New research reveals a revised definition of obesity, indicating that over 75% of U.S. adults could now be classified as obese. This stark increase is based on a recent study’s findings.
Currently, approximately 43% of Americans meet the traditional body mass index (BMI) standard of 30 or above. However, when researchers expanded the definition to include waist-to-height and waist-to-hip ratios, the estimated obesity prevalence soared to 75.2%.
A detailed analysis conducted by a research team from Yale School of Medicine and Harvard University emphasizes that relying solely on BMI may significantly underestimate the actual number of individuals with excess body fat.
According to the study director, Dr. Nora Al Roub, a professor at the Yale School of Public Health, “BMI is a straightforward calculation based on weight and height. While it is simple to compute, it does not provide insight into fat distribution or the composition of a person’s weight pertaining to fat versus muscle.” – BBC Science Focus.
The updated criteria classify all adults with a BMI of 30 or higher as obese, as well as 38.5% of individuals with a BMI under 25, which is typically deemed healthy.
Dr. Al Roub states, “This increase underscores how many individuals possess unhealthy levels of body fat, even while having a normal or slightly elevated BMI.”
The study notes that while these newly identified obese individuals may not require immediate medical interventions, they are at an elevated risk for conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, highlighting the importance of early preventive strategies.
Innovative diagnostic strategies aim to identify more obesity cases before they lead to complications – Credit: Getty
The new guidelines, first suggested in January 2025 by the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology Committee led by Professor Francesco Rubino of King’s College London, have received endorsement from over 70 healthcare organizations.
Professor Rubino pointed out that the recent analysis may slightly misinterpret these guidelines. The additional metrics were intended to help identify individuals who may have obesity even if their BMI is just under the obesity threshold.
He further notes that the thresholds can differ based on gender and ethnicity, but generally, a BMI of 25 is considered well below the obesity classification.
Dr. Al Roub emphasized that the goal of the study was not to redefine obesity but to understand how population-level obesity estimates change when these criteria are uniformly applied to real-world datasets.
What are the Updated Guidelines for Obesity?
The new guidelines propose utilizing BMI as an initial screening tool to identify individuals at risk, followed by several additional measurements. While specific thresholds can vary by age, gender, and ethnicity, commonly accepted cutoffs include:
Waist circumference of 102cm or more for men, and 88cm or more for women
Waist-to-hip ratio of 0.9 or greater for men, and 0.85 or greater for women
Waist-to-height ratio exceeding 0.5
To be categorized as obese, individuals must meet one of the following criteria:
BMI of 40 or more
BMI between 30-39 (or ethnicity-specific threshold) along with at least one additional measurement
BMI less than but close to 30 (or ethnicity-specific threshold) plus at least two additional measurements
The award-winning athlete may have been a late bloomer when it came to enhancing their abilities
Michael Steele/Getty Images
A review has revealed that international chess masters, Olympic gold medalists, and Nobel Prize-winning scientists were seldom child prodigies. In many cases, early childhood achievements and rigorous training do not lead to elite performance as adults.
This investigation, based on 19 studies involving nearly 35,000 high achievers, indicates that most adults who dominate global rankings in their respective fields engaged in various activities during their youth, gradually honing their expertise.
The findings challenge the popular notion that reaching top performance internationally necessitates rigorous training in early childhood, according to Arne Gullich from RPTU Kaiserslautern in Germany. “Understanding that many world-class performers were not exceptionally outstanding in their formative years implies that extraordinary early achievements are not a precondition for sustained elite performance.”
The life stories of notable global experts further indicate that the correlation between childhood and adult success may not be as significant as perceived. For instance, while composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, golfer Tiger Woods, chess prodigy Gyukesh Donmaraj, and mathematician Terence Tao were undeniable child prodigies, others like composer Ludwig van Beethoven, basketball legend Michael Jordan, chess player Viswanathan Anand, and scientist Charles Darwin were not recognized as such.
The studies analyzed by Gurich and colleagues included examinations of the life journeys of Olympic athletes, Nobel laureates in science, the top ten chess players globally, renowned classical music composers, and international leaders across various disciplines.
In numerous fields, early successes and later elite performers exhibited stark differences. In fact, only around 10% of individuals who excelled as youngsters maintained that level into adulthood, with a similar percentage of those who thrived as young adults continuing to excel later in life.
The researchers compared their findings with data from 66 studies on the training experiences of young athletes and “sub-elite” athletes — those who have achieved notable local recognition but are not world-class. They observed that common traits attributed to high-achieving youth, such as early specialization and rapid advancement, are often lacking or even reversed in adults who perform at the highest levels.
This may stem from the fact that gaining exposure to a diverse range of activities in early childhood cultivates adaptable learning skills, enabling children to discover the pursuits that resonate best with them. “Essentially, they identify the best match for their interests and enhance their learning potential for future endeavors,” Gullich notes.
Additionally, a less rigorous training schedule during childhood and adolescence can help mitigate the risk of burnout and injuries that might hinder long-term careers. “There’s a danger of becoming entrenched in an area that you no longer find enjoyable, which could lead you to seek a change,” Gullich adds.
This review addresses an enduring research gap by clearly differentiating between early success and prolonged elite performance. According to David Feldon from Utah State University, there remains a propensity to push children towards intense focus on acquiring and practicing specific skills. “This undoubtedly fosters expertise and yields immediate benefits,” he explains. “However, it remains uncertain whether this will be advantageous over a lifetime.”
For Feldon, who also coaches youth wrestling, the implications of this review are essential for those guiding children’s skill development. “It’s about not just nurturing exceptional expertise but doing so in a healthy and constructive manner that fosters improvement in a broader context, rather than simply achieving narrow targets.”
As a result, programs aimed at quick identification and acceleration of young talents may overlook many potential future leaders, as they often prioritize immediate success over sustained excellence. Gullich emphasizes, “Do elite training programs, gifted programs, and scholarship initiatives typically cater to very young age groups with a singular focus? Given recent evidence, it is more beneficial to inspire young people to engage in at least one or possibly two other disciplines over several years.”
Instagram’s method for confirming if a user surpasses 16 years old is fairly straightforward, especially when the individual is evidently an adult. However, what occurs if a 13-year-old attempts to alter their birth date to seem older?
In November, Meta informed Instagram and Facebook users whose birth dates are registered as under 16 that their accounts would be disabled as part of Australia’s prohibition on social media use for children. This rule will take effect on December 10, with Meta announcing that access for users younger than 16 will start being revoked from December 4.
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Dummy social media accounts were created on phones as part of Guardian Australia’s investigation into what content different age groups access on the platform.
Instagram notification sent to a test account with an age set to 15. Photo: Instagram/Meta
One account was created on Instagram with the age set at 15 to observe the impact of the social media ban for users under 16. Instagram later stated: “Under Australian law, you will soon be unable to use social media until you turn 16.”
“You cannot use an Instagram account until you’re 16, which means your profile will not be visible to you or anyone else until that time.”
