Climate change leads to adverse health effects globally, including increased heat-related mortality of the elderly. Besides physiological factors of aging and comorbidities, social isolation is one risk factor associated with adverse health effects of heat. In 2025, the Working Group Environmental Health at Hokkaido University and the Institute of General Practice from University of Cologne held a research workshop to explore joint solutions for climate-resilience in super-aged nations like Germany and Japan. The three-day interactive workshop was held at Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan and included a hybrid symposium with external experts as well as intensive exchange between the research groups. Jointly addressing social isolation and heat health risks, was identified as a promising way to increase health systems resilience in times of societal and environmental crisis, especially in super-aged countries. This commentary narratively summarizes the current evidence on interventions targeting social isolation and heat health risks, finding that current interventions aim to protect socially isolated older adults during heat waves, but do not intend to alleviate both, social isolation and heat health risks at a broader scale. Based on the discussions in the workshop this commentary proposes future research opportunities, entailing family-based as well as community-based approaches, which foster social connection throughout the year and are particularly triggered during hot days and heat waves. Further research is needed to co-develop and evaluate such interventions with older adults and their families and communities to increase resilience of societies and health systems.

Mood disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD), are associated with substantial disability and frequent misdiagnosis, particularly in early stages and in the differential diagnosis between unipolar and bipolar depression. Current diagnosis remains largely based on clinical assessment, highlighting the need for objective biomarkers to improve early detection and diagnostic accuracy. The retina, sharing structural and neurochemical properties with the brain, is a promising candidate. To assess its function, Electroretinography (ERG) is widely used. This study aimed to systematically review and quantitatively synthesise ERG findings in mood disorders and genetically high-risk populations. PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and APA PsycINFO were searched up to 25 November 2025 (PROSPERO: 1234381). Methodological quality was assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted for full-field ERG parameters in MDD without reported specifiers. Thirty-two studies (n = 1334) were included, with five in the meta-analysis. Mood disorders were generally associated with reduced ERG amplitudes and prolonged implicit times. In MDD, a significant prolongation of b-wave implicit time under mixed scotopic conditions was observed (g = 0.23, 95% CI 0.00-0.46), while other parameters were non-significant. BD and seasonal affective disorder studies suggested mood-state-dependent retinal alterations, and high-risk offspring showed ERG abnormalities associated with subclinical and cognitive features. Overall, ERG shows consistent but heterogeneous alterations in mood disorders and may have potential value for early detection, differential diagnosis and stratification but further longitudinal and methodologically harmonized studies are required to clarify its clinical utility.

As traveling waves mediate neural information processing that depends on arousal states, we hypothesized that traveling waves would represent arousal states. To investigate this, we aimed to analyze brain-wide patterns of traveling waves during resting states using functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI). Specifically we focused on the temporal dynamics of the brain-wide patterns of rsfMRI traveling waves in association with arousal states. Using a publicly available dataset (N = 27), we extracted infra-slow (0.01-0.1 Hz) activity from blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signals. From infra-slow activity, we measured traveling waves via local phase gradient (LPG). Then, we clustered brain-wide LPGs through the k-means algorithm to extract brain-wide patterns of traveling waves, where each cluster represented each pattern. The optimal number of clusters was found to be 2. We analyzed the temporal dynamics of these clusters in relation to arousal states. During low-arousal states, brain-wide patterns of traveling waves featured in Cluster 1 appeared more often. During high-arousal states, those in Cluster 2 did so and lasted longer. As arousal increased, cluster dwell times shortened and transitions between clusters became more frequent, with the opposite pattern observed as arousal decreased. These findings suggest that brain-wide patterns of rsfMRI traveling waves reflect arousal states through their temporal dynamics, forming a syntax underlying arousal.

There is a critical need for tailored photoprotection in skin of color (SOC) populations. SOC has higher eumelanin-to-phenomelanin ratios, more mature melanosomes, and enhanced DNA repair capacity compared with lighter skin. The quantity and distribution of melanin in darker skin provide natural photoprotection. This leads to a misconception that SOC populations are inherently protected from all photodamage and serves as a barrier to proper photoprotection for these populations. Although the skin cancer incidence is lower in dark skin, mortality is higher, perhaps as a result of late diagnosis or misdiagnosis. These populations are still susceptible to skin damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, resulting in exacerbation of various dermatologic conditions, including pigmentation disorders, photodermatoses, and skin cancer. This review aims to comprehensively examine the photoprotection needs for SOC populations, addressing gaps between physiological characteristics and clinical outcomes, evaluating current photoprotection practices, examining educational implications, and considering future directions for photoprotection for SOC. A literature search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar. The search was conducted from database inception through July 15, 2026. Articles were included if they addressed photoprotection, photodamage, photoaging, pigmentary disorders, photodermatoses, or skin cancer in SOC populations. Visible light (VL) and long-wave UVA1 are significant contributors to pigmentary alteration in SOC. The major drivers of pigmentation in SOC and photodamage can manifest as pigmentary disorders, particularly melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), photoaging, photodermatoses, and skin cancer risk. Comprehensive photoprotection strategies for individuals with SOC include behavioral sun avoidance measures, sun-protective clothing, avoiding harmful behaviors, and community-based education programs. Sunscreen formulations for SOC should be tailored to skin phototype (SPT), with an SPF of 30 and broad protection that covers UVA, VL, and infrared A to limit hyperpigmentation and photoaging. Iron oxide-containing sunscreens provide VL protection and reduce white cast. Niacinamide-containing sunscreens are helpful for reducing PIH. Since UV and VL generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that promote inflammation and persistent PIH, antioxidants in sunscreen are important in SOC to neutralize this damage and support DNA repair. Comprehensive photoprotection is essential for SOC populations. SOC individuals face unique manifestations of photodamage. Effective photoprotection in SOC requires extension beyond traditional UVB protection to meet the specific needs of SOC. Additionally, targeted education, community engagement, and barriers to care need to be addressed to improve outcomes. It is important for the dermatology community to commit to inclusivity and advocate for equitable access to photoprotection resources for all.

