Category Archives: Health

Centre Launches Nationwide Free HPV Vaccination Campaign for 1.2 Crore Girls

New Delhi, March 18, 2026:
The Government of India has launched a nationwide free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign targeting around 1.2 crore girls aged 14 years across all 36 states and union territories, as part of its efforts to reduce the burden of cervical cancer in the country.

The campaign began on February 28, 2026, with the single-dose Gardasil-4 vaccine being administered free of cost at government healthcare facilities across the country. These include Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs), District Hospitals (DHs), and Government Medical Colleges (GMCs), covering both urban and rural areas, including underserved regions.

The vaccination drive is scheduled to run for three months, after which the HPV vaccine will continue to be provided through routine immunisation sessions at government health facilities.

Health authorities have put in place safety measures to ensure smooth implementation of the campaign. Vaccination is being conducted in the presence of medical officers, and all vaccination sites are linked to 24×7 Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) management centres to provide immediate medical support in the event of any adverse reaction.

The government has clarified that HPV vaccination is voluntary, and parental consent is mandatory before the vaccine is administered to eligible beneficiaries. Operational guidelines for implementing the campaign have already been shared with all states and union territories.

The vaccination initiative forms part of a broader national strategy to combat Cervical Cancer, which includes screening, early diagnosis, and timely treatment. Health experts have highlighted that HPV vaccination—supported by strong global evidence—can significantly reduce the incidence of cervical cancer among women.

Details regarding the efficacy and safety profile of approved HPV vaccines are available in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) published on the website of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).

This information was provided by Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on March 17.

Centre Approves 203 Integrated Ayush Hospitals and 383 Dispensaries Under National Ayush Mission

New Delhi, March 17: The Government of India has approved the establishment of 203 Integrated Ayush Hospitals (IAHs) and 383 new Ayush dispensaries across various states and Union Territories under the National Ayush Mission (NAM) to strengthen traditional healthcare infrastructure in the country.

Launched in 2014–15, the centrally sponsored scheme is being implemented through state and Union Territory governments with the aim of promoting and developing Ayush systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy. The mission provides financial assistance for setting up 50-, 30-, and 10-bedded Integrated Ayush Hospitals, along with Ayush dispensaries based on proposals submitted by states through their State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs).

According to the Ministry of Ayush, the approvals have been granted to expand access to traditional healthcare services in different parts of the country. The projects are part of the Centre’s broader efforts to integrate Ayush systems into the public health framework and improve healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved regions.

Among the states, Rajasthan has received the highest number of approvals for Integrated Ayush Hospitals with 33 units, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 25, Maharashtra with 14, and Madhya Pradesh with 13 hospitals. Other states such as Kerala, Chhattisgarh, and Manipur have also been sanctioned multiple facilities to strengthen Ayush-based healthcare infrastructure.

Several northeastern states have also received approvals under the scheme, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland, reflecting the government’s focus on expanding traditional medicine services in the region. Union Territories such as Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry have also been included in the plan.

In addition to hospitals, 383 new Ayush dispensaries have been approved nationwide. Uttar Pradesh accounts for the largest share with 250 dispensaries, followed by Assam with 100 units. Other states including Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra have also been allotted dispensaries under the programme.

To support the implementation of these initiatives, the Centre has released ₹424.24 crore as grant-in-aid to states and Union Territories during the current financial year as part of the central share under the mission. The funds are intended for carrying out approved activities under the respective State Annual Action Plans.

The information was shared by **Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Ayush, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on March 13, 2026.

The expansion of Ayush hospitals and dispensaries is expected to enhance access to traditional healthcare services and strengthen the integration of Ayush systems within India’s broader public health network.

Hungarian Study Offers New Insights into the Causes of Smartphone Addiction

According to research from Semmelweis University, problematic smartphone use is not caused by personality alone, but by weak self-control and a strong fear of missing out on social events (FoMO). The study published in Acta Psychologica also highlights that excessive phone use not only causes psychological difficulties, but can also lead to long-term physical consequences: Poor posture may impair balance, slow reaction time, and make it harder to concentrate.