“We’ll inform you when you can access Instagram again.”
Notice informing that test account users will lose access due to the Australian social media ban. Photo: Instagram/Meta
The account was then presented with two choices: either download account data and deactivate until the user is 16, or verify their date of birth.
Instagram notification sent to test account set to age 15 regarding date of birth review options. Photo: Instagram/Meta
The second option enables users to submit a “video selfie” to validate that the account holder is older than 16. The app activated the front-facing camera and prompted the adult test user, distinguished by a thick beard, to shift their head side to side. This resembles the authentication method used for face unlock on smartphones.
Explanation on how the “Video Selfie” feature estimates the user’s age. Photo: Instagram/Meta
The notification indicated that the verification process usually takes 1-2 minutes, but may extend up to 48 hours.
Notification sent to the test account following the date of birth verification request. Photo: Instagram/Meta
The app promptly indicated that accounts created by adult test users were recognized as 16 years or older.
A notification confirming the user’s date of birth was updated by Instagram. Photo: Instagram/Meta
In another test, a 13-year-old boy created a fresh account on his mobile device, avoiding installing Instagram and using a birth date that clearly suggested he was under 16. There was no immediate alert regarding the upcoming social media ban.
When the child attempted to change their date of birth to reflect an adult age, the same video selfie facial age estimation process was performed.
Within a minute, it replied, “We couldn’t verify your age,” and requested a government-issued ID for date of birth verification.
Facial age testing during the Age Assurance Trial revealed that individuals over 21 were generally much less prone to being misidentified as under 16. Meanwhile, those closer to 16 years of age and minorities experienced higher rates of false positives and negatives.
Meta may have already assessed users who haven’t been notified as 18 years or older, utilizing data such as birth date, account lifespan, and other user activity.
A Meta representative mentioned that the experiment demonstrated that the process functions as expected, with “adult users being capable of verifying their age and proceeding, while users under 16 undergo an age check when attempting to alter their birth date.”
“That said, we must also recognize the findings of the Age Assurance Technical Examination, which highlights the specific difficulties of age verification at the 16-year threshold and anticipates that the method may occasionally be imperfect,” the spokesperson added.
Last month, Communications Minister Annika Wells acknowledged the potential challenges confronting the implementation of the ban.
“We recognize that this law isn’t flawless, but it is essential to ensure that there are no gaps,” she stated.
Meta collaborates with Yoti for age verification services. The company asserts on its website that facial images will be destroyed once the verification process concludes.
The ban impacts Meta’s Facebook, Instagram, and Threads platforms, as well as others such as Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitch, X, and YouTube.
The online gaming platform Roblox is set to restrict interactions between children and adults, as well as older teenagers, starting next month. This decision comes in light of a new lawsuit that alleges the platform has been exploited by predators to groom children as young as seven.
Roblox, known for popular games like “Grow a Garden” and “Steal a Brainrot,” boasts 150 million daily players. However, it now faces legal action claiming that its system design facilitates the predation of minors.
Beginning next month, a facial age estimation feature will be implemented, allowing children to communicate with strangers only if they are within a certain age range.
Roblox claims it will be the first gaming or communication platform to enforce age verification for chats. Similar measures were enacted in the UK this summer for adult sites, ensuring that under-18s cannot access explicit content.
The company likened its new approach to the age structures found in schools, differentiating elementary, middle, and high school levels. The initiative will be launched first in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands, where children will be prohibited from having private conversations with unknown adults starting next month, with a global rollout planned for early January.
Users will be classified into categories: under 9, 9-12, 13-15, 16-17, 18-20, or 21 and older. Children will only be allowed to chat with peers in their age group or a similar age range. For instance, a child whose age is estimated at 12 can only interact with users under 16. Roblox stated that any images or videos used during the age verification process will not be stored.
“We view this as a means to enhance user confidence in their conversations within the game,” stated Matt Kaufman, Roblox’s chief safety officer. “We see it as a genuine chance to foster trust in our platform and among our community.”
This lawsuit emerges alongside growing concerns from family attorneys regarding the “systematic predation of minors” on Roblox. Florida attorney Matt Dolman mentioned that he has filed 28 lawsuits against Roblox, which has rapidly expanded during the pandemic, asserting that “the primary allegations pertain to the systematic exploitation of minors.”
One of the more recent lawsuits, filed in U.S. District Court in Nevada, involves the family of a 13-year-old girl who claims that Roblox conducted its operations “recklessly and deceptively,” facilitating her sexual exploitation.
The alleged incident involved a ‘dangerous child predator’ who posed as a child, developed an emotional connection, and manipulated the girl into providing her phone number and engaging in graphic exchanges. The manipulator then coerced her into sending explicit photos and videos.
The lawsuit claims that had Roblox implemented user screening measures prior to allowing access, the girl “would not have encountered the numerous predators that litter the platform,” and if age and identity checks had been conducted, the abuse could have been prevented.
Other recent cases in the Northern District of California include a 7-year-old girl from Philadelphia and a 12-year-old girl from Texas, both of whom were reportedly groomed and sent explicit materials by predators on Roblox.
“We are profoundly concerned about any situation that places our users at risk,” a Roblox spokesperson remarked. “The safety of our community is our highest priority.”
“This is why our policies are intentionally more stringent than those on many other platforms,” they added. “We have filters aimed at protecting younger users, prohibit image sharing, and restrict sharing personal information.
“While no system is flawless, we are continually striving to enhance our safety features and platform restrictions, having launched 145 new initiatives this year to assure parents that we prioritize their children’s safety online.”
“One platform’s safety standards alone aren’t sufficient; we genuinely hope others in the industry will adopt some of the practices we’re implementing to ensure robust protections for children and teens across the board,” Kaufman commented.
Bevan Kidron, UK founder of the 5Rights Foundation, advocating for children’s digital rights, stated: “It’s imperative for game companies to prioritize their responsibility toward children within their services.
“Roblox’s announcement asserts that their forthcoming measures will represent best practices in this sector, but it is a bold statement from a company that has historically been slow to tackle predatory behavior and granted unverified adults and older children easy access to millions of young users. We sincerely hope they are correct.”
You might be surprised to discover that diabetes encompasses more than just two types. While Type 1 and Type 2 are well-known, you may have come across Type 1.5, which has recently gained attention.
Type 1.5 diabetes, formally known as Latent Autoimmune Diabetes (LADA), is not a new variant of diabetes but is relatively uncommon. It has been recognized as a distinct type since 1993; comprising 3 to 12 percent of all adult diabetes cases.
Like type 1 and type 2 diabetes, LADA is characterized by elevated blood sugar levels, or glucose, in the blood.
Regardless of the diabetes type, symptoms remain consistent. These include intense thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and unexpected weight loss. The UK’s leading charity against diabetes notes these include the “four T’s”: thirst, toileting, tiredness, and thinness. diabetes uk
If you experience these symptoms, prompt diagnosis is crucial. Left untreated, diabetes can lead to severe complications affecting the kidneys, eyes, feet, and even nerves.
