Association between Aspartame Consumption and Cancer Risk: Evidence from a Large Prospective Cohort.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), cervical cancer (CC) ranks fourth among the most frequently diagnosed cancers worldwide. Women with negative or atypical cytology (ASCUS) and high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection represent a special group that establishes a management challenge. Recently, epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation have gained importance as early diagnostic biomarkers for neoplastic lesions. Methylation of the FAM19A4 and miR124-2 genes has emerged as a potential biomarker for improved risk stratification in this population. This is a retrospective case-control study; we included women aged 25 to 70yr with HR-HPV positivity and negative cytology or ASCUS. FAM19A4 and miR124-2 methylation were analyzed using the Qiasure methylation test. Cases (n=25) were defined as patients progressing to histologically confirmed high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) within 1 to 3yr. Controls (n=66) had no progression. Associations between methylation status, HPV genotype, and lesion progression were assessed. FAM19A4 and/or miR124-2 methylation were observed in 44% of cases and 37.9% of controls (P=0.71). Methylation of miR124-2 alone showed a non-significant progress toward association with progression (P=0.07). Infection with HPV16/18 (P=0.014) and multiple HPV genotype infections (P=0.018) were significantly associated with progression to HSIL. Methylation of FAM19A4 and miR124-2 did not significantly predict short-term progression to HSIL in this cohort. However, HPV genotype, particularly HPV16/18 infection, remains a strong predictor. Further studies are necessary to clarify the prognostic value of methylation testing in HPV-positive women with low-grade or negative cytology.

Gen Z, which constitutes nearly 30 percent of Nepal’s population, has emerged as a “digital vanguard” reshaping the country’s democratic moment. Unlike previous generations, this cohort’s political socialization is heavily mediated by both political globalization and ubiquitous social media networks. This paper will explore Gen Z political mobilization in Nepal and how external geopolitical forces, such as foreign policy ambitions and digital penetration, are changing domestic democratic stability. It will also examine a qualitative, multi-method approach to the systematic literature review, linked to process tracing and youth-led social movement thematic analysis, from 2017 to 2025. The results indicate that Nepali Gen Z mirrors a “post-materialist” value system and, as such, is more inclined toward direct, informal mobilization than toward party loyalty. Studies of digital platforms, not exclusively TikTok, but also Facebook and Instagram, discover rapid mobilizations that run roughshod over domestic censorship and connect local demands to unemployment, infrastructure projects, or the global human rights agenda. Secondly, the paper highlights a systematic shift in youth movements that increasingly seek validation and leverage from global governance institutions rather than from their domestic institutions. This approximation enhances accountability by undermining clientelist political practices but also creates frictions for national sovereignty, the paper suggests. These lessons will clarify how processes of globalized connectivity influence democratic transitions in fragile, developing states confronted with structural economic and political limitations.

Recent years, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI), represented by ChatGPT, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and Adobe Firefly, has rapidly permeated the design industry, triggering significant process restructuring in visual production, concept exploration, and content generation. Concurrently, employment anxiety among design students has intensified, with questions such as "Will AI replace designers?" and "Is the design major losing its value?" becoming frequent topics in higher education pedagogy and public discourse. Grounded in the structural changes of the labor market and the evolutionary trends of job roles within the design industry, this paper analyzes the mechanisms through which GAI impacts the employment and career development of design students. The analysis synthesizes data from authoritative reports by the World Economic Forum (WEF), McKinsey Global Institute, IBM, and Adobe. The study posits that GAI is accelerating the differentiation of job roles and the upward shift of competency structures within the design industry. While demand for traditional roles centered on execution-based visual production shows a contraction trend, there is a sustained growth in demand for interdisciplinary design talent equipped with strategic capabilities, systems thinking, user research competence, and cross-disciplinary collaboration skills. Furthermore, this paper argues that the narrative of "AI destroying the future" is more accurately characterized as an anxiety narrative driven by skills mismatch and educational lag, rather than a factual judgment of the overall demise of the design profession. GAI has not diminished the fundamental value of design; on the contrary, it compels design to return to its disciplinary essence of "Problem Framing—Value Creation—Experience Verification." Based on these findings, this paper proposes recommendations for design education reform and the transformation of job-hunting strategies for design students. These include curriculum restructuring, AI collaboration training, the upgrading of portfolio expression logic, and the strengthening of ethical and copyright awareness. The aim is to provide theoretical references and practical pathways for design talent cultivation and career development in the AI era.