Researchers at Semmelweis University investigated how smartphone use relates to mental and physical health, as well as cognitive functions, among students aged 18 to 35. In the online questionnaires, participants reported whether they had ever missed a planned task because of their phone use, and whether their phone was on their mind even when they weren’t using it. Participants were also asked about their daily active smartphone use and the types of activities they used their phones for.

The participants’ personality traits and mental state were also examined. One questionnaire measured neuroticism, meaning a tendency to experience negative emotions such as anxiety, low mood, fear, and anger. Another assessed self-control, and a third measured FoMO, the fear of missing out on events and peers’ activities.

Based on usage patterns, the researchers identified three groups. “Purely social” users relied on their phones mainly to communicate with friends and acquaintances, build social connections, and for social purposes. “Moderately process-oriented” users spent less than four to five hours a day on their phones for social purposes, news, entertainment, and passive scrolling, but spent less than four to five hours a day on their devices. About one third of participants were classified as “strong process-oriented” users, spending four to five hours or more per day on their phones, mainly for content consumption rather than social communication.

“Our main finding is that personality alone—such as a high level of neuroticism—does not make someone addicted to their phone. People who are more prone to negative emotions like anxiety, depression, or stress do not automatically become addicted. What really matters is how well they can control their behavior, emotions, and impulses, and how strongly they fear missing out,” said Dr. Johanna Takács, senior research fellow at the Faculty of Health Sciences at Semmelweis University and lead researcher of the study.

The study shows that the main problem is not the amount of time spent on phones, but how they are used. Passive scrolling on social media—such as watching short videos or browsing feeds—constantly exposes the brain to fast stimuli. This overloads attention, reduces concentration, and can cause mental fatigue over time.

Cognitive tests showed that “strong process-oriented” users performed worse on attention and memory tasks than expected for their age. They also slept worse, felt a stronger need for constant new stimulation and had more difficulty controlling their impulses when they wanted to check or do something immediately.

The study found that the duration of phone use was mainly associated with physical effects.

“When people hold their phones at waist or chest level and look down at them, the head moves forward, creating a forward head posture, also known as ‘text neck.’ This puts extra strain on the neck and can cause pain or early wear of the neck joints.

The neck contains sensors that tell the brain how the head is positioned. If a forward head posture is maintained for long periods, these signals can change and lead to balance problems. These effects are not limited to phone use but can also influence everyday movements,” said Beáta Seregély, assistant lecturer and expert responsible for the physical measurements in the study.

The researchers stress that the goal is not to ban phones or punish young people for using them. Instead, the focus should be on helping them use their phones more consciously. Simple steps can help, such as limiting notifications—especially from social media and messaging apps—setting time limits for social media, avoiding phone use before bedtime, and promoting more physical activity and maintaining good posture.

For mental prevention, it is especially important to help young people develop better self-control and feel less afraid of missing out on social events. This can be supported through behavioral training and psychological help. When self-control increases and fear of missing out decreases, personality-related vulnerability is no longer a major risk, and even more sensitive, anxious, or stress-prone individuals are much less likely to become addicted to their phones. 

Spring travel: physicians urge travelers to understand their DVT risks on trips longer than four hours

Expert tips for recognizing symptoms and reducing blood clot risk during extended sitting

GREENBELT, Md. — With spring travel ramping up, Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) is reminding the public that anyone traveling more than four hours by air, car, bus or train can be at risk for potentially deadly blood clots, particularly people with additional risk factors.

The CDC notes that venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes DVT and pulmonary embolism (PE), may affect as many as 900,000 people each year in the U.S. DVT is a serious medical condition where a blood clot (thrombus) forms in a deep vein, most commonly in the legs or pelvis. A PE occurs when a blood clot gets stuck in an artery in the lung, blocking blood flow to part of the lung.

“Sitting for extended periods of time slows the blood flow out of the legs,” said Laura Kelsey, MD, lead vein physician at CVR vein clinics in Grand Rapids and Muskegon, Michigan. “For patients with additional risk factors, travel can be the tipping point for a potentially dangerous blood clot. Talk to your clinician before your next trip, not after.” 

Who should be extra cautious?

CDC-identified risk factors include prior blood clots, family history, known clotting disorders, recent surgery or hospitalization, pregnancy, estrogen-containing birth control or hormone replacement therapy, cancer or cancer treatment, older age and obesity.