So, if the symptoms are similar across diabetes types, how can healthcare experts discern which type you have? And how does this differentiation influence treatment?
Comparing Type 1.5 Diabetes to Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes, in its various forms, has affected humans throughout history. Ancient healers in Greece, India, and Egypt frequently mentioned a peculiar symptom: sweet-smelling urine. Thus, the term diabetes derives from the Greek word “diabetes,” meaning to pass, and the Latin word “mellitus,” meaning sweet.
This sweet-smelling symptom arises from the buildup of glucose in the body. Glucose is processed by a hormone called insulin, produced by the pancreas, which converts it into a usable energy source for cells.
Glucose buildup occurs when the body either:
Fails to produce sufficient insulin (as in type 1 diabetes)
Or does not respond effectively to insulin (as seen in type 2 diabetes)
In both scenarios, the kidneys struggle to reabsorb excess glucose in the bloodstream. When they cannot eliminate glucose effectively, surplus sugar spills into the urine, indicating the presence of disease.
LADA shares numerous traits with these two predominant diabetes types, leaning closer to type 1 than type 2.
Finger prick test provides an immediate overview of blood sugar levels.
One significant reason individuals with type 1 diabetes have insufficient insulin is that their immune system attacks pancreatic cells responsible for insulin production. As these cells decline, the body struggles to maintain glucose levels.
The same is true for LADA. An influx of immune cells targets the pancreas, leading to decreased insulin production and gradually rising blood sugar levels. However, the timeline for the onset of the disease differs.
Type 1 diabetes typically has a rapid onset, often diagnosed in childhood or during a clinical emergency. In contrast, LADA progresses slowly and usually occurs in adults over 30.
As we age, a protective layer known as the periislet basement membrane (BM) develops around insulin-producing pancreatic cells. Current understanding suggests that this layer shields these cells from immune system attacks.
Thus, LADA’s onset resembles type 2 diabetes, which typically manifests in adults. Due to this similarity, up to 14% of individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes may actually have LADA.
Significance of Misdiagnosis
The primary treatment for type 2 diabetes is a medication called metformin. Administered in pill form, metformin works in two ways: it not only restricts the liver from absorbing excessive glucose but also enhances the body’s sensitivity to insulin.
However, a clear management strategy for LADA is still not established. While metformin may be prescribed, insulin replacement therapy could also be necessary. If someone has LADA misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes, they might receive metformin when insulin is the actual requirement.
Taking inappropriate medication over extended periods can elevate blood sugar levels. Chronically high blood sugar can lead to severe complications, including heart disease, stroke, eye issues (retinopathy), foot problems (ranging from increased susceptibility to infections and ulcers to sensory loss), kidney disease (nephropathy), and nerve disorders (neuropathy).
LADA can also invoke damage to small blood vessels, termed microvascular disease. A 2020 study indicated that strict glycemic control from the onset of LADA significantly decreases the risk of subsequent microvascular disease.
Consequently, minimizing misdiagnosis rates is vital for individuals with LADA. Fortunately, there are effective methods to distinguish LADA from type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
The first and foremost step a doctor can take is to check for antibodies. These antibodies incorrectly signal the immune system to attack insulin-producing pancreatic cells. Finding at least one antibody suggests the presence of autoimmune diabetes. Elevated antibody levels may indicate a more rapid progression of LADA.
This principle also applies when multiple antibodies are present. In such cases, immediate insulin treatment becomes crucial to help manage blood sugar levels more effectively.
Practitioners may also assess a person’s insulin output. This can be done by measuring a blood protein known as c-peptide, which is produced during insulin synthesis in the pancreas. Elevated c-peptide levels may respond well to metformin. However, if the levels are significantly low or undetectable, immediate insulin therapy should be initiated. In LADA, c-peptide levels tend to diminish over time, and it is recommended to conduct tests every six months.
A person’s body composition can further indicate LADA. Individuals exhibiting symptoms of the “four T’s” (thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and weight loss) who maintain relatively low fat levels or body weight are generally more inclined to have LADA than type 2 diabetes. Additionally, LADA patients typically possess favorable cholesterol levels, which can aid in refining the diagnosis.
Once an accurate diagnosis is established, LADA can be treated appropriately. It’s critical to reach this point with guidance from healthcare professionals.
On Tuesday, OpenAI revealed plans to relax restrictions on its ChatGPT chatbot, enabling verified adult users to access erotic content in line with the company’s principle of “treating adult users like adults.”
Upcoming changes include an updated version of ChatGPT that will permit users to personalize their AI assistant’s persona. Options will feature more human-like dialogue, increased emoji use, and behaviors akin to a friend. The most significant adjustment is set for December, when OpenAI intends to implement more extensive age restrictions allowing erotic content for verified adults. Details on age verification methods or other safeguards for adult content have not been disclosed yet.
In September, OpenAI introduced a specialized ChatGPT experience for users under 18, automatically directing them to age-appropriate content while blocking graphics and sexual material.
Additionally, the company is working on behavior-based age prediction technology to estimate if a user is over or under 18 based on their interactions with ChatGPT.
In a post to
These enhanced security measures follow the tragic suicide of California teenager Adam Lane this year. His parents filed a lawsuit in August claiming that ChatGPT offered explicit guidance on committing suicide. Altman stated that within just two months, the company has been able to “alleviate serious mental health issues.”
The US Federal Trade Commission has also initiated an investigation into various technology firms, including OpenAI, regarding potential dangers that AI chatbots may pose to children and adolescents.
“Considering the gravity of the situation, we aimed to get this right,” Altman stated on Tuesday, emphasizing that OpenAI’s new safety measures enable the company to relax restrictions while effectively addressing serious mental health concerns.
Exterior: To be fair, it doesn’t really appear that way.
What is it? Initially, raw dogging referred to engaging in sex without a condom.
Is that why there are marathons? However, over time, it has evolved to mean undertaking activities without preparation, protection, or distractions.
What else fits this description? Pretty much everything: Taking an exam unprepared can jeopardize your success. Facing a long flight without entertainment could be challenging. Are you venturing out alone? Or remaining sober? That’s raw dogging.
So, should you run a marathon without any training, a raw marathon? Sometimes, people may interpret it that way, but such behavior is discouraged and not the focus of our discussion.
So, does a raw dog marathon imply doing something for an extended duration? No, it means doing nothing for a prolonged period.
I’m a bit lost. Specifically, it refers to remaining still for long spans while staring into space. Most importantly, avoid using your cell phone.
Can I listen to music? No.
Can I read a magazine? No.
Can I shower or stay in bed? No.
Why not? Because we’re engaging in raw sex!
How long should I do it? That’s up to you. Recently, a “Productivity Influencer” named Rowan filmed himself live with a dog while studying for an hour daily to enhance his focus.
What happened to the footage? He shared it on TikTok.
