BACKGROUND: Global disparities exist in cancer incidence, mortality, and survival. We aimed to provide estimates of avoidable deaths among people diagnosed with cancer to inform the prioritisation of interventions and narrow cancer inequalities. METHODS: National incidence estimates for 35 cancer sites in 2022 for 185 countries were extracted from the GLOBOCAN database. We estimated numbers of avoidable deaths within 5 years of diagnosis for patients diagnosed with cancer in 2022, consisting of those deaths avoidable through primary prevention (preventable deaths) and those avoidable through early detection and improved access to treatment (treatable deaths) by cancer site, country, region, and human development index (HDI) group. Preventable deaths were estimated using population attributable fractions for tobacco use, alcohol consumption, excess body weight, infectious agents, and ultraviolet radiation obtained from the literature. Treatable deaths were estimated by eliminating survival differences using 5-year net survival from the SURVCAN-3 project and additional sources. Preventable, treatable, and overall avoidable deaths as proportions of the total expected deaths within 5 years of cancer diagnosis were also calculated. FINDINGS: 5 years after cancer diagnosis, 4·5 million (47·6% [95% uncertainty interval 47·5-47·8]) of the 9·4 million expected deaths were avoidable. Of these avoidable deaths, 3·1 million (3·1-3·1; 33·2% [33·1-33·3] of total expected deaths) were preventable and 1·4 million (1·4-1·4; 14·4% [14·4-14·5]) were treatable. Lung, liver, stomach, colorectal, and cervical cancers contributed the greatest burden, collectively accounting for 59·1% of all avoidable deaths. Lung cancer was responsible for the most preventable deaths (1·1 million; 34·6% of all preventable deaths), while female breast cancer was responsible for the most treatable deaths (0·2 million; 14·8% of all treatable deaths). Disproportionately large proportions of avoidable deaths from cervical and breast cancer were observed in countries with a low or medium HDI. INTERPRETATION: Nearly half of deaths among people diagnosed with cancer globally could be avoided through primary prevention and improvements in early detection and curative cancer treatment. Global efforts are needed to tailor prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of cancer to address inequities in avoidable deaths, especially in low and medium HDI countries. FUNDING: Erasmus Mundus Exchange Programme and French National Cancer Institute (INCa).
Background: Mobile genetic elements (MGEs), including viruses, plasmids, and transposons, are major drivers of evolution in bacteria and archaea. Host-parasite conflicts drive the emergence of a broad variety of defense and counter-defense systems. Recent advances in metagenomics and functional annotation have shown that many defense systems are located on MGEs. The fact that MGEs are, essentially, genomic parasites raises an intriguing question: why do these parasites carry defense systems at high prevalence, often even higher than the host chromosome? Results: We developed a simple mathematical model to investigate the factors that promote evolution of defense systems in MGEs and the ecological implications of MGE-encoded defense. Our analysis points to the strength of inter-MGE interference as a key determinant of the evolution of defense systems in MGEs. We identify two qualitatively distinct regimes, depending on the basic reproductive number in mixed coinfections. Weakly interfering MGEs tend to carry low-cost defense systems that enhance the survival of their hosts upon exposure to more damaging MGEs. Although these systems can be occasionally transferred to the host, they typically remain in MGEs. In contrast, strongly interfering MGEs, such as plasmids from the same incompatibility group, can carry high-cost defense systems that are detrimental to the host and the population as a whole, but help their carriers spread by actively replacing their competitors. Conclusions: Analysis of our model shows that the key determinant of the evolution and spread of defense systems in MGEs is the strength of cross-MGE interference. Weakly interfering MGEs would serve as "MGE banks", typically carrying low-cost defense systems that can benefit the host by protecting it from more damaging MGEs. In contrast, strongly interfering MGEs would carry costly defense systems that mediate inter-MGE conflicts but are deleterious to the host. These MGEs could serve as proving grounds for emerging defense systems, which might eventually become cost-effective once optimized by selection.
Localization of carrier wave functions to the quantum-well portion of the CdS/HgS quantum-dot quantum well (QDQW) is investigated. Nanosecond hole-burning (HB) spectra measure the photoinduced exciton coupling to a ${250\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ HgS phonon mode indicative of localization. Femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy of these QDQW, however, show the photoinduced exciton couples to coherent ${300\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ CdS longitudinal optical-phonon modes, which is indicative of delocalization throughout the QDQW. Femtosecond HB and three pulse pump-dump experiments reveal these results are dependent on the time scale of the experiment. These experiments indicate that the initially photoexcited electron and hole wave functions are weakly confined to the HgS monolayer. Only after long times (\ensuremath{\sim}400 fs) will the exciton localize to the HgS well. These results indicate that the primary optical interaction excites electrons from a delocalized QDQW ground state and not from a localized HgS well state.