What to watch for after travel

Seek immediate medical care for any of the following:

• DVT symptoms can include leg swelling, pain or tenderness, warmth and redness or discoloration.
• PE symptoms can include difficulty breathing, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, coughing up blood, lightheadedness or fainting.

Simple movement reminders for long trips

The CDC encourages travelers to move their legs frequently and walk around every one to two hours when possible, know symptoms and discuss prevention with a clinician if at risk.

This Tiny Cellular Portal Could Open Vast Possibilities for Medicine

Inside each of your cells, there lies the nucleus, its master command center. Protected inside each nucleus are your chromosomes, containing all the genetic instructions for making proteins. To keep the body operating smoothly, proteins, RNA molecules, and molecular signals must constantly flow in and out of this cellular HQ, mediating which genetic instructions are used when.  

Nearly all of that two-way traffic passes through the same gateway: the nuclear pore complex.   

The nuclear pore complex, or NPC, is far more complex than a simple doorway. Hundreds of individual proteins come together to form the NPC, which acts as an active player in controlling how genetic information is used. When it doesn’t function right, some cellular messages don’t make it to their final destinations. The consequences can range from cancer to neurodegeneration to life-threatening viral infections. 

Michael Rout, the George and Ruby deStevens Professor and head of the Laboratory of Cellular and Structural Biology at Rockefeller University, has spent his career parsing the inner workings of the NPC. We spoke with him about what makes this molecular machine so remarkable and how this work could open a new frontier in medicine.

You’ve been studying the nuclear pore complex for several decades. How has the field’s thinking about the importance of the NPC changed in that time?

When I started, the prevailing view was that the NPC was like a Swiss watch—an enormously complex, precisely tuned machine where if you damaged any part of it, the whole thing would simply shut down. But when we actually started taking it apart, we found the opposite was true. You could delete the genes for many of its components and cells kept growing. It turned out to be tremendously redundant and resilient. That changed our thinking completely. We now know that the NPC can tolerate partial disruption and keep functioning. 

The downside of that resiliency is that diseases can exploit it. Hundreds of diseases—cancers, neurological disorders, viral infections—are now known to be associated with defects in nuclear transport or the NPC itself.  

At the same time, it has emerged that the NPC is really a nexus for a lot of crucial processes. It doesn’t just passively sit there and allow nuclear transport, but rather acts as an organizer for this whole assembly line that’s in place to keep our cells alive. This infinitesimal portal is what maintains communication between the genetic material in the nucleus and the entire rest of an organism.

How do you study something this small and complex?

It requires the ability to make sense of a staggering amount of data. The approach we’ve taken is to gather and combine as much information as possible about the NPC, using many different complementary methods,  and integrating all of that into a single, comprehensive picture. Early on, that meant isolating the NPC and using mass spectrometry to identify every protein it’s made of. From there, we could start asking where each piece sits within the structure. 

Over the years the technology available to do this work has become extraordinary. With cryo-electron microscopy, we can now flash-freeze the NPC and visualize it at near-atomic resolution, which was simply unthinkable when I started. More recently, we’ve been able to watch the NPC in action in real time, at millisecond resolution. When we get all this data, we put it together into computational models that let us simulate how the whole system behaves.

Your lab proposed a model called the “virtual gate” to explain how the NPC controls what passes through. What does that mean in plain terms?

For a long time, people assumed the NPC must work like a physical gate, either dilating and contracting like an iris, or using motor proteins to actively pull cargo through. When we identified all the NPC’s components and found no motor proteins, we had to fundamentally reevaluate the science—nature was making it made clear that our previous ideas were wrong. What we found instead was that the central channel is packed with flexible, constantly moving protein chains—so dense and so mobile that they create a barrier without being a physical wall. 

We called it a virtual gate because whether it’s open or closed depends entirely on whether you can bind to those protein chains. If you’re carrying the right molecular signal, you get through. If not, you’re excluded. It’s like a crowded dance floor where only those with the right partner can move.  

What we’ve discovered more recently is that transport factors don’t just pass through. They continuously reshape those protein chains, making the barrier even more dynamic than we first thought.

How is the NPC linked to disease?

Many diseases gain a foothold by disrupting the flow of molecular messages in and out of the nucleus. What’s really interesting is that different cancers and viruses keep targeting the same small subset of NPC components to do it. 

