The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Stop TB Partnership, has released the TB near point-of-care and swab-based testing toolkit (NPOC/swab toolkit) to assist Member States in applying the latest policy guidance on tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics. This detailed toolkit is intended to facilitate the rollout of near point-of-care nucleic acid amplification tests (NPOC-NAATs) that use sputum and tongue swab samples to detect TB, including forms with and without drug

image: NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded this view of a solar flare, visible as the intense bright burst near the upper center of the image, on February 4, 2026. The picture captures a portion of extreme ultraviolet radiation, which reveals the intensely heated material produced during flares and is displayed here in blue and red tones. Credit: NASA/SDO Vienna, Austria - Solar storms that reach Earth can interfere with power networks, railway operations, satellites, and even marine

Progress in Stroke Rehabilitation A stroke can alter a person’s life without warning. The signs often appear suddenly. Drooping on one side of the face, weakness in an arm, or difficulty speaking may all indicate that a stroke is occurring. In a matter of moments, a person may lose the ability to walk, speak clearly, or manage routine tasks. Yet many survivors are able to relearn affected skills and regain independence through proper therapy. Strokes occur when the brain is deprived of adequate

A decade has passed since the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2286 on the protection of health care in armed conflict. Yet rather than celebrating progress, we are confronted with a harsher reality than ten years ago. Today is not a moment of success – it is a moment of reckoning. Violence against medical facilities, transport and personnel continues without pause. The suffering this resolution aimed to curb has not receded; in many places, it has intensified. As leaders of

The 26th session of the WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines will take place at WHO Headquarters in Geneva from 3 to 7 May 2027. During this meeting, the Committee will review and update the WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines and the Essential Medicines List for Children. The call for applications is currently open, and submissions must be received no later than 6 November 2026 at 18:00 UTC. The WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines (EML) and the Essential

Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) have advanced discussions on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) annex, a central element of the WHO Pandemic Agreement. During their latest session, countries agreed that additional time is required to complete the framework aimed at delivering a stronger and more equitable response to future pandemics. Delegations concluded the resumed sixth meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on the WHO Pandemic Agreement in

What are mind and body practices? Mind and body practices include a broad range of techniques designed to influence the connection between the brain and the body in ways that support overall health. These approaches are usually delivered or taught by trained professionals or qualified instructors. Common examples include: • Acupuncture • Massage therapy • Meditation • Relaxation methods • Spinal manipulation • Tai chi • Yoga Today, complementary health approaches are often grouped according to

image: Mount Grammos, Greece Credit: Konstantis Alexopoulos / Hellenic Mountain Observatory Snow cover across Greece’s mountains—an essential source of water for local communities, farming, and ecosystems during the dry summer season—has dropped by more than half over the last forty years, according to new research. An international group of scientists led by the University of Cambridge combined satellite observations, climate records, terrain information, and artificial intelligence to

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.