Mechanistic insights into hexavalent chromium-induced ferroptosis in mRTECs: a novel MTF1-IREB2-FTH1/DMT1 axis-mediated iron homeostasis dysregulation.

Lead exposure may contribute to harmful human health effects, but evidence of its carcinogenicity is limited. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2006 classified lead as "probably carcinogenic" (Group 2A), based on limited evidence in humans and sufficient evidence in animals. To further synthesize evidence on lead's carcinogenicity, this review included a literature search and risk of bias assessment of 43peer-reviewed epidemiological studies on lead exposure and cancer outcomes published between 2003 and 2020. Using the National Toxicology Program's Office of Health Assessment and Translation Risk of Bias approach, 13 Tier One studies (primarily low risk) and 30 Tier Two studies (low and high risk) were identified. These studies characterized lead exposure through biologic media (i.e.,blood, urine, tissues, hair, nails), and/or work histories, and evaluated cancers of the biliary tract, brain and central nervous system, breast, digestive tract, head and neck, blood, mesothelium, reproductive organs, respiratory tract, skin, thyroid, and urinary tract. Notably, breast, thyroid, and head and neck cancers were not previously included in the IARC 2006 monograph. Across all site-specific cancers examined, at least one study reported an association with lead exposure except for skin cancer. Respiratory tract cancers had the most epidemiologic studies showing positive associations with lead exposure. Study limitations were commonly tied to risk of bias for confounding, exposure characterization, and outcome assessments. Taken together, future studies would benefit from robust experimental designs with thorough adjustments for confounders, large diverse populations, and standardized exposure assessments particularly for cancers with limiteddata.

Background: Night-shift work significantly disrupts the circadian rhythm and has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a probable human carcinogen. However, evidence regarding its association with colorectal cancer (CRC) remains inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the relationship between night-shift work and the risk of CRC. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, registered with PROSPERO (CRD420251014202), we systematically searched PubMed, ProQuest, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar for cohort and case-control studies published between January 2020 and March 2025. Studies assessing night-shift work exposure with CRC outcomes and effect estimates were included. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using fixed- effects models, with subgroup, sensitivity and dose-response analyses. Results: Five studies involving 143,058 participants were included. Meta-analysis demonstrated a significantly increased CRC risk among individuals exposed to ALAN or night- shift work (pooled OR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.28–2.05; p < 0.001), with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 45%). Subgroup analyses revealed stronger associations among females (OR = 1.29) and European populations (OR = 1.62). A dose-response relationship was observed, with long-term exposure (≥10 years) associated with higher risk (HR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.01–2.66). Sensitivity analyses confirmed robustness, and no significant publication bias was detected (Begg‘s test p = 0.35). Conclusion: This study suggests that night-shift work may increase the risk of colorectal cancer, highlighting circadian disruption as a potentially modifiable occupational risk factor. Future research employing objective measures of light exposure and sleep disruption is needed to clarify this association.

Abstract Global population growth and the rising demand for food have necessitated effective preservation techniques to prevent spoilage and ensure food security. Nitrite and nitrate salts are the most common methods used for meat preservation. However, their use presents a significant public health dilemma: under acidic conditions, these salts can be converted into the procarcinogenic, nitrosamines (NAs). The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies processed meat as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). Many studies link their consumption to colorectal cancer (CRC), the third most common cancer worldwide and the eighth in Egypt, with an estimated incidence in Egypt of approximately 9.8 per 100,000 cases. The levels of NAs in processed meat differ widely, from being below detectable levels (< 1 μg/kg) in certain foods to thousands of μg/kg in others. Most existing studies on nitrosamine exposure rely on the Western market, creating a critical knowledge gap in the Egyptian market. This review bridges the gap by analysing residue levels especially in the Egyptian market and integrating these findings with a review of molecular toxicity mechanisms. Additionally, it provides a risk assessment that includes cumulative exposure from non-dietary sources and evaluates sustainable preservation alternatives.