Pretty much every virus that’s been sufficiently studied seems to have evolved to target the NPC of human cells very early in infection. The viruses hijack the transport machinery so that the cell’s innate immune response can’t kick into action and produce new proteins to fight the viruses.  

With cancer, the picture is similar. Normally, cells produce proteins that can trigger the cells to self-destruct if they begin growing too quickly and aggressively. Often, cancer cells subvert this by ramping up nuclear export, hustling those protective proteins out of the nucleus before they can act. Selinexor, an FDA-approved drug for certain blood cancers, works by blocking that excess export through the NPC, keeping those protective proteins inside the nucleus where they can do their job. Because we now know that the NPC can be targeted therapeutically, this could represent a major untapped area for future medicine in multiple diseases.

You’ve been building increasingly detailed computational models of how the NPC works. For a while now, scientists have dreamed of creating a virtual model of an entire cell, which could dramatically accelerate all kinds of discoveries. Do you see your work contributing to that larger quest?

Because the NPC sits at the crossroads of so many cellular systems, a complete enough model of it could let us begin to simulate how all those systems work together. That’s the dream of the virtual cell: a computational model of a living cell detailed enough that you could test, for example, how a disease mutation changes the flow of molecules in and out of the nucleus, or screen potential drugs without ever stepping into a wet lab. We’re not there yet, but the NPC is a remarkable place to start because so much has to pass through it. Understanding this one machine in full detail gets you surprisingly far toward understanding the whole cell.

What’s the biggest open question you’re still trying to answer?

We still don’t fully understand the details of how the virtual gate actually works at the molecular level. The protein chains that fill the channel aren’t the same all over; there appear to be different zones with different behaviors, possibly even separate lanes for different types of cargo. Figuring out that internal organization is where a lot of our energy is focused right now. I think getting that worked out could be the key to being able to control the flow of traffic through the NPC for therapeutic purposes.  

I think this field is a perfect example of how studying the fundamental machinery that keeps our cells running yields discoveries that can offer powerful new insights into human disease.

Nit Happens, A New Clinically Proven Non-Toxic Lice Treatment Now Available at Walgreens

The gentle and highly effective lice treatment is available at 6,000 Walgreens locations in the United States

DALLAS, TX (Mar16)- Cartwheel, a healthcare brand developed by moms for moms, is today announcing the availability of its inaugural consumer product, Nit Happens, at 6,000 Walgreens locations in the United States. The over-the-counter lice treatment uses only non-toxic, naturally-derived ingredients to eliminate lice and nits, avoiding the pesticides and synthetic ingredients found in many traditional treatments. 

“We’re thrilled to launch Nit Happens in Walgreens stores nationwide, making it easier for families across the country to access a safer lice treatment that takes some of the stress out of what can be a chaotic experience,” said Joanna Shu, CEO of Cartwheel. “As a mom of three kids who have all had lice at some point, I experienced firsthand how difficult lice are to treat and how many products rely on harsh pharmaceutical ingredients. Parents shouldn’t have to choose between safety and effectiveness. We’re giving them both, plus a splash of humor to lighten the load.”

Unlike harsh chemical formulas, Nit Happens works through physical disruption and dehydration. Its gel combines coconut oil, mild cosmetic abrasives, and limonene derived from orange peels to kill lice and nits when combined with gentle brushing. 

The results are clinically proven. A clinical study reported a 95.8% efficacy rate when the label instructions were followed. With treatment-resistant lice becoming more prevalent, these results point to a strong alternative for families who need reliable outcomes without harsh chemical exposure. 

An estimated 6 to 12 million children in the U.S. get head lice each year, and misdiagnosis is extremely common. Parents often confuse dandruff, sand, debris, and scalp conditions with lice, leading to unnecessary stress and unnecessary treatment. Cartwheel is positioning Nit Happens as part of a larger effort to improve education and awareness around lice. The company is currently developing a new smartphone application to help parents better determine if their child actually has lice using guided check steps.

The Nit Happens OTC Lice Treatment Kit includes: 

• 4 oz treatment gel (two full applications)

• 1 oz post-treatment shampoo

• Metal lice comb

• Applicator brush

• Gloves

Nit Happens will also soon be available for purchase on the TikTok Shop and Amazon.

