Science Alert

If you’ve ever lost at rock, paper, scissors and immediately thought, “Next time I’ll switch it up,” you’re not alone — and you’re probably doing it wrong.

According to a new study published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, most people can’t help but be predictable, even when the best strategy is to be completely random. Researchers at Western Sydney University recorded brain activity during 15,000 rounds of rock, paper, scissors and found that players who leaned too heavily on previous rounds were more likely to lose.

The key takeaway? The more you try to outthink your opponent by analyzing past rounds, the worse your chances get.

The setup: brains in competition

Most neuroscience studies look at individual brains in isolation. But this research used a method called hyperscanning, which measures brain activity in real time across two people as they interact. Traditionally, hyperscanning has been used to study cooperation. But in this case, researchers turned their focus to competition — specifically, a game where success depends on being unpredictable.

Pairs of participants played 480 rounds of rock, paper, scissors on a computer while researchers recorded their brain activity. In total, the study captured data from over 15,000 rounds.

The patterns we can’t break

Despite knowing that randomness is the optimal strategy, people still showed strong behavioral biases. More than half consistently favored “rock,” while “scissors” was the least selected. Most players also avoided repeating moves — they switched choices more often than would be expected by chance.

That tendency to avoid repetition wasn’t conscious, but it was measurable — and exploitable. According to the researchers, these patterns made players more predictable, and those who couldn’t break from them were more likely to lose.

Even more revealing, the researchers could predict a player's move from their brain activity before they made it. Not only did the brain reveal what move was coming, it also showed signs of past rounds: what the player had done, and what their opponent had played.

Here’s where it gets interesting — that retrospective thinking only showed up in the brains of people who lost.

“In the brains of winners, we found no trace of the previous round,” said co-author Manuel Varlet. “That means they were truly responding in the moment — not trying to outsmart their opponent by relying on past plays.”

Why this matters beyond the game

Sure, rock, paper, scissors is simple. But the implications reach much further. From sports to negotiations to political brinkmanship, competitive scenarios often reward adaptability and unpredictability.

“Our brains aren’t built to be random,” said co-author Denise Moerel. “And that’s often a good thing — it helps us cooperate and make sense of patterns. But in competitive settings, it can work against us.”

The researchers say the next step is to test these findings in more complex strategic environments where keeping track of past moves does help — like poker, business, or chess. But in pure games of chance and speed, like rock, paper, scissors, the best players are those who can shut off the urge to analyze what just happened.

So next time you're about to throw “rock” again because you just lost with “scissors”? Don’t. Or better yet, stop thinking altogether.

According to the science, your best move is to stop trying to be smart — and just be random.

Scientists Unveil Clever Trick To Win Rock, Paper, Scissors

CTV News

Whether it’s the smell of gingerbread, the shimmer of twinkling lights, or the hum of carolers on a chilly evening, Christmas markets have a way of pulling even the most reluctant among us into the festive spirit. And while their origins trace back to 13th-century Vienna, today these seasonal gatherings span the globe — each with its own flair.

Here’s a look at some of the most celebrated Christmas markets happening this year, from snowy European squares to tropical takes in Singapore.

Austria’s Original Magic

It all began in Vienna, and the Wiener Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz remains one of the city's most iconic. Think a reindeer train, a 110-square-metre ice rink, a giant Ferris wheel, and the beloved Tree of Hearts glittering in the winter night. Open from November 14 to December 26, with the ice rink extending to January 6.

Swiss Precision Meets Holiday Cheer

Switzerland’s largest market, Basel Christmas Market, is split between Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz, with over 150 stalls and family-friendly highlights like a fairytale forest and a towering Christmas pyramid. Running from November 27 to December 23.

France’s Festive Capital

Strasbourg’s Christmas Market is among the oldest in Europe. Launched in 1570, it now spans over 10 locations, drawing in more than 2 million people annually. Highlights include the towering tree at Place Kléber and stalls selling Alsatian wine and handcrafted gifts. Open November 26 to December 24.

