Oxygen Via Rectum? First Human Trial
In what sounds like something straight out of sci-fi, but is very real, scientists from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and the University of Osaka tested whether oxygen can safely enter the body through the other end. In a first-in-human phase 1 trial, 27 healthy men were given doses of perfluorodecalin—a liquid with “exceptional” oxygen-carrying power—via a rectal infusion held for 60 minutes. Even at volumes up to 1,500 mL, the method proved safe and well tolerated, with only mild, short-lived abdominal bloating and no serious adverse events. Blood tests showed no trace of the liquid, and oxygen transfer predictions from animal data aligned with slight increases in oxygen level boosts in higher-dose groups. While this “enteral ventilation” may have started as an Ig Nobel prize winner in 2024, it could one day offer hospitals a low-tech rescue option for patients in respiratory failure.
Sources: Med, Medical Press
The Knee’s Favorite Workout
In a large meta-analysis out of Zhejiang University First Affiliated Hospital, 217 trials with more than 15,000 participants put knee-friendly workouts head-to-head—and aerobic exercise came out doing victory laps. Compared with controls, it slashed short- and mid-term pain, boosted mid-term function, quickened gait, and even perked up short-term quality of life. Mind–body routines gave a small lift to function, neuromotor work smoothed steps, and strengthening or combo programs shined mid-term. Over the long haul, flexibility eased pain, and aerobic or mixed moves still helped function. So, if you’re treating knee osteoarthritis, start with aerobic exercise, then sprinkle in others as needed.
Source: The BMJ
Hidden Power Plays of Touch
In a study from Binghamton University, researchers took a peek into the “dark side” of physical affection—where touch can comfort or control. Surveying 512 college students in relationships, they found that those scoring higher on the “dark triad” traits—Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy—were more likely to both avoid affectionate touch and use it coercively. Interestingly, these patterns often traced back to insecure attachment styles: avoidant and anxious types tended to recoil from or weaponize touch, but in gender-specific ways. For women, dark triad traits fully explained this link; while for men, attachment style itself did the heavy lifting. So not every hug is created equal. Intimate touch, though often seen as a love language, can reveal a person’s deeper motives—whether that’s closeness, control, or self-protection.
Source: Current Psychology
The Constipation Menu Is Out
The British Dietetic Association has finally given constipation a long-overdue dietary game plan—and it’s more than just “eat more fiber.” In the first-ever evidence-based guidelines—drawn from 75 randomized trials— experts from King’s College London stirred up 59 recommendations to get sluggish bowels moving. Psyllium took top billing, boosting stool frequency and softness by nearly 50% over placebo, while magnesium oxide wowed with 3.7 extra bowel movements per week and better quality-of-life scores. Kiwifruit and high-mineral water also made the cut as gut-friendly heroes, though rye bread caused a bit more gas than glory. Probiotics showed some promise, but the right strains are still playing hard to get. Even with most findings ranked low to moderate in certainty, these guidelines offer the most practical, food-first approach yet to managing chronic constipation—finally giving clinicians and patients something to chew on beyond fiber talk.
Source: Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics
Gout Battle: Tea vs Coffee
A new meta-analysis from Shinhan University brewed up some buzz over whether a morning mug might matter for gout. After pooling data from 13 observational studies covering over 936,000 participants and 27,740 cases of hyperuricemia or gout, coffee came out looking like a joint-saving hero—linked to a 27% lower combined risk. Even decaf held its own, hinting that it’s not just the caffeine doing the heavy lifting. Tea, on the other hand, didn’t earn its wellness badge—showing no overall protection (and even a slight uptick in risk in both men and women. While high heterogeneity and self-reported caffeine habits mean the jury’s still out, the takeaway is clear: a daily coffee fix might quietly lower gout risk—but that cup of tea may just be sipping on the sidelines.
Source: Nutrition Research and Practice
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.