Reducing arm fat decreases dementia risk by 18%

Posted on July 25, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

It is widely known that excess body fat can lead to health issues like heart disease and diabetes. However, recent research has found a correlation between fat distribution in the arms and abdomen and the risk of developing dementia.

Dementia, a group of neurodegenerative disorders that includes Alzheimer’s disease, is on the rise globally. By 2050, it is projected that 139 million people worldwide will be affected. In the UK, it is estimated that one in three people born currently may develop dementia.

The causes of dementia are complex and not fully understood. However, a study published in the Journal of Neurology suggests that having high levels of body fat in the arms and abdomen can significantly increase the likelihood of developing neurodegenerative diseases like dementia.

The study involved over 400,000 participants, of whom a subset developed neurodegenerative diseases. After considering other factors like high blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes, the researchers found that individuals with higher levels of abdominal and arm fat had an increased risk of developing these conditions.

The researchers also found that greater muscle strength was associated with a lower risk of disease. They suggest that targeted interventions to reduce abdominal and arm fat may be more effective in preventing neurodegeneration than general weight management.

Further research is needed to fully understand how body composition affects overall health outcomes. The team plans to investigate the impact of body composition on other health issues like heart failure in the future.

About our experts

Xu Shishi Dr. Xu is a clinical physician specializing in endocrinology and metabolism at West China Hospital of Sichuan University, China. With a background in epidemiology and evidence-based research, his research interests include metabolic diseases and large-scale population cohort data analysis.

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

New Study Suggests that Consuming Cranberry Juice May Lower Urinary Tract Infection Risk

Posted on July 24, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

According to a recent study conducted by researchers from Bond University, University of Helsinki, and Helsinki University Hospital, increasing fluid intake can help reduce the occurrence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) compared to no treatment. However, consuming cranberry juice has shown even better clinical outcomes in terms of decreased UTIs and antibiotic usage, suggesting that it should be considered as a management option for UTIs.

Cranberry juice drinkers are 54% less likely to develop a urinary tract infection. Image courtesy of The Loves of Eirlys.

“Urinary tract infections are one of the most common bacterial infections,” stated lead author Christian Moro, PhD, along with his colleagues.

“Over 50% of women and more than 20% of men will experience UTIs at least once in their lifetime, making it the most prevalent bacterial infection in children.”

“While antibiotics have traditionally been effective for UTI treatment, the growing resistance of bacteria to these drugs poses a challenge.”

“Studies have shown that over 90% of UTIs contain drug-resistant bacteria, many of which are resistant to multiple antibiotics.”

“Given the rise in microbial resistance to antibiotics, it is essential to explore evidence-based non-drug interventions for UTI prevention and treatment.”

“Reducing antibiotic usage will not only alleviate the financial and clinical burden of prescriptions but also address the increasing issue of antibiotic resistance.”

“Encouraging patients to increase fluid intake and incorporating cranberry juice or tablets have been proposed as beneficial strategies.”

“However, the existing literature on this topic is extensive, with conflicting findings regarding the effectiveness of cranberries.”

The authors utilized a novel research approach known as network meta-analysis, enabling simultaneous comparisons of multiple interventions across various studies.

A total of 20 trials involving 3,091 individuals were analyzed, with 18 of these studies revealing that cranberry juice consumption was linked to a 54% lower UTI incidence compared to no treatment and a 27% lower incidence than placebo liquids.

“These results have the potential to reduce the reliance on antibiotics for UTI treatment,” commented Dr. Moro.

“More than half of women will experience a UTI, often resulting in antibiotic prescriptions.”

“Given the escalating antibiotic resistance, identifying effective non-pharmaceutical interventions is critical.”

“Cranberry juice presents a straightforward and effective intervention that should be considered in managing UTIs.”

Furthermore, the study found that cranberry juice led to a 59% reduction in antibiotic requirements and significantly alleviated symptoms in individuals with active UTIs.

“Simple measures like increasing water intake or taking cranberry tablets also showed benefits, albeit not as pronounced as consuming cranberries in liquid form such as juice,” the researchers noted.

Read their paper published in the journal European Urology Focus.

_____

Christian Moro others Cranberry juice, cranberry tablets, or liquid therapy for urinary tract infections: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Yurol Focus Published online on July 18, 2024; doi: 10.1016/j.euf.2024.07.002

This article is based on a press release provided by Bond University.

Source: www.sci.news

Here’s Why Your Risk of Death is Higher on Your Birthday

Posted on July 12, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

With the approach of a special day, we often find ourselves balancing the celebration of a new year’s wisdom and the apprehension of time passing by. However, the “birthday effect” adds an interesting twist to this traditional celebration.

The birthday effect is a statistical phenomenon, which unfortunately puts a damper on parties, indicating that people are more likely to pass away around their birthdays.

This somber discovery has been supported by various studies, such as the 2012 Swiss study, which revealed a 13.8 percent increase in the number of people aged 60 and above who died on their birthdays compared to other days.

Similarly, the 2015 Study from the United States showed a 6.7 percent higher risk of mortality on one’s birthday.

Various theories attempt to explain why this phenomenon occurs. Some suggest that excessive celebrations involving alcohol on birthdays can lead to risky behavior, accidents, and poor judgment. Others believe that for those battling terminal illnesses, birthdays serve as important milestones, giving them the strength to hold on until another year passes.

Birthdays can also trigger reflection, leading to feelings of sadness and depression known as “birthday blues.” Sadly, these emotions can increase the risk of suicide, as demonstrated by a Japanese study in 2016, which found a 50 percent higher risk of suicide on one’s birthday.

Another possibility is that errors in death registration records may inaccurately document some individuals’ birth and death dates as the same. However, these errors are unlikely to significantly impact the observed results.

The birthday effect remains a complex and not fully understood phenomenon, likely influenced by a combination of factors mentioned above and others. So, while blowing out the candles, perhaps hold off on that shot of tequila.

This article addresses the question from Alex Mercado in Manchester regarding the “birthday effect.”

For any inquiries, please email us at the address below. For more information: check out our Facebook page, Twitter, or Instagram. Remember to include your name and location.

Ultimate Fun Facts: Explore this page for more fascinating science content.

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Over 100 Shark Species at Risk of Drastic Population Declines by 2100

Posted on July 4, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Ocean warming threatens to reduce golden tiger shark populations

Shutterstock/Podlonaya Elena

The world's egg-laying shark populations could be hit hard by the end of the century as increasing ocean warming and acidification destroys embryos, potentially affecting more than 100 shark species.

This discovery was made possible by the discovery of the giant sandbar shark (Termitesis found in the Mediterranean Sea and the Northeast Atlantic Ocean. About 40 percent of sharks reproduce by laying tough, skinned egg capsules that contain the embryos. These shark embryos are highly sensitive to changes in ocean conditions, such as temperature and pH levels. The ocean absorbs excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, causing it to warm up and become more acidic.

Noémie Coulon Researchers at the French National Museum of Natural History exposed catshark eggs to a variety of ocean conditions, including monthly temperature changes, in a lab tank. Coulomb and his colleagues chose the catshark because it is one of the most abundant shark species in Europe.

In the first test, A “middle-of-the-road” climate scenario A 2.7°C increase in temperature above pre-industrial levels by 2100, with a corresponding decrease in pH of 0.2, is projected. A second scenario (in which the world continues to rely heavily on fossil fuels) projects a 4.4°C increase in temperature and a 0.4 decrease in pH by the end of the century. The third is a historical baseline, which recreates water temperature and pH in shark habitats from 1995 to 2014.

A tiny spotted catshark embryo inside an egg

Noémie Coulon

The researchers then simulated conditions as the embryos developed over the next four months, and found dramatic differences in the embryos' hatching success rates depending on the experimental conditions: In the baseline and moderate scenarios, about 82% of the eggs hatched. But in the warmest scenario, only five of the 45 embryos survived, a loss of almost 90%.

“We were really shocked by the death rate,” Coulon said. “It will probably cause a population collapse.”

“Even a relatively short period of warmth, such as a particularly warm August, was enough to cause the hatching to fail. Based on these results, Coulon predicts other egg-laying sharks, including endangered or vulnerable species like the nurse hound, will be similarly devastated.”

But their extinction is not doomed, says Coulon: “If we make an effort to limit global warming to around 2°C, this species may be able to survive.”

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Millions at risk from ultrafine air pollution caused by airplanes

Posted on June 25, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Jet engines emit large amounts of ultrafine particles

Aerovista Luchtfotografie/Shutterstock

The health of more than 50 million people living within 20 kilometres of Europe's busiest airport is being harmed by high levels of ultrafine particle pollution from jet engines, according to a report. the study It was commissioned by campaign group Transport & Environment (T&E).

Several Other studies It says ultrafine particles can increase the risk of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, diabetes and pregnancy problems. Darn Fun Setters His team, working at the Dutch consultancy CE Delft, are using these studies to try to estimate the impact for Europe as a whole.

But ultrafine particle pollution is a less-studied aspect of air pollution and there is a lot of uncertainty: “There is little research in this area and the evidence is often inconclusive,” Van Seters said.

Most research on particulate air pollution has focused on particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, so-called PM2.5. Ultrafine particles are particles smaller than 0.1 micrometers in diameter.

“They are very dangerous because they are so small and can get very deep into the human body.” Carlos Lopez de la Osa At T&E.

Jet engines emit more ultrafine particles than other types of engines, so people who live or work near airports are most likely to be exposed to this form of air pollution, but there are no effective limits on its levels.

Ultrafine particles are a type of PM2.5, but PM2.5 limits are set for the total mass of particles per cubic metre of air. Ultrafine particles are so small that even a huge number of particles per cubic metre would not exceed the PM2.5 limit.

In fact, there's very little monitoring of ultrafine particle levels, says Lopez de la Osa. “What we have are mostly regional studies around individual airports like Zurich, Amsterdam, Berlin, Los Angeles,” he says. “We don't have a comprehensive view, and that's one of the main reasons we decided to launch this study.”

To estimate the impact across Europe, van Seters and his colleagues first estimated ultrafine particle pollution levels around the continent's 32 busiest airports, based on figures from surveys of individual airports. The team assumed that ultrafine particle pollution increases linearly with the number of flights and did not take wind patterns into account.

Next, based on studies looking at health effects, the researchers estimated that ultrafine particle pollution near 32 airports was responsible for an additional 280,000 cases of hypertension, 330,000 cases of diabetes, and 18,000 cases of dementia over the years.

“This is a first-order estimate based on extrapolation, and we need to do epidemiological studies to get more precise estimates,” Van Seters said.

But he thinks that, if anything, is an underestimate because the study only looked at 32 airports and people living within 20 kilometres, and excluded people who work at the airports.

In terms of population at risk, Orly Airport near Paris tops the list, with more than six million people living within 20 kilometers of the airport, while London's Heathrow Airport comes in fourth, with more than three million people living within the airport's vicinity.

The research team's estimates of health effects rely heavily on a study carried out in 2022 at Schiphol Airport near Amsterdam. Nicole Jansen Contacted by CE Delft, Janssen and her colleagues at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in the Netherlands said they advised researchers not to try to quantify the impact in this way because of large uncertainties.

But they agree that more research is needed: “We would underscore our recommendation to further investigate the risk of ultrafine particles from aircraft around other international airports,” Janssen said.

There are ways to reduce ultrafine particle pollution levels, says Christina Toth of T&E. Jet fuel can be improved to reduce ultrafine particle emissions, for example by reducing its sulfur content. So-called “sustainable aviation fuels” (SAF) also reduce ultrafine particle pollution.

