United News of Bangladesh

A highly effective screening and treatment program for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection could reduce global stomach cancer cases by up to 75%, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Medicine. The study highlights a concerning global trend: rising rates of stomach cancer among people under the age of 50. Researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization (WHO), found that most future cases are linked to the preventable infection H. pylori — the strongest known risk factor for gastric cancer. H. pylori is a common bacterial infection that can be effectively treated using antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors. The researchers projected that, without new prevention strategies, 15.6 million new stomach cancer cases will occur globally among individuals born between 2008 and 2017. Crucially, according to the study published in Nature Medicine, 76% of these cases — about three-quarters — are attributable to H. pylori and are potentially preventable. Asia is expected to carry the highest burden, with an estimated 10.6 million cases, followed by the Americas and Africa. The study used large-scale simulations that incorporated data from GLOBOCAN 2022 and UN mortality projections to estimate lifetime cancer risk based on age, death probability, and demographic trends. Can hackers take over your brain? Neuroscience warns risks The authors assert that a 100% effective screening and treatment program could reduce stomach cancer cases by up to 75%. Even interventions with 80–90% effectiveness would still prevent between 60–68% of cases. These measures are described as cost-effective and feasible, even in low-income countries, with effectiveness comparable to established public health campaigns like HPV or hepatitis B vaccination. The study strongly recommends investment in national and global screen-and-treat programs and underscores the need to develop a vaccine for H. pylori.  Despite some limitations — including data gaps in low-income regions and assumptions about constant infection rates — the findings emphasize the urgent need for proactive global health strategies to prevent a significant portion of future gastric cancer cases. Source: NDTV

When Roseline Phay set out in search of contraceptives earlier this year, she didn’t realize she was already too late. Liberia’s clinics had run dry after U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly suspended most foreign aid through USAID, which had been the backbone of the country’s healthcare system. Phay, a 32-year-old farmer and mother of two, trekked repeatedly from her rural village in Bong County to the nearest clinic. Each time, she returned empty-handed. Eventually, she became pregnant. With another child on her back and no access to nutritional support or contraceptives, she said, “I’m suffering.” She is among millions affected by the U.S. cuts across Africa. Liberia, where U.S. aid once made up 2.6% of its gross national income—the highest globally—has been hit especially hard. Scientists discover proteins that could help fight cancer, slow aging USAID had financed nearly half of Liberia’s healthcare system, supporting everything from malaria prevention to maternal care. Now, clinics lack basic medicines, ambulances sit idle for lack of fuel, and community health workers go unpaid. A growing sense of betrayal runs deep in a country historically tied to the U.S. and once seen as a close ally. “The cuts are beyond a shock,” said Moses K. Banyan, head of CB Dunbar Hospital in Bong County. “It’s like you were sleeping and someone woke you to say: ‘Leave the house.’” The move has also opened doors for China, which is expanding its footprint by investing in health, infrastructure, and education. But for women like Phay, that offers little comfort. With no access to family planning tools, her hopes for a different life for her daughters now rest on outside help. “I am begging,” she said, tearfully. “If you people have the medicine, you need to help us. I don’t want [my daughter] to suffer like me.” Source: Agency 

