Compound found in rice bran can suppress intestinal contractions by inhibiting calcium influx

A research team at Toho University has revealed that ferulic acid (FA), a polyphenol abundant in rice bran, suppresses intestinal smooth muscle contractions by inhibiting voltage-dependent calcium channels. This finding may open new avenues for dietary-based strategies to manage intestinal motility disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Exploring patient experiences in juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Adolescents and young adults with chronic diseases need special care—and pediatric rheumatological conditions can persist into adulthood. Two new works presented at the 2025 congress of EULAR—The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology—consider the training that health care professionals need to help support transition for younger patients, and the perspectives and experiences of young adults.

First data from the EULAR RheumaFacts project

Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) are the leading causes of disability worldwide, resulting in significant health care and social support costs. One of the reasons for this increasing burden seems to be the variability in the number and nature of allocated resources across Europe, as well as organizational aspects of health systems that result in disparities and health inequities across countries.