In a breakthrough that has the potential to reshape how we understand some forms of skin cancer, doctors at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) have identified a strain of human papillomavirus (HPV), commonly found on the skin, as the direct cause of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in a woman with a rare immune disorder.

The findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine this week, challenge long-held assumptions about the role of HPV in skin cancer and spotlight the risks faced by immunocompromised individuals.

A Case That Changed Everything

The discovery came during treatment of a 34-year-old woman, who was suffering from a rare genetic condition that severely weakened her immune system.

Over time, she developed more than 40 skin cancer lesions across her face, hands, and legs, all diagnosed as cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common form of skin cancer after melanoma.

Despite undergoing multiple surgeries and immunotherapy, her cancer kept returning.

That’s when a team of doctors, led by Dr. Andrea Lisco from NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, decided to dig deeper. What they found was shocking: her tumors were being driven by beta HPVs, a group of viruses typically seen as harmless.

“The virus replicated in a somewhat uncontrolled manner and ended up integrating into the skin cells,” said Dr. Lisco. “Once they did that, they became cancerous.”

HPV’s Role in Skin Cancer

Until now, HPV’s link to skin cancer was considered indirect at best. Scientists believed the virus might weaken skin cells or make them more vulnerable to UV damage, but not directly cause cancer.

This case flips that understanding on its head.

Unlike alpha HPVs, which are known to cause cervical, anal, and throat cancers and are targeted by the Gardasil vaccine, beta HPVs live on the skin and usually stay dormant. In healthy people, they don’t integrate into DNA or cause illness.

But in this woman’s case, a weakened immune system, specifically impaired T-cells, allowed the virus to behave aggressively and hijack her skin cells’ DNA, turning them malignant.

A Life-Saving Treatment and New Insights

With her immune system unable to fight the virus, doctors decided a stem cell transplant to replace her malfunctioning immune cells. Three years after the procedure, she remains cancer-free.

“This case gives us valuable insight into how the immune system interacts with HPV,” said Dr. Anthony Rossi, a dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, who was not involved in the study. “What’s novel is that it’s the first time beta HPV has been directly linked to human skin cancer.”

Dr. Lisco noted that while the finding is important, it doesn’t suggest that everyone with beta HPV is at risk. “We shake hands and we pick up those viruses,” he said. “But if our immune systems are intact, we’re fine.”

A Warning for the Immunocompromised

Doctors emphasize that this case highlights a very specific risk, one that primarily applies to people with compromised immune systems, including those with HIV, organ transplants, long-term immunosuppressive medications, or rare genetic conditions.

“Immunocompromised people are up to 100 times more likely to develop this type of skin cancer,” said Dr. Rossi. “HPV can integrate and disrupt the cell cycle more easily in these individuals.”

Dr. Anthony Oro, professor of dermatology at Stanford Medicine, added, “It suggests that beta HPVs could contribute to cancers in patients where the immune defense, especially T-cells, is impaired.”

Does the HPV Vaccine Help?

While Gardasil protects against nine strains of alpha HPV, it’s unclear whether it offers any protection against beta strains.

“There is some theory that cross-protection may exist,” said Dr. Rossi, “but we need more research to know for sure.”

Studies in mice had long hinted at a potential link between beta HPV and cancer, but this is the first human case to show such a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

What This Means for You

Experts say the general population is not at risk from beta HPV-related skin cancer, at least not based on current evidence. Most skin cancers are still caused by sun exposure, and the best prevention is still protecting your skin.

Here’s what you can do:

Use sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days.

Wear protective clothing when outdoors, especially during peak sun hours.

Get regular skin checks, particularly if you’re immunocompromised or have a history of skin cancer.

Consult your doctor about HPV vaccines and whether they may benefit you.

“This case serves as a reminder,” said Dr. Oro, “that even viruses we thought were harmless can become dangerous in the wrong context. And that context is often an immune system not doing its job.”

In Louisiana, two more people have died after eating oysters contaminated with the flesh-eating bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus. This brings the total number of deaths from the bacteria to six so far this year. With 14 more people infected, the total number of cases in the state has reached 34, marking the highest rate of infection in a decade.

