Young Han Lee

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This phase IB/II clinical trial tested combining the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin with the immunotherapy drug durvalumab in 41 patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma. The combination produced a response rate of 31.7%, with a median overall survival of nearly two years, and the safety profile was manageable. Among patients treated, those whose tumors lacked certain genetic pathway alterations and had high immune checkpoint protein expression stayed progression-free significantly longer, suggesting these markers could identify who benefits most.

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This five-year prospective study followed nearly 1,000 stroke survivors who initially had mild cognitive impairment to determine how many progressed to more severe cognitive decline and what factors predicted this. About 14% progressed to major cognitive impairment by five years, with older age, diabetes, irregular heart rhythm, and early attention problems being the strongest predictors. The results provide a roadmap for identifying which stroke survivors need more intensive cognitive monitoring and early intervention.

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Researchers applied mathematical topology—a method that quantifies the shape and connectivity of tissue structure—to breast cancer biopsy images to create continuous numerical scores that predict patient survival. These topology-based scores outperformed traditional grading systems in accuracy and showed less variation across racial and ethnic groups. When combined with gene expression data, the scores revealed metabolic pathways linked to tumor structure, opening a new avenue for more equitable and precise cancer prognosis.

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Researchers mutated a single amino acid in a bacterial enzyme (BlsE) involved in antibiotic production and found that this single change could redirect the enzyme to perform three completely different chemical reactions: removing water, removing hydrogen atoms, or flipping the orientation of a chemical group. The findings reveal that radical-based enzymes can be reprogrammed to generate diverse chemical products by altering just one active-site residue. This insight advances efforts to engineer biological catalysts for making new medicines and chemicals.

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This study used single-cell analysis and protein profiling on tumor tissue from 50 liver cancer patients to map the diversity and function of innate lymphoid cells, a class of immune cells in the tumor environment. The immune cell landscape differed markedly depending on whether tumors arose from hepatitis B infection or other causes: hepatitis B tumors showed signs of immune exhaustion, while non-viral tumors had immune cells promoting tumor growth and fibrosis. These etiology-specific immune patterns may help explain why liver cancers respond differently to immunotherapy and could guide more targeted treatment strategies.

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Chemists developed a metal-free, acid-free reaction to synthesize nicotinonitriles—a class of compounds used as building blocks for drugs—using ethanol as a reusable solvent and only small amounts of a catalyst. The method avoids unwanted side reactions that have plagued previous approaches and provides a straightforward one-pot process. It was applied to make derivatives of vitamin B3 and other medicinally relevant molecules, demonstrating its practical utility in sustainable drug synthesis.

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Researchers built a mathematical model that tracks how the metabolism of T cells changes in real time during the manufacturing process used to make CAR T cell therapies. The model was validated against lab measurements and could detect early metabolic signatures that predicted whether cells would grow well and remain potent in the final product. This tool could enable manufacturers to adjust culture conditions on the fly to produce more consistent and effective cell therapies.

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Scientists used scanning tunneling microscopy to image how azobenzene molecules with hydroxyl and bromine groups arrange themselves on a gold surface, finding three distinct patterns driven by different combinations of hydrogen bonds and halogen bonds. The striped arrangement proved most stable overall because the dense packing of the entire molecular layer provides thermodynamic favorability, even though individual molecules in other motifs may have stronger bonds. These findings clarify how competing molecular forces can be tuned to control the self-assembly of functional molecules on surfaces.

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Researchers devised a method to grow atomically thin layers of different materials on top of each other with precise control by first creating vacancy clusters—tiny holes—on the surface to act as anchors for new atomic layers. The resulting heterostructures had sharp interfaces and proper atomic alignment, and a follow-up annealing step healed defects to restore optical quality. This approach provides a general platform for stacking two-dimensional materials to build next-generation electronic and optical devices.

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This study developed a computational method to determine the range of shapes that intrinsically disordered proteins—proteins without a fixed three-dimensional structure—can adopt, by combining computer simulations with NMR spectroscopy measurements. The method accurately captured how these proteins rearrange under different conditions such as temperature changes or mutations, revealing fleeting structural states that experiments alone cannot resolve. Improved mapping of disordered protein shapes advances understanding of their biological roles and their tendency to misfold in diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

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Chemists synthesized a new ligand based on a carbazole framework with two bulky boron-containing groups and used it to stabilize highly reactive metal complexes that are difficult to isolate under normal conditions. The ligand successfully supported low-coordinate iron, cobalt, zinc, nickel, and copper complexes, including some with near-linear two-coordinate geometries rarely seen in transition metal chemistry. These compounds expand the toolkit of reactive metal centers available for catalysis and materials applications.

