Sugar Sensors in the Heart?

Turns out, everyone probably has a sweet tooth at heart—literally! Researchers have discovered that heart muscle cells have sweet taste receptors (TAS1R2 and TAS1R3), just like your tongue, according to findings unveiled at the 69th Biophysical Society Annual Meeting and highlighted in Biophysical Society. And when these receptors were stimulated with aspartame, a common artificial sweetener, the heart pumped harder and processed calcium faster—both crucial for a healthy heartbeat. But here’s where things get even more interesting: these receptors were found in higher numbers in patients with heart failure, hinting at a possible role in disease progression. Overstimulating the receptors triggered arrhythmic-like behavior, which might explain the link between artificial sweeteners and heart rhythm issues. While this discovery could lead to new heart failure treatments, researchers say there’s still a lot to learn about how tweaking the heart’s sweet sensors could affect long-term health.

Tea Ingredient Turned into Medical Supergels

One person’s tea waste could be another’s medical breakthrough, showed researchers from The University of Chicago. In a study published in Matter, them team used malva nut husks—little seeds used in herbal teas—and transformed them into biomedical supergels. These nuts naturally swell 20 times their weight in water, so the researchers thought, why not put that gooey goodness to work? By extracting the nut’s polysaccharides, they created a biocompatible hydrogel that may be used in wound healing, enhance electrocardiogram (ECG) signal quality, and improve bioelectronic interfaces. When mixed with chitosan, this hydrogel outperformed commercial ECG patches, sticking better and delivering clearer heart readings—even on sweaty or hairy skin. It also helped wounds heal faster by boosting keratinocyte migration and macrophage activity—key players in tissue repair. And the best part? This eco-friendly, low-cost material could make high-quality medical tech more accessible worldwide. Who knew a humble tea ingredient could be the next big thing in health care?

Mind-Reading? Science Is Getting Closer

Ever wish you could borrow someone else’s brain for a moment? Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin may have found a way—at least when it comes to language decoding. In their study published in Current Biology, the investigators revealed that semantic decoders trained on one person’s brain data can be transferred to another using functional alignment—meaning brain-to-brain language translation just got a whole lot easier. The researchers trained decoders on brain responses from separate participants, then used either stories or silent movies to align brain activity across individuals. Incredibly, even without any linguistic training data, the decoders still picked up meaningful connections between words and brain activity. Even more impressive? The technique held up even when parts of the brain were "lesioned" in simulations, suggesting a robust and adaptable method. This breakthrough could be a game-changer for people with language impairments by reducing the need for personalized training data. So, while we’re not quite at mind-melding levels yet, this study suggests we may be one step closer to a universal brain decoder.

Goodbye Plastic, Hello Mycelium Printing

Researchers from the University of Washington might have just made fungi the next big thing in 3D printing. Their study—published in 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing—introduced a game-changing method to 3D print mycelium biocomposites without the need for molds, unlocking a whole new world of sustainable fabrication. Their secret? Mycofluid, a coffee ground–based, mycelium-inoculated paste, and Fungibot, a custom bioprinter that lays down layers of fungi-infused goodness. So, not only are these printed structures biodegradable, but they actually grow and fuse over time, forming intricate, self-healing designs that could replace plastic-based manufacturing. Tests showed that mycelium colonization made the biocomposites more hydrophobic and durable, resisting water absorption and improving mechanical strength. With applications ranging from packaging to architecture (and maybe even living coffins!), these researchers prove that 3D printing with fungi isn’t just eco-friendly—it’s downright spore-tacular.

Creatine, Protein, and a Side of Body Dysmorphia?

A study published in PLOS Mental Health highlighted that muscle-building supplements might be fueling more than just gains—they may also be linked to muscle dysmorphia symptoms. Analyzing 2,731 Canadian adolescents and young adults, researchers found that using whey protein, creatine, preworkout, and other popular supplements increased the odds of hitting the clinical threshold for muscle dysmorphia. Weight gainers and creatine packed the biggest punch, driving a stronger obsession with size and workout dependency. Surprisingly, supplement users reported less appearance-related distress—perhaps because they felt closer to their ideal physique. Girls and women showed stronger links between supplement use and dysmorphia than boys and men, hinting at unique body image pressures. With supplement use becoming the norm, these findings highlight the need for awareness, screening, and maybe some regulation of the substances—because chasing the “perfect” body shouldn’t come at the cost of mental health.

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.