“Unfortunately, we know it will be a long time before SAF can be produced at scale and be effective,” Toth says.

Limiting airport expansion and flight frequencies and encouraging alternative modes of transport would help, and would also limit flying's impact on the climate.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Increased risk of heart attack and stroke associated with Xylitol sweeteners

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Xylitol is often marketed as a “natural” way to sweeten drinks and foods.

Pixelshot/Alamy

Xylitol, a sweetener commonly found in sugar-free drinks, chewing gum and toothpaste, has been shown to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Often marketed as “low carb,” “natural,” or “keto-friendly,” xylitol is a sugar alcohol found in fruits and vegetables, but at levels roughly 1,000 times lower than what’s added to commercial products. It can also be prepared artificially. Chemical reactions from plant materials.

last year, Stanley Hazen Hazen and his colleagues at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio found that the sweetener erythritol was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Suspecting that xylitol might also affect heart health, Hazen surveyed 3,306 adults in the United States and Europe.

The researchers took a single blood sample from participants to measure their xylitol levels after an overnight fast, and found that over a three-year follow-up, those with the highest blood xylitol levels were one-third more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, such as a heart attack or stroke.

To better understand this trend, the researchers looked at the effects of xylitol in the lab on human blood cells called platelets, and on platelet activity in mice. Platelets crowd together at the site of an injury to prevent bleeding, but they can also clot within blood vessels. This can affect blood supply to the heart and brain, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The researchers found that human platelets cultured in xylitol showed signs of being more likely to clot than those cultured in saline, and blood clots formed significantly more quickly in the veins of mice injected with xylitol.

Finally, the team tracked platelet activity in 10 subjects after they drank the same amount of water sweetened with xylitol. Within 30 minutes, plasma xylitol levels increased 1000-fold, and all indicators of platelet clotting readiness improved, especially in subjects with the highest levels of xylitol in their blood.

“This study highlights the urgent need to investigate sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners,” Hazen said. “While there’s no need to throw away your toothpaste just because it contains xylitol, people should be aware that consuming products high in xylitol may increase their risk of developing blood clot-related conditions.”

Combined with previous research on erythritol, the findings “emphasize the need for systematic research into the effects of artificial sweeteners on cardiovascular disease risk,” the researchers say. Silvia Radenkovic At the University Medical Center Utrecht, Netherlands.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Study suggests that high consumption of fruit may lower risk of depression

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A new study led by scientists at the University of New South Wales confirms that eating fruit can help ward off depression – but eating vegetables does not.

High fruit intake is associated with a reduced risk of developing depression.

Depression is a major public health concern: the global impact of depressive disorders is estimated to be over 50 million years of life lived with disability, making depression the largest contributor to non-fatal disease burden.

More than 80% of this burden is borne by low- and middle-income countries.

Compared with depression in younger adults, depression in older adults has a greater impact on physical and cognitive abilities and is associated with reduced quality of life and increased all-cause mortality.

A growing body of evidence suggests that diet, particularly increasing fruit and vegetable intake, may be important in reducing the risk of depression.

“The aim of this new study was to examine the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and depression in adults aged 45 and over,” said researcher Dr Annabel Mattison, from the University of New South Wales.

The study involved 7,801 non-depressed, community-dwelling adults from multiple sites across six continents, including the United States, Sweden, Brazil, Nigeria, Malaysia and Australia.

The results showed a beneficial association between higher fruit intake and a lower risk of depression over a nine-year period.

“This intriguing finding of a protective relationship between fruit consumption and risk of depression points to the need for greater emphasis on diet in healthcare,” said Dr Mattison.

The results suggested a benefit to vegetable consumption, but the benefit was not statistically significant.

“The reason we found a beneficial association with fruit consumption but not with vegetable consumption may be because fruits are typically consumed raw, whereas vegetables are typically consumed cooked, which may affect their nutritional value,” Dr Mattison said.

“Fruit and vegetable intake was self-reported via a comprehensive food frequency questionnaire, a short food questionnaire, or a dietary history.”

“Depressive symptoms were assessed using validated scales, and depression was defined by applying validated cut-offs.”

“We used Cox regression to examine the association between baseline fruit and vegetable intake and incident depression over 3- to 9-year follow-up periods.”

It has been suggested that the high antioxidant, dietary fiber, and vitamin content of fruits and vegetables may have beneficial effects on depression through a variety of mechanisms, including their role in inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut microbiota.

Because fruits and vegetables contain different nutrients, it is also possible that different types of fruits and vegetables may have different effects on depression risk.

The evidence that citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables reduce the risk of depression is particularly strong.

“Future studies that take into account consumption of different types of fruit and vegetables using standardized measures and focus on a larger number of older people, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, are definitely needed,” Professor Henry Brodaty, from the University of New South Wales, said.

“The expanding research currently being conducted into genes associated with dietary intake provides a promising avenue for influencing fruit and vegetable intake.”

“To better understand the association, the types of fruits and vegetables consumed also need to be taken into account, and studies need to be designed to be more comparable across cohorts.”

of study Published in Journal of Affective Disorders.

_____

Annabelle P. Mathison others2024. Associations between fruit and vegetable intake and incident depression in middle-aged and older adults in 10 diverse international longitudinal cohorts. Journal of Affective Disorders 359: 373-381; doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.096

Source: www.sci.news

AI Predicting Mortality Risk Saves Lives in Hospital Trial

Posted on April 29, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Electrocardiogram tests used to train AI to predict risk of fatal heart disease

Gerain0812/Shutterstock

Artificial intelligence systems have proven they can save lives by alerting doctors to test patients whose heart test results show they are at high risk of death. In a randomized clinical trial of approximately 16,000 patients across two hospitals, AI reduced overall deaths in high-risk patients by 31%.

“This is actually quite unusual,” he says Eric Topol Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute Translational Institute in California were not involved in the study. “Any drug, [produce] Mortality is down 31%, and it's even rarer for non-drugs, but that's just monitoring people with AI. ”

Chin Lin Researchers at Taiwan's National Defense Medical Center first trained the AI on more than 450,000 electrocardiogram (ECG) tests that measure the electrical activity of the heart, as well as survival data from ECG subjects. The AI learned to generate a percentile score representing each patient's risk of death, and considered patients at at least the 95th percentile to be at high risk.

The researchers then tested the AI alert system with 39 doctors from two different hospitals. When a nurse uploads a new patient's EKG test to a computer server, an AI system analyzes the results and immediately alerts doctors if the patient is deemed to be at high risk.

In addition to reducing the risk of death from all causes, the AI system reduced deaths in high-risk patients from heart disease by more than 90%.

Lin and his colleagues speculate that AI predictions could help focus attention on groups most at risk. Doctors usually respond to alerts with more diagnostic tests or additional treatments.

The AI alert system is already in use at 14 military hospitals in Taiwan.

“This can be implemented in every hospital in the world, and it shouldn't be expensive,” says Topol. “If it's so effective, it should become the standard of care.”

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Bird flu infecting cows and their milk – Are humans at risk next?

Posted on April 26, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A strain of avian influenza, known as H5N1 or highly pathogenic avian influenza, has sparked concerns in cattle herds across the United States in recent weeks. This development has raised significant alarm among health experts. The Chief Scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO) warned of the high mortality rate associated with the virus in humans.

As of now, the virus has affected more than 20 clusters in eight states of the U.S since a surge was initially reported last month.

The states that have been impacted so far include Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and South Dakota.

Moreover, on April 1st, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the virus had spread further in Texas and had infected individuals who were exposed to dairy cows.

Experts are emphasizing the need for extreme vigilance, investigation, and situational assessment due to the rapidly changing individual risk scenarios.

Infection of cattle is unprecedented.

This virus is not new – H5N1 was initially detected in 1996 in waterfowl in southern China. A new version of the H5N1 virus became widespread in 2021 and has continued to infect both wild and domestic bird populations globally.

Spread to other animals has occurred occasionally as the virus has crossed into various mammalian populations, including foxes, seals, sea lions, and humans, according to the CDC.

While the spread to mammals is a concern and can be fatal, past cases have shown that avian influenza typically stops spreading when it reaches mammalian populations, particularly humans.

However, in October 2022, a significant shift occurred when the virus spread from mink to mink at a mink farm in Spain, deviating from the usual transmission from birds to mammals. The USDA has confirmed that cows have been infected for the first time, and cow-to-cow transmission has contributed to the recent spread of avian influenza in dairy farms.

There is still uncertainty about how the disease spreads through cattle populations, with reports suggesting that the virus may be transmitted through milk due to high concentrations of the virus being shed in milk.

Is it safe to drink milk?

Most dairy products are pasteurized, which effectively eliminates the virus, making milk consumption safe for the majority of individuals. Drinking unpasteurized milk poses some risk, but experts suggest that even unpasteurized milk may be safe if not consumed immediately after milking.

Experts recommend avoiding unpasteurized milk after high concentrations of the avian influenza virus are detected. – Image credit: Getty

The presence of the virus in milk raises questions about its transmission and impact on human health, as the virus is typically a respiratory disease.

How worried should I be?

The situation is under close monitoring by authorities, with several states implementing restrictions on dairy cow imports from affected regions. Scientists are analyzing virus sequences to identify genetic changes that could impact transmission and treatment effectiveness.

Concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of biosecurity measures on farms in controlling the spread of the virus. Experts emphasize the need for increased vigilance and monitoring to prevent further transmission.

Could H5N1 cause the next pandemic?

While there is uncertainty about the future, a widespread pandemic remains unlikely at this point. Authorities are prepared with stockpiles of vaccines and antiviral drugs effective against potential influenza strains.

There are two existing vaccine candidates against H5N1 available to manufacturers, along with several FDA-approved antiviral drugs. The focus remains on combating bird flu and preparing for any potential future outbreaks.

Experts continue to monitor the situation closely and emphasize the importance of staying informed and prepared for any developments.

About our experts

Jeremy Rothman is an Honorary Senior Lecturer in Virology at the University of Kent. His research focuses on infectious diseases’ pathogenesis and has been published in various scientific journals.

Matthew Hayek is an assistant professor at New York University, specializing in the impact of food production on climate change, ecological processes, and the spread of zoonotic diseases.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

New Tool from NOAA and CDC Reveals Heat Predictions and Risk Levels

Posted on April 22, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

CDC Director Mandy Cohen emphasized the importance of utilizing tools and guidelines to help individuals identify places to stay cool when air conditioning is not available, recognize symptoms of heat illness, and properly manage medications. Cohen highlighted the significance of understanding how drugs interact with heat during a press conference on Monday.

“While heat can impact our health, it is crucial to remember that heat-related illness and death are preventable,” Cohen stated.

Heat-related deaths outnumber those caused by other extreme weather events such as floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes in the United States each year. The record-breaking heat experienced last summer highlighted the threat of scorching temperatures, particularly in the South and Southwest regions of the country.

NOAA officials expressed optimism that the new resources will assist communities in preparing for the upcoming summer season. The agency anticipates above-average temperatures in May and June across the United States, indicating another hot summer ahead.

“It is never too early to start preparing for heat-related challenges,” emphasized NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad during a briefing.

NOAA’s HeatRisk tool categorizes heat risks on a scale from 0 (green) to 4 (magenta), with 4 indicating extreme and/or prolonged heat impacts. The tool considers factors such as maximum and minimum temperatures as well as the combined effects of heat during both day and night. It is tailored to provide location-specific heat outlooks as environmental conditions vary from one place to another.

