Harvard develops colon‑chip for IBD; Brazilian study links artificial sweeteners to faster brain aging

Harvard University researchers created a microengineered "colon chip" that replicates human intestinal tissue using cells taken from patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The platform allows detailed observation of how different gut cell types interact during inflammation, and it revealed that fibroblast cells play a more active role in disease progression than previously thought. The researchers suggest the chip could be used to explore disease mechanisms and test new therapies.

A separate observational study conducted by scientists at the University of São Paulo followed 12,772 participants for roughly eight years. The analysis found that higher intake of most common artificial sweeteners – including aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame‑K, erythritol, xylitol and sorbitol – was associated with a faster decline in memory and cognitive performance, equivalent to about 1.6 additional years of brain aging. The effect was most pronounced in individuals under 60 and among people with diabetes. The authors emphasized that the study shows correlation, not causation, and that lifestyle factors may also influence the results.