentially encompassing an entire hemisphere, from the rest of the brain to prevent the spread of seizures.

Genome-Wide Variation Profile of the Genus Tobamovirus

The genus Tobamovirus belongs to the family Virgaviridae, and the genome consists of monopartite, positive, single-strand RNA. Most species contain four open reading frames encoding four essential proteins. Transmission occurs primarily through mechanical contact between plants, and in some cases, via seed dispersal. Tobamovirus fructirugosum (tomato brown rugose fruit virus, ToBRFV), the most recently described species in the genus, was first reported in 2015. It overcame genetic resistance that had been effective in tomato for sixty years, causing devastating losses in tomato production worldwide, and highlights the importance of understanding Tobamovirus genomic variation and evolution. In this study, we measured and characterized nucleotide variation for the entire genome and for all species in the genus Tobamovirus.

Cancer cells reactivate embryo-like gene editors to fuel growth, research reveals

Cancer cells are known to reawaken embryonic genes to grow. A new study reveals the disease also hijacks the proteins, or “editors,” that control how those genes are read.

The findings, published in the journal Nucleic Acids Research, help explain why tumors grow so fast and adapt so well, and may point the way to new treatments.

Embryonic cells have to grow fast and must be able to transform into many different tissue types. The cells rely on genetic programs that are eventually switched off as tissues mature. Cancer reawakens these programs, giving the disease embryonic-like potential to fuel growth.

Smartphone imaging system shows promise for early oral cancer detection in dental clinics

Oral cancer remains a serious health concern, often diagnosed too late for effective treatment, even though the mouth is easily accessible for routine examination. Dentists and dental hygienists are frequently the first to spot suspicious lesions, but many lack the specialized training to distinguish between benign and potentially malignant conditions.

To address this gap, researchers led by Rebecca Richards-Kortum at Rice University have developed and tested a low-cost, smartphone-based imaging system called mDOC (mobile Detection of Oral Cancer). Their recent study, published in Biophotonics Discovery, evaluates how well this system can help dental professionals decide when to refer patients to specialists.

The mDOC device combines and autofluorescence imaging with machine learning to assess oral lesions. Autofluorescence imaging uses to detect changes in tissue fluorescence, which can signal abnormal growth. However, this method alone can be misleading, as benign conditions like inflammation also reduce fluorescence.

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