Labiba Khandaker What is FOP? Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (Stone Man Syndrome) FOP is an extremely rare genetic disorder in which muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissues are gradually replaced by bone through a process called heterotopic ossification (bone growing where it should not). Over time, this extra bone can lock joints in place, creating what is often described as a "second skeleton." (2) Does injury make it worse? Yes. Even relatively

The clinical management of diabetes mellitus, particularly insulin-deficient phenotypes, represents a complex therapeutic challenge historically defined by lifetime exogenous hormone replacement (AllSci, 2026; Sana Biotechnology, 2026). While the transition to automated insulin delivery pumps and continuous glucose sensors has significantly optimized glycemic profiles, these technological frameworks manage symptoms without addressing the underlying metabolic pathophysiology,

Natalie Orlov Neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and glioblastoma, affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide and remain among the most difficult diseases to treat. One of the greatest obstacles in neuroscience is the inability to accurately model the human brain in a laboratory. Traditional two-dimensional cell cultures fail to recreate the complex interactions between neurons, while animal models often do not fully

Have you ever wondered how a drug is discovered and developed? While the process takes more than 10 years to complete, the entire development is stringently regulated for safety and effectiveness by drug regulatory authorities such as FDA. Right from the preliminary step to the final step of releasing the medicine into markets, the drug undergoes rigorous research processes to ensure that it is safe for treatment. Based on international guidelines, a molecule identified for r

By Dionne Roberts, MSN, RN-BC Methanol Toxicity: The Silent Threat Methanol (CH3OH) is a toxic wood alcohol mostly found in household, automotive, and industrial products. Exposure to methanol occurs through ingestion, inhalation or skin exposure. Accidental methanol exposure has occurred due to errors in distillation and fermentation in the production of herbal beverages and bootleg alcohol. Significant morbidity and mortality can result if methanol toxicity is left untreate

By Dr. Maulee Anand, BDS, MPH Many people think turning red after a drink is just a harmless quirk - something cute, embarrassing, or “just how I am.” But alcohol flush is not a cosmetic reaction. It is the body’s warning sign that alcohol is not being broken down properly, and a toxic byproduct may be building up. What looks like a simple blush can actually point to a deeper metabolic problem with real health consequences, including a higher risk of cancer when drinking cont

Neuroaesthetics is a relatively new interdisciplinary field that investigates how the brain and mind perceive, process, and respond to aesthetic experiences. A combination of neuroscience, cognitive psychology, the philosophy of aesthetics, and the fine arts, the field seeks to explain why humans find certain visual forms, sounds, movements, and environments beautiful or emotionally meaningful.

Figure 1:Progression of liver cirrhosis from a healthy liver to chronic hepatic injury and advanced cirrhosis. Chronic inflammatory insults such as viral hepatitis, alcohol misuse, and fatty liver disease lead to repeated hepatocyte injury, fibrosis, distortion of hepatic architecture, reduced hepatic blood flow, and impaired liver function. Image adapted from Swiss Medica Introduction Liver cirrhosis is the end stage of chronic liver injury characterized by diffuse fibrosis,

Introduction In a healthy person, the pancreas performs a quiet, remarkable balancing act every minute of every day. It senses the amount of sugar in the blood and releases just enough insulin to keep those levels in a safe, narrow range — never too high, never too low. For the hundreds of millions of people living with diabetes, that automatic system has broken down. According to the International Diabetes Federation, roughly 589 million adults worldwide now live with diabet

By Dr. Maulee Anand, BDS, MPH Introduction The placebo effect is often thought of as “all in the mind,” but modern research shows it is rooted in real biological changes. When people expect a treatment to help, their brains can release natural chemicals that reduce pain, improve mood, or change how symptoms feel. This is important for both everyday medical care and clinical trials. In practice, the placebo effect can change how patients feel, especially for symptoms like pain