Belgium’s Grand Holiday Festival

Winter Wonders in Brussels goes beyond a market — it’s a full-blown festival. Set against the backdrop of Grand Place, the event includes 200 stalls, ice skating, fairground rides, and a light and sound show. From November 28 to January 5.

Czech Charm in Prague

Prague transforms into a postcard come December. The markets at Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square (November 29 to January 6) feature local crafts, Czech sausages, and daily live entertainment.

Barcelona’s Historic Fair

Dating back to 1786, Fira de Santa Llucia in Barcelona unfolds in front of the city’s cathedral and is divided into four sections — from nativity figurines to musical instruments. Open November 29 to December 23.

Florence's German-Style Delight

Set against the backdrop of Santa Croce Basilica, I Mercati Natale in Florence offers gingerbread, strudel, and Italian staples like panforte. Nearby, Piazza del Duomo lights up with a life-size nativity. Open November 15 to December 24.

Zagreb’s Rising Star

Croatia’s capital continues to impress with Advent in Zagreb, which features 25 mini-markets, live music, food stalls, and even a “fooling around” zone. From November 29 to January 7.

Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli is a must in any season, but it becomes magical during Christmas in Tivoli (November 14 to January 4). Expect over 1,000 decorated trees, a Lucia candle procession, and fireworks on Christmas and New Year’s.

Tallinn’s Cozy Square

Estonia’s Tallinn Christmas Market takes over the Town Hall Square with traditional foods, choirs, and a reindeer-driven sleigh — all centered around a Christmas tree tradition dating back to 1441. From November 21 to December 28.

Stockholm’s Skansen Tradition

Held on Djurgarden Island, Skansen’s Christmas Market (Fridays to Sundays, November 28 to December 21) mixes Swedish cultural heritage with seasonal crafts and dancing around the tree.

Nordic Nostalgia in Helsinki

Helsinki’s Tuomaan Markkinat (November 28 to December 22) charms with glögi, handicrafts, a vintage carousel, and Santa’s wooden cabin in the heart of Senate Square.

Budapest’s Twin Markets

Hungary’s capital hosts Advent Bazilika and the Vörösmarty Square Market, with light shows on the basilica, a giant advent calendar, and Hungarian treats like langos and chimney cakes. Both markets open November 14, with varying end dates.

Germany’s Iconic Fairs

Berlin’s Gendarmenmarkt (November 24 to December 31) remains a favorite with nightly concerts and artisanal stalls. Meanwhile, Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, running November 28 to December 24, dates back to the 16th century and pulls in about 2 million visitors annually.

London’s Winter Wonderland

Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is a mega event with over 200 rides, a giant wheel, ice sculpting workshops, and food villages. Running from November 14 to January 1.

Edinburgh’s Epic Setting

With views of Edinburgh Castle and the Scott Monument, the East Princes Street Gardens Market includes a Ferris wheel, an ice rink, and an Ice Queen’s Castle attraction. Open November 15 to January 4.

Polish Tradition in Krakow

Krakow Christmas Market (November 28 to January 1) fills Rynek Glowny with Polish sausages, folk music, and a Nativity scene contest beneath the city’s historic basilica.

Slovakia’s Fairytale Fair

Bratislava’s Christmas Fair spreads across Main and Franciscan Squares and includes a giant tree, local food, and a free Christmas tram. Runs from November 27 to January 6.

Singapore’s Tropical Wonderland

At Gardens by the Bay, Christmas Wonderland (November 29 to January 1) spans over 27,000 square meters with light shows, carnival games, and a festive train — proving you don’t need snow for Christmas magic.

Toronto’s Distillery Winter Village

Once known as the Toronto Christmas Market, this cozy Canadian event (open Thursdays through Sundays from November 13 to January 4) includes singalongs, handcrafted gifts, and Narnia-themed storytelling in the historic Distillery District.

New York’s Bryant Park Village

Winter Village at Bryant Park features 150 kiosks, a free ice rink, and a rinkside bar. Open since October 24, it runs through January 4.