The forecast also includes historical data to provide context on the predicted temperatures relative to past records during the same time of year.

NOAA National Weather Service Director Ken Graham highlighted that the HeatRisk tool can assist individuals in making informed decisions about outdoor activities based on the heat risk level. The tool aims to complement heat watches and warnings issued by government agencies by offering additional context for users.

The initial prototype of the HeatRisk tool was developed for California by the National Weather Service in 2013 and expanded to include Western states in 2017. It is currently available as a trial tool across the continental United States.

Members of the public are encouraged to submit feedback on the tool by September 30th to the National Weather Service.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Obesity directly correlated with increased risk of breast cancer, say researchers

Posted on April 18, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Reading time: 7 minutes

Breast cancer affects thousands of people each year. Scientists have shown that many factors can influence breast cancer, including age, physical inactivity, and obesity. However, it is unclear exactly how obesity and breast cancer are related.

Previous researchers have shown that tissue inflammation in obese patients is related to cancer. Other researchers have shown that obese patients have the following characteristics: specific genetic mutations It is also related to cancer. However, how this mutation acts to generate different types of tumors is not fully understood.

Ha-Linh Nguyen and colleagues recently investigated the relationship between breast cancer and obesity. Nguyen and his team wanted to determine how obesity affects breast cancer by examining the tissue cell and genetic profiles of breast cancer in obese patients. Their goal was to see if doctors could develop more targeted treatments for breast cancer based on the genetic mutations involved.

They collected genetic data from the tumors of more than 2,000 breast cancer patients collected during multiple large-scale breast cancer studies conducted by five accredited cancer research institutions. To ensure that no changes had occurred in the breast tumors, the researchers only used data from patients who had not yet started cancer treatment.

The researchers defined obesity based on the patient’s weight-to-height ratio. body mass index, or BMI. They used patients’ BMI data to classify patients into three categories: obese, overweight, and underweight. An obese patient, her BMI was over 30 kilograms per square meter (kg/m2).²), the BMI of overweight patients was 25–30 kg/m2.²lean patients had a BMI of 18.5 to 25 kg/m.². For reference, the average BMI for adults is approximately 26 kg/m3.².

Patients were then further categorized based on breast tumor type. These categories include patients with tumors that originate in the milk-producing glands of the breast. Invasive lobular carcinoma tumoror a comparison of patients with ILC tumors and patients without specific tumor types.

The researchers also took into account other biological factors used to identify the type of breast cancer. estrogen receptor. Tumors in patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer contain receptors that use the hormone estrogen to stimulate tumor cell growth. The tumors of breast cancer patients who are estrogen receptor-negative do not contain this receptor.

They also looked at another way to determine the type of tumor, a method called. HER2 factor. HER2-positive breast cancer patients contain a protein called human epidermal growth factor 2, which allows cancer cells to multiply rapidly. The researchers used these biochemical markers to classify patients by tumor type, and then used statistical analysis to distinguish between tumor types in obese patients and those in lean and overweight groups. We compared the types.

Researchers found that in obese patients with non-specific tumors that are estrogen receptor positive and HER2 negative, BMI influences breast cancer in the same way that age influences cancer development. The researchers explained that as we age, the body’s immune response slows down, giving cancer cells more time to accumulate before the body reacts and stops the process. They suggested that these results support the idea that both age and obesity are risk factors for developing breast cancer.

The scientists then looked at whether the tumors in each group had one or more cancer-causing mutations. The research team specifically looked at genes that researchers had previously shown had mutations that cause breast cancer. They also examined tumor DNA to see if there were mutations that caused deletions or amplifications of specific parts of the DNA. Change number of copies.

Researchers found different genetic mutations in patients with different BMIs. They found that a gene involved in cell division signaling, called P1K3CA, was less mutated in obese patients who were estrogen receptor positive, HER2 negative, and had unspecific tumors. Mutations in two other HER genes, CCND1 and CCNE1, were more common in obese patients with estrogen receptor-positive tumors.

The researchers concluded that their study showed a genetic link between breast cancer and obesity. They suggested that some genetic mutations found in tumors of obese patients, particularly CCND1 and CCNE1 mutations, may enable targeted breast cancer treatments. They suggested that future researchers should investigate how the biochemical pathways these genes are associated with actually contribute to breast cancer formation to better develop treatments. .

Post views: 262

original research: Obesity-related changes in the molecular biology of primary breast cancer

research has been published:July 21, 2023

research author: Harinh Nguyen, Tatiana Geukens, Marion Mehtens, Samuel Aparicio, Ayse Bassez, Ake Borg, Jane Block, Anejan Brooks, Carlos Caldas, Fatima Cardoso, Maxim de Schepper, Mauro DeLorenzi. , Caroline A. Drucker, Anuska M. Glass, Andrew R. Green, Edoardo Isnardi, Jörn Eifjords, Hazem Kout, Stian Knapskog, Savitri Krishnamurthy, Sunil R. Lakhani, Anita Langerod, John W. M. Martens, Amy E. McCart-Reid, Lee Murphy, Stefan Nauraz, Selina Nick-Zinal, Ines Nebelsteen, Patrick Neven, Martine Picard, Coralie Ponsetto, Kevin Puni, Colin Purdy, Emad A. Raka, Andrea Richardson, Emile Rutgers, Anne Vincent-Salomon, Peter T. Simpson, Marjanka K. Schmidt, Christos Sotiriou, Paul N. Spann, Kiat. Tee Benita Tan, Alastair Thompson, Stefania Tommasi, Karen van Baeren, Marc van de Wivel, Steven van Leer, Laura van't Veer, Giuseppe Viale, Alan Viali, Hanne Voss, Anke T. Witteveen, Hans Wildyas, Giuseppe Floris, Abhishek D. Garg, Anne Smeets, Dieter Lambrecht, Elia Biganzoli, Francois Richard, Christine Desmet

The research was conducted at the following locations:: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium), Lund University (Sweden), Netherlands Cancer Institute (Netherlands), University of Cambridge (UK), Champalimaud Clinical Center/Champalimaud Foundation (Portugal), University of Lausanne (Switzerland), SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (Switzerland), Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital (Netherlands), University of Nottingham (UK), University of Iceland (Iceland), University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UK), University of Bergen (Norway), and University of Texas MD Anderson. University of Queensland, Herston (Australia), Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston (Australia), Oslo University Hospital, Ullenjausen (Norway), Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam (Netherlands), University of Manitoba , Manitoba Institute for Cancer Treatment (Canada), University Hospital Leuven (Belgium), Jules Bordet Institute and Free University of Bruxelles (Belgium), European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Headquarters (Belgium), University of Dundee (UK) , Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (UK), Johns Hopkins University (USA), Netherlands Cancer Institute (Netherlands), Institut Curie, PSL Research University (France), Radboud University Medical Center (Netherlands), Sengkang General Hospital ( Singapore), National Cancer Center (Singapore), Baylor College of Medicine (USA), IRCCS Istituto Tumouri “Giovanni Paolo II” (Italy), University of Amsterdam (Netherlands), University of Antwerp (Belgium), UCSF Helen Diller Family Institute Cancer Center (USA), European Institute of Oncology IRCCS (Italy), University of Milan (Italy), Synergie Lyon Cancer, Plateforme de Bio-informatique 'Gilles Thomas' (France), Università degli Studi di Milano (Italy)

This research was funded by: Luxembourg Cancer Foundation, European Research Council, University of Leuven.

Availability of raw data: Data from the ICGC cohort includes: ICGC Data Portalthe data from ELBC includes: gene expression omnibus Accession number GSE88770 provides access to data from MINDACT. EORTCindividual patient read count data can be accessed below. bio keythe raw sequence reads include European Genomic Phenomena Archive Research No. EGAS00001004809 and data accession number. EGAD00001006608

Featured image credit: Photo provided National Cancer Institute upon unsplash

This summary was edited by: Aubrey Zirkle

Source: sciworthy.com

Is the potential for more powerful electric bikes cause for concern over increased fire risk?

Posted on March 23, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The UK Government has initiated a consultation to gather public and industry input on increasing the legal power of electric bike models from 250W to 500W in the UK. This move has sparked concerns in the fire protection community.

Electric bicycles utilize various types of batteries, with lithium-ion technology being the common choice. These batteries come in different shapes and sizes, such as cylindrical or box-shaped configurations.

Battery packs in electric bikes are composed of multiple cells connected in series and parallel to provide the necessary voltage and capacity. Incidents of fires linked to lithium-ion batteries are on the rise, posing risks to users of electric bikes and e-scooters.

Recent data disclosed in May 2023 by the Guardian newspaper revealed that defective electric bikes and e-scooters have caused injuries to 190 individuals and claimed eight lives in the UK. The London Fire Brigade noted a substantial increase in battery-related fires in 2023, with a rise of 78% compared to the previous year.

Potential causes of fires in lithium-ion batteries include mechanical or thermal shock, overcharging, and reactive materials interacting with each other, leading to heat generation and abnormal electrical behavior. Despite the benefits of higher wattage batteries in electric bikes, there are concerns about the increased risk of fires and other safety issues.

To mitigate the risk of battery fires, users are advised to avoid tampering with batteries, charge them within the recommended parameters, and store them in a safe environment away from flammable materials. Adherence to manufacturer guidelines and proper disposal of damaged batteries are crucial in preventing incidents of fires.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Restricting eating times linked to 91 percent higher risk of cardiovascular death

Posted on March 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A recent comprehensive study of 20,000 adults suggests that time-restricted eating, a form of intermittent fasting, may significantly increase the risk of death. Moreover, healthy eating habits could challenge the established scientific consensus on this topic.

The latest research, published by the American Heart Association, reveals that restricting eating to less than eight hours a day is associated with a staggering 91 percent increase in the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

After analyzing participants’ dietary habits and health over a period of up to 17 years, the study found no evidence to support the idea that limiting meals to an eight-hour window reduces the risk of death from any cause.

Lead author Professor Victor Wenze Zhong expressed surprise at the results, stating to BBC Science Focus that they had anticipated a decrease in cardiovascular disease risk and overall mortality with long-term adoption of an eight-hour time-restricted diet.

He further stated, “Despite the popularity of this dietary approach for its short-term benefits, our study indicates that while the typical eating window ranges from 12 to 16 hours per day, shorter meal times do not correlate with longer life.”

Although the precise reason why time-restricted eating may increase the risk of cardiovascular death is still unknown, one possible explanation suggested by Zhong is that it could lead to a loss of muscle mass.

Recent interest in time-restricted eating has been fueled by its potential health benefits. Prior studies have indicated that it could aid weight loss and improve blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Many practitioners follow a 16:8 schedule, whereby they consume all food within an eight-hour window and fast for the remaining 16 hours.

This eating pattern aligns more closely with natural circadian rhythms and is believed to support better sleep and metabolic function. However, the recent findings cast doubt on its long-term benefits.

Stanford University School of Medicine Professor Dr. Christopher Gardner cautioned that while time-restricted eating may offer short-term advantages, it could have adverse long-term effects, based on the study.

It is important to note that the study has not yet undergone peer review, and detailed dietary information of the participants is not available.

The research population, with an average age of 49, recorded 2797 deaths, of which 840 were due to cardiovascular disease.

As per Zhong, individuals, especially those with existing heart disease or cancer, should be cautious about adopting an eight-hour eating window due to its associated increased risk of cardiovascular death.

He emphasized the potential effectiveness of intermittent fasting for short periods, such as three to six months, for weight loss and cardiometabolic health improvement. However, long-term adherence to practices like eight-hour time-restricted eating warrants careful consideration.