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Researchers tested a modified urinary catheter that delivers a local anesthetic directly to the urethra through tiny pores in 40 patients recovering from bladder tumor surgery. During the first six hours after surgery, pain scores were nearly three times lower in the anesthetic group than in the saline-infused control group, and patients needed significantly less opioid pain medication overall. The device reduced early post-surgical pain and urinary symptoms, and patients expressed stronger willingness to use it again.

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This retrospective study of 138 lung cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy followed by the immunotherapy drug durvalumab identified two factors that predicted which patients would later develop brain metastases. Patients whose tumors did not respond to durvalumab were nearly five times more likely to develop brain spread, and those with cancer in lymph nodes near the collarbone at diagnosis were also at higher risk. These findings could guide more intensive brain monitoring for high-risk patients after treatment.

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A multicenter observational study in South Korea followed 1,596 type 2 diabetes patients prescribed evogliptin, a blood sugar-lowering pill, in three different usage scenarios: added to existing treatment, switched from a similar drug, or started alongside another new medication. HbA1c (a measure of blood sugar control) dropped most in the group starting evogliptin alongside a new partner drug, and the medication was well-tolerated across all groups. Evogliptin appears effective and safe across the common ways it is used in real clinical practice.

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Researchers injected two forms of amyloid-beta protein found in Alzheimer's disease—Abeta40 and Abeta42—directly into mouse brains and recorded brain electrical activity and sleep patterns. Abeta42, which aggregates faster and forms structurally distinct fibrils, severely disrupted REM sleep and caused neuron loss, while Abeta40 mainly altered brain wave patterns with less cell death. The results show that the physical properties of different amyloid forms directly determine the type and severity of sleep disruption in Alzheimer's disease.

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This study developed PoseShot, a deep learning model that analyzes basketball free throw mechanics by processing both video and joint angle data through a combination of neural network architectures. The model classified the phases of a free throw with 95.76% accuracy, outperforming several established architectures on this fine-grained motion analysis task. PoseShot offers coaches and athletes an objective, data-driven tool for identifying and correcting biomechanical inefficiencies.

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Using gene expression data from muscle biopsies of 20 sarcopenic and 20 healthy Asian adults, researchers identified four hub genes (ADAM8, BECN1, KLF4, GBP5) that sit at the intersection of inflammation, autophagy, and muscle-bone degeneration pathways. Higher expression of these genes correlated with lower muscle mass and grip strength in patients. The genes represent potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for sarcopenia, particularly in Asian populations.

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This study adapted an existing rapid toxicity testing platform—originally built with zebrafish cells—to work with cells from a different fish species (Oryzias latipes), and validated it against a set of eight known toxic chemicals. The new platform successfully detected both general toxicity and DNA-damaging effects for all tested substances within 6 hours. It provides a faster way to screen large numbers of environmental chemicals for potential harm to aquatic organisms.

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Scientists screened about 24,000 compounds to find a drug that blocks galectin-3, a protein that drives harmful inflammation in the brain, and that can also cross from the bloodstream into the brain. Berbamine hydrochloride, a natural compound, met both criteria and worked through a novel binding mechanism. In mice with a Huntington's disease model, the drug improved motor function, reduced toxic protein clumps in neurons, and corrected disease-associated gene networks.

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Researchers built a mathematical model to calculate whether microsurgery to restore movement in patients with permanent facial paralysis is worth the cost. The surgery costs about $141,000 more than no treatment but delivers an additional 2.49 quality-adjusted life years, putting the cost per benefit well within the $100,000 threshold typically used to define cost-effective medical care. Free tissue transfer surgery is a financially justified treatment for facial paralysis.

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This study exposed kidney cells and rats to fine particulate matter from urban traffic pollution and used gene expression analysis to identify the molecular mechanisms of harm. A signaling molecule called CSF2 emerged as the key driver, activating inflammation, fibrosis, cellular aging, and immune pathways; blocking CSF2 reduced these effects. The findings identify CSF2 as a potential therapeutic target for protecting kidneys against air pollution damage.

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Researchers surveyed the availability of 22 newer antibiotics approved by the US FDA between 2010 and 2024 across 10 Asian countries, finding that most countries had access to only a handful of these drugs. Approval typically lagged three to five years behind the US, and availability did not correlate with a country's wealth or healthcare system type. Given the severe antibiotic resistance problems in Asia, the study calls for coordinated efforts to speed up regulatory approvals across the region.