Chicago’s Christkindlmarket

Chicago’s famed German-style market has three locations this year — Daley Plaza, RiverEdge Park, and Wrigleyville — featuring bratwurst, ornaments, and mulled wine. Daley Plaza opens November 21, with varying dates for the other sites.

No matter where you are this holiday season, chances are there’s a festive market nearby — or a plane ride away — ready to serve up mulled wine, twinkling lights, and a little Christmas magic.

Here are The Best Christmas Markets Happening Worldwide This Year — Did Your City Make The List?

For months, Diane Davis knew something was wrong. She had unrelenting nausea, back pain, and a total loss of appetite. CT scans, MRIs, and even a colonoscopy offered no clear diagnosis. Antibiotics didn’t help. Neither did the string of specialists she saw. “I just got sicker and sicker,” she recalled.

It wasn’t until January 2017, when she met Dr. Christopher Darus at Maine Medical Center, that she finally got answers. A gynecologic oncologist, Darus took one look at Davis’ extensive family history of cancer and scheduled exploratory surgery. The next day, he found a softball-sized ovarian tumor that had already spread.

“It was devastating, obviously, but I was relieved too, because at least now we knew,” Davis said.

Darus removed the tumor and laid out a treatment plan that began with chemotherapy. But midway through her treatment, scans revealed a new tumor growing in her pelvis. Her cancer was not only back — it was growing aggressively.

“It’s extremely rare, extremely ominous,” Darus said. Ovarian cancer that recurs during treatment typically leads to a grim prognosis. “Generally, women whose cancer does not return within six months have a better prognosis,” he explained. “Those whose cancer recurs faster typically live less than two years.”

To make matters worse, the cancer had also spread to her lymph nodes. “I did not expect, halfway through chemotherapy, to be in a worse situation than I was when I was first diagnosed,” Davis said.

Darus sent her tumor out for molecular testing. The results revealed that Davis had Lynch syndrome — a genetic condition that increases the risk of multiple types of cancer, including ovarian.

“Lynch syndrome is essentially a cancer syndrome,” said Dr. Paul Oberstein, a medical oncologist at NYU Langone. People with the condition are more vulnerable to DNA errors in their cells. Normally, certain proteins would catch and repair these mistakes. But in patients with Lynch, those proteins are missing or nonfunctional. As errors pile up, the body often struggles to recognize the abnormal cells — and tumors begin to grow.

That vulnerability, paradoxically, opened the door to a new treatment option. Because Lynch-related tumors tend to accumulate so many mutations — sometimes 50 or more — they often stand out to the immune system when it’s properly activated.

Enter immunotherapy.

In June 2017, the FDA approved pembrolizumab, a checkpoint inhibitor that removes cancer’s ability to hide from the body’s immune defenses. Darus prescribed it immediately. Davis received infusions every three weeks.

The results were almost immediate.

“Within two treatments, the new mass in Davis' pelvis was gone, and the cancer on her lymph nodes was receding,” the report stated.

“It was kind of like a ping-pong ball: You get diagnosed, and then you get sick again, and then having the immunotherapy just swung me right back to feeling good,” Davis said.

She stayed on the treatment for two years. Today, six years later, she is in complete remission.

Her Lynch syndrome diagnosis also prompted a reckoning for her family. The condition is hereditary, with a 50% chance of passing it to children. Tracing it back to her paternal grandfather, Davis saw patterns emerge. Her father and uncle, who both died of cancer in their 60s, likely had it. Her siblings were tested — and diagnosed. Her children were next.

Her son tested negative. Her daughter tested positive — and it may have saved her life.

At age 29, her daughter underwent a colonoscopy, far earlier than standard screening guidelines. Doctors found a large precancerous polyp and removed it before it became a serious threat.

“She would not have had that screening until she had much more serious symptoms,” Davis said. “So it's been really good in that respect.”

Now in her 60s, Davis is focused on the present. She goes hiking with her grandkids and takes them snowmobiling in the winter. She still gets regular scans. Her risk of future cancers remains high. But she’s not dwelling on what could happen.

