Common Names: milk thistle, Mary thistle, holy thistle Latin Names: Silybum marianum, also known as Carduus marianus Background • Milk thistle is a tall, spiny plant with distinctive purple blossoms. It originated in Europe and was later brought to North America by early settlers. • The primary active component in milk thistle extract is silymarin, which is a combination of several related compounds. • Traditionally, the plant has been used to support liver health and to promote breast milk

image: Dr. Garros Gong, a graduate of the University of Waterloo’s PhD program in management science and engineering, led the research. Credit: University of Waterloo Social media can serve as both a benefit and a burden for public agencies responding to emergencies such as wildfires. New findings from the University of Waterloo indicate that posts shared by individuals witnessing emergencies can help first responders act more quickly, but they can also trigger expensive overreactions. “Posts

image: Two cameras observe how a mouse inside the box is feeling. Artificial intelligence identifies even minimal shifts in posture and facial expression. Credit: Oliver Sturman / ETH Zurich At first sight, the white plastic container with its bright orange floor resembles a toy storage box. In reality, it houses live mice – with the goal of reducing their discomfort. “This box enables laboratory animals to be monitored in a humane, standardised manner, whether here in Zurich or in labs across

Mental health conditions are widespread. In the United States, roughly one in four adults experiences a mental health disorder in any given year, and close to half of all adults will face one at some point in their lives. The World Health Organization reports that in developed nations, mental disorders are a leading cause of disability, surpassing many other categories of illness. Anxiety disorders and mood disorders—including depression and bipolar disorder—are among the most frequently

image: Radiation produced by an undulator and the associated safety shielding in a light-shining-through-a-wall (LSW) setup. Standard synchrotron radiation together with conventional shielding may offer an effective platform for investigating dark photons and dark matter. Credit: Tokyo Metropolitan University Tokyo, Japan – A researcher at Tokyo Metropolitan University has suggested a new way to probe dark photons, hypothetical particles believed to be possible components of dark matter, by

What’s the Bottom Line? What do we know about how well complementary health approaches work for menopause symptoms? • Plant-based estrogens, herbal remedies, and other dietary supplements have not been clearly proven to ease menopause symptoms. • Research on hypnotherapy and mindfulness meditation is still developing, but some findings suggest potential benefits. • Acupuncture has not demonstrated greater effectiveness than sham (simulated) acupuncture for reducing hot flashes. • Yoga appears

image: Sonya S. Kwak, Senior Researcher at the KIST Center for Intelligence and Interaction (first on the left in the fifth row) Credit: Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST, President Oh Sang-rok) announced that Dr. Sonya S. Kwak, Senior Researcher at the Center for Intelligence and Interaction, has been honored with the “SIGCHI Special Recognition Award” from ACM SIGCHI, a leading academic society in the field of Human-Computer

Certain medical conditions, including erectile dysfunction (ED) and disorders of the prostate, affect only men. ED impacts up to 30 million men in the United States, while benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or prostate enlargement, is the most frequently diagnosed prostate condition among men over 50. Other illnesses are not exclusive to men but occur more often in them than in women. These include coronary heart disease, lung cancer, HIV infection, and Parkinson’s disease, all of which

image: Histological section of colorectal cancer. Credit: Laura Rubbia-Brandt Although colorectal cancer rates are declining among people over 50, the disease is becoming increasingly common in younger adults, sometimes appearing as early as their thirties. Researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) have conducted Switzerland’s first nationwide investigation into this trend. Examining nearly 100,000 cases recorded over four decades, the team

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) have announced the creation of the FAO/WHO/WOAH Joint One Health Learning Taskforce. This new coordination mechanism is designed to strengthen workforce capacity for One Health and to support its effective implementation at global, regional, and national levels. The establishment of the Taskforce addresses the increasing demand to equip

This special edition of the WHO Influenza Newsletter commemorates 15 years since the World Health Assembly adopted the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework in May 2011. It offers an opportunity to recognize what can be achieved through coordinated global action when equity and collaboration are placed at the center of health security efforts. The PIP Framework remains the only operational global system dedicated to access and benefit sharing in public health. Its mission today is as

Highlighted Resource Explore clinical research trials conducted at the NIH Clinical Center. This facility supports an extensive variety of studies, ranging from uncommon disorders to long-term medical conditions. Researchers are seeking both individuals diagnosed with specific conditions and healthy participants. You can look for studies by entering a disease, symptom, or related health concern. Visit the official Clinical Center studies website for more information.

image: The experimental setup constructed and operated by students at the University of Hamburg Credit: Nabil Salama and Agit Akgümüs In the age of precision cosmology, scientific progress is often associated with massive observatories, sophisticated instruments, international teams, and significant financial investment. Nevertheless, even in such a demanding field, advances remain possible through more compact and flexible efforts. Small groups of motivated young researchers, backed by

After three years of conflict, Sudan is facing the largest humanitarian emergency in the world. An estimated 34 million people now require assistance, 21 million are without adequate health services, and repeated assaults have shattered a medical system already strained by widespread disease and hunger. Although conditions have slightly improved in some states, the health emergency is intensifying in areas where violence persists. Outbreaks of infectious diseases and severe malnutrition are

What Is Melatonin and How Does It Work? Melatonin is a hormone made by the brain, primarily in response to darkness. It plays a central role in regulating your circadian rhythm—your body’s internal 24-hour clock—and helps signal when it is time to sleep. Exposure to light at night can interfere with the body’s natural production of melatonin. Beyond its role in sleep regulation, melatonin may influence other bodily processes. Researchers continue to study these potential effects, but many of

What Are Meditation and Mindfulness? Meditation is a practice with roots that stretch back thousands of years, particularly within Eastern traditions. Today, the term describes a wide range of techniques designed to connect the mind and body, promote mental clarity, and support overall well-being. Some forms of meditation involve concentrating on a single point of focus, such as breathing, a repeated word or phrase (mantra), a sound, or a visual image. Other approaches emphasize mindfulness,

Health Capsule Certain medications act on the brain and nervous system. These drugs can raise the risk of side effects such as confusion, falls, and even hospitalization. The danger is especially great for people living with dementia, a condition that affects memory and thinking abilities. A recent study found that a significant number of individuals with dementia are using medications that may not be safe for them. In the study, researchers reviewed the medical records of around 4,800 adults

Health Capsule Pancreatic cancer is considered one of the most lethal forms of cancer. A major reason for its high death rate is that it is often discovered only after it has already spread to other areas of the body. Once the disease has advanced, available treatments are far less effective. At present, there are no routine screening tools that reliably detect pancreatic cancer in its earliest stages. However, a recent study explored new methods aimed at identifying the disease sooner.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has hosted the first-ever Global Forum of Collaborating Centres, marking a historic gathering of one of the largest and most diverse networks in global public health. The event brought together representatives from more than 800 institutions officially designated as WHO Collaborating Centres (CCs), spanning over 80 countries. During the Forum, experts underscored the growing health risks emerging in an increasingly fragmented global landscape. These complex

Breathe Easier, Inside and Outside Most air pollution is invisible. You usually can’t smell it or see it drifting through the air. Yet contaminated air—whether outdoors or inside your home—can still have serious effects on your health. “Almost everyone around the world breathes unhealthy air at some point,” says Dr. Stavros Garantziotis, a lung specialist and NIH researcher. Breathing polluted air doesn’t only harm the lungs. Because the lungs are directly connected to the bloodstream, harmful