Bulletin July

• Researchers have discovered a strong link between gum disease and heart valve damage, suggesting that oral health significantly impacts cardiovascular wellness. • The study indicates that targeting gum disease and inflammation could open new avenues for the prevention and treatment of heart valve issues. • These findings are currently preliminary, as the research was presented at a scientific meeting but has not yet undergone a formal peer-review process.

• Researchers are exploring the use of ultrasound therapy as a preventative measure to heal damaged joints and stop arthritis before the disease fully develops. • A separate study on the drug DT-109 indicates it may reduce atherosclerosis and vascular calcification while restoring gut barrier function, potentially treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). • These findings are currently limited to animal models, meaning the effectiveness and safety of DT-109 have not yet been proven in humans.

• A new study from the University of Southern California (USC) is investigating the causes of lung cancer in healthy, young non-smokers, specifically examining if certain healthy foods may carry unexpected risks. • Separate research highlights a critical link between adequate sleep and weight management, suggesting that poor sleep habits increase the risk of obesity-related conditions. • These findings emphasize that sleep quality is as essential as diet and exercise in preventing chronic diseases.

• Researchers from the University of Adelaide found that intermittent fasting is as effective for weight loss as traditional calorie restriction. • An 18-month clinical trial involving over 200 adults with obesity demonstrated that fasting requires significantly less mental effort than constant calorie counting. • Published in Clinical Nutrition, the study suggests fasting provides a more practical and sustainable alternative for individuals struggling with restrictive dieting.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) projects that new cancer cases will nearly double by 2050, with the disease currently claiming over 26,000 lives daily worldwide. • Separate research indicates that ketogenic therapy may improve both physical health and cognitive performance in patients with serious mental illnesses. • Experts caution that these mental health findings are based on a small, four-month single-arm extension study and lack the rigor of fully controlled trials.

• Researchers have developed an experimental HIV vaccine that demonstrated strong protection in preclinical primate studies. • The vaccine works by teaching the immune system to outsmart the virus, marking a significant scientific advance toward a preventive treatment. • This breakthrough is critical as it provides a potential pathway to ending HIV infections globally through immunization.

• Researchers have identified specific blood biomarkers that can indicate the metabolic impact and consumption levels of ultra-processed foods. • A separate study highlights that moderate, chronic sleep deprivation significantly contributes to weight gain and increases the risk of obesity-related conditions. • These findings are critical as they link poor sleep habits to serious long-term health issues, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

• Researchers have developed two new therapies for osteoarthritis, including a slow-release injectable drug system and engineered biomaterials delivered via arthroscopic procedure. • The biomaterial approach works by hardening in the joint to attract progenitor cells, which then regenerate damaged bone and cartilage. • In animal studies, the injectable therapy successfully restored osteoarthritic joints to a healthy state within four to eight weeks.

• A comprehensive review published in The Lancet concludes that mRNA vaccines are safe and highly effective in combating infectious diseases. • Led by researchers from the University of British Columbia and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the study analyzed data from billions of administered doses and clinical trials. • The findings reinforce mRNA technology as a major advancement in modern medicine, asserting that the public health benefits far outweigh the associated risks.

• Researchers report that a modified form of vitamin B12 may provide a promising new strategy for treating deadly brain cancer. • A two-year clinical trial published in eBioMedicine involving 365 adults aged 55 to 80 found that high-dose omega-3 fish oil supplements did not improve memory or cognitive abilities. • The USC-led study further revealed that these supplements failed to protect against the brain shrinkage typically associated with Alzheimer's disease, despite increasing omega-3 levels in the brain.