A new study has found that a combination of two drugs could enhance the immune system to treat one of the most common types of cancer in the world, bowel cancer. Also known as colorectal cancer, despite its widespread presence, the treatment options for this condition are limited. What the study specifically found was that this procedure could shrink the tumours caused by this condition by around 60%.

What Are The Drugs Involved

The trial involved the use of two immunotherapy drugs, botancilimab and balstilumab. It is a monoclonal antibody that works to stimulate the body's immune system to attack cancer. The study is a rather significant find, as it’s the first time that a consistent and durable response to immunotherapy has been reported in patients with solid MSS mCRC tumours.

The study was divided into several phases for more than 6 months. In the US trial, around around 101 patients with microsatile stable metastatic colorectal (MSS-mCRC) tumours showed a decrease . Around 61% of the patients experienced tumour shrinkage or stabilization after combined treatment with votancilumab and balstilumab. When it comes to downsides, diarrhea and fatigue were found to be the most common side effects or side effects of this drug.

These results are interesting and open to exploration. To date, immunotherapy has not been effective in patients with CNS-mCRC tumors. This study demonstrates the potential of the combination of botenlimab and balstilimab in the treatment of CNS mCRC, providing new hope for people diagnosed with colon cancer.

What Could This Mean For Bowel Cancer Treatment In The Future

The study is currently in the final stages of clinical trials, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hopes to quickly gain approval for its use because of the importance of this area that affects many people. The efficiency shown demonstrates the potential of botansilimab to contribute to broad antitumor immunity.

All in all, the combination of botensilimab and balstilimab represents a promising new direction in the treatment of colorectal cancer. This breakthrough could improve conditions for many patients worldwide and lights a new hope in the fight against this common disease. The results of this study show the effectiveness of immunotherapy in this field and how its potential to transform cancer treatment can only grow in the years to come.

The Trump administration recently launched an initiative, encouraging hospitals across the United States to improve the quality of the meals they serve in terms of nutrition.

Launching the voluntary initiative aimed at making healthier meals more accessible to patients, visitors, and healthcare workers, the announcement was made by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

About ‘Make Hospital Food Healthier’ Pledge

The initiative, announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is part of Trump administration's “Make Hospital Food Healthier” pledge.

Hospitals that participate commit to offering more nutritious food and beverage options, increasing transparency around nutritional information, and creating food environments that better support long-term health.

Health officials say hospitals should set an example by promoting healthy eating rather than offering meals and snacks that are high in sugar, sodium, and saturated fats.

HHS said while announcing the initiative, “Healthcare facilities should reflect the same evidence-based nutrition principles they encourage patients to follow after they leave the hospital.”

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Under the voluntary pledge, participating hospitals are encouraged to:

• Increase the availability of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and minimally processed and plant-based protein options.
• Include vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, seafood, and healthy fats.
• Reduce the prominence of sugary drinks and ultra-processed snacks.
• Use baked, broiled, roasted, stir-fried, or grilled preparation methods and avoid deep frying.
• Make healthier meals easier to identify through nutrition labeling and clear menu information.
• Improve cafeteria and vending machine offerings for employees and visitors.
• Incorporate nutrition into overall patient wellness and recovery plans.

The administration says these changes will help create healthier food environments while supporting the prevention of chronic diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

The Goal Behind

Millions of Americans eat meals in hospitals each year, whether as patients, family members, or healthcare workers. Public health experts have always argued that hospitals should encourage eating habits instead of relying heavily on processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages.

Improving hospital food can also benefit healthcare staff, who often work long shifts and depend on hospital cafeterias and vending machines for meals.

The initiative supports the idea that nutrition plays a significant role in preventing and managing chronic illnesses, which remain one of the leading causes of death and healthcare spending in the United States.

The HHS pledge is voluntary, meaning hospitals are not required to participate. Instead, the department is encouraging health systems to adopt healthier food standards as part of their commitment to patient care and community health.

Officials say hospitals that join the pledge can help reinforce healthy lifestyle choices beyond clinical treatment by making nutritious foods more readily available throughout their facilities.

While the program does not mandate specific dietary standards, it represents another step in Trump administration's broader effort to promote healthier eating environments within healthcare settings.

As more hospitals sign on, health officials hope the initiative will have a positive impact on how healthcare institutions approach nutrition, turning hospitals into places that support healthy choices both inside and outside the examination room.

Tampons contain trace amounts of arsenic, lead and other metals, but they are not released at levels that pose a health risk, according to a new study by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Published in the peer-reviewed journal Toxicological Sciences, the study found that while 19 metals—including arsenic, cadmium and lead—were detected in tampons, “the amount released during use is too small to cause harm”.

The FDA said the findings are consistent with an earlier independent systematic literature review it commissioned.

What Did The FDA Study Find?

The FDA evaluated 11 tampon products legally marketed in the United States to determine whether trace metals present in the products could be released during use and whether they posed any toxicological risk.