Ultrasound-Mediated Nanocarrier-Based Drug Delivery in Breast Cancer Therapy

Breast cancer continues to be one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. Yet, early detection and treatment progress remain limited by drug resistance, systemic toxicity and poor tumor specificity. Targeted therapy solves these limitations by directing therapeutic agents to cancerous tissues while protecting healthy cells. Nanocarrier-based delivery systems have improved drug solubility while extending circulation time and enabling controlled drug release at tumor sites. This review examines the current integration of ultrasound (US) as a strong external trigger which boosts nanocarrier-mediated therapy effectiveness. The application of continuous and pulsed US shows potential to enhance drug delivery by improving penetration and site-specific activation and spatiotemporal control of therapeutic release through acoustic cavitation and hyperthermia mechanisms. The application of US-responsive nanocarriers demonstrates promising outcomes in breast cancer models, both in vitro and in vivo, by delivering higher drug concentrations to tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. The research details the US parameters that affect drug release patterns and therapeutic results. Such systems have been investigated for their dual diagnostic and therapeutic (theranostic) capabilities, which enable new personalized and image-guided treatment methods. Various case studies and preclinical evaluations demonstrate the advantages of integrating US with nanocarrier systems. The main obstacles to clinical implementation involve standardizing US protocols and enhancing nanocarrier designs, and addressing regulatory requirements. Our previous research works demonstrate how US-guided mediation can be combined with magnetic induction to create a revolutionary breast cancer treatment approach.

9 Essential Ways to Evaluate a Reliable Health Insurer in 2026

Pic Credit: Pexel

Selecting the right health insurer is one of the most important decisions you can make for your family’s well-being. With healthcare costs rising and insurance options expanding, it’s crucial to choose a provider that offers reliable coverage, excellent support, and smooth access to medical care. In 2026, several real-world factors can help you assess which health insurer is truly trustworthy.

1. Check the Network of Hospitals

A good health insurer should have an extensive network of hospitals in your city and across the country. Verify whether your preferred hospitals, both for emergencies and routine treatments, are included. A wide network ensures you have access to quality care without hassle or delays.

2. Cashless Facility

Cashless hospitalization is one of the most sought-after benefits. Check if the insurer provides cashless treatment options at network hospitals. This feature allows you to receive care without upfront payments, easing financial stress during medical emergencies.

3. Customer Support

Reliable insurers offer responsive customer support to assist with claims, policy details, and emergency guidance. Look for companies that provide multiple communication channels, including phone, chat, and mobile apps, so help is available whenever needed.

4. Claim Settlement Record

Research the insurer’s claim settlement ratio and customer reviews. High settlement ratios indicate a smooth and transparent claims process, while low ratios may signal delays or frequent disputes.

5. Coverage and Inclusions

Compare policies for coverage details, including hospitalization, pre-existing conditions, day-care procedures, and critical illness benefits. A trustworthy insurer clearly outlines what is included and excludes hidden clauses.

6. Flexibility and Portability

Choose a health insurer that allows policy portability, enabling you to switch plans without losing benefits. Flexible policies that accommodate changing health needs over time provide long-term security.

7. Premium Transparency

Ensure that premiums are transparent and aligned with the coverage offered. Avoid insurers who offer low initial premiums but have high deductibles or hidden charges.

8. Reviews and Recommendations

Check online reviews and ask for recommendations from family, friends, or healthcare providers. Real-world experiences often reveal strengths and weaknesses of insurers that official brochures may not highlight.

9. Value-Added Services

Many insurers now offer additional services such as teleconsultations, health check-ups, wellness programs, and mental health support. These value-added services can improve your overall healthcare experience and support preventive care.

Top Health Insurers to Consider in 2026

Some trusted health insurers in India in 2026 include HDFC ERGO Health Insurance, ICICI Lombard General Insurance, Max Bupa Health Insurance, Star Health and Allied Insurance, and Aditya Birla Health Insurance. These companies are known for extensive hospital networks, reliable cashless facilities, and high customer satisfaction.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a health insurer is not just about the cheapest premium—it’s about trust, reliability, and seamless support when you need it most. By evaluating hospital networks, cashless facilities, claim records, coverage, and real-world customer experiences, you can select a health insurer that gives you peace of mind and financial security in 2026 and beyond.