How can others view what he’s doing on his phone? No need to worry. To prevent boredom, he condensed the hour into a 30-second timelapse.
The irony of that isn’t lost on me. What were the outcomes? He discovered it helped improve concentration and productivity, inspiring many of his followers.
It seems like the TikTok generation has somehow reinvented meditation. This may come off as a bit arrogant, but today’s youth face overwhelming distractions. While older generations learned to endure boredom, this generation must learn to cultivate it.
But who enjoys being bored? Many neuroscientists believe that boredom is beneficial and a vital stimulus for creative thinking.
Remember: “Time spent away from your phone is never wasted.”
Please avoid saying: “Hey, I just completed a raw dog marathon. No headphones, no water, no shoes. I got discharged from the hospital on Tuesday.”
The infant’s brain functions at a distinct rhythm compared to that of adults
Goodles/Aramie
When infants attempt to comprehend their surroundings, their brain activity reveals slower rhythms compared to adults, aiding them in grasping new concepts.
Our brains utilize a network of neurons to interpret sensory input. When a neuron receives a sufficiently strong signal from its neighbor, it transmits that signal to other neurons, generating synchronized waves of electrical activity that alternate between activated and silent states.
These brain waves manifest at various frequencies. A specific brain area may show a greater proportion of neurons synchronized to one frequency over others if it exhibits a range of frequencies simultaneously. For instance, prior research indicates that the adult visual cortex displays a diverse range of frequencies when individuals are observing stimuli, but in higher proportions, more neurons synchronize with the waves at a frequency of 10 hertz.
To determine if the same holds true for infants, Moritz Kester from the University of Regensburg in Germany along with his colleagues enlisted 42 eight-month-olds via their parents. The researchers recorded the infants’ brain activity with electrodes affixed to the scalp, exposing them to dozens of friendly cartoon monsters for about 15 minutes, each monster flashing for two seconds.
The team relied on the fact that brain waves tend to oscillate in sync with rapidly flickering images, enabling them to assess the number of neurons synchronized to various frequencies within the infants’ visual cortex. Each monster was toggled on and off at eight different frequencies ranging from 2 to 30 hertz.
Analysis of the brain activity data revealed that the visual cortex produces waves of synchronized activity in response to the flickering cartoons. However, the most prominent signals emerged at four hertz, indicating greater synchronization with this flicker frequency than with others.
Moreover, this 4-hertz signal was consistently present even when the brain was exposed to flickering at higher frequencies, such as 15 hertz. “What’s particularly intriguing is that regardless of the different frequencies presented, a response at 4 hertz was always observed,” comments Kester.
This rhythm falls within a frequency band known as theta, which is associated with the formation of new concepts, potentially facilitating learning for young children as they observe their environment. “It suggests that infants are in a specific learning mode,” Kester explains.
Researchers supporting this theory further discovered that there were no 4-hertz EEG signals in the visual cortex, nor EEG signals at other frequencies, suggesting a broader neural circuit involvement in other brain areas related to concept formation.
Repeating the experiment with seven adults confirmed prior findings that visual brain circuits are predominantly activated by the 10 hertz frequency, which was also found to persist in the background despite varying speeds of the cartoon flickering.
Further research is necessary to establish whether exposure to 4 hertz flickering images can enhance infants’ capacity to learn new concepts, according to Emily Jones at Birkbeck, University of London. The team is hopeful to gain further insights in an ongoing study, Kester added.
A major new review indicates that elderly individuals are significantly less likely to receive an autism diagnosis.
The survey estimates that around 89% of individuals with autism aged between 40 and 59 have never been diagnosed. This figure rises to 97% for those over 60.
Our analysis compiled various studies on how autism impacts individuals later in life. The findings revealed that older autistic individuals face a high prevalence of both physical and mental health challenges, are less likely to have been adopted, and generally report poorer health.
Seniors on the autism spectrum encounter difficulties in accessing healthcare and building strong relationships, both of which are closely tied to health outcomes.
While autism is thought to affect roughly 1 in 100 people, the recorded diagnoses drastically drop for individuals over the age of 40.
This review highlighted U.S. data showing that autistic individuals experience higher rates of nearly all physical ailments compared to their non-autistic counterparts, including cardiovascular issues, immune disorders, and gastrointestinal problems. Furthermore, over half of older individuals with autism reported having at least one psychiatric issue, such as anxiety or depression.
“People with pronounced autistic traits, despite lacking a formal diagnosis, experience similar challenges,” stated Dr. Gavin Stewart, who led the King’s College London review.
“Being autistic yet undiagnosed can carry significant implications. Access to necessary support systems becomes limited for many undiagnosed autistic individuals, preventing them from addressing mental health concerns,” he explained to BBC Science Focus.
This lack of support complicates the ability of individuals with autism to navigate medical systems. Characteristics such as diverse communication styles, sensory sensitivities, and specific daily needs can make interactions with modern healthcare environments challenging.
For instance, autistic individuals may struggle to convey their symptoms to a non-autistic physician, particularly when overwhelmed by the sensory input of a noisy, brightly lit waiting area.
An enhanced sense means that some autistic individuals find busy and noisy environments challenging.
“Many autistic individuals express that it’s challenging to exist in a world that doesn’t accommodate their needs,” Stewart noted.
The challenge of forming relationships also contributes to greater social isolation among people with autism, leaving them without necessary support networks as they age.
“While many autistic individuals are socially motivated and cultivate fulfilling relationships, societal expectations can create obstacles that lead to their alienation,” Stewart added.
This study aims to highlight the lack of research on adults with autism, noting that a mere 0.4% of studies have focused on the condition in older populations.
“Rates of underdiagnosis are alarmingly high among older adults. Much of our research systematically overlooks a significant portion of the autistic population, resulting in a knowledge gap regarding how autistic individuals age and a deficiency in relevant policies and services,” Stewart commented.
“This oversight stems from the fact that many older autistic individuals today were likely missed due to the narrow diagnostic criteria used in their youth.”
Most autism diagnoses occur in childhood, yet the condition has only been recognized in diagnostic manuals since the 1960s.
“Since then, the criteria have shifted from a rare condition defined by narrow standards to a broader, more inclusive framework,” remarked Stewart.
Moreover, older autistic individuals are more prone to misdiagnosis; a 2019 study found that one-quarter of adults with autism were initially diagnosed with mental health disorders such as anxiety or personality issues before their autism was recognized.
Increasing awareness among educators, healthcare providers, and the general public has led to more individuals identifying autism symptoms in both children and adults.
About our experts
Dr. Gavin Stewart is a postdoctoral researcher at King’s College London, co-leading research with Professor Francesca Happé at the Respect Lab, focusing on autism across the lifespan.
Half of adults in the UK express worries about artificial intelligence affecting their employment, prompting union leaders to advocate for a significant shift in the government’s strategy towards emerging technologies.
The primary concern for 51% of the 2,600 adults surveyed by the Trade Union Council was job loss or alterations to contract terms.