Despite these cautionary findings, Zhong and Gardner noted that it is premature to draw definitive conclusions regarding time-restricted eating based on a single study.

Ultimately, the study suggests that the content of one’s diet may hold greater importance than the timing of meals for long-term health outcomes.

About our experts:

Dr. Victor Wenze Zhong is a professor and chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He holds leadership roles in the American Academy of Nutrition and the American Heart Association.

Dr. Christopher Gardner is a professor of medicine at Stanford University, known for his research on dietary components and patterns. He has served on the American Heart Association Nutrition Committee and the Lifestyle & Metabolic Health Council.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Intermittent fasting linked to higher risk of heart disease-related death

Posted on March 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Eating within eight hours, commonly known as the 16:8 diet, is a common form of fasting.

Christina Pedrazzini/Science Photo Library/Getty Images

Restricting eating time to eight hours a day (a common type of intermittent fasting) is associated with an increased risk of death from heart disease. However, some scientists believe that people with pre-existing health conditions may unconsciously eat intermittent meals if their symptoms or treatments affect their appetite and perhaps the quality of the meal is more important than the time of the meal. It claims that you may choose to fast.

It has long been reported that time-restricted eating can lead to improvement. blood pressure, Blood glucose level and cholesterol levelbut the long-term effects are unknown.

You can learn more about Chong Wenze Researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China and their colleagues surveyed about 20,000 adults (almost evenly split between men and women) who took part in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Their average age was 49 years, and just under three-quarters were non-Hispanic white.

Each year from 2003 to 2018, study participants self-reported their dietary information. The researchers then matched this with U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention death records from 2003 to 2019. Participants were eligible if they were 20 years of age or older and had completed two dietary questionnaires within one year of the study.

Over an average 8-year follow-up period, the research team found that even though intermittent fasting is often praised, people who ate in an 8-hour window per day were less likely to eat on a 12-hour daily eating schedule. They discovered that they cannot live longer than humans for ~16 hours. For longevity benefits.

Researchers also found that people who followed an eight-hour eating schedule were 91 percent more likely to die from heart disease during the follow-up period than those who ate for 12 to 16 hours or more.

Among people diagnosed with heart disease before the study, those who ate for more than 8 to 10 hours had a 66% higher risk of dying from heart disease than those who ate for more than 12 to 16 hours. Among people diagnosed with cancer, eating for more than 16 hours had a lower risk of dying from cancer than those on a more restrictive eating schedule.

The study, presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Epidemiology and Prevention Conference in Chicago, does not prove that time-restricted eating caused these deaths, Zhong said. To tell.

They said it was important to consider why participants practiced time-restricted eating. benjamin horn at Intermountain Heart Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah. Some people may have adopted this pattern intentionally, he says, while others may have limited eating windows due to health conditions or treatments that affect their appetite.

He says some people may have restricted eating schedules because of limited access to food. jo ann carson, former chair of the AHA Nutrition Committee. According to research, Food insecurity is linked to unhealthy lifestyles that lead to heart disease. “We also don’t know anything about the health of the food they ate,” Carson said.

The authors acknowledge in their paper that their study relied on self-reported dietary information, which may be inaccurate. They plan to investigate whether this finding applies to a wider range of ethnic groups and how fasting may increase the risk of adverse health outcomes.

People who want to reduce their chances of dying prematurely “should aim for an overall heart-healthy eating pattern, regardless of mealtime,” Carson says. People who want to start intermittent fasting should talk to their doctor first, Horn says.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Intermittent Fasting Linked to Higher Risk of Cardiovascular Mortality

Posted on March 18, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A recent extensive study involving 20,000 adults discovered that time-restricted eating, a form of intermittent fasting, can significantly increase the risk of death, casting doubt on the efficacy of healthy eating.

The study, published by the American Heart Association, revealed that restricting eating to less than eight hours a day raised the risk of cardiovascular death by an alarming 91%. Over a span of up to 17 years, the study found no decrease in the risk of any specific cause of death by restricting meals to eight hours or less.

Lead author Professor Victor Wenze Zhong expressed surprise at the study’s results, stating, “We had anticipated that adopting an 8-hour time-restricted diet long-term would lead to reduced cardiovascular disease risk and overall mortality.” He added, “Although this diet has been popular for its short-term benefits, our study revealed that compared to the typical 12 to 16-hour eating window, shorter meal times showed no association with living longer.”

Although the reasons behind the increased risk of cardiovascular death from time-restricted eating are not fully understood, it is suggested that muscle mass loss due to dietary restriction may be a contributing factor.

In recent years, time-restricted eating has gained popularity for its potential health benefits, such as aiding weight loss and improving blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Many people follow a 16:8 schedule, consuming all meals within an 8-hour window and fasting for 16 hours.

However, despite short-term benefits, recent findings suggest potential long-term negative effects of time-restricted eating, especially an 8-hour window, on cardiovascular health.

Experts caution that further research is needed to fully understand the impact of time-restricted eating and its implications for long-term health. Specific recommendations regarding time-restricted eating should be made with caution based on current evidence.

About our experts:

Dr. Victor Wenze Zhong is a professor and chair at the School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, specializing in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. He is actively involved in nutritional epidemiology research and serves on various councils related to heart health.

Dr. Christopher Gardner is a professor at Stanford University focusing on the health benefits of different dietary components and patterns. With extensive research in cardiovascular health and nutrition, he provides valuable insights into the impact of diet on overall well-being.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

House Passes Bill Requiring ByteDance, Owner of TikTok, to Sell or Risk US Ban | Ticktock

Posted on March 14, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The House of Representatives passed a bill on Wednesday mandating that ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, must sell the social media platform or face a complete ban in the United States.

The vote resulted in overwhelming support, with 352 members of Congress voting in favor and only 65 voting against. The bill, which was swiftly approved in committee last week, gives ByteDance 165 days to divest from TikTok. Failure to do so would result in app stores like the Apple App Store and Google Play being legally prohibited from hosting TikTok or providing web hosting services for ByteDance-managed applications.

Following the vote, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew expressed disappointment and stated that the company is doing everything possible to protect the platform’s integrity and enforce their legal rights.

Chew emphasized TikTok’s efforts to secure data and shield the platform from external influences, raising concerns about the implications of the bill on other social media companies, creators, and small businesses.

The decision in the House of Representatives marks a significant development in the ongoing debate surrounding TikTok’s alleged data collection practices and potential political censorship. Despite assurances from TikTok that they do not share U.S. user data with the Chinese government, challenges persist, including past bans and legal battles.

The future of the bill in the Senate remains uncertain, as some Democrats have raised free speech concerns and proposed broader social media regulations to address foreign influence concerns without singling out TikTok specifically.

The White House supports the bill, aiming to provide a pathway for ByteDance to sell TikTok and mitigate national security risks associated with Chinese ownership. The authors of the bill stress that the goal is not to ban TikTok outright but to facilitate its sale to circumvent the block in the U.S.

While the outcome of the bill continues to unfold, TikTok and its supporters remain steadfast in advocating for the platform’s survival, raising uncertainties about China’s approval of a potential sale and the timeline for such a transaction.

As the debate continues, concerns persist about the impact of the bill on other Chinese-owned platforms in the U.S., such as Tencent’s WeChat. The discussions reflect broader efforts to address national security and privacy considerations in the social media landscape.

Reuters contributed to this report

Source: www.theguardian.com

Coastal Cities in the US Facing Increased Flooding Risk Due to Rising Sea Levels by 2050

Posted on March 6, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

New Orleans is at risk of more flooding than expected due to land subsidence

William A. Morgan/Shutterstock

Sea levels are rising faster than expected in U.S. coastal cities, primarily due to land subsidence from groundwater and fossil fuel extraction. This means up to 518,000 additional people living in these areas could be at risk of major flooding by 2050 if adequate protection is not in place.

Coastal cities often experience subsidence, where the land gradually sinks over time. One of the biggest factors causing this is the compaction of the earth by extracting resources such as water and fossil fuels from the ground.

To investigate how land subsidence and sea level rise will impact coastal communities. leonard owenhen The Virginia Tech researchers created a model based on land elevation changes in 32 major coastal cities, including Boston and San Francisco, and sea level rise projections through 2050.

Researchers found that cities on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, such as New Orleans, have lower elevations and are sinking faster. It is sinking at least two millimeters more per year than other cities in the region, increasing the risk of future flooding. . Urban areas along the Pacific coast are better protected from rising sea levels because of their higher elevations.

“We were surprised to see that Biloxi, Mississippi, experienced the most rapid subsidence,” Owenhen says.

They also found that existing flood risk assessments in the United States do not take into account the combined effects of land subsidence, underestimating its threat. Researchers have found that nearly 1,400 square kilometers more land will be at risk of flooding by 2050 than current estimates. That means, in total, 1 in 50 people and 1 in 35 homes in 32 cities are at risk. .

This would put an additional 518,000 people and more than 288,000 homes at risk of flooding.

The study looked at flood risk for dozens of coastal U.S. cities by 2050.

Image courtesy of Leonard Owenhen

These findings highlight the urgent need to strengthen U.S. flood protection now, team members say Manuchel Shirzai, also at Virginia Tech. “Individual cities will need to adapt differently. New Orleans will need to strengthen city-wide flood protection, while San Francisco will probably only need to protect its critical infrastructure.”

Other things could be done to reduce the threat. “If land subsidence is being caused by groundwater extraction, oil and gas development, or other human-induced stresses, we need to do everything we can to reverse these trends before it’s too late.” he says. Simon Anisfeld At Yale University.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Is Australia at Risk of Misleading Clickbait Surge on Facebook and Instagram Following Meta’s News Ban?

Posted on March 5, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

MExperts say powerful viral clickbait has taken over Facebook and Instagram in Canada after Meta removed news from the platforms nine months ago. Now Australia could face a similar scenario online, with the company preparing to battle the Australian government over payments to news organizations.

Last week, Meta announced it would no longer make payments to Australian news publishers, prompting the Australian government to consider using its legislative powers to force the platform to negotiate payments with news publishers. Ta.

The controversy could prevent Australian news organizations from posting links to their content on Facebook or Instagram, as Meta did for six days in 2021, and as Canada has done since mid-last year. The possibility is increasing.

Experts say Canada’s ban has done little damage to the social media giants, but it has hurt the news organizations Canada most wanted to support.

In June 2023, the Canadian federal government introduced Bill C-18, which aims to increase revenue for Canadian journalism publishers by requiring Meta and Google’s parent company Alphabet to compensate publishers for hosting and linking content. (Online News Act) was passed.

Both tech companies initially balked at the prospect, but Alphabet ultimately agreed to a deal with the government in November. Under the terms of the deal, Google’s parent company will contribute C$73.6 million (A$83 million) annually to be distributed to Canadian news publishers. Experts said the deal was in part because C-18 targeted link sharing and indexing, key aspects of Alphabet’s business model.

But Mehta is resisting the law’s restrictions, arguing it is “fundamentally flawed”. In response, it blocked all news sharing on its platforms, including Instagram and Facebook. Prior to the ban, Meta also announced it was ending its partnership with the Canadian Press, which had funded 30 reporting fellowships for young journalists starting in 2020.

The ban took effect in August amid the worst wildfire season in the country’s history, but lawmakers feared it would prevent Canadians from accessing the latest news in their communities and prevent evacuations. . The broadcaster denounced the move as “anti-competitive behavior” and said it violated regulations. federal law.

