An international team of researchers examined 226 scientific studies from 23 countries and published their findings in Nature Metabolism, according to News-Medical.
The aim was to investigate how BMI affects the risk of different types of cancer.
The study shows that the risk is not the same for everyone. There are clear differences between countries, regions, and sexes.
According to the researchers, this means that previous findings cannot necessarily be directly transferred from one population group to another.
Not the same for everyone
Among other findings, the researchers discovered that the association between BMI and postmenopausal breast cancer was stronger in East Asian countries than in Europe.
In addition, the link between BMI and colorectal cancer was stronger in men, while the association between BMI and gallbladder cancer was stronger in women.
At the same time, the researchers point out that there is still a lack of data from several parts of the world, including Africa, South Asia, and Central America.
More cancer types than expected
For many years, international health organizations have assessed that excess weight increases the risk of 13 different types of cancer.
However, the new analysis provides a broader picture.
The researchers found a statistical association between elevated BMI and as many as 19 types of cancer.
Among the cancers now linked to higher BMI are leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, bladder cancer, and glioma.
The findings therefore suggest that excess weight may play a role in the development of more types of cancer than researchers had previously estimated.
Researchers have long known that conditions such as depression, cardiovascular disease, disrupted sleep and chronic stress are linked to a higher risk of dementia. What has remained unclear is why such different conditions appear to produce similar outcomes in brain health.
The new review suggests the answer may lie in sleep-dependent brain rhythms that help coordinate the brain’s nightly maintenance work, reports tekniikanmaailma.fi.
Rather than being a passive period of rest, sleep appears to be a highly organised biological state in which brain chemistry, blood vessel activity and fluid movement work together to support brain function.
The brain’s night shift
At the centre of the theory is the glymphatic system, a network discovered by Nedergaard’s research team in 2012. The system helps clear metabolic waste from the brain by circulating cerebrospinal fluid through brain tissue.
Scientists say the process becomes particularly active during sleep, helping remove substances that can accumulate over time.
The latest review focuses on chemical messengers in the brain that regulate attention, mood and learning during wakefulness. During deep non-REM sleep, these systems begin operating in synchronised slow rhythms that are linked to changes in brain activity, breathing, heart rate and blood vessel movement.
Why it matters
Researchers believe these coordinated rhythms help drive fluid through the brain, allowing waste products to be cleared more efficiently.
Among the substances removed are proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. If the process becomes disrupted, the brain may gradually lose some of its ability to eliminate harmful waste.
The review suggests that ageing, poor sleep, psychiatric conditions, cardiovascular disease and certain medications may all interfere with these critical sleep-related rhythms. If confirmed by future studies, the findings could help explain why so many seemingly unrelated conditions increase the risk of cognitive decline.
Researchers also believe wearable devices that measure heart-rate variability could one day help identify people whose sleep-related brain health may be at risk.
Millions of spectators are expected to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
Health authorities and experts are closely monitoring the tournament to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks and other health issues among fans, according to Healthline.
The World Cup brings together millions of spectators
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The FIFA World Cup began on June 11 and is expected to attract millions of fans to the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The tournament is being held across 16 host cities and will run until July 19.
Health authorities are preparing thoroughly
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Well-established plans are already in place to protect public health during major events.
However, experts believe that the unique circumstances surrounding this year’s World Cup could present challenges.
Respiratory illnesses can spread in large crowds
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As with other major events, there is a risk that common respiratory illnesses may spread among the large number of spectators.
Mosquitoes may be a nuisance for spectators
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Fans may also be exposed to mosquito bites during matches.
Although mosquitoes are often merely an annoyance, some species can transmit infectious diseases.
Heat-related illnesses
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According to experts, heat-related illnesses have previously been among the most significant health concerns at outdoor summer tournaments.
Other health concerns
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Experts point out that falls, diabetes-related complications, seizures, and chest pain have also been among the notable health incidents reported during previous tournaments.
The risk of Ebola
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Although there is concern about current Ebola outbreaks in Africa, experts believe that the likelihood of transmission during the World Cup is extremely limited.