CRISPR technology is transforming modern medicine by enabling precise DNA editing to treat genetic disorders, including sickle cell anemia and beta-thalassemia, experts say. CRISPR, short for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, was initially discovered as part of a bacterial defense system. Scientists have since repurposed it into a powerful gene-editing tool that uses a Cas nuclease enzyme guided by programmable RNA to make highly accurate cuts in DNA, allowing precise genetic modifications at specific points in the genome. According to the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), CRISPR/Cas9 is revolutionizing biomedical research by providing a fast, affordable, and highly precise method to correct genetic errors and regulate genes in cells and organisms. Its simplicity, efficiency, and broad applications are reshaping how medicine addresses genetic disorders, cancers, and rare diseases. Since 2019, CRISPR therapies have transitioned from laboratory research to clinical use. In a milestone development, Victoria Grey became the first patient to receive CRISPR treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD), resulting in a cure that eliminated her painful crises, according to NPR. In December 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Casgevy (exagamglogene autotemcel), marking the world’s first CRISPR-based therapy for SCD and beta-thalassemia. The treatment uses edited haematopoietic stem cells to reactivate foetal haemoglobin, according to Harvard Medical School. Scientists discover proteins that could help fight cancer, slow aging Clinical advancements have continued, with new lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems developed by companies like Intellia showing early success in vivo gene editing, targeting the liver and other tissues, according to CRISPR Medicine News. A landmark case earlier this year involved a six-month-old child with CPS1 deficiency that was treated with personalised CRISPR base editing using LNPs. The treatment significantly improved his condition, eliminating the need for a liver transplant, according to The Sun. Despite these advances, challenges persist.Scientists remain concerned about the possibility of off-target genetic edits, though machine-learning models are being developed to predict and reduce such risks. Additionally, improving delivery systems and scaling up treatments for complex diseases remain key areas of focus, according to the journal Nature. CRISPR has become the most accessible and versatile gene-editing tool, outpacing earlier technologies due to its RNA-guided simplicity. As delivery methods improve and immune responses are better managed, CRISPR's potential is expanding beyond rare genetic disorders to treating cancers, metabolic diseases, and possibly even trisomy-21 through chromosome-specific editing. In summary, CRISPR has already reshaped modern medicine — delivering historic cures in haematology, pioneering in vivo editing techniques, and leading the development of personalised therapies. Experts believe that with continued advances in precision, safety, and delivery, CRISPR-driven treatments will redefine patient care for years to come. Source: NDTV

Emerging brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is raising concerns about new vulnerabilities, including neural data interception, signal manipulation, and threats to neuroprivacy, according to recent scientific reports. While the notion of "hacking" the human brain may sound like science fiction, neuroscience research suggests that BCIs—whether invasive implants or noninvasive wearable sensors—translate neural signals into digital commands for applications ranging from prosthetic control to gaming. A report by the University of Maryland Global Campus explains how BCIs function by converting brain activity into digital information. However, a study from Cornell University highlights several security risks involved. Hackers could intercept neural data streams, effectively reading thoughts transmitted from the brain to a device. Researchers have demonstrated “backdoor” attacks on EEG-based BCIs, where small disruptions injected into brainwave-analysis algorithms can alter results, impacting everything from coaching tools to critical medical diagnostics. Furthermore, the integrity of neural signals can be compromised or manipulated, potentially influencing emotions, decisions, or behavior. In extreme cases, implanted deep-brain stimulators, used to treat conditions like Parkinson’s disease, could be hacked to directly alter brain function. Neuroprivacy is also at risk, as neural data may reveal sensitive medical conditions or private thoughts. Unauthorized access to such data would violate what ethicists call “cognitive liberty.” NASA releases first close-up image of Peanut-Shaped Asteroid According to a report by TIME, although brain transparency is not yet imminent, society is rapidly moving toward a future where scientists, governments, and corporations could potentially access our thoughts and mental states. Experts stress the urgent need to establish the right to “cognitive liberty,” a modern extension of personal freedom designed to protect mental privacy, freedom of thought, and autonomy in the digital age. Despite these concerns, widespread “mind control” remains speculative. No verified cases of neuroweapon attacks—such as Havana Syndrome—have been confirmed. Current BCI systems lack the precision or capability to rewrite memories or override free will, according to UNESCO Courier. In response to these emerging threats, the field of neurosecurity is developing, applying cybersecurity principles, encryption, secure protocols, and threat models to protect neural devices and preserve user autonomy. As BCIs evolve from experimental medical tools to consumer wearables, ethical frameworks and robust regulations must keep pace. Ultimately, the brain can be hacked—if connected to machines. But with vigilant security measures and ethical oversight, neuroscience offers hope that our minds will remain our own. Source: NDTV