Mehta said in a statement at the time: “The Online News Act is based on the false premise that Meta is unfairly profiting from the news content shared on our platforms, when the opposite is true. We voluntarily share content on Facebook and Instagram to help grow our audience and generate revenue.”

Non-news content created by viral content makers is filling the space left by news articles.

“Real Facebook without news has turned out to be more harmful than I expected,” said Jean Hughes-Roy, a journalism professor at the University of Quebec.

2022, Roy conducted a simulation He said he conducted a study on what users would see on Facebook if news was banned, but the reality of the ban was worse than the simulation predicted.

“Viral content creators take news content, make it more sensational by adding misleading information or false details, and publish it on their Facebook pages or Instagram accounts. Such content is blocked by Meta. No, but the actual news will be blocked.”

However, the move doesn’t seem to have affected how Canadians use Facebook.

The number of daily active users on Facebook and the amount of time spent on the social network have changed little since the news block began, according to figures from two digital analytics firms shared with Reuters.

Part of Meta’s argument against compensating Canadian journalistic outlets was that links to news articles accounted for less than 3% of Facebook feeds in the country. This was also the argument made regarding Australia’s decision.

Chris Waddell, of Carleton University’s School of Journalism, said Meta is increasingly wary of its position in the news industry.

“I don’t think we’ve lost any advertisers,” he says. “I don’t know if their decisions really made a difference.” [to the company].

“Meta would do that.” I like to get a break from news from other places. It’s hard to imagine that the company really wants to get dragged into the controversy surrounding the impending US election, with AI-generated fake information being posted on Facebook. It’s a real minefield for them. If they’re right, they only make 3% to 4% of their revenue from news, so I can understand why they would bail out of it. ”

News Corp. CEO Robert Thomson told reporters on Monday that Meta’s 3% claim was “obviously a fabrication and an absurd number.”

“So how much discussion is there about the news? If there is a core news, then the latest factual information on Facebook is 100% news. And these are the things Facebook focuses on. We should also focus on our responsibilities to all Australians.”

Most large publications are finding new ways to redirect users to their sites. But Facebook’s refusal to allow links to be shared on its platform has a huge impact on small publishers.

Eden Fineday, publisher of Indige News, an Indigenous-led online journalism outlet, said traffic on the site has fallen by 43% since the ban.

“Facebook is a very indigenous platform,” Fineday told the Toronto Star. “This is a place where a lot of Indigenous communities connect with each other. So it hurts us. Indigenous people are the least considered demographic, especially by corporate America. They’re not just forgotten, they’re also more vulnerable to these changes. It’s sad that companies don’t consider who is being harmed.”

New Brunswick Media Cooperative Announces loss of 5,000 Facebook followers Prior to being banned from the meta.

Twenty independent media outlets, including the New Brunswick Media Cooperative, have banded together to try to make up for the loss of traffic. not equipped. The purpose is both to strengthen bargaining positions and to share news more effectively with readers.

Waddell said smaller publishers must do the most to win back readers in order to survive.

“Ironically, those that have been most affected are small start-up publications and publications that have been around for some time that have used Facebook as a promotional tool to reach a wider audience.” he said.

Roy said he is concerned about what the disappearance of news from Meta’s platform would mean for Canadian democracy.

“The latest Reuters Journalism Institute Digital News Report found that 45 per cent of Canadians cite social media as a source of news, and the same percentage is true in Australia. “I’m worried” news doesn’t exist anymore. ”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Exposure: A decade ago, the auto industry was alerted to the increased theft risk of keyless car technology.

Posted on February 25, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The automobile industry disregarded warnings from over a decade ago about the risks of keyless technology in modern vehicles leading to a rise in vehicle thefts, as revealed by an investigation in the automotive sector. The observer can disclose.

Legal and computer experts had cautioned that keyless entry and vehicle software were vulnerable to being “hacked” due to inadequate security measures.

Findings indicated that car owners could potentially face theft without any evidence of forced entry in the future.

The surge in vehicle crimes through keyless entry has resulted in record hikes in car insurance costs, with some drivers now confronted with premiums exceeding £2,000 annually. Car thefts in England and Wales reached a decade-high in the year leading up to March 2023.

Observers discovered the following:

Devices camouflaged as gaming consoles, referred to as ’emulators’, are utilized by thieves to mimic electronic keys and steal vehicles within 20 seconds. This is applicable to Hyundai and Kia models.

The ‘smart’ devices are available for purchase online for up to £5,000, allowing criminals to breach a vehicle’s computer system and program a new key.

Police in various regions report a high rate of keyless car thefts and are resolving some cases within 24 hours, even with CCTV footage available.

Nick Freeman, an attorney specializing in the automotive industry, remarked: “The automotive sector was neglectful as they were forewarned about this new technology emerging. It’s a dire situation where individuals are compelled to pay exorbitant insurance premiums.

In November, Jaguar Land Rover announced a £10m investment to enhance the security of high-target car models manufactured between 2018 and 2022. The observer Investigations highlighted similar security vulnerabilities in other vehicles, prompting Hyundai to acknowledge this weekend that criminals had “utilized a device to unlawfully disable smart key lock systems” to access their vehicles. They affirmed the immediate implementation of preventive measures.

A report from 2011 by researchers at the University of California and the University of Washington indicated the potential for attacks on the software in contemporary cars, potentially allowing breaching the car’s telematics system to unlock doors and start the engine without authorization.

An article published in the April 2012 Computer Law and Security Review by specialist barrister Stephen Mason highlighted the vulnerability of keyless systems, warning that vehicles could be stolen without any forced entry unless security enhancements were introduced.

Mr. Mason expressed, “There was a sense of complacency and lack of concern in the automotive sector that hesitated to invest in proper security. We now have state-of-the-art cars with advanced technology, yet owners rely on traditional steering locks for theft protection.”

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) refutes claims of security lapses in the industry, suggesting it is engaged in an ongoing battle with criminals. SMMT CEO Mike Hawes stated: “Automakers continuously introduce new technology to outsmart criminals. This investment has significantly reduced vehicle theft over the past three decades.

“Manufacturers are continually strengthening their security systems, but technology alone cannot prevent all thefts, which is why our industry collaborates closely with law enforcement, insurers, and other security stakeholders.”

The Home Office reports an overall reduction in vehicle crime, including thefts from vehicles. A spokesperson emphasized the importance of law enforcement in addressing motor vehicle crime and commended their commitment to pursuing thorough investigations.

“We have made significant strides in combating vehicle crime, which has decreased by 39% since 2010. New regulations in the Criminal Justice Bill will outlaw electronic devices used in vehicle theft.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

California’s atmospheric rivers pose higher landslide risk

Posted on February 24, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Recent rains have accelerated land movement in the landslide-prone coastal city of Rancho Palos Verdes in Los Angeles County, altering previously uncharted landslide areas, as stated in a city news release.

The sedimentary rock layers in the area tilt toward the sea, causing clay layers to expand and become slippery when saturated with water due to minimal friction, explained Onderdonk.

Concerning areas are expanding due to heavy rains, with a decades-old plan to dewater slopes in the Avalon Cove landslide area significantly slowing down movement, but recent acceleration led to the closure of Wayfarer’s Chapel, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright Jr. in Avalon Cove.

The city of Rancho Palos Verdes, faced with risks to homes and roads, is urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to proceed with state and federal emergency declarations for expedited emergency fixes through the permitting process, as mentioned here.

Many coastal cities in California are vulnerable to landslides.

A tarp covers the bluff behind the house overlooking Capistrano Beach in Dana Point, California. Several seaside areas are dealing with concerns of landslides and coastal erosion following recent storms that hit the state.
NBC News

Drone footage of beach houses built on a landslide rubble in Dana Point made headlines recently. Scientists are studying how climate change affects landslides, expected to be detailed in a 2022 study in “Geophysical Research Letters.”

Research indicates that atmospheric river storms in the San Francisco Bay Area coincide with landslides about 76% of the time and are becoming more frequent and intense on the West Coast due to a warming atmosphere’s increased water vapor absorption and transport capacity.

A warming sea due to human-induced global warming is leading to rising sea levels, endangering California’s coastlines, with projections suggesting significant beach loss by 2100.

Edward and Debbie Winston-Levin, residents of Dana Point, express concerns about coastal erosion impacting their property and affecting nearby amenities.

After recent storms in California, Edwards, who lives in Dana Point, looks out at his waterfront home amid concerns about landslides and coastal erosion.
NBC News

Various coastal cities are making adaptations due to the changing landscape, with plans in motion to address potential risks and impacts.

Experts caution that protecting California’s iconic beaches while safeguarding cliffside homes poses a challenging dilemma for communities.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Breakdown products of Vitamin B3 in excess may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease

Posted on February 22, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Despite intensive efforts to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD), substantial residual CVD risk remains, even in people who receive all guideline-recommended interventions. Niacin (vitamin B3) is an essential micronutrient fortified in staple foods, but its role in CVD is poorly understood. Excessive amounts of niacin's breakdown products may be associated with an increased risk of death, heart attack, and stroke, according to a new study.

Niacin is an essential micronutrient that is fortified in staple foods beyond dietary requirements. Image credit: Ferrell other., doi: 10.1038/s41591-023-02793-8.

Although CVD is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, only a portion of the attributable risk is explained by established risk factors.

Despite significant advances in treatment, the risk of residual cardiovascular disease remains high, and it has been suggested that additional, as yet unrecognized factors contribute to cardiovascular disease.

Research has previously shown that niacin (vitamin B3) reduces levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

However, this vitamin does not seem to have the expected effect in reducing CVD risk, the so-called “niacin paradox”.

“Our study shows that niacin breakdown products can promote vascular inflammation, providing a potential explanation for this discrepancy,” said Cleveland Clinic researcher Stanley Hazen, Ph.D. said.

In the study, the authors analyzed plasma samples from 4,325 people in three patient cohorts, including men and women from the United States and Europe.

They found that two breakdown products of niacin, the metabolites N1-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide (2PY) and N1-methyl-4-pyridone-3-carboxamide (4PY), are associated with increased CVD risk. I discovered that

In subsequent human genetic studies and mouse studies, the research team found that this increased risk is due to these breakdown products increasing the abundance of the pro-inflammatory protein VCAM-1 within the endothelial cells lining the blood. showed that it may be mediated by the ability of one of the (4PY). ship.

“Further studies are needed in large-scale studies to investigate the association between niacin and its degradation products and CVD,” the researchers said.

their findings It was published in the magazine natural medicine.

_____

M. Ferrell other. 2024. End metabolites of niacin promote vascular inflammation and contribute to cardiovascular disease risk. Nat Med 30, 424-434; doi: 10.1038/s41591-023-02793-8

Source: www.sci.news

Increased Cancer Risk in Relatives of Men with Infertility

Posted on February 22, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The study looked at men who produced less than 1.5 million sperm per milliliter of semen, which is considered to produce very few or no sperm.

Joshua Resnick/Shutterstock

Relatives of men who have infertility problems may be at increased risk of cancer, and the odds vary widely from family to family.

Research suggests that certain relatives within three generations of such men are more likely to develop a variety of cancers, including cancers that affect the colon, testicles, and uterus. However, the risk varies by family lineage and whether the man is infertile or subfertile.

Male infertility has been linked to multiple health problems; cardiovascular diseases etc.. Previous research has also pointed out the following: Association between male infertility and increased cancer risk in relatives of such men.

Joey Ramsay Researchers at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City suspected this might vary from family to family. To find out, they analyzed the sperm counts of 360 men who produced fewer than 1.5 million sperm per milliliter of semen and 426 men who produced no sperm at all. These men were matched in age to more than 5,600 of his others with whom he had at least one biological child. Researchers do not know whether any of the participants were transgender.