AI poses a specific worry for workers aged 25 to 34, with nearly two-thirds (62%) of participants in this age group sharing such apprehensions.
The TUC’s survey results coincide with announcements from major employers, including BT, Amazon, and Microsoft, indicating potential job cuts due to advancements in AI over recent months.
The UK job market is experiencing a slowdown amid an easing economy, with the official unemployment rate reaching 4.7% for the first time in four years; however, most economists do not attribute this to increased investment in AI.
While the TUC recognizes that AI technology could benefit employees and enhance public services, it urges the government to involve both workers and unions in the deployment of AI to safeguard jobs and offer training for roles replaced by AI.
Half of those surveyed (50%) wish to have a say in how AI is implemented in the workplace and the broader economy, as opposed to leaving this decision solely to businesses, with only 17% against this idea.
As part of its AI strategy, the TUC is calling for conditions to be attached to the substantial public funds allocated for AI research and development, ensuring that workers are not displaced by innovative technologies.
Furthermore, it is essential for companies to share the “digital dividends” from productivity improvements achieved through AI by investing in employee training and skills, enhancing wages and working conditions, and involving workers in corporate decision-making processes, including representation on boards.
Union representatives have cautioned that without such regulations, allowing workers to influence AI usage, the rise of new technologies may result in “prolonged inequality,” worsened working conditions, and increasing social unrest.
The TUC has insisted on the need to strengthen the UK’s social security and skills systems to support and reskill workers whose jobs are threatened by AI advancements.
Kate Bell, TUC’s assistant secretary, stated: “AI holds transformative potential, and if developed correctly, it can enhance productivity, benefiting workers.”
She further noted: “The alternative is grim. In unchecked and improper hands, the AI revolution might establish deepening inequality as jobs decline or vanish, with shareholders growing wealthier.”
Researchers have established a connection between being overweight or obese and various illnesses and health issues. Heart disease, some types of cancer, and additional conditions such as mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Beyond specific diseases, obesity is also associated with an increased risk of premature death.
Health organizations in the US and around the world utilize the Body Mass Index, or BMI, to assess whether individuals are overweight or obese. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization both classify overweight as having a BMI over 25 and obesity as a BMI exceeding 30. In simple terms, a person who is 1.8 meters tall (approximately 5’11”) and weighs 90.7 kilograms (about 200 lbs) has a BMI of 28.
While doctors recognize that BMI can serve as a valuable metric in healthcare, some point out its limitations. Athletes with considerable muscle mass may be classified as overweight due to their muscle’s greater weight compared to fat. Additionally, body fat percentages can vary based on ethnicity and gender, suggesting that the standard BMI approach may not accurately reflect every individual’s health.
Recently, researchers from the University of Florida explored whether alternative body composition measurements provide a better prediction of mortality risk in young adults compared to BMI. They analyzed data from the National Health Nutrition Test Survey (NHANES), which was conducted in the US between 1999 and 2004 and connects to an index that indicates if participants had passed away by 2020. The study included data from 4,252 adults aged 20 to 49.
The researchers assessed whether high BMI, elevated body fat percentage, or increased waist circumference were more effective predictors of mortality within 15 years. They defined higher-risk body composition as (1) a BMI over 25, categorizing this as overweight or obese. Causes of mortality they investigated included deaths from any cause, referred to as all causes, heart disease, and cancer.
Findings revealed that body fat percentage is a stronger predictor of mortality in young adults than BMI. Specifically, there was no statistically significant link between overweight or obese BMI and cancer-related or all-cause mortality. In contrast, both high body fat percentage and large waist circumference were significantly related to deaths from all causes and heart disease. However, none of the three body composition measurements were found to be statistically related to cancer mortality.
Researchers acknowledged certain limitations in their study. First, the body fat percentage thresholds they applied were derived from another research and are not universally accepted metrics like BMI. Second, as they focused solely on mortality risk in young adults, BMI could still be a strong mortality predictor in older adults. Lastly, while they observed mortality rates, various diseases and health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, are still linked to higher BMI.
Nevertheless, the research team concluded that BMI may not provide a comprehensive view of body composition, suggesting that other measures, such as body fat percentage, could be more beneficial in healthcare settings. They proposed that future studies should investigate these findings in older populations and explore additional health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease.
NHS Talking Therapies: Access to Science-Based Self-Help and Psychotherapy
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A specific type of psychotherapy offered by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) seems to benefit teenagers and young adults with anxiety and depression more than it does for older individuals.
In 2008, NHS England initiated a program designed to enhance access to scientifically informed self-help resources and psychotherapy. Currently referred to as NHS talk therapy for anxiety and depression, this initiative has generated a substantial database of anonymous user information, detailing treatments and outcomes.
Stringaris and his colleagues harnessed this data to evaluate the results from over 1.5 million individuals who accessed the therapy between 2015 and 2019. More than 1.2 million participants were aged between 25 and 65, leaving the younger cohort aged 16 to 24.
The researchers assessed changes in symptom severity pre- and post-treatment by utilizing two standard self-assessment tools: a patient health questionnaire-9 and a seven-item general anxiety disorder scale.
The results indicated that these scores exhibited approximately 35% improvement in individuals aged 16 to 24, compared to around 41% for those aged 25 to 65. Young people were roughly 20-25% less likely to be classified as recovered or to achieve significant improvements.
This could potentially result in thousands of young individuals recovering each year if they responded to treatment as effectively as their older counterparts, Stringaris remarks. “It is crucial to consider how mental health services might adapt to provide better care pathways for younger populations.”
Various factors could contribute to these discrepancies, including generational differences influenced by social media and online dating. Data further suggest that younger clients tend to miss scheduled appointments without prior notification, which may lead to poorer outcomes.
The study highlights the imbalances that warrant further exploration, says David Clark from Oxford University. “Research often reveals numerous insights that can be addressed. This paper marks the beginning of what could be a fruitful path ahead.”
Despite this, it remains essential to acknowledge the “gradual benefits” of the therapy. This relates to how clients fare compared to those who do not undergo treatment, he adds. “You start getting [younger] patients who are trying to establish themselves in life and pursue employment, indicating they may not have worse outcomes than older individuals,” Clark says.
Adrian Whittington from NHS England explains that talk therapy assists over a million individuals annually, most receiving treatment within six weeks. “We encourage them to take proactive steps towards care,” he states.
Recent research indicates that older adults who play musical instruments tend to have healthier brains.
One investigation examined the impacts of decades of music practice, while another focused on learning new instruments later in life.
In both studies, engaging in music was linked to better brain health and a decrease in age-related cognitive decline.
The first study was published in PLOS Biology and involved collaboration between Canadian and Chinese researchers. They recruited 50 adults with an average age of 65, half of whom had been playing instruments for at least 32 years, while the others had no musical experience.
Additionally, they included 24 young adults with an average age of 23 who had no musical training.
The researchers utilized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess blood flow in the brains of the participants.