PbS quantum dots (QDs) are highly promising for scalable short-wave infrared (SWIR) optoelectronics due to their tunable bandgap and solution-processability. While efficient devices require well-defined p-n homojunctions, the fabrication of p-type QD layers remains a critical bottleneck compared with the well-established n-type QD inks. Current fabrication of p-type QD layers relies on solid-state ligand exchange (SSLE). However, SSLE suffers from incomplete ligand replacement and non-uniform oxidation, causing film inhomogeneity that prevents wafer-scale manufacturing. Here, we report a direct synthesis of p-type PbS QD inks with tunable QD size, optical absorption, and p-type electronic characteristics. The resulting inks yield conductive p-type films on 6-inch Si substrates with highly uniform thickness. Using this strategy, we realize SWIR photodetectors with fully ink-processed PbS QD p-n junctions, together with a prototype imaging module. When integrated with a recognition algorithm, the imager provides SWIR images that facilitate vehicle recognition under foggy conditions. This work establishes a scalable route toward future high-performance, wafer-level SWIR optoelectronic platforms.

Nursing homes were affected by COVID-19, and limited testing capacity during the first wave highlighted the value of complementary surveillance approaches.

Memory prosthetics, closed-loop brain-computer interfaces that decode hippocampal activity and deliver adaptive stimulation, are transitioning from animal proof-of-concept to first-in-human trials. Realizing chronically implantable systems requires co-design of three materials-mediated subsystems whose structure-property-processing (SPP) relationships have been treated in isolation: biocompatible electrode interfaces, on-chip neuromorphic computation, and closed-loop control hardware. This review presents an integrated framework. We map neuroscientific findings (theta-phase tracking, theta-gamma coupling, sharp-wave ripple detection) onto engineering specifications for latency, sampling, and charge injection, and onto materials requirements for impedance, switching endurance, and chronic stability. We develop an SPP taxonomy of two dominant materials families: chronic electrode coatings (Pt-Ir, IrOx, PEDOT:PSS, carbon-based, MXene) and oxide memristive synapses (Al2O3/TiO2-x, SrTiO3, HfO2). We further distinguish established findings from emerging directions and flag where small-cohort clinical results have been over-generalized. This synthesis provides materials-design targets for next-generation memory-prosthetic hardware.

Stress impairs prefrontal-dependent behavioral control and shifts processing toward automatic defaults, but whether this extends to the quality of real-world professional relationships, where skilled interpersonal engagement is itself a predictor of client outcomes, is unknown. In a four-wave longitudinal study of 46 community supervision officers, we tested whether diurnal cortisol predicted relationship quality assessed by independent observers from 2,126 video-recorded sessions (732 supervisees) and by officers themselves via survey (432 supervisees). Two-level models with latent mean centering identified two within-person effects implicating different cortisol indices and different relational dimensions: higher total cortisol output (log AUCg) predicted lower observer-rated Caring/Fairness, and flatter diurnal slope predicted lower observer-rated Trust. These effects were independent, robust across sensitivity specifications, and specific, with neither index predicting the other's target. The slope effect reflected the trajectory of diurnal decline rather than evening or waking level alone. No cortisol index predicted officer-reported relationship quality, consistent with both the controlled-to-automatic framework and the trait-like variance structure of officer self-report (63-73% between-person). The findings suggest that HPA dysregulation covaries with what independent observers see in professional relational behavior but not with what the professional perceives. That distinct cortisol indices reached distinct relational dimensions is consistent with separable biological pathways rather than a general stress-to-relationship process.

Despite the benefits of self-compassion, performers consistently express concerns about it; they tend to see embracing self-compassion as indicating an inferior position and signalling weakness. Indeed, one challenge in incorporating self-compassion into sport and performance settings is the lack of evidence supporting its performance benefits. The present research therefore examined how self-compassion and related fears link to mental toughness, which is key to maintaining performance under high pressure. In two cross-sectional studies of British Universities and Colleges Sport athletes (Study 1, N = 282) and (semi-)professional football players (Study 2, N = 252), and a three-wave longitudinal study of club players (Study 3, N = 303), the results consistently demonstrated that self-compassion was associated with greater self-report (Study 1) and coach-rated mental toughness (Study 2), whilst an increase in fear of self-compassion suppressed such an association. Importantly, analysis of the three-wave panel data (Study 3) replicated the findings from Studies 1-2 and extended them for temporal precedence and longitudinal association. The findings provide novel, consistent evidence supporting the benefits of self-compassion for athletes in fostering mental toughness. The findings also raise questions about the possible adaptive-maladaptive role distinction of fear of self-compassion in performance settings and the potential debate over the "enduring" vs "processing" underpinning of mental toughness.