A rare fungus, deep in the Taiwanese forests, quietly harbors a secret that could soon revolutionize the way the medical community fights and treats cancer. Antrodia cinnamomea, or Taiwanofungus camphoratus, has been a part of traditional herbal medicine for centuries, valued for its medicinal properties. But modern research has uncovered something incredible: a particular sugar molecule found in this fungus can actually target and destroy cancerous cells.

Antrodia cinnamomea is highly unique, growing exclusively on a single species of endangered tree in Taiwan. Its scarcity in the wild makes it a rare find, yet its medicinal reputation has persisted for centuries. Traditionally used to boost immunity and improve liver health, the fungus is now under the scientific spotlight for its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.

National Taiwan University and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University researchers looked at a series of chemicals that the fungus produces, which are sulfate polysaccharides (SPS). The sugar molecules, also referred to as sulfated galactoglucans, bring glucose, galactose, and sulfate together into one complex molecule. SPS have been associated with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities, but the mechanism had remained unclear until now.

Nature's Secret Against Cancer

For deeper study of these molecules, researchers grew A. cinnamomea in the lab, avoiding the necessity to extract it from the threatened trees. This made it possible to have controlled cultivation and extraction of SPS compounds as needed. The researchers designed technology to induce the fungus to accumulate higher levels of SPS, which can then be analyzed in detail for its bioactive content.

Among the compounds discovered, one of them stood out in particular—labeled N50 F2. In cell experiments, N50 F2 diminished inflammation markers while specifically suppressing lung cancer cells. The combined effect—both anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer—indicates that the fungus acts on more than one biological pathway and thus could be an attractive candidate for future treatments.

How Does This Impact and Improve Cancer Treatment?

Though these findings are so far limited to in vitro experiments (lab-grown cells), the implications are considerable. Inflammation has been identified as a factor in cancer development, so drugs that blunt inflammation while specifically killing cancer cells could be the foundation for extremely potent treatments.

This research demonstrates that A. cinnamomea SPS possesses intense anti-inflammatory activity and suppresses cancer cells in vitro," the scientists said in their article published in Carbohydrate Polymers.

The find serves to highlight the potential of researching natural compounds to combat cancer. Nature already harbors a number of substances employed in current oncology—ranging from plant-derived paclitaxel to components of scorpion venom. A. cinnamomea is part of an increasingly long list of organisms with possible breakthroughs, either by killing off cancer cells directly, stopping them from spreading, or making current therapies more effective.

Despite its promise, turning this discovery into a usable treatment will require extensive research. The step from lab-grown cells to clinical application is substantial. Safety, dosage, and efficacy in humans must all be rigorously tested.

However, the researchers are optimistic. “With a fully controlled production and extraction process, we are optimistic about future applications in both health supplements and clinical treatments,” says Chia-Chuan Chang, pharmaceutical scientist at National Taiwan University.

Lab cultivation in a controlled manner also enables the fungus to be grown sustainably, overcoming the ethical issue of harvesting it from vulnerable trees. This implies that even therapies developed in the future might easily be scaled without harming the unusual natural environments in which A. cinnamomea naturally occurs.

What Is The Importance of Natural Compounds in Cancer Treatment?

The identification of N50 F2 is illustrative of a trend in medical science more broadly: turning to nature to find answers that cannot be derived through synthetic chemistry. From around the world, scientists are scrounging fungi, plants, ocean creatures, and even tardigrades for compounds that can combat cancer. From examining these natural chemicals, researchers hope to develop treatments that are better targeted, with fewer side effects than conventional chemotherapy.

Antrodia cinnamomea's SPS compounds are noteworthy as they target both tumor growth and inflammation at the same time. Inflammation is a chronic feature of several cancers, such as lung, liver, and colon cancers. Targeting this pathway, N50 F2 could provide a multipronged strategy for disease control.

The journey from laboratory discovery to a clinically approved treatment is long, but this achievement is a crucial first step. Scientists have now a clear target: SPS molecules such as N50 F2. The future will include studies on animals, tests for toxicity, and ultimately, clinical trials in humans.

