Blutgefäße sind komplexe Systeme mit Kurven, Verzweigungen und Verengungen, ähnlich einem urbanen Straßennetz. Doch in Labormodellen wurden sie bisher meist als einfache, gerade Strukturen dargestellt. Forscher der Abteilung für Biomedizinische Technik an der Texas A&M University haben nun eine innovative Gefäßchip-Methode entwickelt, die die komplexe Architektur menschlicher Blutgefäße realistisch nachbildet. Diese Technologie ermöglicht eine präzisere Untersuchung von Gefäßerkrankungen und bietet eine Plattform für die Arzneimittelentwicklung ohne Tierversuche. Die Ergebnisse wurden in der Fachzeitschrift Lab on a Chip veröffentlicht und zieren die Titelseite der Mai-Ausgabe 2025. Gefäßchips sind mikrofluidische Geräte, die das menschliche Gefäßsystem auf mikroskopischer Ebene simulieren. Sie können patientenspezifisch gestaltet werden, um Blutfluss und Gefäßerkrankungen zu untersuchen sowie Medikamente zu testen. Jennifer Lee, Masterstudentin der Biomedizintechnik, entwickelte im Labor von Dr. Abhishek Jain einen fortschrittlichen Gefäßchip, der reale Gefäßstrukturen wie Verzweigungen, Aneurysmen oder Verengungen nachbildet. Diese Strukturen beeinflussen die… 

According to the DEBRA study by the University of Düsseldorf from October 2024, 28.3 percent of people in Germany smoke. The German Society for Cardiology – German Foundation for Heart Research (DGK) urgently warns of the underestimated dangers of tobacco and nicotine consumption for heart health. The 5,300 chemical substances in cigarettes lead to deposits in blood vessels, narrowing of blood vessels, high blood pressure, increased blood clotting, and insufficient oxygen supply to organs. Particularly alarming: 80 percent of heart attacks in people under 45 years of age are directly attributable to smoking, with smokers having a two to three times higher risk of heart attack than non-smokers. Passive smoking also significantly increases the risk of heart attack. The European Council calls on EU member states to expand smoke- and aerosol-free zones in public places to protect non-smokers and reduce tobacco consumption. Affected areas such as playgrounds, café terraces, bus stops, or pedestrian zones should be free of tobacco cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products, as other countries already practice. The… 

On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, 2025, the Consumer Choice Center (CCC) sharply criticizes the World Health Organization (WHO) and calls for a change in course in tobacco control policy. The WHO should reconsider its rejection of harm reduction strategies such as e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco products and adapt the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to scientific findings and successful practical examples. World Vape Day on May 30 underscores the importance of vaping products, which have helped millions of people worldwide to quit smoking. The WHO is accused of ignoring evidence-based alternatives, even though countries like Sweden and Great Britain have achieved historic lows in smoking rates through risk-based approaches. Studies show that smoke-free alternatives are significantly less harmful than cigarettes, yet the WHO often equates them. This hinders progress in the fight against tobacco consumption and disregards the needs of consumers seeking less harmful options. The CCC emphasizes that the rigid stance of the… 

The CPHI & PMEC China pharmaceutical exhibition, taking place from June 24-26, 2025, at the Shanghai New International Expo Center, is seeing unprecedented international participation. With over 90,000 attendees, including more than 12,000 overseas executives, the event is set to be the largest of its kind in Asia. The surge reflects a new dynamic in global pharmaceutical manufacturing and procurement, driven by relaxed trade tariffs and rising industry investment. The exhibition benefits from favorable global trade developments, improved pharmaceutical industry valuations, and growing interest in China's robust manufacturing network. Western pharmaceutical companies are showing increased interest in Chinese biotech assets, not only for the domestic market but also for global licensing opportunities. Additionally, participation from the Middle East is growing as Gulf states build regional manufacturing hubs, joining large delegations from India and the United States. The event spans 230,000 square meters…