HEALTH NEWS Curcumin shows the best balance against cancer, study showsFirst trial confirms swimming reduces disability from chronic back painNanoplastics in Drinking Water May Be Making Dangerous Bacteria Stronger, New Study WarnsKids remember veggie scents from womb, study findsWatermelon Contains Compounds Linked to Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, Studies Show Curcumin shows the best balance against cancer, study showsWroclaw Medical University (Poland), July 22 2026 (News-Medical)Curcumin, berberine, and other plant-derived compounds have long attracted scientific interest because of their anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. A new study by researchers from Wroclaw Medical University, however, shows that not all natural compounds act in the same way, and strong anticancer activity does not always go hand in hand with a good safety profile.The researchers compared five compounds: curcumin, berberine, biochanin A, cucurbitacin E, and CAPE (caffeic acid phenethyl ester), a component of propolis. They investigated how these substances affected fibrosarcoma cells and healthy muscle cells. The study focused on the NF-κB signaling pathway, which regulates inflammation, metabolism, cell survival, and cellular aging.The tested compounds disrupted mitochondrial function, reducing the cancer cells’ ability to produce energy. In fibrosarcoma cells, ATP levels decreased by approximately 83–92%, compared with reductions of around 23–73% in healthy muscle cells. This suggests that cancer cells are more vulnerable to disturbances in energy metabolism.The compounds also affected mitophagy, the process responsible for removing damaged mitochondria.All five compounds induced features of cellular senescence in fibrosarcoma cells. In this state, cells remain alive but permanently lose their ability to divide.The strongest effect was observed with curcumin. The proportion of senescent cancer cells increased from approximately 16.5% to more than 75%. For the other compounds, the percentage exceeded 66% as well.Healthy muscle cells generally showed a weaker response, suggesting a degree of selectivity towards cancer cells. First trial confirms swimming reduces disability from chronic back painMacquarie University, July 21 2026 (Eurekalert) Australian research has shown for the first time that a program of swimming can be clinically effective in reducing disability from chronic low back pain. Publishedin the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the clinical trial found an eight-week individualised program of swimming and education, guided by a physiotherapist, improved function and pain significantly more than education alone in people with back pain. The researchers recruited 76 adults aged 26 to 74 (average 41 years) who were experiencing some disability due to low back pain lasting for at least 12 weeks and allocated them at random to one of two groups. One group received an eight-week individualised program of swimming and education, supported by four telehealth coaching sessions with a physiotherapist. They weren’t regular swimmers, but they were able to swim 25 metres and feel confident in the water. The swimming programme was based on a goal of achieving three sessions of 30-45 minutes by the end of the eight weeks. After eight weeks, disability was significantly lower in the swimming group.  They improved by about 50 per cent from where they were before starting the program. Compared to the control group who received education only, swimmers scored on average 2.5 points or 30 per cent lower on a widely used disability scale.  Nanoplastics in Drinking Water May Be Making Dangerous Bacteria Stronger, New Study WarnsVirginia Tech University, July 21 2026 (Natural News)A study published in the journal Water Research found that nanoplastics, tiny plastic particles invisible to the naked eye, can increase the mechanical strength of bacterial biofilms and m