World

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recommended the use of Ienacapavir, a long-acting injectable drug, for HIV prevention. This milestone announcement was made on July 14 during the 13th International AIDS Society Conference in Kigali. The recommendation aims to help countries adopt lenacapavir, especially in high-burden areas and among vulnerable populations. Lenacapavir, marketed as Sunlenca for treatment and Yeztugo for prevention, is a capsid inhibitor approved in 2022 for certain HIV treatments. Its unique mechanism blocks HIV replication by targeting the virus's protective protein shell. Unlike daily oral pills, lenacapavir is administered only twice a year via injection and has shown near-complete protection in clinical trials.

A recent study has revealed that metabolic health indicators, particularly even slight elevations in blood sugar, play a central role in altering the reproductive and sexual functions of aging men. The findings were unveiled during the 2025 annual meeting of the Endocrine Society (ENDO), held from July 12 to 15 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, California, USA.

A new study published in BJS by Oxford University Press has revealed a sharp global rise in early-onset gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, particularly among people under age 50. While overall colorectal cancer rates have declined in countries like the United States, early-onset cases, especially among those born after 1990, have surged significantly. In fact, people born in 1990 face twice the risk of developing colon cancer and four times the risk of rectal cancer compared to those born in 1950.

French authorities have reported the country's first outbreak of lumpy skin disease, a highly contagious viral infection affecting cattle, on a farm in the Savoie region near the Alps. The agriculture ministry confirmed the case on Sunday, describing it as a serious concern for livestock health. Lumpy skin disease, which spreads through insect bites, particularly mosquitoes and ticks, causes fever, blisters, weight loss, reduced milk production, and reproductive issues in cattle and buffaloes. While not dangerous to humans, it can result in significant economic losses and trade restrictions.

The approval of Yeztugo, a twice-yearly injectable medication for HIV prevention, has generated a mix of excitement and concern among health experts. While the innovation is seen as a major advancement in the global fight against HIV, its cost is raising alarms about equitable access, particularly for low-income countries. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently gave the green light Lenacapavir, the drug margeted as Yeztugo, which is designed to prevent HIV infection when administered every six months. It has been found highly effective in reducing new infections, offering a simpler alternative to daily oral PrEP pills like Truvada and Descovy, or bimonthly options like Apretude.

A remarkable two-decade wait has finally ended for one couple. Doctors at Columbia University Fertility Center have reported the first-ever pregnancy achieved using a groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) system, offering new hope to couples struggling with male infertility. In a pioneering advancement, Columbia’s fertility specialists announced the first successful pregnancy using the STAR (Sperm Tracking and Recovery) system, an AI-based procedure designed to identify and isolate viable sperm in cases of azoospermia, a condition marked by the absence of detectable sperm in a man’s ejaculate.