Growing Implants Bring New Hope to Children with Bone Cancer

Pic Credit: Pexel

A new medical innovation called the “growing implant” is transforming the treatment of bone cancer in children. The technique allows surgeons to remove cancer-affected bone while preserving the limb and enabling it to grow normally, improving long-term mobility and quality of life.

Bone cancers such as osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma often affect children and adolescents. Traditional treatments sometimes required amputating the limb or resulted in permanent differences in leg length, creating long-term physical and emotional challenges. Growing implants now offer a more effective solution.

How the Growing Implant Works

The growing implant, also called an expandable prosthesis, is placed after the tumor is removed. Unlike standard implants, it can lengthen gradually as the child grows. Many modern implants use magnetic technology, allowing doctors to extend the device during routine hospital visits without additional surgery.

The gradual lengthening helps muscles, joints, and tissues adjust naturally, reducing pain and complications compared with older surgical methods.

Benefits for Patients

The implant offers several advantages:

• Preserves the limb and improves mobility

• Reduces the need for repeated surgeries

• Maintains balanced limb growth

• Supports long-term function and quality of life

Lengthening procedures usually take only 15–20 minutes, allowing children to return to normal activities quickly.

Future Developments

While implants can be costly and occasionally require revision surgeries, advances in 3D printing, imaging, and customized surgical planning are improving their precision and durability.

Growing implants are helping doctors focus on both curing cancer and ensuring children can lead active, independent lives after treatment. This innovation provides families facing bone cancer with renewed hope for survival and a better quality of life.

FDA-Approved Cancer Drug Fedratinib Reshapes How Cell Organelles Communicate, Providing New Therapeutic Avenues

Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered that the FDA-approved drug Fedratinib may promote communication between two critical cellular organelles—the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria—offering new insights into cellular metabolism and potential therapeutic strategies for multiple diseases.

Cells function much like complex cities, with different organelles performing specialized roles. Mitochondria generate energy, the endoplasmic reticulum acts as a transport network, and lysosomes manage waste disposal. For cells to function efficiently, these organelles must communicate through structures known as membrane contact sites.

One of the most abundant of these interactions occurs between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria at structures called ER-mitochondria contact sites (ERMCS). Disruptions in ERMCS organization have been linked to several serious health conditions, including Cancer, Diabetes, Obesity, and Neurodegenerative Diseases. However, scientists have had limited understanding of the mechanisms that regulate these structures.

In the new study, researchers screened a library of FDA-approved drugs using human and mouse cell lines to identify compounds capable of influencing ERMCS formation. They discovered that fedratinib significantly increased the formation of these contact sites. Notably, the effect was reversible once the drug was removed from the cells.

The team determined that fedratinib works by inhibiting the protein BRD4, which regulates how cells read DNA during transcription. This inhibition activates a transcriptional pathway that promotes the formation of ER-mitochondria contact sites.

“Over the past few decades, researchers have seen that cell organelles work in conjunction and they need to talk to each other to do that,” said Yatrik Shah, Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology and member of the Rogel Cancer Center at the University of Michigan. “By identifying this signaling pathway, we can better understand how these contact sites are sustained.”

Using advanced electron microscopy, the researchers also identified notable structural changes in ERMCS sites following fedratinib treatment. The analysis revealed that the endoplasmic reticulum formed a three-dimensional envelope around mitochondria in certain cells. Approximately 30% of mitochondria displayed structural alterations, suggesting that mitochondria with extensive contact sites may support specialized metabolic pathways.

Interestingly, similar structural patterns have previously been observed in cells infected with COVID‑19 caused by SARS‑CoV‑2 and in metastatic melanoma cells.

“There were different populations of mitochondria that differed in their degree of contact with the endoplasmic reticulum,” said Drew Stark, a graduate researcher and the study’s first author. “Those with abundant contact sites may be supporting distinct metabolic processes within the cell.”

Researchers are now exploring whether these effects can also be observed in mouse models and how these mitochondrial changes influence metabolism and disease progression. The findings may open new directions for studying metabolic regulation and developing therapies targeting cellular communication pathways.

The research was supported by multiple grants from the National Institutes of Health and collaborating institutions.