Most bacteria encode multiple antiphage defence systems, but how these systems interact, remains poorly understood. Here, we define the mechanism of Druantia III and explore its synergy with Zorya II. Druantia III is a late-acting defence where DruH is the likely infection sensor and DruE is a helicase-nuclease effector that engages ssDNA-containing replication intermediates. Druantia III and Zorya II are each sensitive to the loss of RecD, whereas their synergy requires an intact RecBCD complex, indicating that the combined response depends on a shared DNA-processing hub. During T3 infection, Zorya apparently preserves this hub by limiting accumulation of the phage RecBCD-inhibitor Gp5.9, whereas DruE together with RecBCD promote the formation of DNA structures permissive for ZorE cleavage. During Bas37 infection, Druantia provides the dominant pathway and recruits ZorE in a non-canonical, ZorAB-independent manner. These findings show how shared DNA intermediates can connect defence systems into a coordinated antiphage response.
Rational development of transition-metal catalysts, even when guided by theory and mechanistic knowledge, involves significant trial and error. Although ML offers the potential to accelerate catalyst discovery and optimization, accurately modeling the complex structures of catalysts and the multistep mechanisms by which they react remains challenging with the limited sets of data available. Olefin hydroformylation is a quintessential example of this challenge: its catalytic cycle involves many, often reversible, steps, and decades of study have not yielded reliable structure-selectivity relationships. We report Libra-ML, a 3D structure-based deep learning approach for predicting experimental outcomes of transition-metal catalyzed reactions. To demonstrate the ability of Libra-ML to model the outcomes of complex catalytic reactions, we predicted the regioselectivity of hydroformylation with terminal olefins catalyzed by rhodium complexes. Comparisons to existing methods demonstrate the state-of-the-art performance of Libra-ML and illustrate the importance of capturing 3D structure to predict experimental outcomes with molecular catalysts.
Read moreThe covariates included within the multivariable models fitted by each paper. This is a data microarray in which the studies run along the Y-axis and the covariates run along the X-axis. Rows and columns are ordered in descending order, based on the total number each covariate was included in the multivariable models fitted by each study. Where patterns were similar between studies or covariates, those studies or covariates were placed next to each other. (PDF 82 kb)
Read moreWe report the results of P31 NMR measurements on trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) passivated InP quantum dots. The spectra show distinct surface-capping sites, implying a manifold of crystal–ligand bonding configurations. Two In 31P surface components are resolved and related to different electronic surroundings. With decreasing particle size the In 31P core resonance reveals an increasing upfield chemical shift related to the overall size dependence of the InP electronic structure.
Read moreThe studies eligible for systematic review. (DOC 444 kb)
Read moreFemtosecond-resolved Faraday rotation is used to probe spin dynamics in chemically synthesized CdSe quantum dots 22--80 \AA{} in diameter from T=6--282 K. The precession of optically injected spins in a transverse magnetic field indicates that the measured relaxation lifetime of the spin polarization is dominated by inhomogeneous dephasing, ranging from \ensuremath{\sim}3 ns at zero field to 100 ps at 4 T. Fourier analysis reveals a multiperiodic Larmor precession, with several distinct g factors ranging from \ensuremath{\sim}1.1 to 1.7.
Read moreAge-standardization is a key statistical method used in health statistics to adjust rates such as mortality or incidence, enabling comparisons across populations or time points with different age structures. This review traces its historical development, global and country-specific practices, and future directions. The method dates back to the 19th century, with major adoption in the 20th century through the Segi and Doll's World Standard Population. While the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced an updated standard in 2000, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) continues to use the Segi and Doll's standard in the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents series, prioritizing consistency and comparability in long-term cancer surveillance. Case studies from the IARC, the United States (U.S.), Japan, and the Republic of Korea (Korea) illustrate different responses to changing demographics. The U.S. adopted the 2000 standard with expanded age detail for the elderly population. Japan introduced the 2015 Japan Standard Population to account for its rapidly aging society, though regional data limitations presented challenges. Korea, experiencing one of the fastest aging transitions globally, updated to a 2020 standard for more accurate national and sub-national reporting. The review also emphasizes that age-standardization can obscure important age-specific trends. Methods like Joinpoint clustering help detect divergent trends by age groups. Looking forward, age-standardization remains essential amid global demographic shifts. However, updates of standard populations must balance improved relevance with the need for continuity and robust data. International coordination and digital tools will support more flexible and transparent health statistics in the future.