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This analysis of Cambodia's national health surveys from 2010 to 2022 found that antibiotic use in children under five remained high even as rates of common childhood illnesses like fever and diarrhea dropped substantially. More than half of fever episodes and nearly a third of diarrhea episodes were still treated with antibiotics in 2021-2022, with urban and wealthier families using antibiotics more often. The findings highlight that reducing antibiotic overuse in privileged populations is as important as ensuring access in underserved areas.

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A 12-week randomized trial tested whether supplementing with an extract from Lespedeza cuneata (a plant) improved muscle strength in 35 adults with low muscle mass. Grip strength increased significantly in the supplement group at both 8 and 12 weeks, while muscle mass and walking speed did not change. The supplement appears safe and may help with strength, but larger trials are needed to understand how it works and confirm the benefit.

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This review describes advances in lentiviral vector engineering aimed at enabling CAR T cell therapy to be delivered directly into the body rather than requiring costly and time-consuming manufacturing outside the patient. Key improvements include engineering the viral vectors to specifically target T cells, evade immune detection, and carry additional therapeutic cargo. Early clinical data support the feasibility of this in vivo approach, which could make CAR T cell therapy faster and more widely accessible.

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Using national health insurance data, researchers compared cancer rates between 25,798 North Korean defectors living in South Korea and over 1.2 million South Korean residents. Defectors had higher rates of infection-linked cancers like liver, cervical, and lung cancer, reflecting health conditions in North Korea, while initially having lower rates of lifestyle-linked cancers like breast and colorectal cancer. Over time, defectors' breast cancer rates began rising toward South Korean levels, revealing how quickly environment shapes cancer risk after migration.

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Researchers engineered CD5-targeted CAR T cells using antibodies with lower binding strength to reduce the self-destruction (fratricide) that occurs when these immune cells attack each other during production. The lower-affinity versions showed significantly less fratricide and less cellular exhaustion compared to standard high-affinity designs, suggesting they would perform better in patients. This approach offers a simpler way to improve CAR T cell quality without complex genetic modifications.

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This study examined the relationship between the sarcopenia index (a blood-test-based proxy for muscle mass) and abdominal obesity in over 10,000 Chinese adults. Lower sarcopenia index scores were independently linked to higher rates of central obesity, most strongly in men under 50 and women over 50, and the test performed better as a screening tool in women than men. The sarcopenia index may offer a simple additional marker for identifying people at risk of the fat distribution pattern most harmful to heart and metabolic health.

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This randomized trial enrolled 314 women with locally advanced cervical cancer to compare giving cisplatin chemotherapy alongside radiation either once a week at a lower dose or every three weeks at a higher dose. Survival rates at three years were similar between the two schedules, but the every-three-week regimen caused fewer severe blood-count side effects and patients reported better quality of life. The three-week schedule appears to be a clinically viable alternative to the standard weekly approach.

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Researchers found that a protein called ADNP, which regulates how DNA is packaged in cells, is significantly reduced in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients and mouse models of the disease. When ADNP was experimentally reduced in mice, levels of complement immune proteins rose sharply, mirroring what is seen in human Alzheimer's brains. The findings identify ADNP loss as a likely upstream cause of the immune overactivation that contributes to brain damage in Alzheimer's disease.

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This review synthesizes current knowledge on the biology of high-grade brain tumors in children, which are classified into four molecularly distinct subtypes each driven by unique genetic and epigenetic changes. A central theme is the role of cancer stem cells and their metabolic flexibility in resisting treatment, as well as how the byproducts of altered metabolism directly control which genes are switched on or off. Understanding these subtype-specific vulnerabilities points toward more targeted therapies, including immunotherapy approaches like CAR T cells.

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This meta-analysis combined data from 11 studies and 611 patients to determine whether specific genetic variants in the TNF-alpha gene predict how well patients with ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis respond to TNF-blocking drugs. Patients carrying the TNF-alpha -308 G allele were over four times more likely to respond well to these treatments, and the association held across both European and Asian populations. This genetic marker could help clinicians select patients most likely to benefit from TNF-blocker therapy.

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Researchers surveyed 417 healthcare professionals across 90 South Korean hospitals and interviewed nutrition support teams to understand how medical nutrition products are prescribed and used in clinical practice. Major gaps were found in documentation: feeding rates were recorded in only 9% of physician orders, and there was confusion about which professional should educate patients. The study calls for standardized prescribing protocols and clearly defined roles to improve patient nutrition care.