Abstract Camel milk presents unique processing challenges due to its distinct protein structure, limited heat stability, and weak coagulation properties. The absence of harmonized international standards restricts global trade, while reliable adulteration detection methods are increasingly needed to ensure authenticity. Producing countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia risk losing significant economic opportunities without improved value-chain development. Emerging innovations demonstrate strong potential for functional fermented products by blending camel milk with plant-based extracts. Advancing the camel milk sector requires coordinated international collaboration among dairy industries, researchers, and global institutions to enhance knowledge on its chemical, physical, microbial, and health-related attributes.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) remains a major global cause of cancer morbidity and mortality, with disproportionately poor outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Substantial cross-national disparities suggest an important role for health system strengthening. We evaluated associations between national health system characteristics and global HNC outcomes. We conducted a cross-sectional ecological analysis of 185 countries using sex-stratified, age-standardized incidence and mortality estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) GLOBOCAN 2022 database. The primary outcome was the composite mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) for aggregated HNCs, including cancers of the lip and oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, nasopharynx, hypopharynx, and salivary gland. Eleven national health system indicators capturing health financing, workforce density, service availability, socioeconomic development, and gender equity were evaluated. Univariable linear regressions identified candidate variables using Bonferroni correction (p < 0.0045), followed by multivariable modeling with assessment for multicollinearity using variance inflation factors. All 11 health system indicators were significantly associated with HNC MIR on univariable analysis (p < 0.001 for all). In multivariable analysis of 123 countries with complete data, higher Universal Health Coverage (UHC) service coverage index and higher gross domestic product (GDP) per capita were independently associated with lower (improved) HNC MIR (model R2 = 0.70). Findings were consistent in sex-stratified analyses. Across countries, progress toward universal health coverage and greater national economic capacity was independently associated with improved HNC outcomes. These findings may help to inform efforts at the level of health systems to improve HNC outcomes worldwide. N/A.

Globally, universities continue to privilege research publications as the primary metric for academic promotion, often marginalising excellence in teaching and graduate supervision despite their central role in student learning and institutional sustainability. This imbalance has generated increasing scholarly concern regarding the recognition, reward, and professional development of teaching within higher education systems. The purpose of this study is to conduct an exploratory systematic review to synthesise global mechanisms aimed at promoting and recognising teaching excellence in universities. Guided by an exploratory systematic review design, the study draws on literature retrieved through Google Scholar™, recognised as a suitable database for educational research synthesis. The review integrates diverse perspectives on teaching portfolios, pedagogical philosophies, continuous professional development models, quality assurance mechanisms, and emerging teaching approaches in higher education. Creswell’s research quality checks—including prolonged engagement with literature, peer review, rich description, and triangulation of sources—are applied to enhance rigour. Narrative thematic synthesis is used to integrate findings into a conceptual understanding of how teaching excellence can be embedded within institutional reward structures traditionally dominated by research outputs. The review highlights global practices such as scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL), structured teaching portfolios, teaching-focused career pathways, institutional recognition systems, and pedagogical innovation frameworks. Findings suggest that institutional transformation toward teaching excellence requires alignment between promotion policies, professional development structures, quality assurance systems, and academic identity formation. The study contributes to the development of a conceptual model that may guide universities seeking to rebalance academic reward systems to recognise teaching, supervision, and pedagogical scholarship.

The International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, 4th Edition (ICD-O-4): An overview.

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) represent a promising technology for addressing neurological disorders, with growing research interest globally. This study aimed to map global research trends in BCI neuroscience from 2014 to 2023 via bibliometric analysis, identifying key contributors and hot topics to inform future research. A total of 2386 publications related to BCIs in neuroscience were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric analyses, including co-authorship networks, keyword co-occurrence, and burst detection, were performed using VOSviewer, R, and CiteSpace. The study analyzed publications by country, institution, journal, author, and keyword to map the landscape of global research activity. China emerged as the country with the highest number of publications, and the International Journal of Neural Engineering was the most productive journal. Co-authorship analysis revealed collaborative networks across global institutions, while keyword co-occurrence and burst detection identified electroencephalography (EEG), rehabilitation, and motor cortex as the most prominent research hotspots in recent years. This analysis provides a reference for researchers and data support for future studies, clarifying the global landscape and priorities in BCI neuroscience research.

Abstract: Political leaders such as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have urged the world’s “middle powers” to unite in defense of democracy and the liberal rules-based order. While laudable, such appeals rest on an outdated conception of middle powers as largely benign democratic actors committed to providing global public goods. In reality, many middle powers are authoritarian and are more likely to contribute to the erosion of global norms and institutions than to efforts to sustain them. Drawing on evidence from cases including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, this essay presents a new framework to understand how authoritarian middle powers use alliances with their democratic counterparts to hedge their bets while simultaneously undermining liberal multilateral institutions, promoting autocratic ideals, and engaging in cross-border repression. These practices merit greater attention because they serve to dilute global human-rights commitments, normalize authoritarian governance, and accelerate the unravelling of the international rules-based order.

