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Doctors reveal cause of Trump’s visible hand marks

For decades, the health of American presidents has been closely scrutinized by both voters and political observers. Even minor physical changes can become the subject of intense discussion when they involve the person occupying the White House.

That pattern has once again played out following the release of Donald Trump’s latest medical report. While the overall findings painted a positive picture of the president’s health, one recurring detail quickly became the focus of public attention, reports Unilad.

A detail people couldn’t ignore

Photographs from public appearances over the past year repeatedly showed visible bruising on Trump’s hands, prompting widespread speculation online and among political commentators.

The marks became a frequent topic of discussion, with some observers questioning whether they could be linked to an underlying health issue or medical treatment.

As fresh images continued to emerge, interest in the bruising only grew.

Doctors offer an explanation

According to the medical report released by the White House, Trump’s physician, Captain Sean Barbabella, believes the bruising is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation caused by frequent handshaking while taking aspirin as part of cardiovascular prevention.

Medical experts have long noted that aspirin can make bruises appear more easily because it affects the blood’s clotting process. The report states that the findings are consistent with that explanation.

Doctors also reported that no suspicious skin abnormalities or concerning growths were identified during the examination.

Why the story matters

The report attracted additional attention because Trump has undergone several medical evaluations over the past year. However, according to Jacob Appel of the Icahn School of Medicine, that is not necessarily unusual for someone of the president’s age.

Appel told McClatchy News that multiple checkups for a 79-year-old serving as president would not be considered unreasonable and do not automatically indicate a specific medical concern.

How do you sleep at night? It could affect your cancer risk

Cancer among people under the age of 50 has become more common worldwide, according to The Guardian.

Figures cited by The Guardian show that the number of cases increased from 1.82 million in 1990 to 3.26 million in 2019.

At the same time, the number of deaths among younger cancer patients rose by 27 percent. Researchers are therefore working to identify the causes behind this trend.

Examining sleep

At the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago, researchers from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas presented findings from two studies, according to The Guardian. The studies were based on health data from more than 18 million Americans between the ages of 18 and 50.

The studies found that people with poor sleep habits were more likely to be diagnosed with cancers such as colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and cancers of the uterus and ovaries.

According to The Guardian, other experts consider the findings interesting but emphasize that more research is needed to better understand the connection.

A possible explanation

Researchers cannot yet say whether sleep problems directly cause cancer. The studies only show that there is an association.

Experts point out that poor sleep may affect the body’s immune system while also making it more difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

This can lead to less physical activity, weight gain, and other well-known risk factors.

Sources: The Guardian and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Study links common food additives to higher blood pressure

A new study published in the European Heart Journal involving more than 100,000 participants suggests that several commonly used food preservatives may be linked to high blood pressure and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

However, the researchers emphasize that the findings do not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship, according to Medical News Today.

Investigation of preservatives

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Researchers analyzed data from more than 112,000 individuals to examine the relationship between food preservatives, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.

A possible connection

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The study concluded that several commonly used preservatives were associated with a higher prevalence of high blood pressure.

More research needed

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Because the study was observational, it cannot determine whether the preservatives directly cause these health conditions.

The researchers therefore call for further investigation.

Authorities urged to reassess safety evaluations

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The research team believes that authorities such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) should reconsider the safety assessments of these additives.

Preservatives are widespread in food products

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Approximately one-third of all foods purchased in the United States in 2019 contained at least one preservative.

Previous studies found other risks

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The same researchers have previously identified links between preservative consumption and a higher incidence of type 2 diabetes as well as certain forms of cancer.

Citric acid

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Citric acid was the most commonly consumed preservative in the study and was consumed by 91.3 percent of participants.

High intake of citric acid

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Individuals with a higher intake of citric acid had a 25 percent higher prevalence of high blood pressure.

Nitrites and nitrates

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Sodium nitrite and potassium nitrate were primarily found in processed meat products within the participants’ diets.

Sorbates

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A higher intake of sorbates, including potassium sorbate, was associated with a 39 percent higher prevalence of high blood pressure.