"It's been amazing. It's getting further and further in the distance,” she said. “When the chemotherapy failed, I pretty much thought, ‘This is it.’ I thought I had maybe six months. But it was amazing. It was really, really amazing."

A Rare Genetic Discovery Just Saved This Woman's Life From Seemingly Incurable Cancer

Fox News

The idea of tackling a hissing, angry-looking swan would put most of us off, but an intrepid police officer in Germany was up to the challenge, even if the bird proved quite the handful.

According to the Rhineland-Palatinate Police, the officer, named as Marion, showed “full commitment” to the task in hand, as she carried the lurching swan to safety and set it back down on the banks of the Moselle River.

According to Sudwestrundfunk, the swan was reported to be going in and out of traffic, forcing drivers to “swerve and brake.”

Efforts to coax the bird off the bridge were unsuccessful, a police source told the outlet. “It hissed at the policewoman and behaved quite aggressively,” the spokesman said.

As the now-viral video showed, Officer Marion remained undeterred.

Officer Rescues Hissing Swan From Busy Bridge After It Blocks Traffic

Every morning, just before the sun rises, birds across the globe burst into song — a familiar but still puzzling phenomenon known as the dawn chorus. Now, a new study suggests at least part of the explanation may come down to impatience.

Researchers studying captive zebra finches found that when sunrise was artificially delayed, the birds sang more intensely and started earlier than usual — a kind of avian anticipation building up in the dark.

The study, conducted by a team led by Ednei Barros dos Santos at the Korea Brain Research Institute, hasn’t been peer reviewed yet but offers a revealing look into what may be driving this early morning racket. The researchers housed male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) in a controlled lab setting and manipulated their light schedules to observe how the timing of sunrise affected their singing behavior.

In normal light conditions, the birds sang hundreds of times each morning. But in total darkness, they fell completely silent. This contrast raised a key question: how much of their morning performance depends on the progression of night into day?

To find out, the team delayed “sunrise” by three hours, keeping the lights off longer than usual. Interestingly, the birds still woke up at the same time, even in the dark. They moved about actively but didn’t sing — at least not until the lights came on. Once light finally arrived, they unleashed a flurry of songs at a faster rate than normal and started singing immediately.

Their eagerness became even more apparent when researchers installed a light switch that the birds could trigger themselves. In the delayed dawn setup, the finches frequently used the switch to activate 10 seconds of light, effectively fast-tracking their own sunrise. In contrast, when sunrise came earlier, they didn’t bother with the switch at all.

The researchers believe this shows a clear buildup of internal motivation. “Birds wake up in the dark long before dawn, likely through the hormonal mechanisms associated with melatonin, and their intrinsic motivation to sing increases while spontaneous singing is being suppressed by the darkness,” the team writes.

In other words, the longer the wait, the stronger the urge — until they finally burst into song.

The findings add weight to an existing theory: that the dawn chorus may function as a kind of vocal warm-up. Like athletes stretching before a game, birds may be sharpening their performance after a night of silence to boost their reproductive chances during the day.

“Since a vocal exercise function has been proposed for the dawn chorus in wild songbirds as well, we propose that these mechanisms and function… may be applicable, at least in part, to the dawn chorus generally observed in wild birds,” the authors wrote in their conclusion.

The study was posted on bioRxiv as a preprint, which means it hasn’t yet undergone formal peer review. But the results point to something bird lovers and early risers have long suspected: that those first few notes at sunrise aren’t just beautiful — they’re full of pent-up energy.

Study Suggests Zebra Finches Sing Louder at Dawn When Sunrise Is Delayed

In the English countryside near Thurgarton, Nottinghamshire, a one-of-a-kind Airbnb is drawing animal lovers from across the world — and it all started with a miniature Shetland pony named Basil.

Guests at the rustic holiday rental can spend the night in a 17th-century barn that shares a wall — and a windowed door — with Basil’s stable. It’s a setup that’s proven so popular, it’s often booked out a year in advance, according to owner Brittany Sparham.

