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.

A new study published in the European Medical Journal recently found a link between seasonal changes in salt intake and chronic kidney disease risk. Furthermore, according to the study, seasonal changes in salt intake can influence blood pressure differently in men and women. However, it turns out that the effect is stronger in men during summer. For this, researchers followed 168 CKD patients for a year and analysed detailed daily urine collections to estimate salt intake, along with other clinical measurements. Researchers found that 147 patients had complete data for both winter and summer, which enabled a direct comparison of seasonal variations within the same individuals.

Seasonal patterns in blood pressure, salt intake

Consistent with previously existing knowledge, experts found that blood pressure was generally higher in winter than in summer. The study, however, found that salt intake had a similar seasonal pattern—its intake increased during winter. Male participants who had more salt in winter saw higher BMI, body weight, and blood pressure; meanwhile, cholinesterase and LDL were relatively lower. In female participants, there were fewer changes in the body as per the season—only blood pressure readings rose along with a few biochemical markers.

The most notable finding of the study came from regression analyses that examined the relationship between systolic blood pressure and salt intake. In men, there was a strong correlation where higher salt intake was linked to higher systolic BP. The association, however, was stronger during summer. Despite overall salt intake being lower in summer, the association was strong. In women, however, no such correlation was observed. In order to be certain about the potential effects of medication, researchers conducted another analysis of 90 people who were not taking drugs that may affect sodium excretion. The results were consistent, reinforcing the relevance of the findings.

Can this influence CKD management techniques?

Researchers suggested that gender-specific differences could influence diet and hypertension management strategies in kidney disease patients. The heightened sensitivity of systolic BP to salt intake in men during summer is an area of concern—while further research is required on the subject, it can still go a long way in the better management and treatment of chronic kidney disease.

How much salt can a CKD patient have safely?

According to experts, one must consume around 2,300 mg to maintain healthy blood pressure. However, for patients with CKD or high BP, 1,500 mg is more appropriate. Eating more salt than this in your daily diet can lead to water retention and blood pressure fluctuations. Over time, these can worsen heart health in the long run. Salt is 40 per cent sodium, and this component is found in high amounts in condiments like ketchup. It silently raises blood pressure and may even damage the kidneys.

Long working hours, job insecurity, and workplace harassment claim more than 840,000 lives each year, according to a new global report by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The report noted that the work-related psychosocial risks—including long working hours, job insecurity, high demands with low control, and workplace bullying and harassment—are surging heart diseases and mental disorders, including suicide.

In addition to deaths, these risks account for nearly 45 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost annually, reflecting years of healthy life lost due to illness, disability, or premature death, and are estimated to result in economic losses equivalent to 1.37 per cent of global GDP each year.

“Psychosocial risks are becoming one of the most significant challenges for occupational safety and health in the modern world of work,” said Manal Azzi, Team Lead on OSH Policy and Systems at the ILO.

“Improving the psychosocial working environment is essential not only for protecting workers’ mental and physical health, but also for strengthening productivity, organizational performance, and sustainable economic development,” Azzi added.

The report highlights the growing impact of how work is designed, organized, and managed on workers’ safety and health.

How Psychosocial Risks Can Be Prevented in Workplaces?

Read: Not Diabetes or Obesity: Expert Says Chronic Stress Is The New Lifestyle Disease

There is a broad body of evidence showing that psychosocial risks are linked to a wide range of mental and physical health conditions among workers, including depression and anxiety, as well as metabolic diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, and sleep disturbances.

The report identified five major psychosocial risk factors at work:

• job strain (high demands combined with low control),
• effort–reward imbalance,
• job insecurity,
• long working hours,
• workplace bullying and harassment.

The report emphasized the need for organizational approaches that address their root causes. It also highlighted the importance of integrating psychosocial risk management into occupational safety and health systems, supported by social dialogue between governments, employers, and workers.

Also read: Why Women Feel More Fatigued In Extreme Heat: Doctors Explain

Further, the report introduced the psychosocial working environment as the elements of work and workplace interactions related to how jobs are designed, how work is organized and managed, and the broader policies, practices, and procedures that govern work. These elements, both individually and in combination, affect workers’ health and well-being, as well as organizational performance.