What Is Brain-Eating Bacteria/ Vibrio vulnificus?

Vibrio vulnificus is the most dangerous type of this bacteria. It causes about 200 illnesses each year, and as many as one in five of those infections are fatal—a much higher rate than other types of Vibrio. Vibrio bacteria live naturally in coastal waters, and people can get infected in two main ways:

Eating contaminated seafood

The most common way to get sick is by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters. Oysters feed by filtering water, which can cause the Vibrio bacteria to build up inside them.

Wounds in water

The bacteria can enter the body through an open wound, such as a recent cut, scrape, piercing, or tattoo, when a person is in coastal water.

What Has Caused The Increase In Vibrio Bacteria?

Doctors and experts say that Vibrio vulnificus is becoming a yearly threat along the Gulf Coast and is now appearing further north along the Eastern Seaboard. Scientists believe that climate change is helping the bacteria spread as coastal waters get warmer. A recent study found that the northernmost cases are moving about 30 miles farther north each year.

A 2023 review published in the Microbiology Insights journal explained that as our oceans get warmer, a rare but dangerous "flesh-eating" bacterium called Vibrio vulnificus is becoming more common. This bacterium is now moving along the U.S. East Coast. It can cause serious infections that lead to limb amputations or even death within a day or two.

The bacteria can cause a severe infection called necrotizing fasciitis, which is when the flesh around an open wound starts to die. In July 2023, North Carolina reported three deaths from the infection after people with open wounds came into contact with coastal water. The state is now warning residents to be careful, especially during the warmer months.

Vibrio vulnificus thrives in warm, salty water. It can be found in sea animals and is often linked to eating raw or uncooked seafood, particularly oysters. The infection is also easily transmitted through small cuts or scrapes when a person is in seawater.

The symptoms of a Vibrio infection can be severe. In serious cases, a person may need multiple surgeries to remove dead or infected tissue, and sometimes even an amputation. These severe cases are most often seen in elderly people, those with weakened immune systems, or people with liver disease or diabetes.

Are People With Certain Diseases More At Risk?

The infection typically starts with a sudden fever and chills, followed by skin sores, usually on the legs or torso. In severe cases, it can lead to death very quickly. People with certain health conditions are at a much higher risk for serious infections, including those with:

• Diabetes
• Liver problems
• Kidney disease
• Weakened immune systems
• Those 65 and older

How Can You Protect Yourself?

According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, treating the infection requires antibiotics and sometimes aggressive surgery to remove dead tissue. In some cases, limb amputation is necessary. The best way to prevent the infection is to take a few simple steps:

• Do not eat raw or undercooked shellfish, like oysters.
• Avoid contact with warm seawater or brackish water if you have any open wounds.
• Wear protective clothing when handling raw shellfish.
• Cook shellfish thoroughly before eating it.

In South Korea, AI companion robots are being given to elderly people who live alone. These robots, called Hyodol, act as a comforting presence and a helpful tool for overworked eldercare staff. For seniors who lives alone in Seoul, the robot becomes like most treasured companion, a "lovely granddaughter" she talks to affectionately.

How Does AI Robots Transform Elderly Care

According to Taylor & Francis Online 2024 study, the Hyodol robot, a plush doll with built-in AI, is designed to keep seniors company in a nation where many older adults are deeply lonely. It Hyodol acts as a companion, offering services like religious chants, quizzes to help with memory, and daily reminders to take medicine. Media reports show that the Guro municipality in Seoul has given out over 400 of these robots, and more than 12,000 are in use across the country.

Eldercare workers say the robots have become their "eyes and ears," helping them monitor clients between visits. While the robots add to their workload with maintenance, workers feel it's worth it because of the comfort they bring. The bots provide a constant presence and someone to talk to, which can help ease feelings of loneliness and depression.

How Do Humans Bond With Bots?

Older adults often form strong connections with their Hyodols. They care for the dolls as if they were real grandchildren, feeding them pretend meals and dressing them in special outfits. Some people have even asked to be buried with their robots. Based on research at welfare centers and in seniors' homes, it shows that the robots create a "robotic multi-care network." This network includes the robots themselves, their monitoring system, elderly users, caregivers, company staff, and family members.