“At first we just had the idea to rent out the outbuilding, as there was a huge surge of people looking for staycations because of COVID,” Sparham, 28, told SWNS. “But with Basil's stable directly next to it, we thought why not do something really unique and open up the doorway between the two rooms, so guests could see Basil.”

The result? A cozy countryside escape with a miniature horse as your roommate — for about $230 per night, or £360 for a two-night minimum stay.

The idea quickly took off on social media as guests began posting videos of the 12-year-old pony peeking through the adjoining stable door. Now, Sparham says the barn stay is a hit with families, couples, and equestrian fans alike.

“It works out well for Basil too, as he always has company and gets lots of fuss and attention,” she said.

According to Sparham, Basil is a “very chilled individual” with a predictable routine. He spends his days playing with friends in the field, and at night, he trots right into his stable on his own. “He knows he gets lots of attention and all the hay to himself for the night,” she added.

The barn, located on the grounds of a historic manor, includes a double bed and bunk beds to sleep up to four people. It’s equipped with a full kitchen, bathroom, outdoor tiki hut, and a log fire BBQ area. Guests are also free to explore the grounds, including a bridge that leads to views of cows, sheep, and full-size horses.

There are some rules: guests aren’t allowed to feed Basil, but they are welcome to brush him with tools provided — and even help clean out his stable if they’re feeling hands-on.

Living next to a horse does come with certain realities — smells and nighttime noises among them — but Sparham says most guests embrace the experience.

“From strangers, sometimes it’s mixed reactions. People think it might smell or be too noisy,” she said. “But everyone who stays loves it.”

And Basil? He seems to love it too.

Miniature Horse Joins Guests As Roommate In Unique Airbnb Experience

People

More than two decades after How the Grinch Stole Christmas became a holiday classic, Cindy-Lou Who and the Grinch are back together again.

Taylor Momsen, now 32, reunited with her Grinch co-star Jim Carrey, 63, at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on November 8 — marking their first in-person meeting since the film’s release in 2000. And according to Momsen, the moment was both joyful and deeply meaningful.

“I just love that he was very protective of me,” she told PEOPLE. “He was always very kind. And just the entire experience of filming Grinch and getting to know him so well, even in all the makeup, was just wonderful.”

Momsen was just five years old when she stepped into the role of Cindy-Lou Who, starring alongside Carrey’s green-furred, Christmas-hating Grinch. Though his face was always covered in prosthetics and yak hair, Momsen said his warmth and care always came through.

“To me, he was always Jim and he was always in makeup,” she said in a recent episode of Call Her Daddy. “He was very kind, super funny, super animated, absolutely awesome.”

In fact, she didn’t even know what Carrey actually looked like until the movie’s premiere.

“Someone had to point him out to me and go, ‘That’s Jim,’” she recalled. “And I went, ‘Oh, Jim.’”

Now the frontwoman of the rock band The Pretty Reckless, Momsen said the experience of watching Carrey work — even at such a young age — left a lasting impression on her as an artist.

“As a young person watching an artist at work and taking their craft so seriously, that left a really powerful, lasting impact on me as an adult now,” she said. “And I’m excited to be able to tell him that as a grownup.”

For fans, The Grinch has become a holiday staple, returning each December to deliver the same message of love, community, and personal growth. Momsen said she understands exactly why the film continues to resonate after 25 years.

“I think that people love The Grinch just simply because the core of the story is so sweet and it’s so heartwarming and it has such a good message,” she said in a 2020 interview with Today. “That no matter what age touches your heart, I think that’s an amazing thing to be a part of.”

Carrey agrees. Speaking to Extra in 2024, he said he’s “so gratified” that the film has become part of the seasonal tradition for so many families.

“When it pops up every year, I’m really happy about it,” he said. “It’s one of the yule logs people go to.”

And now, a quarter century after The Grinch brought them together, it’s clear that the bond between its stars — much like the film itself — hasn’t faded with time.

Taylor Momsen and Jim Carrey Reunite 25 Years After The Grinch: “He Was Always Very Protective of Me”

For the past decade, Lithuanian photographer Andrius Burba has been flipping the camera — and the perspective — on the animal kingdom.