NASA has released the first high-resolution images of the main-belt asteroid Donaldjohanson, revealing its unusual peanut-like shape following a key encounter by the Lucy spacecraft earlier this year. The images were captured on April 20, when the Lucy mission performed a fly-by of the asteroid, located in the solar system’s main asteroid belt. The milestone serves as a crucial test ahead of the mission’s primary goal — exploring Jupiter's Trojan asteroids. Using its L'LORRI imager, Lucy captured the high-resolution images just minutes before its closest approach to the asteroid. The photos reveal that Donaldjohanson is larger than previously estimated, measuring approximately 8 kilometers long and 3.5 kilometers wide at its broadest point. Its elongated, peanut-like shape features a rough, cratered surface. According to NASA, the asteroid rotates slowly, taking 251 hours to complete one full rotation. Scientists are now analyzing the fly-by data to gain further insights into the asteroid's structure and composition. Sharing the newly released image, NASA wrote, “Asteroid Donaldjohanson as seen by the Lucy spacecraft from a range of about 1,700 miles (2,700 km), about 3.2 minutes before closest approach on April 20, 2025. This is the highest resolution image yet of the entire asteroid, taken just before it overfilled the L'LORRI field of view. The smallest visible features are about 130 feet (40 meters) across. The illumination conditions, with the Sun almost behind Lucy, greatly reduce the contrast of topographic details.” Chinese scientists develop new device to convert tire friction into clean energy The asteroid is named after anthropologist Donald Johanson, who discovered the famous fossilised skeleton known as “Lucy,” a key find in the study of human ancestry. NASA’s Lucy mission takes its name from the fossil, the agency confirmed. NASA scientists described the successful fly-by as a "dress rehearsal," demonstrating that both the spacecraft and mission team are prepared for the main objective — exploring Jupiter's Trojan asteroids. The spacecraft is currently in a quiet cruise phase, traveling through the main asteroid belt at speeds exceeding 30,000 mph (50,000 km/h). Lucy is expected to begin its Trojan asteroid encounters in August 2027, starting with asteroid Eurybates. Over the course of less than 15 months, the mission will conduct four encounters and observe at least six asteroids, including two small satellites identified by the Lucy team. Source: NDTV

China launched a new test satellite into space on Thursday from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern province of Sichuan. The Shiyan-28B 01 satellite was launched at 5:35 p.m. (Beijing Time) aboard a Long March-4C carrier rocket and successfully entered the preset orbit, according to official sources. The satellite will primarily be used for space environment exploration and conducting related technology tests. China launches new fund to drive sci-tech, industrial innovation This mission marks the 583rd flight of the Long March carrier rocket series. A Long March-4C carrier rocket carrying the Shiyan-28B 01 satellite blasted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province at 5:35 p.m. (Beijing Time) on July 3, 2025. The satellite successfully entered its preset orbit.

A collaboration between the University of Miami, the Florida Aquarium and Tela Coral in Honduras has commenced transplanting crossbred coral fragments onto a reef off Miami’s coast that was devastated by bleaching two years ago. The initiative aims to enhance reef resilience against rising ocean temperatures driven by global warming. “It marks the culmination of a very long process,” said Andrew Baker, professor of marine biology and ecology at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School and director of its Coral Reef Futures Lab, as divers sowed the corals on Tuesday. Over recent years, scientists devised a plan to introduce genetic diversity from across the Caribbean. “We realized that threats like climate change are global, so to help Florida’s reef, we needed to bring in outside genetic stock,” Baker explained. This effort mirrors coral-breeding projects in Hawaii, where researchers have been developing so‑called “super corals” since 2021. For Miami’s experiment, the team sourced parent corals from a reef near Tela, Honduras—where water temperatures run about 2 °C (3.6 °F) warmer than off Florida’s coast—and spawned them in tanks at the Florida Aquarium. They crossed eggs and sperm from those Honduran corals with Florida corals to produce offspring carrying genes from both regions. “These Elkhorn corals thrive there despite heat and nutrient pollution,” Baker noted, pointing to extensive, healthy stands hundreds of meters long. “They’ve adapted to conditions Florida reefs will likely face in coming decades.” Scientists discover proteins that could help fight cancer, slow aging Designated 3I/ATLAS, as divers placed small fragments on concrete bases, the team arranged them methodically to compare the performance of hybrids against native Florida corals. Over the summer, they will test whether the crossbred corals exhibit greater thermal tolerance. Elkhorn corals—key architects of Florida’s reefs—have declined by more than 95% since the 2023 bleaching event, leaving coastlines more exposed to storms and flooding. Healthy Elkhorn populations act like natural breakwaters, dissipating wave energy before it reaches shore. “It’s the most exciting project I’ve undertaken in 20 years here,” Baker said. Keri O’Neil, senior scientist at the Florida Aquarium’s Coral Conservation Program, added that additional coral fragments from both regions will remain at the aquarium for ongoing spawning. “Each year, we hope to refine which parent combinations yield the strongest offspring,” she said. China launches new fund to drive sci-tech, industrial innovation Juli Berwald, co‑founder of Tela Coral, emphasized the project’s broader significance: “Our environment knows no borders. Through international collaboration, we can create life-changing solutions for corals, reefs and all the marine life that depends on them.” Source: Agency 