This study proves the potential of natural fungal compounds as a pharmaceutical," says Chang. "With further research, these compounds may someday be a major weapon against cancer.

UK government has launched a health initiative will provide eligible children vaccination to fight measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox from 2026 January. This initiative aims to help “raise the healthiest generation of children ever, while reducing sick days and time parents take off work” says Gov UK.

Backing this UK’s the chief medical officer (CMO), also posted his opinions on X, reposting one of NHS’s posts announcing the initiative.

In the post he mentioned that “Chickenpox is common. Usually it is just unpleasant, but it can be severe or life threatening. A long-established vaccine to prevent it will be offered to all children rather than only those who can pay. Immunity by vaccination is safer than by infection.”

Why This Chickenpox Vaccination Drive Is Important?

Starting in January 2026, the UK government will launch a new vaccination program to protect children against chickenpox. The program will reach about half a million children each year and will use a combined vaccine that also protects against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMRV).

This new initiative is designed to help create a healthier generation of children. By preventing chickenpox, the program will reduce sick days for kids and cut down on the time parents have to take off work to care for them.

Who Is Eligible for This Chickenpox Vaccine?

The new vaccine will be given to eligible children during their routine doctor's appointments. The rollout is expected to save the National Health Service (NHS) an estimated £15 million each year in treatment costs for chickenpox. It will also help the UK economy by reducing the an estimated £24 million in lost income and productivity from parents missing work.

This chickenpox vaccine has been used safely for decades in many other countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Germany. These countries have seen a major drop in both chickenpox cases and hospitalizations since they started their own vaccination programs.

Stephen Kinnock, the Minister of State for Care, stated that the program gives parents "the power to protect their children from chickenpox and its serious complications, while keeping them in nursery or the classroom."

Is Chickenpox Life-Threatening?

While most people think of chickenpox as a mild illness, it can lead to serious complications. It can lead to severe complications that require a hospital stay, such as serious infections, brain swelling, or even a stroke. In rare cases, it can even be fatal. The government’s decision to offer this vaccine is based on expert advice from scientists who studied the serious impact of chickenpox on children's health.

The decision to add the chickenpox vaccine to the routine schedule was based on expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Currently, a private chickenpox vaccination can cost around £150, but with this new program, it will be available for free on the NHS.

This is the first time a new disease has been added to the routine childhood vaccination program since the meningitis B vaccine in 2015. It is a major part of the government's wider goal to improve the nation's health and shift the focus of healthcare from treating sickness to preventing it.

Health officials have issued a serious travel warning because of a recent spike in Chikungunya cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has put out a Level 2 travel warning for a part of China called Guangdong Province, telling people to be extra careful there. The city of Foshan is where most of the cases are, and the government has taken strong actions to stop the spread, similar to what was done early in the COVID pandemic.

Why Is Chikungunya A Global Problem?

Chikungunya is a painful sickness caused by a virus that you get from a mosquito bite. The name comes from an African word that means "to become bent over," which describes the way people stand because of the severe joint pain. While most people don't die from it, the joint pain can be very intense and can last for weeks, months, or even years. It's important to know that you can't catch chikungunya from another person; it's only spread by a specific type of infected mosquito.

Even though most people get better in about a week, some people are at higher risk for serious or long-lasting problems. This includes older adults, newborns, and anyone with other health issues. The CDC also advises pregnant women, especially those who are close to giving birth, to avoid traveling to these areas because the virus can pass from the mother to the baby during birth and can be very dangerous for the newborn.

Also Read: Baby Dies of Whooping Cough After Mother Didn’t Get Vaccinated

What Countries Are In Chikungunya Travel Alert

According to CDC, a travel warning has been placed for several countries for chikungunya outbreaks in several countries, including:

• Guangdong Province, China
• Kenya
• Madagascar
• Somalia
• Sri Lanka

The CDC decides to post these warnings based on several factors, such as an increase in confirmed cases among residents and travelers, the size of the outbreak, and whether the virus has appeared in a new area.