His long-running project Underlook features animals photographed from directly underneath, using a specially designed glass panel setup. The result is a series of images that are equal parts whimsical and revealing, offering a rarely seen view of cats, dogs, reptiles, insects, and even horses from below.

"We often think we know what things look like, but in reality, we only see them from one angle — the one that’s familiar and ordinary," Burba said in an email to PEOPLE. "The world from underneath is also part of our reality; we’ve just never had the chance to see it before."

The idea for Underlook came to him after he saw a photo of a cat lounging on a glass coffee table. The way the feline’s paws tucked beneath its body intrigued him. It sparked a simple but profound question: What else have we never noticed?

Burba took his first photos using this method in 2015 at the International Cat Show in Vilnius. Since then, he’s expanded his portfolio to include a wide range of species — from sleek dogs to hairy horses — capturing animals with their fur splayed, limbs curled, or bellies fully exposed. It's a view that feels strangely intimate, sometimes funny, and often disarmingly beautiful.

Each shoot, especially with larger animals, comes with its own set of challenges. To photograph a horse from below, Burba worked with an engineer to design a reinforced underground setup, including a custom-built glass surface strong enough to support the animal's weight. Lighting, reflections, and even ceiling backdrops are all carefully considered to make the shots work.

His images have gained him a devoted following online, along with two published Underlook photography books. But Burba isn’t done yet.

He’s already acquired three plots of land near Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, where he plans to build photography studios tailored for even bigger projects. His next dream subjects? Cows, tigers, and elephants.

He hopes the unusual perspective will help people reconnect with the wonder in everyday life. “When you look at a tiger from underneath, you might notice for the first time that its belly fur is white — and start to ask why,” he said. “It’s those small discoveries that open our minds and make us see the world differently.”

Through Underlook, Burba isn’t just photographing animals. He’s turning the camera on our assumptions — and asking us to look again.

Photographer's Viral Images Capture Animals Upside Down; Elephants May Be Next

In a beauty industry known for going bigger and bolder, Victoria Jackson and Kim Wileman are betting on something different: stillness.

Their newest launch, No Fragrance Fragrance, is a quiet revolution in a space that usually speaks loudly. It doesn’t cling. It doesn’t overwhelm. And it doesn’t announce itself before you walk into a room. Instead, it adapts — to your pH, your skin, your environment — creating a scent that’s less about wearing perfume and more about reflecting who you are.

Already named one of Oprah’s Favorite Things of 2025, the product is described as a “Fragrance Essence,” a new category coined by the duo behind No Makeup Makeup. Jackson and Wileman are the same pair who brought back minimalist beauty with products that enhance instead of cover. Now, they’re bringing that same ethos to fragrance.

At the heart of No Fragrance Fragrance is FlexScent™ technology, a formula that changes with your chemistry. What you get is a lightweight veil of soft musk, peony petals, pink pomelo, and lily of the valley — but no two wearers will smell exactly the same.

“It’s less about wearing a scent and more about embodying one,” Wileman says.

Jackson’s approach is deeply personal. After decades of requests from fans, she wanted her return to fragrance to be about more than smell. “I wanted to create a scent that grounds you… one you truly feel,” she says. Inspired by her favorite meditation poem, My Shadow, she imagined a fragrance as a daily ritual — something that calms the mind, not just perfumes the skin.

The bottle itself mirrors that idea: a smooth, sculptural object with no defined beginning or end. A small tactile divot is carved into its side, designed to rest between your fingers — a gentle prompt to pause and breathe. It retails for $75.

Formulated with sensitive skin in mind, the essence is also microbiome-friendly, developed with My Z-Biome™ technology from Givaudan’s Custom Essence fragrance house. That means it works with your body’s natural chemistry rather than fighting it — no irritation, no synthetic overload.