Over the past 50 years, doctors have conducted multiple different types of limb transplants, such as arms, legs, and numerous organ transplants. This has called into question whether a full-body transplant would ever be humanly possible. To define, a transplant is the process of removing a healthy organ/limb from a donor and giving it to someone who needs it. Transplantation typically uses two surgeries, one for the recipient and another for the donor. Organ donors/recipient

Image from: https://pressbooks-dev.oer.hawaii.edu/anatomyandphysiology2021/chapter/26-electrolytes-and-fluids/ What is an Electrolyte? You have probably heard of electrolytes, and almost certainly have seen advertisements for drinks and powders containing these essential elements. We all need electrolytes to regulate the electrical systems throughout our bodies. Important electrolytes for the human body include sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, and calcium. Electrolyt

Figure 1 Written by Abida Mozid Haircare is an industry worth billions in revenue. With a broad spectrum of products constantly marketed to consumers, it can be overwhelming to understand which are worth shopping for. An alternative approach supported by science can be applied to discern through the many trends and branded sponsorships. This article will introduce this approach by discussing a staple in the beauty industry, one found in the majority of cosmetic ingredients li

Millions of people rely on their daily cup of coffee to kick-start their day and banish fatigue. Caffeine is the world's most popular psychoactive substance, prized for its ability to promote alertness and focus. However, a significant number of individuals experience a strange and frustrating phenomenon: instead of feeling energized after drinking coffee, they feel an overwhelming urge to sleep. This paradoxical response, sometimes called "caffeine-induced sleepiness," is a

Robotic surgery is a modern extension of minimally invasive surgery that combines medicine, robotics, and engineering. It allows surgeons to operate with enhanced precision, especially in complex procedures and small anatomical spaces. Rather than replacing surgeons, these systems act as controlled extensions of human movement, improving accuracy while reducing complications. How Robotic Surgery Works At the center of robotic surgery is a system made up of a surgeon’s console

Figure 1: Antimicrobial Resistance & Phyto-Pharmacotherapeutics (Source: https://vegconomist.com/science/plant-based-nanoparticles-can-combat-antibiotic-resistance/) What is Antimicrobial Resistance? Antimicrobial resistance is the tendency of a microorganism to counteract the microbistatic or microbicidal effects of an antimicrobial drug. Antimicrobial resistance arises in a single microbe and is inherited in the newly reproduced microbes. The resistant microbe is able to gr

For over a century, the "Gold Standard" for diagnosing cutaneous melanoma has remained unchanged: the surgical punch or shave biopsy. However, the inherent subjectivity of visual assessment often leads to a "biopsy-heavy" clinical environment where the ratio of benign nevi to malignant melanoma can be as high as 25:1. As of 2026, the clinical tide is turning toward Non-Invasive Genomic Patch Biopsies—specifically the Pigmented Lesion Assay (PLA). This technology is shifting t

Fish live in environments where temperature can change dramatically—daily, seasonally, or even suddenly during heat waves. Unlike humans, fish can’t regulate their own body temperature. So how do they survive? The answer lies deep inside their cells, in tiny structures called mitochondria, often known as the “powerhouses” of the cell. Why mitochondria matter in fish hearts The heart is one of the most energy-demanding organs in any animal. In fish, this is especially importan

Finger-prick blood glucose testing using a glucometer provides a real-time “snapshot” of blood sugar levels, helping individuals with diabetes monitor and adjust their management in response to immediate changes (Diabetes Ireland). Introduction Diabetes mellitus is characterised by chronic hyperglycaemia due to impaired insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Accurate assessment of glycaemic status is central to preventing microvascular and macrovascular complications. Mo

By Benjamin Levinson, MD INTRODUCTION The term “Vampire” immediately conjures up an image of a person who fears the sun, sleeps in a coffin during the day, and hunts for victims at night to drink their blood. It is quite a story that many have believed over the centuries. It has been recognized that a possible origin for this legend is a disease called porphyria (1). The term ‘porphyria’ comes from the Greek work ‘purple’ as most people who have this d