For 54 years, the Monographs program of the International Agency for Research on Cancer has evaluated the carcinogenicity of agents suspected of causing cancer in humans, classifying them into categories according to strength of the scientific evidence. More than 15 years ago, all Group 1 agents (carcinogenic to humans, the highest strength-of-evidence category) were re-evaluated. Since then, 24 additional agents have been classified for the first time in Group 1. Here, we summarize the evidence for the 135 Group 1 agents, emphasizing those recently classified and providing a synthetic overview of the evidence that contributed to the classification. All but two of these newly identified Group 1 agents were found to have sufficient evidence for one or more cancer types in humans, most commonly cancers of lung, hematolymphoid tissue, skin, and urinary bladder. Perfluorooctanoic acid and "dioxin-like" polychlorinated biphenyls were classified in Group 1 with less than sufficient evidence for cancer in humans. For nearly all Group 1 agents, there was also sufficient evidence for cancer in experimental animals, strong mechanistic evidence, or both, illustrating the robust biological plausibility of Group 1 classifications. This survey of the known human carcinogens confirms that there are few established preventable causes for 3 of the 4 most common cancer types (breast, prostate, and colorectum) and for reproductive cancers in both women and men. Over the last 15 years, the number of known human carcinogens has increased by >20%, reflecting the continued advancement of evidence and implying the existence of as yet unrecognized, preventable causes of cancer.

Prevention and early detection are central to reducing the global cancer burden, yet implementation remains uneven, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This narrative review synthesizes the contributions of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to translating evidence into policy and practice worldwide across vaccination, screening, and early diagnosis. Key advances include generating evidence that enabled the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of single-dose human papillomavirus vaccination; contributions to WHO Elimination of Cervical Cancer Initiative and Global Initiative on Breast Cancer; development of guidance for Helicobacter pylori screen-and-treat strategies; building decision platforms to optimize cost-effective strategies; and establishing CanScreen5 to benchmark cancer screening program performance globally. IARC led European Union screening status reports, codeveloped quality-assurance schemes, and standardized performance indicators. Through implementation research, capacity-building, and codesigned solutions, IARC supports prostate, gastric, and lung cancer screening pilots and equity-oriented approaches that strengthen health-care systems. By embedding evidence, modeling, and governance, IARC helps countries transition from pilots to population-level impact, accelerating progress toward WHO targets and equitable outcomes in cancer control.

Over the past 6 decades, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has played a pivotal role in global cancer research capacity building. This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of IARC's capacity-building initiatives with a mixed-methods approach. We integrated qualitative and quantitative data from institutional records, outcome surveys, and a career-tracking study of postdoctoral fellows. IARC's capacity-building portfolio includes fellowships, digital-learning platforms, a summer school, and global networks such as the Global Initiative for Cancer Registry development, the Cancer Screening in 5 Continents project, and the Biobank and Cohort Building Network. Since 1966, approximately 30 000 professionals from most countries in the world have benefited from those initiatives, with a majority from low- and middle-income countries. Among tracked IARC postdoctoral fellows, since 1966, 76.5% remained in academia, and 18.7% had a role in public health policy. Qualitative findings highlight the impact of IARC training on individual careers, institutional capacity, and global cancer control strategies. IARC's sustained investment in capacity-building has strengthened the cancer research workforce and institutional infrastructures while reducing inequalities in low- and middle-income countries. These efforts have advanced leadership, equity, and evidence-based cancer prevention. As global health challenges evolve, continued support remains essential to achieving equitable cancer control worldwide.

On the International Agency for Research on Cancer's 60th birthday, we reflect on the continuing importance of the agency's international remit in cancer research, driven by its founding principle that the discovery of carcinogenic agents is relevant to all humans globally. The present narrative elaborates on this continued stimulus through the discussion of three themes: (1) trust and independence, especially amid vested interests and misinformation; (2) equity and efficiency as essential elements of progress in cancer research, achieved by prioritizing research in underserved and understudied areas and locations where exposure doses or contrasts are high; and (3) a commitment to context-relevant research through strong local collaborations and capacity building. We demonstrate that the international research conducted at the International Agency for Research on Cancer is a core means to advance carcinogenic discovery, building reciprocal partnerships where all countries benefit when discoveries are shared across borders. If we do not attempt to understand cancer everywhere, we will never fully understand it anywhere.

Evaluating multi-level policy coherence in maritime decarbonization: A design-framing alignment approach.

Exploring institutional interdisciplinarity based on InCites citation topics and WoS subject categories: A case study of C9 League universities