And while it’s not a traditional perfume, it’s already finding fans across generations and industries. Meghan Markle is a longtime supporter of Jackson’s minimalist beauty line and recently used the brand’s Blush & Lip Color during a trip to New York. Oprah Winfrey, a new fan, says it’s the only fragrance she wears.

“I almost never wear fragrance—I like the fresh scent of just stepping out of a shower—but this one won me over,” Oprah said. “It’s light, clean, and somehow becomes your own.”

The product’s sold-out launch on QVC suggests she’s not the only one feeling that way.

For a brand built on the philosophy that less can be more, No Fragrance Fragrance feels like a natural next step. It doesn’t try to be everything — just the right thing. A personal, grounded scent in an industry that usually chases drama.

“It’s not meant to sit on your vanity,” Jackson says. “It’s meant to live with you.”

New Fragrance Launched For Those Who Prefer Scent-Free Living

Upworthy

A team of scientists at Northwestern University has redesigned a weak chemotherapy drug into a powerful, precision-targeted treatment that could dramatically reshape how cancer is treated.

In a study published this year, researchers re-engineered a poorly dissolving chemo agent into a nanomedicine that delivers a 20,000-fold increase in potency — without damaging healthy tissue. The findings, described as a major step forward in precision cancer therapy, mark a potentially transformative moment for oncology.

“If this translates to human patients, it’s a really exciting advance,” said Chad A. Mirkin, the study’s lead researcher and a professor of chemistry, biomedical engineering, and medicine at Northwestern. “It would mean more effective chemotherapy, better response rates, and fewer side effects. That’s always the goal with any sort of cancer treatment.”

A smarter, safer chemo

Traditional chemotherapy has long been plagued by its scattershot approach — attacking both cancerous and healthy cells, which leads to harmful side effects. One of the biggest limitations is poor solubility: some drugs are so chemically unstable that less than 1% dissolves in the body, making treatment inefficient and often ineffective.

The Northwestern team tackled this by creating a nanoparticle delivery system that keeps the chemotherapy drug stable and directs it to leukemia cells. In lab tests on mice, the drug homed in on cancer cells in the blood and spleen, releasing the payload directly where it was needed. Healthy cells were left largely untouched.

“Instead of overwhelming the whole body with chemotherapy, it delivers a higher, more focused dose exactly where it’s needed,” said Mirkin. “Our structural nanomedicine preferentially seeks out the myeloid cells.”

AI and nanotech push cancer treatment into a new era

This isn’t an isolated breakthrough. Across cancer research, artificial intelligence and nanotechnology are converging to reduce toxicity and improve outcomes.

A 2024 MDPI study found that AI can help doctors predict when chemo patients are most likely to experience side effects — giving healthcare teams a chance to intervene early. Another paper, published by the Royal Society of Chemistry, pointed to improved tumor targeting and delivery using nanotech, resulting in reduced damage to surrounding tissues and more effective treatment.

Researchers are also rethinking how existing drugs are used. A National Library of Medicine study last year found that in cases of gastric cancer, combining targeted immunotherapy with optimized treatment timing led to better results. Rather than inventing new drugs from scratch, scientists are increasingly focused on smarter ways to use the medicines we already have.

“Looking ahead, integration of molecular biomarkers, multidisciplinary care, and international collaboration will be key,” the study concluded.

A shift in cancer treatment is underway

According to a 2025 article in Oxford Academic, targeted therapies and immunotherapies are likely to replace traditional chemo as first-line treatments in many cancers. These therapies are designed to attack specific genes or proteins that fuel cancer growth — a sharp contrast from the blunt force of standard chemotherapy.

The Northwestern study fits squarely into that trend, showing how old drugs can be given new life through precise delivery and molecular redesign.

While many of these innovations haven’t yet reached widespread clinical use, researchers say the direction is clear. Multimodal approaches — combining surgery, radiation, immunotherapy, and now smarter chemo — are rapidly becoming the standard for comprehensive cancer care.

For now, studies like this one offer something rare in cancer treatment: real, tangible hope.

“It’s not just about killing cancer,” Mirkin said. “It’s about doing it better, faster, and safer than we ever could before.”

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