Sorbates help inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria in food products.

Ascorbic acid

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Among the individual preservatives examined, ascorbic acid was the only substance that continued to show a statistical association with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease.

Diet quality did not explain the findings

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The researchers found no evidence that the observed associations were solely the result of generally poorer dietary habits among people with a high intake of preservatives.

Fewer ultra-processed foods

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According to Medical News Today, nutrition scientist Federica Amati recommends reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods to limit the amount of preservatives in the diet.

Fiber-rich foods highlighted

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Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices were highlighted as foods that naturally contain fewer additives while also providing dietary fiber.

Processed meat and soft drinks

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According to Federica Amati, it may be beneficial to replace processed meat products and soft drinks with less processed alternatives such as white meat, water, or unsweetened tea.

Sources: Medical News Today and European Heart Journal.

Doctor warns against sleeping position: It may damage nerves over time

According to HuffPost, as cited by LADBible, recurring symptoms such as tingling in the hands, numbness, or shoulder pain may be signs that the body is being subjected to strain during the night.

Some people also experience pain that radiates down the arm or have difficulty maintaining a firm grip on objects.

These symptoms may seem like minor everyday annoyances, but experts recommend paying attention if they occur repeatedly.

Risk of repeated strain

Sleep specialist Raj Dasgupta, Chief Medical Advisor at Sleepopolis, explains, according to HuffPost, that prolonged pressure on nerves can cause problems over time.

In many cases, symptoms disappear once the pressure is relieved. However, if the strain continues over an extended period, it may develop into more persistent nerve-related conditions.

Experts therefore recommend using additional pillows or other supports that can help maintain a more neutral arm position during sleep.

The worst sleeping position

The issue is associated with the T-Rex position, in which the arms are bent and held close to the body.

According to Raj Dasgupta, this position can place pressure on nerves in the wrists and elbows.

At the same time, blood flow may be restricted, which can lead to numbness, stiffness, and pain if the position is repeated night after night.

Sources: LADBible, HuffPost, and Sleepopolis.

Millions may be living with undiagnosed long COVID, new study shows

Long-term health problems following COVID-19 have been known for several years, according to HealthDay.

However, a new American study published in the scientific journal JAMA Network Open suggests that the number of affected individuals may be far higher than official figures indicate.

Researchers analyzed data from nearly 460,000 people who had previously been infected with COVID-19.

Artificial intelligence

In the project, researchers used artificial intelligence to identify patients who had developed new health problems after their COVID-19 infection.

The model was tested using patient records from 58 hospitals across the United States. The analysis also showed that the number of cases continued to rise through mid-2024.

According to the researchers, many people may have symptoms that are being treated within the healthcare system without being recorded as long COVID.

Twice as many

Only after all the data had been reviewed did the full scale become apparent. The analysis found that around 16 percent of former COVID-19 patients showed signs of long COVID.

If that proportion applies to the entire United States, it would correspond to more than 18 million people. That is approximately twice as many as current official estimates.

The researchers therefore believe that millions of cases may have been missed by existing reporting systems. The findings suggest that long COVID may be far more widespread than previously thought.

Sources: HealthDay and JAMA Network Open.

Daily tomato-soy juice linked to lower inflammation in new study

What we eat is often viewed as fuel, but scientists are increasingly discovering that certain foods may influence much more than hunger. Some ingredients could play a role in biological processes linked to long-term health, sparking growing interest among researchers.

Now, a new study from Ohio State University suggests that a specially formulated tomato-soy juice may help reduce inflammation in people living with obesity. The findings were published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research.

More than nutrition

Obesity is about more than excess weight. It is frequently associated with low-grade chronic inflammation, a condition that has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other long-term health problems.

Researchers wanted to investigate whether naturally occurring compounds found in tomatoes and soy could influence these inflammatory processes. Earlier studies had already hinted that both foods contain bioactive substances with potential health benefits.

Rather than examining the ingredients separately, the team focused on a specially developed juice containing elevated levels of lycopene from tomatoes and isoflavones from soy.