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This study analyzed health behavior patterns among over 8,600 older Chinese adults and found that rural and urban residents cluster into distinct groups based on their habits, with combined poor diet and substance use being the most common pattern in both settings. Rural older adults who smoked and drank were more prone to chronic disease and physical limitations, while urban drinkers faced higher mental health risks. The findings argue for location-specific prevention programs rather than one-size-fits-all health interventions.

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This study used data from over 17,000 Korean adults to examine whether better cardiovascular health, measured by eight lifestyle and clinical factors, is linked to lower rates of depression. People with the highest cardiovascular health scores were 71% less likely to report significant depressive symptoms compared to those with the lowest scores, and the benefit was driven primarily by healthy behaviors rather than clinical measurements like blood pressure or cholesterol. The results suggest that promoting healthy habits may be an effective strategy for reducing depression at the population level.

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Scientists studied the bacterial communities living in and around roots of an endangered Korean alpine primrose (Primula modesta var. hannasanensis) to understand how these microbes might support plant survival. Two bacterial strains isolated from the plant significantly boosted seed germination and seedling growth, and applying both together produced even stronger effects. These microbes could be used to help conserve and propagate endangered alpine plant species outside their natural habitat.

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Engineers developed a soft actuator whose electrodes can be reshaped on demand by using a ferrofluid that switches between liquid and solid states in response to a magnetic field. In liquid form the electrode flows into new configurations; in solid form it holds its shape and performs reliably during actuation. The electrodes can also be recovered and reused after the device fails, addressing key durability and sustainability limitations of current soft actuator technology.

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This review summarizes the most promising new treatments for bladder cancer tested in early-phase clinical trials during 2024-2025, covering targeted drugs, antibody-drug conjugates, and immune-activating agents for both aggressive and early-stage disease. Several agents showed high response rates, including novel drug-antibody combinations and a directly administered bladder therapy, signaling a shift beyond standard chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The findings point toward more personalized treatment selection guided by tumor biology.

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Researchers examined the atomic structure of nanoscale strengthening particles (beta double-prime precipitates) in a high-silicon aluminum alloy used in manufacturing, using advanced electron microscopy techniques. The precipitates have a distinctive eye-shaped arrangement of magnesium and silicon atoms that forms in large numbers during heat treatment, and this high density is the primary source of the alloy's strength. The detailed structural characterization helps explain how these alloys behave during aging and guides efforts to design stronger aluminum materials.

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This study tested whether a specific probiotic strain (Lactobacillus acidophilus HP7) could protect the stomach lining in mice infected with H. pylori, a bacterium that causes chronic gastritis and ulcers. Both live and heat-killed forms of the probiotic significantly reduced inflammatory markers and improved the appearance of stomach tissue under the microscope. HP7 shows promise as a supplement alongside antibiotics to manage H. pylori-related stomach disease.

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Researchers used a genome-wide methylation scan on blood cells from stroke patients to find epigenetic markers linked to cerebral small vessel disease, a condition causing white matter damage, small strokes, and microbleeds visible on brain scans. A specific gene (ELOVL2) with reduced methylation emerged as an independent predictor of small vessel disease, particularly small lacunar strokes, even after accounting for age and other cardiovascular risks. This finding suggests blood-based epigenetic testing could help identify patients at higher risk before symptoms worsen.

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This study tested whether giving a foot-and-mouth disease vaccine through the skin (intradermal) rather than into muscle could protect pigs more quickly and with fewer side effects. Pigs vaccinated intradermally showed no disease symptoms when exposed to the virus just 14 days after vaccination, matching the protection of the standard injection while eliminating injection-site reactions. The intradermal approach could be a practical alternative for controlling outbreaks, especially when rapid protection is needed.

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Scientists screened extracts from a plant (Rumex japonicus) to find the specific compound responsible for its known anti-aging effects on skin cells, identifying 2-methoxystypandrone (2-MS) as the active ingredient. 2-MS works by making mitochondria burn energy more efficiently, which reduces the harmful byproducts that drive cellular aging. The compound reversed aging-related changes in skin cells including excessive pigmentation and inflammation, making it a candidate for anti-aging therapies and cosmetics.

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This study looked at whether taking blood-thinning medications like aspirin or clopidogrel before surgery affects the risk of bleeding or heart problems after surgery in patients aged 65 and older. They analyzed data from over 8,000 patients and found no consistent increase in bleeding or cardiovascular issues for those who took these medications before surgery. This is important because it suggests that elderly patients don't need to stop their blood thinners before surgery as a standard practice, allowing for better individual treatment plans.