Australian scientists have identified a group of proteins that could transform approaches to treating cancer and age-related diseases. Researchers at the Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI) in Sydney have discovered that these proteins play a crucial role in controlling telomerase, an enzyme responsible for protecting DNA during cell division, according to a recent statement by the CMRI, which led the research. This breakthrough clarifies how telomerase both supports healthy aging and fuels cancer cell growth, highlighting new possibilities for treatments that slow aging or stop cancer by targeting these newly identified proteins. Telomerase helps maintain the ends of chromosomes, known as telomeres, which are vital for genetic stability. While telomerase is essential for the health of stem cells and certain immune cells, cancer cells often exploit this enzyme to grow uncontrollably, said the study published in Nature Communications. New living material developed to absorb CO2 The team discovered that three proteins -- NONO, SFPQ, and PSPC1 -- guide telomerase to chromosome ends; disrupting them in cancer cells prevents telomere maintenance, potentially stopping cancer cell growth. "Our findings show that these proteins act like molecular traffic controllers, making sure telomerase reaches the right destination inside the cell," said Alexander Sobinoff, the lead author of the study. Hilda Pickett, head of CMRI's Telomere Length Regulation Unit and the study's senior author, noted that understanding how telomerase is controlled opens new possibilities for developing treatments targeting cancer, aging, and genetic disorders linked to telomere dysfunction.

Organizers of the upcoming World Humanoid Robot Games (WHRG), set to debut in Beijing this August, have announced an expansion of the event lineup with the inclusion of new competition categories such as martial arts performance, free fighting, and group dancing. The update was reported by the Beijing Evening News on Tuesday. According to Zhang Hua, head of the Competition Department of the WHRG Organizing Committee, these newly added events are designed to further highlight the "technological prowess and unique charm of humanoid robots in competition," and underscore "the deep integration of robot technology with people's lives." The Games had previously confirmed a diverse slate of initial events, including football, athletics, free gymnastics, badminton, basketball, and table tennis. Among these, the RoboCup Asia-Pacific (RCAP) Beijing Masters has emerged as a major highlight. Recognized as the premier humanoid robot football competition globally, it has already drawn significant interest. "There have been 30 robot football teams worldwide submitting preliminary applications," said Zhou Zhaoda, a technical official with the Competition Department. Chinese scientists develop new device to convert tire friction into clean energy Set to take place in mid-August, the WHRG will mark the world’s first multi-sport event exclusively for humanoid robots. "These games will demonstrate how close robots are to achieving human-like capabilities," noted Jiang Guangzhi, director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology.   Source: Xinhua

The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) on Monday launched the Private Enterprise Innovation and Development Joint Fund, aimed at enabling private companies to formally participate in national basic research efforts. Under the new initiative, private enterprises will identify key research challenges based on their specific innovation requirements, while the joint fund will support leading researchers from across the country to address these critical problems. NSFC Director Dou Xiankang said the fund is intended to leverage the NSFC's guiding role by encouraging innovation-driven private companies to increase their investment in foundational research. Chinese scientists unveil new anti-tumour immune mechanism The initiative will focus on concentrating China's top scientific resources to address core scientific challenges in key technological areas. It will emphasize basic and applied basic research that aligns closely with urgent national economic and social development priorities. According to the NSFC, this approach is designed to deepen the integration of technological and industrial innovation, stimulate private sector innovation, and inject new momentum into China's innovation-driven development strategy. The fund's inaugural partners include four leading pharmaceutical companies: Hengrui Pharmaceuticals, Mindray Bio-Medical, Singclean Medical, and Qilu Pharmaceutical. The NSFC said it plans to maximize the fund's role in guiding research, attracting top scientific talent from across society to strengthen basic research in the medical sector and jointly advance breakthroughs in independent innovation. Source: Xinhua