Read moreAbstract Objectives To quantify the frequency of baseline control-group use in published long COVID prevalence studies and assess their key methodological features. Design Cross-sectional meta-epidemiological evaluation of published post-acute COVID-19 prevalence studies, supplemented by a corresponding-author survey. Setting Published studies identified through a systematic review by Hou et al. (2025) and supplementary data obtained through direct email contact with corresponding authors. Participants A total of 440 published long COVID prevalence studies. Main Outcome measures Presence and type of comparator group, reliance on solely self-reported outcomes, acknowledgment of lack of a control group among uncontrolled studies, and availability of additional comparator data through author survey. Results Among 440 studies, 372 (84.5%) reported no control group on their publication. Healthy or uninfected comparators were reported in 55 studies (12.5%) and other comparator types in 14 (3.2%); 1 study included both categories. Solely self-reported outcomes were used in 279 studies (63.4%). Among 372 uncontrolled studies, 244 (65.6%) did not explicitly acknowledge the absence of a baseline comparator as a limitation anywhere in text. Corresponding authors of 140 studies (31.8%) responded to the survey; among them, 126 (90.0%) reported no additional comparative data, while 14 (10.0%) mentioned some available comparative datasets (19 additional datasets). Almost all of that information (10/14, 17/19) had been already published in other articles not captured by the Hou et al. systematic review. Conclusions Most published long COVID prevalence studies lacked comparator groups and relied exclusively on self-reported outcomes without acknowledging this limitation. Direct author contact identified little additional comparator information. Much of the long COVID prevalence literature may therefore be poorly suited to estimating burden attributable specifically to SARS-CoV-2, underscoring the need for appropriately matched comparators and more objective outcome assessment. Registration The protocol was prospectively registered on the Open Science Framework ( https://osf.io/f4hra ). Key messages What is already known on this topic Current meta-analyses suggest a substantial burden of post-acute COVID-19 sequelae, but mostly rely on data with uncertain methodological rigor. What this study adds This meta-epidemiological analysis demonstrates that over 80% of published long COVID prevalence studies lacked a baseline non-COVID control group. Most of these investigations also relied exclusively on subjective patient-reported outcomes without explicitly acknowledging the absence of a comparator as a limitation. How this study might affect research, practice or policy Future research must adopt stricter epidemiological standards, including appropriately matched comparators and objective clinical endpoints, to accurately differentiate true viral sequelae from background morbidity.
Read moreThis paper is the second of a set presented within the session: Findings from the CFS10 Multi-Hazard Test Program. The emphasis within this article is to highlight correlations between physical damage to nonstructural components and systems with measured response during a suite of 18 earthquake tests and 2 subsequent fire tests. This damage was documented within a 10-story cold-formed steel-framed building test specimen outfitted with various nonstructural components, including suspended ceilings, architectural finishes, a resilient stair system, windows and doors, pressurized fire sprinkler and gas piping systems, and roof-mounted mechanical equipment. The test building and multi-hazard protocol are described in the session companion paper. This paper provides test observations correlated with measured engineering demand parameters such as floor acceleration, building inter-story drift, or peak local temperature responses and offers related literature emerging from the project. Damage data and functionality checks will support development of fragility functions for these nonstructural systems for use in recovery-based frameworks.
Read moreAbstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Read moreSemiconductor nanocrystals were prepared for use as fluorescent probes in biological staining and diagnostics. Compared with conventional fluorophores, the nanocrystals have a narrow, tunable, symmetric emission spectrum and are photochemically stable. The advantages of the broad, continuous excitation spectrum were demonstrated in a dual-emission, single-excitation labeling experiment on mouse fibroblasts. These nanocrystal probes are thus complementary and in some cases may be superior to existing fluorophores.
Read moreAt least one large-body (diameter > 1.1 km) hypervelocity cratering event occurred during ~ 0.8-0.90 Ma (Zhamanshin, Kazakhstan) in the Middle Pleistocene Transition period. Analysis designed to reduce uncertainty in the dimensions of the Zhamanshin structure employing high resolution topography demonstrated that it likely generated a ~ 26.5 km diameter multi-ring crater. This is at least two times larger than the current best estimates. Using a range of accepted impactor sizes, velocities, compositions, and angles of impact, such impacts typically yield kinetic energies of impact over 240,000 Megatons (TNT). Explosive energetic events of this magnitude (e.g., Yellowstone Caldera) at other times (K-Pg) have created global environmental effects. The factor of two discrepancy in the dimensions of Zhamanshin increases the kinetic energy yield by factors of 7-10, with significantly larger environmental consequences. This justifies examination of rapid climate transitions linked to biological consequences, including those related to environmental perturbations, at ~0.9 Ma.
