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.

Anchovies are tiny fish packed with major health benefits, including high amounts of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), lean protein, selenium, niacin, iron and calcium. However, a new study by Andhra University researchers detected microplastics in the edible muscle tissue of anchovies, which form a significant part of the local seafood chain.

The finding, published in the International Journal of Environmental Sciences, raises concerns about potential exposure to microplastics and their possible impact on cognitive function.

While the detection of microplastics in muscle tissue suggests the particles may move beyond the digestive system and potentially expose humans through contaminated seafood, researchers led by Prof C Manjulatha from the Department of Zoology and Gondu Chandrika from the Department of Environmental Sciences stressed the need for further assessment.

Where Were Microplastics Found?

• Microplastic particles were found in the gastrointestinal tracts, gills and muscle tissue of fish collected from Visakhapatnam’s Vizag harbor.
• The gastrointestinal tract had the highest concentration, followed by the gills and muscle tissue, according to Times of India.
• Plastic fibers accounted for nearly 80% of the detected particles, followed by fragments and foam.
• Most particles measured between 0.5 mm and 4.5 mm.
• The researchers identified particles in different colors, with red and blue among the prominent ones.
• FTIR spectroscopy identified polymers including polyamide, PET, polyester, polyethylene, polyacrylate and polypropylene.

Polyamide and PET were among the dominant polymers, pointing to multiple possible sources of contamination, such as synthetic fibers, plastic waste and fishing-related materials.

“These findings emphasize the need for proper disposal and treatment of plastic waste,” the researchers said.

What Does This Mean For Brain Health?

Microplastics are small pieces of plastic, ranging from one nanometer to five millimeters — a fraction of the width of a human hair to about the size of a grain of rice. These have now been detected in human blood, placenta, liver, kidneys and the brain. The study also prompted questions about whether consuming microplastics could have implications for brain health.

In a post on X, Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, explained that although the gastrointestinal tract had the highest load, muscle contamination is what reaches your plate.

“Microplastics tend to accumulate in fat-rich tissue like the brain's myelin sheath, the insulation around neurons. Animal studies show microplastic exposure can trigger oxidative stress and inflammation that disrupt neurotransmission and impair cognition. Human data is still emerging, but the biological plausibility is real,” Dr Sudhir said.

He stressed that it “is a concerning signal, not yet a confirmed verdict”.

Can Microplastics End Up On Our Plates?

“Plastic pollution entering the sea fragments into particles small enough for marine life to absorb; fish take it up through feeding, we take it up by eating the fish. The Vizag study flags exactly this: sewage discharge, urban runoff, and fishing waste feeding this cycle,” the expert said.

How To Stay Safe

The expert advised people to:

• Vary protein sources.
• Don't rely on one fish species or source daily.
• Reduce synthetic fibre shedding and use a laundry filter bag.
• Avoid heating food in plastic containers.
• Support better waste treatment, as it is fundamentally a pollution problem, not just a diet one.

The number of measles cases in Sweden linked to the Urkult Festival has climbed to 21, according to the latest data from the country’s Public Health Agency.

So far, all known cases have been directly linked to the festival, which took place from July 30 to August 2 in Näsåker, in Sollefteå municipality. The majority of those infected are children under 18 years of age, the report said.

Acting State Epidemiologist Erik Sturegård called the rapidly growing number of cases “very unusual” in Sweden, Sweden Herald reported. “It is a disease that can cause very serious illness, even in otherwise healthy children,” Sturegård said.

Why Sweden May Not Be At Risk Of A Major Outbreak

Also read: US Kindergarten Vaccination Rates Decline, Exemptions Rise as Measles Cases Hit 35-Year High

Sweden’s childhood vaccination program includes the measles vaccine and has 95 percent coverage.

Sturegård said the high vaccination rate means Sweden may not currently be at risk of a major outbreak in the wider population.

However, unvaccinated people, as well as those with underlying conditions that may prevent the vaccine from providing adequate protection, remain at risk of serious illness.

Sturegård noted that most of those infected had not been vaccinated against measles.

“Even though we have 95 percent vaccination coverage in the childhood vaccination program, we have small pockets of people who, for various reasons, have not been reached by the vaccination, or who have chosen not to vaccinate themselves. Then you get a local minor outbreak very easily when measles is so extremely contagious,” Sturegård said.

Regions Reporting Measles Cases

The cases have been reported from the following regions:

• Jämtland Härjedalen
• Skåne
• Stockholm
• Västerbotten
• Gotland
• Värmland
• Västernorrland

Sweden Steps Up Contact Tracing

Read More: US Measles Cases Soars; RFK Jr Takes U-Turn, Urges Families to Vaccinate Kids

Measles is highly contagious, making contact tracing time-critical. The Public Health Agency, which has overall responsibility for infectious disease control in Sweden, is in daily contact with the affected regions.

