Archive
Health & Sun Protection
A record of albinism news, research, and advocacy from trusted sources around the world. Reviewed by a human editor before publication.
Jane Kasweka
Livingstone, Zambia
Delphile Bandha
Livingstone, Zambia
Purity Kashweka
Livingstone, Zambia
Dorcus Siabasimbi
Livingstone, Zambia
Carolina Khaskelis from the United States is visiting Livingstone, Zambia, where she is spending time with members of the local albinism community, including Jane Kasweka, Delphile Bandha, Purity Kashweka, and Dorcus Siabasimbi. Alongside distributing essential sunscreen, Carolina is listening to their stories and learning more about their experiences, challenges, and hopes for the future.
Health & Sun ProtectionJournal of Investigative DermatologyVisible light triggers pigmentation differently across skin types
A Journal of Investigative Dermatology study found visible light causes pigmentation in darker skin types but redness in lighter ones — a distinction relevant to albinism research.
Health & Sun ProtectionJournal of Investigative DermatologyOxidative stress study reveals potential CTCL treatment target
New research in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology identifies a distinct oxidative stress profile in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, pointing toward a possible therapeutic vulnerability.
Health & Sun ProtectionAllAfrica — AlbinismNigeria moves to expand cancer care funding
The Nigerian government has introduced measures to make cancer treatment more affordable, though costs remain out of reach for many patients, according to officials.
Health & Sun ProtectionJournal of Investigative DermatologyImmune checkpoint protein studied across inflammatory skin diseases
Researchers examined how a protein called VISTA behaves differently across skin conditions. The findings may point toward new treatment strategies for chronic inflammation.
Health & Sun ProtectionAllAfrica — AlbinismGlobal cancer cases could reach 35 million by 2050
A new WHO report warns that annual cancer cases worldwide could nearly double by 2050 without urgent improvements in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Health & Sun ProtectionAllAfrica — AlbinismLiberia urged to build regional teaching hospitals
A health conference has called on Liberia's government to invest in specialist medical education and regional teaching hospitals as part of a long-term health strategy.
Health & Sun ProtectionAllAfrica — AlbinismMozambique health chief urges Africa to invest in science
Eduardo Samo Gudo, head of Mozambique's National Institute of Health, called on African nations to stop depending on wealthier countries for medicines and diagnostics.
Health & Sun ProtectionJournal of Investigative DermatologyAI tool estimates melanoma depth without skin biopsy
A deep learning model trained on reflectance confocal microscopy images can classify melanoma and estimate Breslow depth non-invasively, the Journal of Investigative Dermatology reported.
Health & Sun ProtectionAllAfrica — AlbinismKenya's SHA to cut payments to clinics that withhold medicines
Kenya's Social Health Authority will reduce reimbursements to clinics that fail to dispense prescribed medicines, aiming to close gaps in primary care access.
Health & Sun ProtectionAllAfrica — AlbinismCompounded medicines in South Africa raise safety questions
A court case has exposed gaps in how South Africa regulates medicines made outside standard factory conditions. Researchers argue existing oversight may not be enough.
Health & Sun ProtectionAmerican Journal of Human GeneticsGene study links CDK20 mutations to severe ciliopathy
Researchers have identified CDK20 as a cause of severe ciliopathy, a finding with potential implications for understanding rare genetic conditions that can affect people with albinism.
Health & Sun ProtectionGoogle News — AlbinismHuman Rights Watch calls for sunscreen access for albinism
Human Rights Watch has published a report calling for guaranteed access to sun protection for people with albinism. Lack of sunscreen raises significant skin cancer risk.
Health & Sun ProtectionPubMed — Albinism ResearchA new OCA2 mutation identified in genetic case report
Researchers have documented a previously unreported genetic mutation linked to oculocutaneous albinism type 2, adding to the known map of OCA2 variants.
Health & Sun ProtectionAllAfrica — AlbinismNigeria launches N50 million cancer patient support fund
The Nigerian federal government has established a dedicated fund to help cancer patients cover transport, accommodation, and food costs. People with albinism, who face elevated skin cancer risk, stand to benefit.
Health & Sun ProtectionJournal of Investigative DermatologyClustered moles may signal elevated melanoma risk
A Journal of Investigative Dermatology study finds that how moles are distributed across the skin — not just how many there are — may matter for melanoma risk.
Health & Sun ProtectionJournal of Investigative DermatologyCSB mutations and mild UV sensitivity: what researchers found
A study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology links residual CSB protein activity to a milder form of UV-sensitive syndrome, distinct from Cockayne syndrome.
Health & Sun ProtectionAmerican Journal of Human GeneticsWhen genetic scores miss the individual behind the data
A study in the American Journal of Human Genetics finds that people whose traits diverge from polygenic predictions carry a higher burden of rare, damaging gene variants. The finding reshapes how researchers think about inherited disease risk.
Health & Sun ProtectionAmerican Journal of Human GeneticsSocial factors sharpen genetic disease risk predictions
A new study finds that adding social determinants of health to genetic models improves disease risk prediction across six common conditions. The findings draw on data from over 200,000 participants.
Health & Sun ProtectionPubMed — Albinism ResearchScientists map the genes behind white tea leaves
A new study published in Nature identifies the genetic pathways that cause a rare tea plant to grow without pigment, offering clues relevant to albinism research.
Health & Sun ProtectionJournal of Investigative DermatologyA lipid molecule may explain how keloid radiotherapy works
Researchers have identified two molecular signals that drive the benefits of keloid radiotherapy, pointing toward treatments that do not require radiation access.