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Llamas, alpacas source of broad-spectrum snake antivenom: Scientists working with llamas and alpacas have created a new antivenom that neutralizes venom from 17 species of deadly African snakes by combining eight (8) nanobodies derived from the animals’ immune responses. When tested with mice, the cocktail protected against multiple venoms and reduced tissue damage, suggesting a new path toward safer and broader antivenom treatments for humans.

Trial of transplanted pig kidneys begins: The first clinical trial of pig kidney transplants is underway, with United Therapeutics announcing a successful initial procedure at NYU Langone Health. The trial, which may expand to 50 participants, will follow recipients of gene-edited pig kidneys. Genes that may trigger rejection are knocked out, and some human genes that promote compatibility are added.

The Senate has rejected bipartisan ACA subsidy bills as millions face doubled premiums when financial assistance expires at the end of 2025.

Many depression trials exclude real-world patients, study finds: A new analysis presented at the 2025 European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress found that about one-third (1/3) of people with major depressive disorder would not qualify for most randomized controlled trials of antidepressants, revealing a major gap between research and real-world patients. Common exclusion factors included substance use disorder, prior suicide attempts, comorbid serious somatic disease and other psychiatric disorders.

FDA cleared Fujirebio’s Lumipulse G pTau 217/β-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio for marketing. The test measures two proteins in a blood sample to measure amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s. The results are highly reliable but must be interpreted in conjunction with other patient clinical information.

Iconic amphibians took an unexpected path across the globe, study finds — with toxins as a “game changer”. The Asian common toad, which was accidentally introduced to Madagascar by humans, secretes deadly toxins from specialized glands behind its eyes.

Mouse research shows lung tumor cells can hijack neurons for growth signals: Scientists working with mouse models found that metastasizing small-cell lung cancer cells can wire themselves into brain circuits, forming synapse-like connections that deliver growth signals to tumors. Disrupting these nerve interactions by severing a key nerve slowed tumor growth in the lungs, pointing to new strategies for treating lung cancer.

Human embryo implantation filmed for the first time: For the first time, researchers have captured live, real-time videos of human embryos implanting into a simulated womb made up of a collagen-based gel to mimic uterine tissue, which could help explain why implantation often fails and guide new fertility treatments. The study, published in Science Advances, showed embryos forcefully burrow into the matrix using enzymes and physical pressure, a process that may explain implantation cramps reported by many women.

Smart menstrual pads have potential to detect disease biomarkers: Inge Herrmann and researchers in her lab at ETH Zurich have developed MenstruAI, a menstrual pad embedded with test strips that change color when they come into contact with specific disease biomarkers in menstrual blood. The researchers also developed a companion smartphone app that analyzes an image of the pad before it is discarded.

Women create organoids to study reproductive health: Scientists Ashley Moffett, Margherita Turco, Linda Griffith, Mirjana Kessler, and Victoria Roberts are among the women leading research on women’s reproductive health, creating organoids of the reproductive system to understand normal biology and disease. The researchers have created models of the placenta, ovary, endometrium and vagina to learn more about pre-eclampsia, menstruation and endometriosis.