With this Collection, the editors at Communications Medicine invite manuscripts that advance our understanding of mental health and mental illness across the ...

Desai et al. conduct untargeted high-resolution metabolomics profiling to identify metabolites and pathways linking PBDE exposure and preterm birth in a cohort of pregnant African American women in Atlanta. Lipid, amino acid, and thiamine-dependent pathways may play a role via disruptions in oxidative stress, inflammation, and energy pathways.

Pu et al. use machine learning to quantify peripheral hard drusen across nine retinal quadrants in 1,562 normal eyes using indocyanine green angiography. Nasal quadrants show earlier and greater drusen accumulation, and central superior drusen count independently predicts progression to neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

ED SUM: Montgomery et al. isolate oscillatory and broadband components of the elevated delta phenotype of Angelman syndrome in both human EEG and mouse field potential recordings. Each component predicts distinct behavioral deficits and follows a separate developmental course, supporting their complementary use as translational biomarkers.

Luo et al. integrate large-scale genetic, proteomic and single-cell data to investigate how morning chronotype relates to breast cancer risk. They identify ADAM15, BTN2A1, CASP8, PDCD6 and RSPO3 as candidate mediators and potential future therapeutic targets.

Byg et al., examine whether polygenic scores for birthweight on adult cardiometabolic risk depend on the phenotypic birthweight. The effects of birthweight genes on insulin resistance and BMI changed according to birthweight phenotype, suggesting an increased cardiometabolic risk when there is a birthweight phenotype genotype mismatch.

Chang et al. describe a machine-learning model using routine complete blood count tests to detect radiation exposure across doses and time points, enabling rapid identification of radiation exposure is essential during nuclear emergencies. The model performs well but varies across genetic backgrounds, highlighting the role of genetics in radiation response.

Chang et al. describe a machine-learning model using routine complete blood count tests to detect radiation exposure across doses and time points, enabling rapid identification of radiation exposure is essential during nuclear emergencies. The model performs well but varies across genetic backgrounds, highlighting the role of genetics in radiation response.

Unnarsdottir et al. examine the prevalence and correlates of trauma-associated sleep disturbances in a nationwide cohort of 27,938 women. Findings show that nearly 7% of women report these disturbances, which are strongly associated with interpersonal trauma, repeated exposure, and psychiatric comorbidity.

Hasan, Leucht et al. undertook a drug repurposing trial evaluating the mineralocorticoid antagonist spironolactone as a treatment for cognitive impairment in people with schizophrenia. The primary analysis yielded negative results, but subsequent sensitivity analyses suggest this approach could potentially be a treatment option for schizophrenia.

Wang, Yang, Ding et al. apply deep learning to analyze nearly two million posts of HPV vaccine discussions on Weibo from 2018 to 2023. Positive attitudes towards HPV vaccination increase over time while negative attitudes and misinformation decline, with geographic and vaccine-type variations highlighting populations for targeted intervention.

Mueller and Starck et al. develop a pipeline to estimate biological age from MRI scans of the brain, whole body, heart, liver, spine, lungs, muscle, and intestine in 70,000 participants. Accelerated ageing in specific organs is linked to chronic diseases like multiple sclerosis and to lifestyle factors such as smoking.

Shang et al. examine long-term changes in memory, daily activities, depression, and frailty in stroke survivors and matched controls in China, the UK, Europe, and the US. Stroke patients have faster declines in memory and more rapid increases in depression and difficulties with daily tasks, before and after diagnosis, compared to controls.

Amin et al. conduct surveillance in Bangladesh to investigate potential foodborne sources of UTI-causing, ESBL-producing E. coli. Whole genome sequencing E. coli from UTI and poultry meat shows no clonal overlap, suggesting poultry consumption is unlikely a major source of UTI-causing E. coli and highlighting the need to explore other reservoirs.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The gut-brain axis is a crucial communication network that links the gastrointestinal system with the central nervous system, significantly influencing various physiological processes and overall health. Understanding this bi-directional relationship is essential, as it impacts conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and mental well-being, highlighting the potential for innovative therapeutic interventions. This Collection seeks to unite research on the interplay between metabolic and neurological functions, focusing on topics such as the role of the gut microbiome in modulating mental health and metabolic disorders, the influence of nutritional status and diet on the gut-brain axis, the impact of therapeutic interventions such as GLP-1 agonists, mechanisms linking gut health and mental well-being, the role of gut hormones in metabolic regulation, and inter-organ communication in health and disease. We invite original research contributions that enhance our understanding of the gut-brain axis and its health implications. — show all

This cross-journal collection invites manuscripts that highlight advances across the pediatric cancer spectrum, from disease mechanism to clinical application ...

Megquier et al. evaluate pet dogs with cancer as a model for optimizing liquid biopsy via low coverage sequencing of plasma cell-free DNA. They confirm the potential of the dog model, finding that metrics are comparable to those for human cancers and reflect clinical status, then leverage the model to examine the effect of preanalytical variables.

Sirohi et.al. develop a unimolecular dual agonist targeting both GLP-1 and FGF21 for the treatment of advanced metabolic liver disease. The dual agonist improves metabolic parameters, reduces liver inflammation and fibrosis, and promotes liver repair in a preclinical murine model.

Hagenbeek et al. examine how genetic variation and socioeconomic status relate to the risk of 19 common diseases in over 700,000 adults from Finland and the UK. They show both genetics and education are linked to disease risk, with some genetic associations varying across education levels, and combining both modestly improves risk prediction.

Poh et al. review current evidence on pancreatic cancer surveillance in individuals with hereditary cancer syndromes and familial pancreatic cancer. Surveillance is associated with earlier-stage diagnosis, higher resection rates, and improved survival, although challenges remain in risk stratification, implementation, and early cancer detection.

Sandbrink and Young examine emerging opportunities and challenges in stewarding neural data generated by implantable brain computer interfaces as these devices move from research settings into clinical care. They identify key gaps in protections, and discuss how clinicians, developers, and regulators could advance patient privacy and autonomy.

This Collection aims to expand our understanding of the biology, epidemiology, and clinical impact of sex hormones and hormone replacement therapy, improving ...

This session will explore the evolving role of epidemiology in precision medicine, highlighting how population-level data, risk prediction, and emerging analytical approaches are shaping more personal ...

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Qeadan et al. analyze over 100,000 patient records with dual OUD + AUD diagnoses to explore associations between GIP/GLP-1 RA prescriptions and overdose, hospitalizations, and other SUD-related outcomes. GIP/GLP-1 RA prescriptions are linked to reduced overdose and hospitalization risk among patients with co-occurring OUD + AUD.