What researchers found

The study involved adults with obesity who consumed the tomato-soy juice daily over a four-week period.

After analyzing blood samples, researchers found reductions in several proteins associated with inflammation. Additional testing of urine samples also revealed biological changes that suggested the beverage was affecting metabolic activity within the body.

Although the study was relatively small, the findings provide further evidence that certain dietary compounds may influence measurable health markers.

What comes next

The researchers stress that the drink is not intended to replace medical treatment. Instead, they see it as part of a broader effort to explore food-based approaches that could complement existing therapies.

The team is already planning further research to investigate whether the same beverage could benefit people with chronic inflammatory conditions, including pancreatitis, where treatment options remain limited.

While more extensive studies will be needed, the results add to growing scientific interest in how everyday foods may help support long-term health.

Source: Ohio State University and Science Daily

Health officials issue alert over symptoms linked to weight loss injections

British health authorities are urging people who use Ozempic and Mounjaro to seek medical attention if they develop certain symptoms that could signal a serious condition, reports Unilad.

Authorities issue warning to users of popular weight loss drugs

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More people are turning to GLP 1 medications to help with weight loss, but experts say users should remain alert to symptoms that may require prompt medical attention.

Originally developed for diabetes treatment

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Medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro were designed to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels.

Widely used for weight loss

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In recent years, these drugs have also become increasingly popular among people looking to lose weight.

Digestive side effects are common

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Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation are among the most frequently reported side effects.

Authorities are monitoring serious cases

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The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) continues to track reports of pancreatic problems linked to GLP 1 medications.

Rare cases have raised concerns

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According to the regulator, some users have reported acute pancreatitis, a serious inflammation of the pancreas, although such cases remain uncommon.

More than 1,200 reports have been logged

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MHRA data shows that 1,296 reports of pancreatitis had been received up to October 2025.

US findings have been mixed

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Research and adverse event reports in the United States have produced varying results regarding a possible link between GLP 1 drugs and pancreatitis.

Doctors exercise additional caution

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Some healthcare professionals avoid prescribing these medications to patients with a previous history of acute pancreatitis.

No clear evidence of increased risk

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At present, there is no conclusive proof that drugs such as Ozempic directly increase the risk of developing pancreatitis.

Abdominal pain may be an important warning sign

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Pain in the upper abdomen that spreads to the back or shoulders and worsens after eating is listed as a possible symptom.

Several symptoms can occur together

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Tenderness in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, a rapid heartbeat and fever are all associated with acute pancreatitis.

Severe pain should not be ignored

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Medical experts advise anyone experiencing sudden or intense abdominal pain to seek medical attention, especially if the discomfort is severe enough to make it difficult to sit still or find a comfortable position.

Sources: Unilad

New pill could couble survival time for cancer patients

According to The Guardian, pancreatic cancer is among the most lethal types of cancer.

The disease is often detected at a late stage, and many patients are not diagnosed until the cancer has already spread.

As a result, doctors have had limited treatment options for many years, according to information presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago.

Researchers have long searched for more effective treatments, but progress has been limited.

Blocking a protein

Much of the research has focused on the protein Kras, which drives the growth of most cases of pancreatic cancer.

According to researchers, mutations in the Kras gene are found in more than 90 percent of patients with the most common form of the disease.

The new drug, daraxonrasib, has been developed to block the Kras protein and thereby slow the progression of the disease.

Researchers also believe that similar treatments could eventually play a role in treating other cancers, including lung and colorectal cancer.

A longer life

A clinical trial involved 500 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Patients who received daraxonrasib survived for an average of 13.2 months.

By comparison, patients who received chemotherapy survived between 6.6 and 6.7 months.

The trial also showed fewer side effects than traditional treatments.

According to The Guardian, several independent experts have described the findings as one of the most significant advances in pancreatic cancer treatment in many years, as the average survival time was nearly doubled.