“While many psychosocial risks are not new, major transformations in the world of work, including digitalization, artificial intelligence, remote work, and new employment arrangements, are reshaping the psychosocial working environment. These changes may intensify existing risks or create new ones if not properly addressed,” the ILO noted.

It added that the changes can also “offer opportunities for improved work organization and greater flexibility, highlighting the need for proactive action”.

By addressing these risks proactively, the report said that countries and enterprises can create healthier workplaces that benefit both workers and organizations while strengthening productivity and economic resilience.

Almost 50 years after being eradicated, the vaccine-preventable diphtheria is causing infections in Australia.

The country’s health officials have reported outbreaks of diphtheria in the Northern Territory (NT) and Western Australia (WA).

As per the latest NT CDC report on April 22, 17 cases of respiratory diphtheria have been notified since 23 March 2026, and 60 cases of cutaneous diphtheria, which affects the skin, have been reported since May 2025.

As per figures published on WA’s notifiable disease dashboard in April, 34 cases have been reported in the state so far this year, including 29 in the Kimberley, two each in the Goldfields and Pilbara regions, as well as one case registered in metro Perth.

In the region, diphtheria cases have more than tripled since December 2025. The cases range in age profile, from 0–4 years to a resident aged 70–74.

Five of the initial reported cases were cutaneous, while two were respiratory, the first such cases to be notified in the state for more than 50 years.

"Clinicians are advised to be vigilant for patients presenting with clinically suspicious skin sores, infected wounds, or upper respiratory illness in or from the Kimberley, and potentially the Pilbara or Goldfields regions," the alert reads. Cases have also been found in Queensland (2) and South Australia (1) this year.

In response to the rising cases, the government has launched a contact tracing system, and at-risk people are being supported to get booster vaccinations, a State Government spokesperson told the ABC. One patient reportedly had a life-threatening case and was flown to Perth for treatment.

What Is Diphtheria? Why The Infection Is Rising in Australia After Five Decades

As per the WHO, Diphtheria is a disease caused by the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacterium that affects the upper respiratory tract and, less often, the skin. It also produces a toxin that damages the heart and the nerves. While it is a vaccine-preventable disease, multiple doses are needed to produce and sustain immunity.

Diphtheria has remained a leading cause of childhood death globally. But vaccination has long prevented mortality among children.

Those who are not immunized remain at risk. WHO also mentions that diphtheria can be fatal in 30 per cent of cases, with young children at higher risk of dying if they are unvaccinated and are not receiving proper treatment.

In 2023, an estimated 84 per cent of children worldwide received the recommended 3 doses of diphtheria-containing vaccine during infancy, leaving 16 per cent with no or incomplete coverage.

According to Australia’s Department of Health, between 1926 and 1935, more than 4,000 Australians died from diphtheria. Vaccination started in Australia in the 1930s, and the disease has rarely been seen since the 1950s. But vaccine coverage has waned since the COVID pandemic, leading to a rising number of cases.

Read: Indigenous Td Vaccine Rollout In India To Boost Immunity In Children, Adults, Say Experts

Diphtheria: Signs And Symptoms

Within 2 to 5 days after exposure to the bacteria. The symptoms include

• a sore throat,
• fever,
• swollen neck glands,
• weakness.

Severe cases happen as a result of the diphtheria toxin and its effects.

Diphtheria: How the Disease Is Treated

It is usually treated with diphtheria antitoxin as well as antibiotics. Antitoxin neutralizes the circulating toxin in the blood. Antibiotics stop bacterial replication and thereby toxin production, speed up getting rid of the bacteria, and prevent transmission to others.

Also read: UK Parliament Bans Smoking For People Born After 2008: Know All About It

How To Prevent Diphtheria

Diphtheria can be prevented by vaccines and routine immunization. The vaccine is given most often combined with vaccines for diseases such as tetanus, pertussis, Hemophilus influenzae, hepatitis B, and inactivated polio.