During the scans, participants listened to a recording of speakers amid background noise, where 50 other voices were present, and were tasked with identifying what the main speaker was saying.
The scans revealed that older musicians’ brains responded to challenges similarly to those of the younger participants.
Nonetheless, older adults showed signs of cognitive decline. Specifically, musicians exhibited strong neural connections on the right side of the brain that non-musicians lacked, which could place additional strain on their brain.
“The brains of older musicians remain finely tuned due to years of training, so they don’t need to play well-tuned instruments at high volumes,” stated co-author Dr. Yi from the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
“Our findings suggest that musical experience helps mitigate the additional cognitive strain typically associated with age-related challenges, particularly in noisy environments.”
A 2025 YouGov poll revealed that 25% of UK adults can play at least one instrument, with the guitar being the second most favored instrument after the piano.
As individuals age, cognitive functions such as memory, learning, and perception often deteriorate, eventually contributing to dementia.
However, researchers posit that cognitive reserve—the brain’s capability to manage damage and decline—can enhance resilience against this deterioration.
The precise mechanisms remain unclear, as noted by Morten Scheibye-Knudsen, Associate Professor of Aging at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, in an interview with BBC Science Focus.
Some studies suggest that “exercising” the brain through activities like playing instruments, learning new languages, and solving puzzles can improve brain health, but results from other research have been inconsistent.
“Overall, we advocate for brain training, but the evidence is not conclusive,” Scheibye-Knudsen remarked.
Conversely, another recent study, published in Imaging Neuroscience, indicated that musical practice can enhance brain health, even when individuals start playing in later life.
According to a 2024 poll from the University of Michigan, 17% of US adults aged 50-80 engage in playing instruments at least several times a year – Credit: DMP via Getty
Researchers at Kyoto University in Japan continued previous studies that included 53 elderly individuals (average age 73) who took music lessons for four months. Initial findings indicated no significant differences in brain health among participants.
Four years later, the same participants underwent MRI scans (13 of whom had maintained their music practice).
Those who ceased playing their newly learned instruments showed declines in memory performance, with a noticeable reduction in the volume of the putamen—a brain region associated with motor function, learning, and memory.
However, those who continued playing music over the four years exhibited no cognitive decline.
Scheibye-Knudsen noted that the study demonstrates that “playing an instrument not only helps preserve cognitive function as we age, but it may also directly contribute to maintaining the structural integrity of the brain.”
He added, “Engaging in music beyond what this study covered offers additional advantages, such as enhanced social interaction.”
“I encourage people to start making music; it’s never too late to learn.”
Read more:
About Our Experts
Morten Scheibye-Knudsen is an associate professor of aging at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and leads the Scheibye-Knudsen Research Group. He also serves as the president of the Nordic Aging Association.
Generates brain cells from the hippocampus that proliferate in culture
Arthur Chien/Science Photo Library
The ongoing debate about whether adults can produce new brain cells takes a new turn, as evidence increasingly supports that they indeed can. This revelation addresses one of neuroscience’s most disputed questions and raises hopes that this knowledge could be used in treating conditions like depression and Alzheimer’s disease.
Neurons are produced via a process known as neurogenesis, which occurs in both children and adults, as shown in research on mice and macaques. This involves stem cells generating progenitor cells, which multiply and eventually develop into immature neurons that mature over time.
Earlier studies have indicated the presence of stem cells and immature neurons in the hippocampus of adult humans. This brain area, crucial for learning and memory, is a primary site for neurogenesis in younger humans and some adult animals. However, progenitor cells have not yet been detected in adult human brains. “This link was overlooked. It forms a central argument for the emergence of new neurons in the adult human brain,” states Evgenia Salta from the Netherlands Institute of Neuroscience, who was not involved in the latest research.
To establish this link, Jonas Frisen and his team at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden developed a machine learning model capable of accurately identifying progenitor cells. They used hippocampal samples from six young children, donated by their parents for research post-mortem.
The researchers trained an AI model to recognize progenitor cells based on the activity of about 10,000 genes. “In childhood, these cells’ behavior closely resembles that of precursor cells in mice, facilitating their identification,” explains Frisen. “[The idea is] to use molecular fingerprints of childhood progenitor cells to find equivalents in adults.”
To validate the model, the team identified progenitor cells in hippocampal samples from young mice. The model correctly identified 83% of the progenitor cells and misclassified other cell types as progenitor cells in less than 1% of cases. In a further test, the model accurately predicted that progenitor cells were nearly absent in adult human cortical samples, a brain area devoid of evidence supporting neurogenesis in humans.
“They validated their models effectively by transitioning from data on human children to mice and then to adult humans,” says Sandrine Thuret from King’s College London.
With this validation in hand, the researchers can check for neurogenesis in human adults by identifying 14 hippocampal progenitor cells from individuals aged 20 to 78 at the time of their passing.
Crucially, the researchers first introduced a method to enhance the likelihood of detecting progenitor cells. Previous studies have indicated that these cells are extremely rare in adults. The team utilized antibodies to select brain cells that were actively dividing at the time of death, including non-neuronal cells such as immune cells and progenitor cells. This helped filter out common cell types that do not divide, like mature neurons, making rare progenitor cells easier to identify.
Subsequently, they organized the genetic activity data related to these dividing cells into models. “They were enriched due to the selected cells,” remarks Kaoru Song at the University of Pennsylvania. Previous research lacked this approach, he adds.
The team successfully identified progenitor cells in nine donors. “It is well established that environmental and genetic factors in rodents affect how neurogenesis occurs, so I suspect variations in humans may also be attributed to these factors,” Frisen notes.
The findings strongly indicate the presence of adult neurogenesis, according to Thuret, Song, and Salta. “We are adding this missing piece, which significantly advances the field,” Salta states.
“Neurons originate from cell division occurring in adulthood, and that is what this study definitively establishes,” Thuret comments.
Thuret suggests the possibility of examining variations in neurogenesis among adults with brain-affecting conditions such as depression or Alzheimer’s disease. She speculates that medications promoting this process could alleviate symptoms.
However, John Arellano from Yale University cautions that even if adults produce new brain cells, they may be too few in number to be therapeutically beneficial. Thuret, however, believes this is unlikely to create issues. “In mice, a small number of new neurons can significantly impact learning and memory,” she asserts.
A 12-week study involving 72 pre-diabetic adults revealed that the consumption of either chickpeas or black beans positively influences inflammation markers in diabetic patients. Additionally, chickpea intake helps in cholesterol regulation.
Incorporating one bean daily can yield significant benefits for both heart and metabolic health. Image credit: PDPICS.
“Pre-diabetic individuals often exhibit poor lipid metabolism and persistent low-grade inflammation, both of which can lead to diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.”
“Our findings indicated that levels of tofu remained constant, yet they may aid in lowering cholesterol within pre-tofu individuals while also diminishing inflammation.”