Additionally, even if there isn't a current outbreak, some countries have a consistently higher risk for U.S. travelers. There are now vaccines available to help protect you from the virus. You can find more information about these vaccines and other precautions on the CDC's website. This means at least one U.S. traveler has been diagnosed with chikungunya there in the last five years. These countries include:

• Brazil
• Colombia
• India
• Mexico
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Thailand

How Can We Prevent Chikungunya?

Since there is no cure or special medicine to treat chikungunya, the best thing to do is prevent it. The CDC gives a few simple tips for travelers to stay safe:

• Use bug spray that is approved by the EPA.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to cover your skin.
• Stay in places with air conditioning or screens on the windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
• Avoid areas with standing water, because that's where mosquitoes lay their eggs.

Also Read: Blood Thinner Shows Stronger Protection Against Heart Problems Than Standard Drug

In addition, two vaccines for chikungunya are now approved in the United States, and travelers are encouraged to get vaccinated. Worldwide, millions of people get infected with this virus every year, but luckily, it only causes a small number of deaths. In the U.S., all the cases reported this year have been from people who traveled abroad.

A baby has sadly died from whooping cough, also called pertussis. This is the first death from the illness in the UK this year. The baby's mother was not vaccinated during her pregnancy, which shows how important it is for a mother to get the vaccine to protect her new baby.

Whooping cough is a serious infection that causes severe, non-stop coughing fits. It's very dangerous for babies who are too young to have been vaccinated themselves. According to Gov UK, since 2013 to end of March 2025 32 infant deaths were reported, this case makes the toll of 33 babies who have died from whooping cough in the UK, and in 27 of those cases, the mother had not been vaccinated. The recent death, which happened between January and June 2025, is a powerful reminder of how deadly whooping cough can be for the youngest members of society.

What Is Whooping Cough?

Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is a sickness that makes you cough a lot. It's caused by a type of germ called bacteria. The name "whooping cough" comes from the "whoop" sound you might make when you try to breathe in after a bad coughing fit. It's very easy to catch and can make anyone sick, but it's especially dangerous for babies who are too young to have been vaccinated. About half of all babies under one year old who get whooping cough need to go to the hospital.

How Does Whooping Cough Spread?

The germs that cause whooping cough spread from person to person when someone coughs, sneezes, or breathes close to another person. You can also sometimes get it by touching something with the germs on it and then touching your mouth or nose. Once you start coughing, you can spread the sickness to others for about two weeks. Taking medicine called antibiotics can help you stop being contagious sooner.

Also Read: Blood Thinner Shows Stronger Protection Against Heart Problems Than Standard Drug

Have UK Vaccination Rates Gone Down?

Health officials are very worried about fewer people getting vaccinated, a problem they believe grew after the COVID-19 pandemic. Data shows that none of the main childhood vaccines in England reached the recommended 95% vaccination goal last year. This goal is key for herd immunity, a situation where enough people are vaccinated that a disease can't spread easily, protecting those who can't get a vaccine.

For example, only 72.6% of pregnant women are currently vaccinated against whooping cough. Experts say that getting vaccinated during pregnancy is the best way to give newborns protection during their first few weeks of life, before they can get their own shot at eight weeks old.

Does Whooping Cough Pose A Public Health Threat?

The death from whooping cough is part of a bigger problem: low vaccination rates are allowing diseases that were once controlled to come back. The effects are already being seen with other illnesses. Because fewer children got the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, there was a big increase in measles cases earlier this year, and one child died.

The number of five-year-olds who have received the MMR vaccine is the lowest it's been in over ten years. To fight this trend, the government is taking action. Starting in January 2026, a free chickenpox vaccine will be offered to all young children. The government also plans to start new campaigns to tell people about the safety and benefits of vaccines and to fight against false information.

What is The Best Way To Prevent Whooping Cough?

According to the MedlinePlus The best way to stop whooping cough is with a vaccine. In the U.S., there are two vaccines, DTaP and Tdap, that protect against it. It's also smart to keep babies and others who are at high risk away from anyone who is sick. You can also help prevent the spread of this sickness by:

• Washing your hands often.
• Not touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Cleaning and wiping down surfaces you touch a lot.
• Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve.
• Staying home when you are sick.