Next, they obtained information on cancer diagnoses in the men's first-, second-, and third-degree relatives from Utah's database.

The research team found that relatives of men with low sperm counts within three generations were more likely to develop colon and testicular cancer compared to the general population, and some of those related to men with low sperm counts They discovered there was a high chance of developing sarcoma, Hodgkin said. Lymphoma, cancer of the uterus and thyroid. Both of these groups had much higher rates of bone and joint cancer than the general population.

The researchers then used specially developed software to determine the increased risk of cancer combinations in 34 body regions within different families (both fertile and infertile groups). We have detected a tendency to This resulted in “clustering” that allowed trends within families to be detected.

Two-thirds of male relatives who did not have sperm were at no higher risk of cancer than the general population. However, other families showed a significantly increased risk of various types of cancer, and that risk varied by family lineage, with higher risks for childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancers. There were people too.

Relatives of men with low sperm counts all had an increased risk of at least one type of cancer compared to the general population, but the degree of risk and type of condition varied.

It is unclear why this increased risk occurs, but it may be due to genetic factors or common environmental exposures among relatives. It is hoped that further research will investigate this and lead to tests that identify families at higher risk, Ramsay said.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Niacin, Vitamin B3 Supplements Linked to Higher Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke

Posted on February 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Niacin, or vitamin B3, is a popular supplement

Celsol/Alamy

People with high levels of niacin (also known as vitamin B3) in their blood may be more likely to have a heart attack or stroke than people with low levels of niacin. Consuming too much of this vitamin, which is routinely added to fortified foods and can also be taken as a supplement, can cause inflammation in blood vessels.

Heart attacks and strokes are the leading causes of death worldwide. Although researchers have made great strides over the past few decades in discovering risk factors for these conditions, they have not identified them all.

“If treated [high] cholesterol and [high] You can still have a heart attack even if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or any other pre-existing risk factors. ”Stanley Hazen at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. “There's something we're missing.”

To fill these gaps, Hazen and his colleagues collected blood samples from 2,331 U.S. adults and 832 European adults who chose to undergo cardiovascular testing. The researchers analyzed the samples for substances called metabolites, which are byproducts of metabolic processes such as digestion. The researchers then tracked participants' occurrence of cardiac events, such as heart attacks and strokes, over a three-year period.

The researchers found that people with high levels of a metabolite called 4PY were, on average, about 60 percent more likely to experience such an event than those with lower levels. This compound only occurs when the body breaks down excess niacin.

Further experiments revealed that 4PY inflamed blood vessels in rodents. We know that inflammation is a major contributor to the development of heart disease, Hazen said.

It's not uncommon for people to have high niacin levels, he says. This is partly because certain foods, such as cereals and flour, are routinely fortified with vitamins in countries including the UK and US.

Niacin supplements are also becoming more popular Evidence suggests it has anti-aging effects says Hazen. Additionally, doctors stopped prescribing high doses of niacin to people at risk for cardiovascular disease because it was initially thought that the vitamin protected people from the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering cholesterol. It happened recently.

“I think this study really shows that when it comes to vitamins, sometimes you can have too much of a good thing,” he says. Jenny Jia at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois.

However, this study was primarily conducted on people of European descent. So it's unclear whether similar results would occur in people of different racial or ethnic backgrounds, Zia said.

topic:

heart attack/
Heart disease

Source: www.newscientist.com

Men who consume kimchi daily may have a lower risk of obesity

Posted on February 2, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

In a cross-sectional study, researchers from Chung-Ang University and elsewhere analyzed data from the Korean HEXA Cohort Study to investigate the association between kimchi consumption and obesity among Korean adults. They showed that total kimchi intake of one to three servings per day was inversely associated with obesity risk in men. Additionally, in men, higher intakes of baechu kimchi (cabbage kimchi) were associated with lower prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity. It was found that higher intake of gakdugi (radish kimchi) was associated with lower prevalence of abdominal obesity in both men and women. However, all results indicate a “J-shaped” association, suggesting that overconsumption may increase obesity prevalence.

Consuming 1 to 3 servings of kimchi per day has been shown to reduce obesity risk in men. Image credit: Lee Dong-won.

Kimchi is traditionally consumed as a side dish in Korea and is produced by salting and fermenting vegetables with various flavorings and seasonings such as onions, garlic, chili powder, salted shrimp, and fish sauce.

The main vegetables in kimchi are cabbage and radish, and kimchi is low in calories and rich in dietary fiber, lactic acid bacteria, vitamins, and polyphenols.

Fermented kimchi contains the following major types of lactic acid bacteria: leuconostoc seed, lactic acid bacteria Species and Weissella spp.

especially, lactic acid bacteria It is the dominant species of kimchi lactic acid bacteria in late seed fermentation.

In previously published experimental studies, Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus plantarum Components isolated from kimchi had anti-obesity effects.

And researchers Hyein Jung and colleagues at Chung-Ang University wanted to know whether regular consumption was associated with a reduced risk of overall and/or abdominal obesity, which is considered to be particularly harmful to health. .

Scientists used data from 115,726 participants (36,756 men and 78,970 women, average age 51 years) who took part in the Health Examination (HEXA) study.

HEXA is a large-scale community-based longitudinal study of the Korean Genomic Epidemiology Study, which aims to investigate environmental and genetic risk factors for common long-term conditions in Korean adults aged 40 years and older.

Dietary intake in the previous year was assessed using a validated 106-item food frequency questionnaire. In this survey, participants were asked to indicate how often they ate one serving of each food item: never, rarely, or three times a day.

Kimchi total includes Baechu. Kakudugi. Nabak and donchimi (watery kimchi). Others include takana kimchi.

Baechu kimchi or gahdugi kimchi weighs 50g, and nabak kimchi or donchimi kimchi weighs 95g.

We measured each participant's height, weight, BMI, and waist circumference. BMI 18.5 was defined as underweight. Normal weight is 18.5-25. Obesity for people over 25 years old.

Abdominal obesity was defined as waist circumference of at least 90 cm for men and at least 85 cm for women. Approximately 36% of men and 25% of women's girlfriends were obese.

The results showed a J-shaped curve, likely because the higher the consumption, the higher the intake of total energy, carbohydrates, protein, fat, sodium, and cooked rice, the researchers said. ing.

Compared to participants who ate less than one serving of kimchi per day, those who ate five or more servings were more likely to gain weight, have a larger waist size, and be obese.

They were also less highly educated, had lower incomes, and were more likely to drink alcohol.

However, after accounting for potentially influencing factors, researchers found that consuming up to three servings of kimchi per day was associated with an 11% lower obesity rate compared with less than one serving per day.

Among men, those who consumed three or more servings of baechu kimchi per day had a 10% lower prevalence of obesity and a 10% lower prevalence of abdominal obesity compared to those who consumed less than one serving per day.

For women, consuming this type of kimchi two to three times a day was associated with an 8% lower obesity rate, and consuming one to two times a day was associated with a 6% lower incidence of abdominal obesity.

It was found that eating less than the average amount of gakdugi kimchi reduced obesity rates by about 9% for both men and women.

Consumption of 25 g/day for men and 11 g/day for women reduced the risk of abdominal obesity by 8% (men) to 11% (women) compared to no intake.

“A 'J-shaped' association was observed across all outcomes, suggesting that overconsumption may increase obesity prevalence,” the authors said.

“Kimchi is also one of the major sources of sodium intake, so the health benefits of other ingredients should be considered when recommending appropriate amounts.”

of findings appear in the diary BMJ Open.

_____

H. Jung other. 2024. Association between kimchi intake and obesity based on BMI and abdominal obesity in Korean adults: A cross-sectional analysis of a health checkup survey. BMJ Open 14: e076650; doi: 10.1136/bmjoopen-2023-076650

Source: www.sci.news

The Remarkable Decline of Predatory Birds in Africa Puts them at Risk of Extinction

Posted on January 4, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Bateleur decreased by 87% in 3 generations

Andre Botha

Dozens of African raptor species are in sharp decline, and many are now considered at risk of extinction, according to an analysis of data from across Africa.

Populations of nearly all 42 species studied have declined due to the spread of agriculture, pesticide use, poisoning by poachers, and infrastructure such as power lines that are deadly to the birds.

These include the secretary bird (sagittarius the serpent), decreased by 85 percent over three generations. Marshall Eagles (Polemaetus bellicosus), reduced by 90% on the same basis.Teratopius Exaudatus), decreased by 87 percent.

Secretary birds decline by 85% in 3 generations

Darcy Ogada

A study has found that some birds that were previously thought not to be in danger of extinction are now on the verge of extinction. For example, the African goshawk (Aquila Spirogaster) is now listed as 'least concern' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and is estimated to have declined by 91 percent.

Some have called for the list of such species to be moved higher in the conservation rankings to reflect this change. “We definitely expect this paper to put pressure on the rest of the papers to pull it up.” [of the surveyed species now facing threats]sooner or later,” say the study authors. Darcy Ogada from the Peregrine Fund, a US-based organization.

Data was collected from more than 53,000 sightings of 42 species on approximately 100,000 kilometers of surveyed roads in Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Cameroon, Botswana and Kenya between 1969 and 2020.

Additional data came from the latest South African Bird Atlas project, a citizen science-led survey.

The researchers found that population declines for 42 species were more than twice as severe in unprotected areas than in protected areas, and that well-managed national parks and reserves have long-term implications for bird species. shown to be important to aid survival.

Further research is needed to understand the fate of these birds. “There is an urgent need to increase research that estimates raptor population trends based on loss of habitat for endangered species, such as forests, wetlands, and grasslands, or modeling loss and mismanagement of protected areas.” Mr. Ogata says.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Scientists are using flawed strategies to predict species responses to climate change, posing a dangerous risk of misinformation.

Posted on December 24, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

A new study reveals that a spatiotemporal substitution method used to predict species responses to climate change inaccurately predicts the effects of warming on ponderosa pines. This finding suggests that this method may be unreliable in predicting species’ future responses to changes in climate. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

A new study involving researchers at the University of Arizona suggests that changes are happening faster than trees can adapt. The discovery is a “warning to ecologists” studying climate change.

As the world warms and the climate changes, life will migrate, adapt, or become extinct. For decades, scientists have introduced certain methods to predict how things will happen. seed We will survive this era of great change. But new research suggests that method may be misleading or producing false results.

Flaws in prediction methods revealed

Researchers at the University of Arizona and team members from the U.S. Forest Service and Brown University found that this method (commonly referred to as spatiotemporal replacement) shows how a tree called the ponderosa pine, which is widespread in the western United States, grows. I discovered something that I couldn’t predict accurately. We have actually responded to global warming over the past few decades. This also means that other studies that rely on displacement in space and time may not accurately reflect how species will respond to climate change in coming decades.

The research team collected and measured growth rings of ponderosa pine trees from across the western United States, dating back to 1900, to determine how trees actually grow and how models predict how trees will respond to warming. We compared.

A view of ponderosa and Jeffrey pine forests from Verdi Mountain near Truckee, California.Credit: Daniel Perrette

“We found that substituting time for space produces incorrect predictions in terms of whether the response to warming will be positive or negative,” said study co-author Margaret Evans, an associate professor at the University of Arizona. ” he said. Tree ring laboratory. “With this method, ponderosa pines are supposed to benefit from warming, but they actually suffer from warming. This is dangerously misleading.”