Read moreAbstract Abstract Pressure-induced structural phase transitions have been studied in CdSe, CdS, InP and Si semiconductor nanocrystals. Nanocrystals transform via single nucleation of the phase transition with a kinetic barrier that increases in increasing cluster size. The structural transition path causes a shape change in the nanocrystals, which dictates the surface energy and thus the kinetic and thermodynamic stability of the transformed nanocrystal. These finite size effects can be used to tune the metastability of the nanocrystals versus pressure. Enhanced metastability allows structural and optical measurements in a regime inaccessible to the bulk solid, as well as possible recovery of the dense high pressure phase to atmospheric pressure. Key Words: MetastabilityNanocrystalPhase transitionHigh pressureKinetics
Read moreCancer has become the second leading cause of death, the global cancer burden is rapidly increasing, and there are marked disparities between and within countries worldwide. Population-based cancer registries systematically collect data on cancer patients in defined populations, which play a crucial role in planning and assessing cancer prevention and control strategies. While the development of cancer registration has been marked by increasing standardization of definitions and methods and the electronic processing of data, the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) offers opportunities to further reduce the labor-intensive nature of registry operations, particularly where registry resources are scarce. These include enabling the processing of large datasets, extracting complex or unstructured data patterns to support cancer registration data abstraction, and facilitating data quality and control. The analysis and dissemination of registry data are also increasingly integrating AI methodologies. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the application of AI in cancer registration. We investigate the challenges associated with integrating AI into existing cancer registry structures, with a particular emphasis on network and computational constraints, uneven resource allocation, and potential biases and limitations within AI systems. We propose a forward-looking AI-enhanced framework for cancer registration, highlighting AI's potential to optimize efficiency in cancer registration and the use of registry data for cancer control and cancer research.
Read moreThis paper presents a component-resolved decision logic that enables automated disassembly systems to select optimal second-life pathways for control and switchgear cabinets. A two-tier scoring model, calibrated through the weighting of qualitative criteria, is employed to screen component types against reuse and remanufacturing indicators. Where necessary, a recycling assessment is applied to distinguish between recoverable and scrap parts. The framework has been enriched with ECLASS 14.0 classifications in order to generalise results across a range of heterogeneous mechatronic products. However, the results show that coarse taxonomic granularity can mask divergent second-life suitability and thus refinement of the framework is needed. The method has been validated on an industrial cabinet that has been repurchased from service, containing 842 mechanical, mechatronic and electrical components. Direct reuse is a viable option for 229 components (27.2 %), while 460 components (54.8 %) necessitate minor repair work and are thus directed towards the remanufacturing process. A further 144 items (17.1 %) proceed to material recycling, leaving only 0.72 % of components for disposal. In summary, 99.28 % of the cabinet’s components remains available for a second life. These outcomes achieve a balance between environmental and economic imperatives by utilising the residual value of components, whose manufacturing accounts for the majority of costs. The proposed logic therefore offers manufacturers a practical tool for operationalising circular-economy objectives and informs future research on taxonomy refinement and robotic disassembly. This paper addresses therefore two research gaps, the absence of (i) a quantitative framework linking component condition, feasibility, and demand for end-of-life decisions, and (ii) tools aligning ecological gains with economical break-even, validated in an industrial case study.
Read moreWe have demonstrated that seeded growth of nanocrystals offers a convenient way to design nanoheterostructures with complex shapes and morphologies by changing the crystalline structure of the seed. By using CdSe nanocrystals with wurtzite and zinc blende structure as seeds for growth of CdS nanorods, we synthesized CdSe/CdS heterostructure nanorods and nanotetrapods, respectively. Both of these structures showed excellent luminescent properties, combining high photoluminescence efficiency (approximately 80 and approximately 50% for nanorods and nanotetrapods, correspondingly), giant extinction coefficients (approximately 2 x 10(7) and approximately 1.5 x 10(8) M(-1) cm(-1) at 350 nm for nanorods and nanotetrapods, correspondingly), and efficient energy transfer from the CdS arms into the emitting CdSe core.
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