Instead of replacing human caregivers, the robots change how care work is done. They shift and share tasks, creating different kinds of care practices—some are hands-on, some are digital, some are close by, and some are done from a distance.

There are also ethical issues. Some seniors may become more isolated, staying home because they have a companion greeting them at the door. For those with dementia, the robots' words can be taken too literally. For example, after her Hyodol mentioned a stream, one elderly woman with dementia walked to a creek alone with her robot. The company has since removed phrases that could be misinterpreted.

Will AI Become New Age Care For Elderly?

Within this network, elderly users have found different ways to connect with the robot. Some see Hyodol as a "grandchild" and treat it with affection, while others view it as a way to stay in touch with their caregivers. The 2024 study shows that while the robots don't replace human caregivers, they do change and redistribute the work, proving to be a valuable addition to the eldercare system.

South Korea is facing a shortage of care workers, and the Hyodol program is a way to fill this gap. The robots are a much cheaper alternative to hiring more staff. While they can't replace human care, they act as a "central node" that connects people. The robots handle the first layer of oversight, alerting social workers when there's an issue.

The program has led to heartwarming moments, like a fashion show where seniors and their robots wore matching outfits. For many, the robot is not just a device, but a cherished friend. As one elderly woman said, after receiving her Hyodol, she no longer wanted to die.

When the music begins, Lidia Beltran, a Parkinson's disease patient, let's go of her physical struggles. Holding onto her therapist, she moves with grace and precision. This is part of a special program in Buenos Aires that uses tango to help people with Parkinson's. For over 15 years, around 200 patients have participated in these workshops to see how dancing affects their symptoms.

Parkinson’s is an age-related degenerative brain condition that causes parts of your braint to deteriorate. It weakens the nerve cells in some parts of your brain and causes it to become damaged. Which means things like maintaining your posture, cramped or small handwriting etc.

How Tango Can Help Parkinson’s Diseases

Media reports explain a neurologist Nelida Garretto says that a big problem for people with Parkinson's is trouble walking. She explains that since tango is a walking dance, it helps patients practice important movements like starting and stopping.

Other experts note that the results have been very good. Many patients find ways to manage their symptoms, like the sudden "freezing" that makes their feet feel stuck. One patient found that doing a "figure eight" with her feet could help her get out of a freeze. According to Arakaki, dancing creates a "sensory pathway" in the brain that helps with walking

While medication is a necessary part of Parkinson's treatment, tango acts as a form of physical therapy. Arakaki believes that music and dance help people move past difficult physical moments.

Lidia Beltran, 66, was diagnosed with Parkinson's two years ago and had never danced tango before. She joined the program on her doctor's advice, hoping it would slow the disease's progression. Beyond the physical improvements, the dance workshop also helps with the social isolation and sadness that often come with the disease. Beltran says that dancing boosts her stability and her mood. She feels that after dancing, she will have a better day.

How Does Dance Help With Parkinson’s

According to a 2024 study published in the Scientific Reports, while medications for Parkinson's disease (PD) can help with many movement issues, they don't always address other symptoms, like thinking problems or balance issues. Because of this, doctors are looking for other treatments to use alongside medication.

In a new study, researchers looked at two different types of activities to see if they could help with Parkinson's symptoms: Argentine tango and physical therapy.

Specialists say tango is effective because it is more than just a dance; it requires the brain to do many things at once. Dancers must:

• Walk in a specific way.
• Keep up with the music's rhythm.
• Respond to their partner's movements.

The 2024 study followed 24 patients with Parkinson's over four months. Half of them took part in tango classes twice a week, and the other half had group physical therapy twice a week. Both groups were tested before and after to see how their symptoms had changed.

Improved Balance and Motor Skills

Both groups saw similar improvements in their motor skills, especially with balance, both when standing still and when moving. The physical activities helped stabilize their overall abilities and slow down the disease's progression.

Better Thinking Skills

Both groups also improved on a test that measures "action naming," which is a type of cognitive skill.

Tango's Unique Benefit

The most interesting finding was that only the tango group showed a significant improvement in recognizing emotions on people's faces. This suggests that tango might help with certain social and emotional skills in a way that regular physical therapy does not.