While black beans and chickpeas are widely consumed, they are frequently neglected in extensive studies examining their effects on cholesterol and inflammation in those at risk for heart disease and diabetes.
This research forms part of a broader project investigating how the intake of black beans and chickpeas influences inflammation and insulin response mediated by intestinal microbiome activity.
“Our study highlights the advantages of bean consumption for pre-diabetic adults, but these legumes are excellent choices for everyone,” stated Smith.
“These insights can help shape dietary recommendations, clinical practices, and public health initiatives aimed at preventing heart disease and diabetes.”
To enhance the practical relevance of the research, the study was conducted with participants in their natural living environments.
Participants were randomly assigned to consume either 1 cup of black beans, chickpeas, or rice (the control group) over the span of 12 weeks.
Blood samples were collected at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks to monitor cholesterol levels, inflammation, blood glucose, and glucose tolerance tests were administered at both the beginning and conclusion of the study.
The group consuming chickpeas saw a significant drop in total cholesterol, from an average of 200.4 milligrams per deciliter at the start to 185.8 milligrams per deciliter after 12 weeks.
In the black bean group, the average level of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6, which is a marker for inflammation, decreased from 2.57 picograms per milliliter at baseline to 1.88 picograms per milliliter after 12 weeks.
No noteworthy changes were noted in markers of glucose metabolism.
“Switching to healthier alternatives, like canned, dried, or frozen beans, is an excellent starting point for those looking to increase their bean intake,” explained the scientist.
“However, it’s crucial to watch for extra ingredients like salt and sugar based on your selections.”
“There are numerous ways to include beans in your regular diet as a budget-friendly method to enhance your overall health and lower the risk of chronic ailments,” Smith added.
“You can blend them to thicken soups, use them as salad toppings, or combine them with other grains like rice or quinoa.”
The findings were reported in a presentation on June 3rd during the Nutrition 2025 annual meeting held by the American Nutrition Association.
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Morgan M. Smith et al. Effects of chronic intake of black beans and chickpeas on metabolism and inflammatory markers in prediabetic adults. Nutrition 2025 Summary #or18-01-25
Peanuts are one of the most common foods that people have allergies
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Adults with peanut allergies reduced the risk of a reaction by eating small peanut proteins every day as part of their trials. This approach has already been approved in the US for children with this condition.
Peanut allergies occur when the immune system mistakenly identifies legume proteins as threats. It reacts by producing more IgE antibodies. This is an important part of the immune response, but an allergic reaction causes overdrive. As a result, inflammation increases, causing symptoms such as swelling, itching, and vomiting. In extreme cases, it can lead to anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening response that can affect someone’s breathing or heart rate.
Until recently, the only solution was to avoid peanuts, but an intervention called oral immunotherapy was approved in 2020 for children with allergies in the US. This involves exposing the immune system to peanut protein, which gradually increases allergens.
However, it was unclear whether this approach worked in adults as well. “Although most of the life of an individual with a peanut allergy is spent as an adult, there was no treatment that reduced the fundamental reactivity to peanuts,” he says. Stephen Till King’s College London. “There are some grounds for suspecting that adults are more difficult to fall out than children, as your immune system is easy to fix when you’re young.”
To fill this knowledge gap, Till and his colleagues recruited 21 adults with peanut allergies. At the start of the study, participants on average only 1/8 of the peanuts were eaten before they developed an allergic reaction.
The team fed each participant a protein equivalent to one-fourth of peanuts each day for two weeks. This dose increased slightly every two weeks for several months, but was able to safely and consistently eat the equivalent of four large peanuts of protein every day.
Three participants dropped out of the study due to an allergic reaction, while three other participants left for reasons not related to treatment. “This dropout number is acceptable for this type of treatment.” Cezmi Akdis At the Swiss Allergy and Asthma Institute.
The remaining 15 participants participated in an allergy test for eating an increase in peanut protein under the supervision of the researchers. All but one of them were able to eat five peanut equivalents without an allergic reaction.
In another part of the experiment, the team analyzed blood samples collected from participants before and after receiving oral immunotherapy. This revealed that the intervention had high levels of IgG antibodies that counteract the effects of IgE antibodies.
“It’s very promising,” Akudith says. “This approach means that adults with peanut allergies may be relieved of the anxiety of eating peanut-contaminated foods.”
However, this is a relatively early stage test, and a larger test is needed to verify the results and establish how long the protection will last, he says. “I think you need to take peanuts daily or regular over the long term to maintain resistance to allergens,” Aqudith says. “People take pills every day, so I think people affected by peanut allergies are following this type of method.”
Do not try to treat allergies without medical supervision.
Last year, the obesity rate among U.S. adults decreased slightly for the first time in more than a decade, a study found.
Researchers suggested this may be due in part to the rise of weight loss drugs like Ozempic.
However, other drugs and factors (such as the effects of the coronavirus pandemic) may also have played a role.
Obesity rates among U.S. adults declined slightly last year, according to a study, but it was the first time in more than a decade that the country had seen a downward trend. Part of that may be due to the recent rise of blockbuster weight loss drugs like Ozempic, the study authors said.
The findings of the study were announced on Friday. Journal JAMA Health Forumthe most significant declines were seen in the South, especially among women and adults ages 66 to 75.
The study looked at BMI measurements for more than 16.7 million adults from 2013 to 2023 across different regions, age groups, genders, races, and ethnicities. BMI measurements are a standard but limited method for estimating obesity relative to body weight. Height to length was collected from electronic health records.
Researchers found that the adult obesity rate in the United States decreased from 46% in 2022 to 45.6% in 2023. (These are slightly higher rates than the U.S. adult obesity rate) Estimate from the centers for disease control and preventionThis means that from 2021 to 2023, approximately 40% of U.S. adults were obese. )
Benjamin Rader, a computational epidemiologist at Boston Children's Hospital and an author of the study, said the results were not uniform across demographics or geographic regions.
“Obesity has been on the decline in the United States as a whole, especially in the South, but this has not been the case in some regions,” he said. “Obesity among Black Americans also decreased significantly, but obesity among Asian Americans increased.”
Rader said the decline in the South was notable because the region observed the highest per capita intake of weight loss drugs, based on researchers' analysis of insurance claims. But he acknowledged that the possible link needed further investigation.
The study authors also noted that obese people in the South had a disproportionately high number of COVID-19 deaths, which may have influenced the overall data.
Dr. Michael Weintraub, an endocrinologist and clinical assistant professor at New York University's Grossman School of Medicine, said the results are consistent with the following: Recent data from the CDC Results showed a slight decrease in obesity prevalence among U.S. adults from 2021 to 2023 compared to 2017 to 2020 (although severe obesity increased during this period). ).
“This data is interesting and holds the promise that we may be on the cusp of changing this obesity epidemic,” said Weintraub, who was not involved in the new study. “However, I would hesitate to call the value of this downward trend in 2023 a trend.”
Even if weight loss drugs were the main factor in reducing obesity, experts say further studies over longer periods of time are needed to assess the true effects of new drugs.