Researchers measured metal levels using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). To assess the maximum possible release, tampons were tested under exaggerated laboratory conditions by placing them in acidified water at 50°C (122°F) for 24 hours, simulating a worst-case exposure scenario.

Also read: Cancer Kills Over 26,000 Daily; Cases to Hit 35 Million by 2050, Says WHO Report

The study detected 19 metals, including:

• Arsenic
• Cadmium
• Lead
• Titanium
• Calcium
• Iron
• Lithium
• Zinc

"Based on the in-depth toxicological risk assessment, all detected metals had margins of safety indicating that there is negligible toxicological concern from the presence of metals in tampon materials," the researchers wrote.

Read More: India Gets Its First Plant-Based Vitamin D3: What You Need to Know

How Are Metals Present In Tampons?

According to the FDA, trace metals may enter tampon materials naturally because plants such as cotton absorb minerals and metals from the soil. Some metals may also be introduced unintentionally during manufacturing.

Researchers noted that titanium dioxide, which is sometimes used to whiten tampons, may explain the presence of titanium in certain products.

In October 2025, the FDA issued a draft guidance titled, Menstrual Products — Performance Testing and Labeling Recommendations.

This draft guidance provides recommendations to industry to support the safety and effectiveness of menstrual products, including recommendations for evaluating these products for contaminants and promoting transparency in menstrual product ingredients.

What Is a Tampon Made Of?

Tampons are typically made of cotton, rayon, or a blend of the two. While rayon-based tampons generally contained higher levels of lithium and zinc, cotton-rich tampons had higher concentrations of calcium and iron.

Despite these differences, the FDA concluded that exposure from all products tested remained well below levels of health concern.

Single-use vs Reusable Tampons

The FDA emphasized that only single-use tampons are authorized for sale in the United States. The agency discourages the use of reusable tampons because they may carry a higher risk of infections, including:

• Yeast infections
• Fungal infections
• Bacterial infections

The FDA regulates menstrual products as medical devices but has limited authority over their composition. While tampons undergo a premarket review process, the agency doesn't approve individual materials used in these products.

The FDA's primary focus regarding menstrual products has been on addressing the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). They have implemented labeling requirements and educational campaigns to minimize this risk. However, the recent findings of heavy metals in tampons highlight a potential gap in regulatory oversight.

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reached another concerning milestone. With a surging number of deaths and confirmed infections, the healthcare workers in the affected regions have threatened to declare a strike due to nonpayment of dues, making it challenging to contain a deadly and aggressive outbreak.

DRC Ebola Death Toll Reaches 600 With 1759 Confirmed Cases

According to Reuters, the total confirmed number of deaths due to Bundibugyo Ebola has reached 600, with 1,759 confirmed infections as of July 9.

This comes amid protests demonstrated by healthcare workers in the affected regions, who have threatened to walk off the job due to months of unpaid wages and unsafe working conditions.

The outbreak initially affected Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, but authorities are now investigating suspected cases in Tshopo province, including Kisangani, sparking concerns that new areas may be affected.

The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo species of the Ebola virus, has been spreading rapidly since it was declared on May 15.

Unlike the Zaire strain, there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo Ebola virus, making containment and treatment efforts particularly challenging. Currently, experimental therapies are being examined through ongoing clinical trials.

Also read: Uganda Says Ebola Is Contained After Nearly Two Months Of Outbreak; Seeks To Get Travel Restrictions Removed

Healthcare Workers Protests

The worsening outbreak could be even more challenging to contain as the frontline healthcare workers, including treatment staff, laboratory personnel, and burial teams, have been protesting nonpayment of salaries, insufficient protective equipment, and difficult working conditions.

According to several reports, many workers say they have not been paid since the outbreak began nearly two months ago. While some have already stopped working, others have warned that a mass walkout could further weaken the country’s Ebola response.

The administrative disruption significantly threatens critical epidemic operations like patient care, lab testing, contact tracing, and safe burial procedures, all of which are essential for slowing transmission and effectively containing the outbreak.

WHO Says Ebola Outbreak Is Still In Expansion Phase

The World Health Organization has repeatedly warned that the outbreak remains in an “expansion phase” due to several reasons, including overwhelmed treatment facilities, population movement, and delays in identifying and isolating infected individuals.

WHO also said that the treatment centers in some of the hardest-hit regions are operating near 90% capacity. Infection cases among healthcare workers are another concern that highlights the risks faced by frontline responders.

Misinformation about the disease has been rife in several Congolese communities. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, there have been reports that some local communities believe that the disease is a hoax or was brought into the country by Western aid workers who wanted to make a profit.

While Ebola is not a new disease, the current outbreak poses a significant threat because it is caused by a rare strain of the virus, Bundibugyo. The rarity of the strain has created scientific and emergency public health challenges, as there is currently no licensed vaccine to protect against the Bundibugyo Ebola virus.