Sources: The Guardian and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Researchers surprised by fish oil’s potential impact on diabetes

For years, type 2 diabetes has been closely associated with excess weight. Yet millions of people develop the condition despite having a normal body weight, leaving researchers searching for answers beyond the usual risk factors.

Now, a new study from Brazil suggests that inflammation within the immune system could play a far greater role than previously believed.

Researchers supported by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) found evidence that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil may help improve insulin resistance in a form of type 2 diabetes that occurs without obesity, reports Science Daily.

Looking beyond weight

The research focused on a well-established animal model used to study non-obese type 2 diabetes. While obesity remains one of the strongest risk factors for the disease, experts estimate that a notable share of patients develop diabetes without being overweight.

Scientists investigated whether fish oil supplementation could influence the biological processes linked to insulin resistance in these cases.

The results showed improvements in blood sugar regulation, insulin sensitivity, cholesterol levels, and triglycerides among the animals that received omega-3 supplementation.

The inflammation link

Rather than focusing solely on metabolism, the researchers examined how the immune system behaved during the progression of diabetes.

Their findings suggested that omega-3 fatty acids helped shift immune activity away from a pro-inflammatory state. This is significant because chronic inflammation is known to interfere with the body’s ability to respond effectively to insulin.

The study also found changes in key immune cell populations, supporting the growing theory that type 2 diabetes is influenced not only by metabolic factors but also by immune system activity.

More questions ahead

The researchers caution that the findings come from animal experiments and cannot be directly applied to humans.

However, the study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that inflammation may be an important driver of diabetes, even in the absence of obesity. It also highlights the need for further clinical research into whether omega-3 supplementation could offer benefits for people living with type 2 diabetes.

For now, the findings provide another clue that the disease may be more complex than previously thought, with the immune system potentially playing a much larger role than once assumed.

Source: São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) and Science Daily

These body language habits can make you seem unlikable

Body language plays a major role when interacting with other people. Facial expressions, movements, and posture can quickly influence the impression you leave behind.

According to Forbes, certain habits can send unintended signals in social situations.

Body language reveals more than words

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People often form a first impression within seconds by observing facial expressions, hand gestures, and posture. As a result, body language can significantly affect how others perceive you.

Communication also happens without words

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Psychoanalyst and philosopher Paul Watzlawick highlighted in Forbes that communication is not limited to spoken words.

Body language is also an important part of how people exchange signals and convey meaning.

Facial expressions are noticed quickly

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Other people often notice facial expressions, even when they occur unconsciously. Small reactions can therefore influence how a message is received.

Frowning can create uncertainty

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Furrowing your brow may make the other person feel uncertain, even if the action is not intended negatively.

Eye-rolling sends the wrong message

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Rolling your eyes can come across as dismissive or negative toward the person you are speaking with.

A smile appears more welcoming

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A smile is often highlighted as a way to appear more likable and friendly when interacting with others.

Eye contact builds trust

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Looking away during a conversation can create the impression that you are hiding something. This may lead to distrust from the other person.

Lack of eye contact can be seen as insecurity

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Avoiding eye contact may also be interpreted as insecurity or a lack of interest in the conversation.

Keep your focus on the person you are speaking with

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During a conversation, it is recommended to focus your attention on the other person rather than letting your gaze wander around.

Avoid looking at your watch

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Checking the time in the middle of a conversation can quickly reduce the other person’s willingness to continue sharing their thoughts.

A watch can signal impatience

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Looking at the time is often perceived as a sign of impatience and a lack of respect for the person you are speaking with.

Respect personal space

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Standing too close to someone can make them uncomfortable. Maintaining an appropriate distance demonstrates respect for the other person.

Invading personal space can seem threatening

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When you cross someone else’s personal boundaries, you may come across as disrespectful or, in some cases, even threatening.

Crossed arms send a closed-off signal

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Crossing your arms in front of your chest can create an impression of distance and resistance during a conversation.

Your posture can appear dismissive

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Even if standing with your arms crossed feels comfortable, it can cause others to perceive you as closed off and unapproachable.

Sources: Forbes.