Their research results were published on December 18th. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Daniel Perrette, a U.S. Forest Service ORISE fellow, is the lead author and received training in tree-ring analysis through the university’s summer field methods course at the University of Arizona Research Institute. The study was part of his doctoral dissertation at Brown University, and was conducted with Dov Sachs, professor of biogeography and biodiversity and co-author of the paper.

Inaccuracies in space and time substitutions

This is how space and time permutation works. All species occupy a range of favorable climatic conditions. Scientists believe that individuals growing at the hottest end of their range could serve as an example of what will happen to populations in cooler locations in a warmer future.

The research team found that ponderosa pine trees grow at a faster rate in warmer locations. Therefore, under the spatial and temporal displacement paradigm, this suggests that the situation should improve as the climate warms at the cold end of the distribution.

“But the tree-ring data doesn’t show that,” Evans said.

However, when the researchers used tree rings to assess how individual trees responded to changes in temperature, they found that ponderosa was consistently negatively affected by temperature fluctuations.

“If it’s a warmer-than-average year, they’re going to have smaller-than-average growth rings, so warming is actually bad for them, and that’s true everywhere,” she says.

The researchers believe this may be happening because trees are unable to adapt quickly enough to a rapidly changing climate.

An individual tree and all its growth rings are a record of that particular tree’s genetics exposed to different climatic conditions from one year to the next, Evans said. But how a species responds as a whole is the result of a slow pace of evolutionary adaptation to the average conditions in a particular location that are different from those elsewhere. Similar to evolution, the movement of trees that are better adapted to changing temperatures could save species, but climate change is happening too quickly, Evans said.

Rainfall effects and final thoughts

Beyond temperature, the researchers also looked at how trees responded to rainfall. They confirmed that, even across time and space, more water is better.

“These spatially-based predictions are really dangerous because spatial patterns reflect the end point after a long period in which species have had the opportunity to evolve, disperse, and ultimately sort themselves across the landscape. Because we do,” Evans said. “But that’s not how climate change works. Unfortunately, trees are in a situation where they are changing faster than they can adapt and are actually at risk of extinction. This is a warning to ecologists. .”

References: “Species responses to spatial climate change do not predict responses to climate change,” by Daniel L. Perrett, Margaret EK Evans, and Dov F. Sachs, December 18, 2023. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2304404120

Funding: Brown University Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Brown Institute for the Environment and Society, American Philosophical Society Lewis and Clark Expeditionary and Field Research Fund, Department of Agriculture Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, Department of Energy Oak Ridge Science Institute Education , NSF Macrosystems Biology

Source: scitechdaily.com

Millions at Risk Following ‘Super Saturday’ Scam: Science & Technology News Provides Tips

Posted on December 23, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Millions of mobile phone users have been warned about possible text scams in the run-up to Christmas, reaching a peak today on what has been dubbed “Super Saturday.”

The BT-owned EE network says cybercriminals are trying to take advantage of the busy last-minute shopping season to carry out delivery-style scams that suggest packages are waiting to be dropped off or have been delayed. He said there is a possibility.

This technique tricks recipients into clicking a link that unknowingly installs malware (malicious software) or leads them to a phishing page designed to collect personal or financial data. There is likely to be.

EE said it had successfully blocked around 3 million SMS scams sent to customers’ mobile phones on this day last year.

The company expects to stop up to 5 million such scams this month. It also announced that it has blocked more than 45 million fraudulent texts so far in 2023.

EE said in a statement: “December’s most common SMS scams were delivery-related, as shoppers scrambled to organize their packages at the last minute in time for the holidays.”

“These include missed delivery or tracking text scams that prompt customers to click on a link that gives criminals the opening they need to steal consumer data and money.”

The company is urging consumers to be wary of scams, especially in the coming weeks, as the stress of preparing for the holidays can “impair your judgment and make you less alert.”

read more:
Booking.com customers warned of ‘well-designed scam’
Scammers’ tactics are becoming increasingly complex – here’s what to watch out for
UK launches charter to fight fraud, false advertising and romance scams

Johnny Bunt, director of regulation at BT Group’s consumer arm EE, said: “Super Saturday is set to be the busiest day of the year for mass retailers.”

“With deliveries piling up on doorsteps, scammers will be looking for ways to capitalize on the festive enthusiasm.

“As one of the UK’s front lines against SMS scam texts, we have a clear picture of the threat level here at BT and EE, and we have already seen an alarming spike in delivery fraud in particular.”

We’re sharing some tips to help you stay safe from scams.

• Never click on links in text from unknown sources.
• Trust your intuition. If something is questionable, there is probably a catch.
• Keep your device software up to date
• Never give out your bank account details, passwords, or security codes on linked websites.
• If you receive a call from your bank, consider calling back on the published number or using the 159 service.
• If someone calls you as scheduled, if in doubt, hang up and call back to a trusted number.
• If you receive a suspicious text, please forward the number and incident to 7726 toll-free for investigation by your mobile phone provider.
• Once reported, block the number and notify others about the scam to avoid falling victim to it.

Source: news.sky.com

New Study Finds COVID-19 Vaccination Does Not Increase Risk of Miscarriage

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

A study by Boston University researchers found no increased risk of miscarriage associated with the COVID-19 vaccine among individuals planning a pregnancy. This encouraging evidence supports the safety of preconception vaccination and is consistent with health authorities’ recommendations for vaccination of people planning pregnancy.

The new study is the first to prospectively assess the relationship between bias and bias. COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection) We found that vaccinating both partners and having a miscarriage slightly reduced the risk of miscarriage among vaccinated partners trying to conceive.

In many studies, It is shown COVID-19 vaccines do not cause infertility or increase the risk of pregnancy-related problems, including miscarriage.Despite this evidence, people still on guard About the potential negative effects of vaccines on pregnancy.

A recent study conducted by researchers at the Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) provided more comprehensive information about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for individuals considering pregnancy.

It was published in the magazine human reproductionthe study found no increased risk of early or late miscarriage as a result of either the man or the woman’s partner receiving the COVID-19 vaccine before pregnancy.

Insights from new research on pre-pregnancy vaccine safety

This study is the first to assess the risk of early miscarriage (<8 weeks gestation) following preconception COVID-19 vaccination, and the first to assess vaccination and miscarriage in men. The researchers hope these results will be useful information for individuals planning pregnancy and health care providers.

“These findings should be replicated in other populations, but are reassuring for couples planning pregnancy,” says lead author Jennifer Eland, an epidemiology doctoral student at BUSPH at the time of the study. .

Study details and results

For this study, Yland and colleagues analyzed survey data on COVID-19 vaccination and miscarriage among male and female participants of the BUSPH-based Online Pregnancy Study (PRESTO). National Institutes of Health– A funded study that enrolls women who wish to become pregnant and follows them from before pregnancy until 6 months after giving birth. Participants in this new analysis included 1,815 women in the United States and Canada who were followed in the study from December 2020 to November 2022. They were observed from the first positive pregnancy test until miscarriage or other event (e.g. induced abortion, ectopic pregnancy) occurred. , or 20 weeks of pregnancy)—whichever comes first.

Among female participants, 75% had received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine before becoming pregnant. Almost a quarter of pregnancies led to miscarriage, 75% of which occurred before 8 weeks of pregnancy, but there was no increased risk.

The risk of miscarriage was 26.6% for unvaccinated female participants, 23.9% for female participants who received one dose of vaccine before pregnancy, and 24.5% for female participants who completed the full first dose before pregnancy. and 22.1% among female participants who completed the vaccination series. 20.1% of women received only one dose of the two-dose vaccine three months before pregnancy.

“The miscarriage rate among vaccinated people was not only comparable to that among PRESTO participants who became pregnant before the pandemic, but also that the risk of miscarriage among vaccinated people was higher than that of unvaccinated people. “Our data showed that it was slightly lower than the previous year,” Yland said.

Federal health officials continue to recommend COVID-19 vaccination for people planning pregnancy, emphasizing that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the potential risks of vaccination before or during pregnancy. ing.

Reference: “Prospective Cohort Study of Preconception COVID-19 Vaccination and Miscarriage” Jennifer J Yland, Amelia K Wesselink, Annette K Regan, Elizabeth E Hatch, Kenneth J Rothman, David A Savitz, Tanran R Wang, Krista By F Huybrechts, Sonia Hernández-Diaz, Michael L. Eisenberg, Lauren A. Wise, October 20, 2023. human reproduction.
DOI: 10.1093/hamrep/dead211

The study was funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the National Science Foundation.

Source: scitechdaily.com

Holiday Season Brings Increased Risk of Penile Fractures, Doctors Warn

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Christmas is a joyful time for many, but doctors have cautioned that there is a significant rise in embarrassing bedroom injuries during this festive season.

Warning: This story contains references to sexual assault.

Urologists at the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, Germany, have stated that a penile fracture is considered a medical emergency and is typically accompanied by an audible cracking sound and intense pain.

They caution that such injuries are the result of “strong flexing of the erect penis during aggressive sexual intercourse characterized by unusual sexual positions (e.g. ‘reverse cowgirl’)”.

In addition to the “audible cracking” and “severe pain,” doctors added that there is also rapid loss of erection, swelling, and bruising afterwards.

A study using German hospital data on 3,421 men who sustained penile fractures between 2005 and 2021 found that penile fractures increased during the festive period. The study, published in the British Journal of Urology International, also found that penile fractures increased on weekends and during the summer, but not on New Year’s Eve.

The researchers added that hospitalizations due to injuries were not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or lockdown. The average age of penile fracture in men was 42 years.

Read more from Sky News:
Christmas vegetables that may help fight cancer
AI experts sound the alarm ahead of big election year

“Our findings ring an alarm (not jingle bells).”

The study also found that penile fractures are “most likely to occur during sex in unconventional scenarios,” such as extramarital sex or in “unusual locations.”

“Our analysis shows that penile fractures occur during times when couples are enjoying relaxing time, such as Christmas, weekends, and summer,” the authors write.

“Of course, we cannot recommend not having sex during such a period, but our findings ring alarm bells (rather than jingle bells).”

The authors, who clearly enjoy writing about their findings with festive puns, concluded: “Thus, in this case, playing ‘Home Alone’ during Christmas and the holidays seems like a good idea.” ing.

Source: news.sky.com

Nighttime exposure to high levels of light linked with higher risk of anxiety and depression

Posted on December 18, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

A large-scale study involving 87,000 participants found that while excessive night-time light exposure increases the risk of mental illness, increasing daytime light can reduce these risks. This groundbreaking study highlights the importance of balancing light exposure for mental health and suggests simple lifestyle adjustments for better health.

Exposure to artificial light at night increases the risk of developing mental illnesses such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.PTSD), with a tendency toward self-harm.

The world’s largest study of the effects of light exposure on mental health, involving nearly 87,000 people, found that increased exposure to light at night increases the risk of mental health conditions such as anxiety, bipolar disorder and PTSD. Not only that, but it has also been shown that the possibility of self-injury increases. harm. Importantly, the study also found that enhancing exposure to natural light during the day may serve as a non-drug approach to reducing the risk of psychosis.

Day and night light exposure: a balancing act

People exposed to high amounts of light at night had a 30 percent increased risk of depression, while those exposed to high amounts of light during the day had a 20 percent decreased risk of depression. A similar pattern of results was found for self-harm, psychosis, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD. These findings demonstrate that the simple practice of avoiding light at night and seeking brighter light during the day may be an effective non-pharmacological means of alleviating serious mental health problems. is showing.

The study, led by Associate Professor Sean Kane from the Monash School of Psychological Sciences and the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health in Melbourne, Australia, was published today in the journal Nature Mental Health.

