Scientists

Society prefers immigrants who are women, young, highly educated and in skilled employment – even though there is greater demand in the labour market for low-skilled workers – according to a meta-analysis that brings together data on more than 140,000 people from 36 countries. Respondents also expressed a preference for immigrants who do not come from Muslim countries and who migrate to escape violent situations rather than for economic reasons, according to the article published in Science Advances.

Sea cucumbers are known for their regenerative capacity and for exhibiting minimal cellular ageing. An article published in the journal Science Advances has documented the viability of amputated tissue from the species Psolus fabricii for over three years in natural seawater. Samples taken from three individuals of this species showed cellular diversification, immune activity, tissue reorganisation and the uptake of dissolved amino acids—properties that are unparalleled in the current scientific literature, according to the article. The authors also note that the finding may pave the way for a new experimental model, free from ethical concerns, for regenerative biology, biomedical research and tissue engineering.

A study published in Nature estimates that more than 10 million children in countries across East and Southern Africa and Southeast Asia have experienced at least one form of online sexual exploitation and abuse, including harassment, the sharing of images without consent, and blackmail. This means that one in six children who use the internet is affected. The analysis is based on data from nearly 12,000 children aged 12 to 17 in 12 countries across Africa and Asia collected between 2020 and 2021, and warns that the actual number could be higher, as many of these incidents went unreported. When they did report incidents, minors primarily turned to informal channels, especially friends, rather than formal reporting mechanisms such as the police or helplines.

Ageing is characterised by the accumulation of cellular damage. Among the biomarkers associated with this process are epigenetic ‘clocks’, which analyse non-genetic modifications of DNA over time. However, these approaches have certain limitations, as they do not reflect the activity of specific genes. Now, a study published in Nature has analysed more than 11,000 transcriptomes from over 25 tissues in mice, rats, macaques and humans, showing that ageing-associated changes are conserved across species and cell types. The findings reveal universal transcriptomic signatures of ageing and mortality in mammals. Using these data, the authors developed their own molecular ‘clocks’, capable of estimating biological age and expected mortality.

In 2023, 1.17 billion people suffered from a mental health disorder, compared to 599 million people in 1990, according to a global study published in The Lancet. Women experienced higher rates of anxiety and depression, while neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders—such as ADHD or autism—are more common in men. The highest incidence was observed among those aged 15 to 19, which, according to the authors, underscores the need for early prevention and targeted support for this age group.

The latest reports from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) indicate a rise in bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) across Europe. In 2024, notifications of gonorrhoea and syphilis, along with congenital syphilis, reached their highest levels in more than a decade, reflecting sustained transmission across multiple countries. Gonorrhoea has increased by more than 300 % over the past 10 years, with Spain among the countries with the highest rates, while syphilis has risen by around 100 %, with Spain also ranking second highest. Men who have sex with men are the most affected population group for both infections. Congenital syphilis increased by almost 250 %, described as “one of the most concerning findings” by two ECDC experts during the briefing presenting the results. Possible contributing factors include reduced condom use, an increase in sexual partners, as well as higher levels of testing.

A team in the United States has developed an open-source tool that enables the analysis of health data related to the menstrual cycle. So far, after analyzing 5,674 non-reproductive cycles recorded by 753 participants, they have found correlations between cycle variability, basal body temperature, and aging. According to the authors, who published the results in Science Advances, the algorithm could help advance the discovery of digital biomarkers, and they note that “most attention in menstrual health focuses exclusively on the reproductive aspect and fails to leverage these non-reproductive menstrual cycles (99%) as health indicators.” 

A lightweight robotic device aids neuromuscular recovery in children with spinal muscular atrophy, helping them to stand unaided, according to a study published in Nature. The research involved six participants aged between six and 10 and shows that the device achieved significant improvements in lower limb motor function after six weeks of assisted training. The study highlights that the improvement persists after training is discontinued and conventional physiotherapy routines are resumed, demonstrating the potential for lasting recovery.  

A team from China used data from over 17,000 people in the UK Biobank to analyze the relationship between physical activity and cardiovascular risk. Their results indicate that the current minimum recommendation of 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week was associated with an 8-9% risk reduction. However, increasing the time to 560-610 minutes was linked to a decrease of more than 30%. According to the authors, who published the study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the current recommendations offer universal but modest protection, and optimal benefits would be obtained with substantially higher levels of activity.

The US company Colossal Biosciences claims to have successfully incubated a bird in an artificial egg system until it hatched. In a press release, the company states that this technology allows a bird embryo to develop fully outside the shell of a biological egg, and could be used to bring back extinct bird species such as the giant moa from New Zealand’s South Island.