“We have daily meetings with the relevant infection control departments to keep a full overview of what is happening and be able to provide the support needed,” Sturegård said.

Measles Symptoms

Measles is an extremely contagious viral illness that spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces.

The illness typically causes high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes and a characteristic rash that usually begins on the face and spreads downward across the body.

Other symptoms can include sneezing and small white spots inside the mouth. Measles can cause serious and sometimes fatal complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain.

Measles Cases Reported Across Europe

READ: Why Are 1.7 Million People Still Vulnerable To Measles Despite Australia’s Elimination Status?

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control’s latest July 2026 report, nine European countries reported 188 measles cases in June. The highest number of cases was reported by:

• Bulgaria: 102
• Italy: 41
• Belgium: 14
• Spain: 13

In the 12 months through June 30, 2026, 30 EU/EEA Member States reported a total of 2,472 measles cases.

Of these, 717 cases (29.0%) were among children under five years of age, while 1,261 (51.0%) were among people aged 15 years and older.

The highest notification rates were recorded among infants under one year of age, at 62.9 cases per million, followed by children aged 1–4 years, at 30.8 cases per million.

Among cases with known age and vaccination status, 1,602 (74.0%) were unvaccinated, 323 (14.9%) had received one dose of a measles-containing vaccine, and 198 (9.1%) had received two or more doses. Another 41 cases (1.9%) had an unknown number of vaccine doses.

Children living in London showed faster lung growth after the city introduced restrictions on traffic pollution, according to a new study.

Researchers observed more than 3,400 children aged 6 to 9 in London and Luton for five years, comparing lung development in the two locations. The study was led by researchers from Queen Mary University of London and the University of Oxford and was published in The Lancet Public Health.

London introduced its Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in 2019, initially covering central London. The scheme restricts older, more polluting vehicles by charging drivers whose vehicles do not meet emissions standards.

Children In London Initially Had Smaller Lungs

At the beginning of the study, children living in London had poorer lung function than those in Luton. Researchers then tracked the development of their lung as pollution levels changed following the introduction of the ULEZ.

The main measure was FEV1, or forced expiratory volume in one second. It measures how much air a person can forcefully breathe out in one second and is commonly used to assess lung function.

The London children's FEV1 increased by approximately 10 millilitres more per year than that of children in Luton.

By the end of the study, the difference in lung function between the two groups had largely disappeared.

Also read: Christy Knowings Dies At 46 After Asthma Attack: When Can It Turn Fatal?

Nitrogen Dioxide Exposure Fell More Sharply In London

The improvement in children’s lung development coincided with a greater reduction in exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), a pollutant strongly associated with vehicle exhaust, particularly from diesel engines.

Researchers found that children's exposure to NO₂ fell more than twice as much in London as in Luton during the study period.

There was also a reduction in the proportion of London children with clinically impaired lung function, from 14% to 9%. In Luton, the proportion fell from 9% to 7%.

Also read: Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak Investigation In Toronto After 6 Cases Surface: What We Know

Researchers Were "Stunned" By How Quickly Children's Lungs Recovered

Professor Chris Griffiths, senior author of the study, said the speed of the improvement was unexpected. He said, “I was absolutely stunned when I first saw the results.”

He said the “speed of catch up in lung capacity” among London children was particularly striking and suggested that ambitious clean-air measures could help reverse some pollution-related effects on children's lungs.

Lead author Dr Helen Wood, a research fellow at Queen Mary University of London, said, "We already knew that the ULEZ reduced air pollution but now we know that children’s lung health has improved at the same time, which is a really important finding for children and parents living in London."

Damage To Lungs At Early Stage May Lead To Irreversible Damage

Children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution because their lungs and respiratory systems are still developing. Long-term exposure to traffic-related pollutants has previously been associated with reduced lung growth.

If children fail to reach their expected lung capacity during development, it may potentially increase their vulnerability to respiratory problems like asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), which includes conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular and metabolic disease, as well as early death.

Reducing exposure to pollution while lungs are still developing could help with growth. The researchers credit improved air quality, associating it with the introduction of ULEZ and better lung development. However, the study cannot prove that ULEZ alone caused improvement.

Other factors may have changed during the five-year period, including travel habits, physical activity, and pollution levels unrelated to the emissions zone. The COVID-19 pandemic also dramatically changed traffic and pollution patterns during part of the study period.