“Our findings have potentially significant societal impact,” said Associate Professor Kane.

“If people understand that light exposure patterns have a huge impact on their mental health, they can take some simple steps to optimize their health. Let in bright light during the day. , it is important to get darkness at night.”

The study’s 86,772 participants, all from UK Biobank, were tested for light exposure, sleep, physical activity and mental health. Associate Professor Kane said the effects of night-time light exposure were independent of demographics, physical activity, season and employment.

“And our findings were consistent when considering shift work, sleep, urban versus rural living, and cardiometabolic health,” he said.

Challenging human biology with modern lighting

Modern, industrialized humanity has literally turned our biological systems upside down. According to Associate Professor Cain, our brains have evolved to function best in bright light during the day and little to no light at night.

“Humans today are challenging this biology, spending about 90% of their days under indoor electric lights that are too dim during the day and too bright at night compared to the natural light-dark cycle. It confuses our bodies and makes us feel sick,” he said.

Reference: “Day and night light exposure is associated with mental illness: an objective light study of over 85,000 people” Angus C. Burns, Daniel P. Windred, Martin K. Rutter, Patrick Olivier, Celine Vetter, Richa Saxena, Jacqueline M Lane, Andrew JK Phillips, Sean W. Kane, October 9, 2023; natural mental health.
DOI: 10.1038/s44220-023-00135-8

Source: scitechdaily.com

Combining Over-the-Counter Painkillers with Birth Control Raises Blood Clot Risk

Posted on December 9, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

A new study has found that women using NSAIDs with hormonal contraceptives, especially high-risk types and those using diclofenac, have an increased risk of blood clots. This study calls for increased awareness and careful consideration of safer pain relief and contraceptive options.

Researchers advise that while the absolute risk remains low, women should be informed accordingly.

People using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers in combination with hormonal contraceptives may be at a slightly higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), according to a recently published comprehensive Danish study. There is a gender. BMJ.

The risk was higher for women using combination oral contraceptives containing third- or fourth-generation progestins, but the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) ibuprofen, diclofenac, and progestin-only tablets; Women with implants and coils had a smaller risk. Naproxen.

Researchers stress that the absolute risk of developing serious blood clots is low, even for women using high-risk hormonal contraceptive methods. However, they say that given the widespread use of both hormonal contraceptives and NSAIDs, women should be informed of this potential drug interaction in a timely manner.

Classification of hormonal contraception and NSAID use

Although NSAIDs have been linked to blood clots, little is known about whether their use affects the risk of venous thromboembolism in healthy women using hormonal contraceptives. not.

To address this, the researchers used national medical records to find 49 children aged 15 to 49 with no history of blood clots, cancer, hysterectomy, or infertility treatment living in Denmark between 1996 and 2017. Two million women aged 20-30 years were tracked for their first diagnosis of venous thromboembolism.

Hormonal contraception was classified as high-risk, intermediate-risk, and low-risk according to its association with VTE based on previous studies.

High-risk hormonal contraception includes patches that combine estrogen and progestin, vaginal rings, and tablets containing 50 mcg of estrogen or third- or fourth-generation progestins. Moderate-risk contraception includes all other combination oral contraceptives and medroxyprogesterone injections, but progestin-only pills, implants, and hormonal intrauterine devices (coils) are classified as low-risk or no risk. I did.

Various potentially influencing factors were also taken into account, including age, education level, pregnancy history, previous surgical history, hypertension, and diabetes.

In this study, 529,704 women using hormonal contraceptives used NSAIDs. The most frequently used NSAID was ibuprofen (60%), followed by diclofenac (20%) and naproxen (6%).

Over an average 10-year monitoring period, 8,710 cases of venous thromboembolism (2,715 pulmonary embolisms and 5,995 deep vein thromboses) occurred, and 228 (2.6%) women died within 30 days of diagnosis.

Meaning and recommendations

In absolute terms, NSAID use is associated with 4 additional venous thromboembolic events per week per 100,000 women not using hormonal contraception and using intermediate-risk hormonal contraception. It was associated with 11 additional events in women and 23 additional events in women using high-risk hormonal contraception.

Among individual NSAIDs, diclofenac had the strongest association compared with ibuprofen and naproxen.

Because this is an observational study, it is not possible to determine cause, and the researchers highlight several limitations, such as missing information on smoking and obesity, which may influence the results. It is said that there is a possibility that

Nevertheless, this was a large study based on high-quality registry data, allowing the researchers to adjust for a wide range of potentially influencing factors. Furthermore, the associations persisted after further analysis, suggesting that they are robust.

Therefore, the researchers concluded that: “By using high-quality, linkable national registries, this national study shows that potentially fatal events occur when two drugs commonly prescribed to healthy women are taken together. It adds new knowledge about the risks involved.”

They added: “Women who require both hormonal contraception and regular use of NSAIDs should be advised accordingly.”

These data raise important concerns about the combined use of NSAIDs, particularly diclofenac, and high-risk hormonal contraceptives, writes Morten Schmidt. Aarhus University Hospital, linked editorial.

She said health authorities and regulators should include these findings in safety assessments of over-the-counter diclofenac, and that women using hormonal contraceptives and their clinicians should consider alternatives to NSAIDs for pain relief. I suggest that you should.

“If treatment with an NSAID is necessary, it may be preferable to use drugs other than diclofenac in conjunction with low-risk hormonal contraceptives, such as progestin-only tablets, implants, or intrauterine devices.” He concludes.

This study was funded by the Danish Heart Foundation.

Source: scitechdaily.com

Higher Education Linked to Higher Risk of Depression and Anxiety

Posted on November 28, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Higher education students in the UK are at a slightly higher risk of depression and anxiety compared to non-students, new research shows. However, this difference fades by age 25. This study, which analyzed mental health data from two longitudinal studies, highlights the need for further investigation into the causes of this trend and potential interventions.

Young people in England with higher education are at a slightly higher risk of experiencing depression and anxiety than those without higher education, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at UCL. .

Research paper published in lancet public healthis the first documented evidence of increased cases of depression and anxiety among higher education students compared to non-students.

Mental health disparities will be closed by age 25

The authors found that by age 25, the difference between graduates and non-graduates had disappeared.

Lead author Dr Gemma Lewis (UCL Psychiatry) said: Here we found worrying evidence that students may be at higher risk of depression and anxiety than their peers without higher education.

“The first years of higher education are a critical period for development, so improving young people’s mental health during this period could have long-term benefits for their health and well-being, as well as their academic performance. ” and aim for long-term success. ”

Methodology: Longitudinal studies and mental health assessment

The researchers used data from the Longitudinal Study of Young People in England (LSYPE1 and LSYPE2). The original study included 4,832 young people born in 1989-1990 who were 18-19 years old in 2007-2009. The second study included 6,128 participants who were born in 1998-1999 and were 18-19 years old in 2016-2018 (i.e., before the economic collapse). COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection) pandemic). In both studies, just over half had higher education.

Study participants completed a general mental health survey to examine symptoms of depression, anxiety, and social dysfunction at multiple time points over many years.

Findings: Higher education and mental health

Researchers found small differences in symptoms of depression and anxiety between students (including those at universities and other higher education institutions) and non-students aged 18 to 19.

This association persisted even after adjusting for potential confounders such as socioeconomic status, parental education, and alcohol use.

This analysis suggests that if the potential mental health risks of pursuing higher education were eliminated, the incidence of depression and anxiety could be reduced by 6% among people aged 18-19. ing.

Understand the risks and the need for further research

Lead author Dr Tayla MacLeod (UCL Psychiatry) said: “Based on our findings, we cannot say why students are at higher risk of depression and anxiety than others, but it may be related to academic or financial pressures. This increased risk among students has not been found in previous studies, so given that this association has recently emerged, it may be due to increased economic pressures or broader It may be related to concerns about achieving high performance in economic and social situations.

“This finding is particularly worrying as it was expected that higher education students would have better mental health than non-students as they tend to come from, on average, more advantaged backgrounds. Further research is needed to clarify the mental health risks faced by students.

“Increasing our understanding of modifiable risk factors for depression and anxiety is a global health priority, and it is clear that supporting the mental health of young people is critical.”

Reference: ‘The association between higher education attendance and common mental health problems among young people in the UK: Evidence from two population-based cohorts’ Tayla MacLeod, Strahil Kamenoff, Claire Callender, Written by Glyn Lewis and Gemma Lewis; lancet public health.
DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(23)00188-3

This research was commissioned and funded by the UK Department for Education.

Source: scitechdaily.com

Teens’ asthma risk may be heightened by E-cigarettes

Posted on November 3, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

A Texas A&M University study shows that e-cigarettes increase the risk of asthma in young nonsmokers, identifies associated risk factors, and calls for public health measures to reduce e-cigarette use among young people. There is.

This study highlights the urgent need to develop approaches to address the rising prevalence of e-cigarette uptake and its negative health effects.

A recent study from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health found that e-cigarettes may increase the risk of asthma in young people who do not smoke traditional tobacco products.

The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among adolescents has increased dramatically over the past few years. Although e-cigarettes contain fewer toxins than regular cigarettes, they still contain a cocktail of harmful chemicals that increase the risk of respiratory illness.

Research results on e-cigarettes and asthma

In this new study published in preventive medicine, researchers analyzed data from a national survey of young people to determine whether there was a link between e-cigarettes and asthma. Researchers also sought to identify factors that may be associated with e-cigarette use among adolescents.

The research team used data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, a national health dataset set up by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to track health behaviors and outcomes in children and youth. The study used data collected between 2015 and 2019, including information on e-cigarette use. The analysis included data from more than 3,000 youth ages 13 to 17 in Texas and more than 32,000 youth in the United States for comparison.

The survey asked respondents whether they had ever used e-cigarettes, how many days in the past 30 days they had used e-cigarettes, and whether a health care professional had ever told them they had asthma. The study includes information on respondents’ gender, age, race, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), and presence or absence of symptoms of depression. The analysis also includes data on the use of other substances, including traditional cigarettes, alcohol, and illicit drugs.

Correlation and risk factors

This study confirmed the association between e-cigarette use and asthma in young people who have never smoked traditional tobacco products. This indicates that e-cigarettes increase the risk of asthma independently of the use of traditional tobacco products in young people.

Researchers also found evidence that some demographic factors, behaviors associated with drug use, and the presence of depressive symptoms were associated with e-cigarette use. Young people who used traditional cigarettes, alcohol, and other substances were more likely to use e-cigarettes, as were depressed subjects.

Additionally, Hispanic youth in Texas were significantly less likely to have used e-cigarettes than non-Hispanic white youth. However, researchers found that there were no notable differences between races and ethnicities in the United States as a whole. Further research is needed to identify factors that may be associated with decreased e-cigarette use among Hispanic youth in Texas.

Recommendations and conclusions

“Increasing knowledge about the harmful effects of e-cigarette use, introducing stricter regulations, and promoting alternative coping mechanisms for mental health are potential interventions to reduce e-cigarette use.” “Yes,” said Dr. Taehyung Lo, lead author of the study.

Given the burden of asthma and the increasing use of e-cigarettes among adolescents, researchers hope these findings will help inform public health efforts to reduce e-cigarette use. ing.

Reference: “The Association between E-Cigarette Use and Asthma in U.S. Youth: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System 2015-2019,” by Taehyun Roh, Kido Uyamasi, Anisha Aggarwal, Alexander Obeng, and Jenny Carrillo, September 2023. Four days, preventive medicine.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107695

Source: scitechdaily.com