“We know these drugs are very effective, but we need a few more years to see if this is really a trend, or if it's just a small spike and we're back to normal, or if things get much worse. Dr. Tannaz Moin, an endocrinologist and associate professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, said he was not involved in the study.
Moyn also pointed out that the new study only analyzed preparations of GLP-1 weight loss drugs (a category that includes Ozempic and Mounjaro). This type of drug is used to treat diabetes and obesity by reducing a person's appetite and food intake. This drug mimics the hormone that makes you feel full.
But GLP-1 drugs are only part of the prescription for treating obesity, and a more comprehensive study of different drugs could better capture changing trends, Moyn said. said. Weight loss drugs are also expensive, which can skew data about who can receive treatment.
Additionally, the study used insurance claims data, meaning those who were uninsured or who purchased weight loss drugs out of pocket were likely not included in the results.
Moin said he was surprised by the decline in BMI seen in older people.
“This group is not necessarily the group that I think is the biggest user of GLP-1 drugs, because a lot of them are in the Medicare age group,” she says, adding that weight loss drugs are the most popular for people on Medicare. may be difficult to obtain, he added. The Biden administration recently proposed a rule that would require Medicare and Medicaid to cover weight loss drugs for people seeking obesity treatment.
However, Weintraub cautioned that the observed decline does not necessarily indicate a long-term decline.
“We've been fooled until now by fluctuations in obesity prevalence,” he says. “We were excited about the downward trend in childhood obesity rates announced by the CDC in the early 2000s, but in the years since, obesity rates have increased even more.”
noNothing makes you feel older than seeing people two generations younger than you playing Minecraft, except for people two generations younger than you. Looking at other people YouTubers are playing Minecraft (what are they doing? Why are they always so excited?). This seems a bit 2011. Gen A has generally grown up watching YouTubers play Fortnite, Roblox, and Elden Ring with their hearts out. But there are millions of people playing it every month, most of them kids. And there’s a strong nostalgia for the game among Gen Z youth who grew up with this blocky, virtual Lego game. A Minecraft movie was inevitable.
The film has been in the works since 2012 and was originally set to be directed by Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham FC pal Rob McElhenney and star Steve Carell. But a series of setbacks, the COVID pandemic and a pesky actors’ strike meant filming didn’t begin (in Auckland, New Zealand) until early 2024. Due for release in April 2025, the Minecraft movie will be directed by Napoleon Dynamite’s Jared Hess and star Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Emma Myers, Jennifer Coolidge, Jermaine Clement and Matt Berry. And judging by the trailer released this week, it’s even crazier than you’d think.
Video games and movie franchises can take many forms. Sometimes game characters escape into our world, like Sonic (the alien hedgehog) being sent to Earth or Barbie and Ken sneaking out of Barbieland. Real people get sucked into a video game and have to complete a magical quest to escape, like in Tron. Sometimes video game characters transform into humans, like in Tomb Raider, Resident Evil, Prince of Persia, Doom and The Last of Us. Tetris is set in a real-life competition for the game’s license, while Gran Turismo tells the story of a player making it in real life as a driver.
In The Minecraft Movie, a group of humans are sucked into the Overworld, the dimension where Minecraft is real. A bewildered Momoa has just had highlights and bangs done at the hairdresser and accidentally bought a pink coat. Danielle Brooks from Orange is the New Black arrives with some “kids” (including 22-year-old Emma Myers from Wednesday). Here they meet Steve, one of Minecraft’s default characters. Steve is dressed in a light blue T-shirt and jeans, and is played by Jack Black, who is no doubt viewed as something of a talisman by Warner Bros. since playing Bowser in the Super Mario movie last year. “This guy is so useless,” Myers laments.
“Anything you can dream up, you can build here,” Black explains to our bewildered heroes, as cube-shaped pigs fly around and blocky pink sheep bleat. To get home, “they must embark on a magical quest to conquer the world (and protect it from piglins, zombies, and other evils).”
Box Office Quest…Minecraft Movie. Photo: Warner Bros.
Reaction to the trailer:terrible“, “Devastating” and “Expensive and cheap“To”It’s hard for the parents who are taken away.” and “The worst thing that will happen in the movie world in 2024” But like many video game spinoffs, the film isn’t aimed at adult film critics. Film buff Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian was highly critical of the 2023 film Super Mario Bros. The Movie in a two-star review (Wendy Eide of The Observer was similarly critical in a one-star review). That left The Guardian’s games editor Keza MacDonald inclined to defend the film as a decent translation of the game, even if it’s not that good a movie.
So what do the real connoisseurs think? “I think it looks awful,” says 10-year-old Arlo, playing Roblox on his iPad after school. “Minecraft isn’t even at its peak anymore, so why make a movie now? I don’t think it’ll be a hit.” (And he has a point.) Maybe he likes that the Minecraft world includes real people?
“No. They should have made it like The Lego Movie or Super Mario Bros., which were good because they didn’t have any live action characters. Steve is not Steve.” Sorry Minecraft. Sorry Jack Black. The experts said it. We’ll find out in April next year if the full version can save the day.
New data suggests that a smartphone app could aid in detecting the main cause of early-onset dementia in individuals at a high risk of developing it.
Researchers have discovered that cognitive tests conducted through smartphone apps can identify early signs of frontotemporal dementia in those genetically predisposed to the condition, showing comparable sensitivity to traditional medical evaluations.
Frontotemporal dementia is a neurological disorder that typically emerges in middle age, impacting a person’s ability to plan, prioritize, filter distractions, and control impulses as certain brain regions responsible for these functions diminish over time.
Approximately one-third of individuals affected by this disease have a genetic component, underscoring the urgency of early diagnosis and monitoring response to treatments most effective in the disease’s initial stages.
Lead author Adam from the University of California, San Francisco, noted, “Most frontotemporal dementia patients receive a belated diagnosis due to their young age and symptoms being mistaken for mental health issues.”
The use of smartphones as diagnostic tools for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases has been gaining popularity. Researchers collaborated with a software company to develop an app for assessing cognitive function, gait, balance, movement, and language skills in individuals at high genetic risk for frontotemporal dementia, even before symptoms manifest.
The study published in JAMA Network Open demonstrated the app’s ability to accurately detect dementia and potentially outperform traditional neuropsychological assessments in the early stages of the disease.
While there are no immediate plans for public availability, the app could significantly advance research efforts in understanding and treating frontotemporal dementia.
Over 30 clinical trials are underway or in the pipeline, exploring treatments that may slow disease progression in specific gene carriers. The app could address the challenge of collecting sensitive outcome measures easily, benefitting patients, caregivers, and clinicians.
Stafaroni added, “We believe smartphone-based assessments could facilitate innovative trials for potential treatments, reducing the need for frequent in-person evaluations.”
Ultimately, the app may serve as a tool to monitor treatment efficacy and potentially replace most in-person visits to clinical trial sites.
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