Fingernail Selfies Spot Anemia

Forget needles—an app just changed the game for anemia screening using nothing more than a smartphone and a “fingernail selfie.” In a real-world study with over 1.4 million tests and 200,000 users, this artificial intelligence–powered app reliably estimated hemoglobin (Hgb) levels with accuracy on par with traditional lab tests—boasting 89% sensitivity and 93% specificity using a 12.5 g/dL cutoff. The cherry on top? Personalization nearly halved the margin of error in users with chronic anemia, like patients with chronic kidney disease or cancer. Bonus: geotagged data created the first U.S. “anemia map,” revealing strong ties between Hgb levels, income, and access to care. While it’s not a replacement for diagnostics, it’s a powerful screening tool that puts accessible, at-home Hgb tracking in patients’ pockets—perfect for remote monitoring. Bottom line: this is lab-grade data, minus the lab coat.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,Chapman University

Sperm Speed Tied to Minerals? 

Sperm trouble? It might be a phosphate thing. At the first joint Congress of ESPE and ESE 2025, researchers revealed that a whopping 36% of 1,242 men with infertility in Denmark had low blood phosphate levels—compared with just 2% to 4% in the general population. That dip in this overlooked mineral wasn’t about sperm count, but it was linked to lower sperm motility and higher estradiol levels. Translation: sperm are slower and less likely to reach the finish line. The team also found that seminal fluid is usually loaded with phosphate (20 times higher than in blood), suggesting it’s not just hanging around—it’s doing something important. Follow-up research showed that higher phosphate levels in semen were linked with better sperm quality and higher testosterone. While this doesn’t prove phosphate deficiency causes infertility, it’s a strong nudge that blood levels might be worth checking—and possibly boosting. Stay tuned: clinical trials are in the works to test if phosphate supplements could rev up fertility in men (and maybe even women).

Source: Joint Congress of ESPE and ESE 2025

TikTok vs Science: Period

TikTok’s #cyclesyncing trend may be buzzing, but researchers say it’s more style than science. The researchers dove into the wave and found that while the trend is hot (285M views!), the science is ... not. Only 4% of the top 100 videos even mentioned research, and just 30% of creators had any credentials—mostly health coaches. Most videos recommended syncing diet and exercise with the menstrual cycle's four phases, like yoga during your period and cardio when you’re ovulating. But here's the rub: science doesn't strongly back these one-size-fits-all routines. Worse, the messaging may unintentionally shame hormonal contraceptives or suggest that menstruation is a limitation, especially for athletes. The takeaway? While cycle syncing may sound empowering, TikTok isn’t always the best place for evidence-based health advice. Maybe trust more experts, and fewer hashtags.

Source: Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health

Green Tea Goes Derm Deep

Yes, we’re talking tea again—this time, researchers from Zhejiang University and the Wuzhou Liubao Tea Research Association steeped themselves in the science of skin and found that green tea catechins (GTC)—especially the mighty epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)—could be your skin’s new BFF. These powerful plant compounds act as antioxidants, fight inflammation, protect against ultraviolet (UV) damage, and may even help prevent skin cancer. In clinical trials, topical GTCs cleared warts in over half of patients, while oral supplements improved hydration, elasticity, and soothed sunburned skin. EGCG even helped heal wounds faster and boosted skin DNA repair. But not every sip is magic—some oral studies didn’t show much UV protection. Still, GTCs look like promising players in future skin care—if scientists can keep them stable enough to survive your sunscreen bottle.

Source: Antioxidants

Tire Dust Hits More Than the Road

Rubber tires don’t just wear out—they also shed chemicals like N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD) and 6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ) that end up in our waterways, and that’s where things get slippery. In a new study, zebrafish exposed to real-world levels of these tire pollutants showed liver damage, inflamed guts, and messed-up metabolism. 6PPD settled in the liver; 6PPDQ zipped to the brain. Both chemicals disrupted PPAR-gamma, a key player in fat and sugar metabolism (the same pathway humans use), and cranked up inflammatory markers tied to liver disease. Why should humans care? Because zebrafish share a surprising number of metabolic pathways with us—and if these toxins are causing trouble in these fish, they might be quietly cruising toward human health concerns, too. Time to keep an eye on what’s rolling off our roads.

Source: Environmental Science and Ecotechnology

The intersection of medicine and the unexpected reminds us how wild, weird, and wonderful science can be. The world of health care continues to surprise and astonish.