Ebola does not spread easily
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Experts emphasize that Ebola is not transmitted as easily as diseases such as influenza and COVID-19.
Measles
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The United States, Canada, and Mexico have experienced an increase in measles cases, but experts still consider the risk of infection among World Cup spectators to be low.
Unvaccinated individuals may be more vulnerable
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Experts note that any measles cases would be most likely to affect people who have not been vaccinated.
Wastewater testing is used for surveillance
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Health authorities in several parts of the United States are using wastewater analysis to quickly detect potential disease outbreaks during the tournament.
Social media plays a role in monitoring
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Authorities are also monitoring internet activity and social media platforms to identify signs of potential disease outbreaks.
Travelers are monitored upon entry
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) operates around-the-clock procedures at U.S. points of entry to identify and manage travelers arriving from abroad who may be ill.
Vaccinations should be up to date
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Experts recommend that fans ensure their vaccinations are up to date before traveling to attend matches.
Good hygiene can reduce the risk
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Frequent handwashing, bringing necessary medications, and being cautious with food and beverages are among the measures that can help protect health.
Watch for symptoms after attending matches
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Fever, coughing, diarrhea, or changes in mood can be signs of illness. Anyone experiencing symptoms is advised to contact a healthcare professional.
High-risk groups should consider wearing a mask
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People over the age of 65, pregnant individuals, those with chronic illnesses, and people with weakened immune systems are advised to consider wearing a well-fitting mask in large crowds.
As a result, researchers continue to investigate which nutrients may play a role in memory and thinking.
A new study from Japan, published in PLOS One, analyzed data from nearly 2,000 people over the age of 65.
Participants underwent brain scans, while researchers also measured their blood levels of vitamin C.
Brain networks
Among other things, the researchers examined an important brain network involved in memory and other cognitive functions.
Previous research has shown that impairments in this network may be associated with diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The results showed that people with low vitamin C levels were more likely to have less gray matter in the brain and weaker connections within brain networks.
Gray matter is important for functions such as memory and decision-making.
Protecting cells
Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant that helps the body protect cells from damage.
According to previous research, it may also play a role in brain function.
The researchers accounted for several factors, including age, education, lifestyle, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Even so, the association between low vitamin C levels and changes in the brain remained evident.
Important limitation
The researchers emphasize that the study only shows an association.
It does not prove that a lack of vitamin C directly leads to poorer brain function.
However, older adults with low vitamin C levels in this study showed more brain changes that previous research has linked to cognitive decline.
People with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of developing kidney disease.
Therefore, it is important to keep blood pressure under control, as high blood pressure can place additional strain on the kidneys, according to SciTechDaily.
Today, many patients are treated with RAS inhibitors and SGLT2 inhibitors, which researchers say may protect the kidneys and reduce the risk of kidney failure.
31,000 people studied
Researchers analyzed data from more than 31,000 adults with type 2 diabetes between 2016 and 2021.
All participants received both RAS inhibitors and SGLT2 inhibitors.
Some patients were also prescribed blood pressure medication from the dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker group, also known as DCCBs.
The researchers compared this group with patients who used other types of blood pressure medication.
The researchers suggest that DCCBs may affect blood flow in the kidneys’ small filtering units in a way that could increase stress on the kidneys.
According to the researchers, this may be a possible explanation for the findings.
The results showed that patients who used DCCBs in combination with the other treatments had a 33 percent higher risk of severe progression of kidney disease compared with patients who received other blood pressure medications.
The study cannot prove that the medication directly causes kidney damage.
The researchers therefore emphasize that further studies are needed.
Few moments in life are as emotional as sitting beside a loved one during their final days. Families often search for answers, wondering whether certain changes are normal and what they might mean.
While every person’s journey is unique, experienced hospice workers say there are several patterns that appear surprisingly often near the end of life.
According to hospice nurse Neal K. Shah, whose observations have been widely shared and reported by LADbible, healthcare professionals working in end-of-life care frequently notice similar physical and emotional changes in patients approaching death.
A sudden calm
One of the most commonly observed changes is an unexpected sense of peace. Patients who have appeared restless, uncomfortable, or physically tense may suddenly become noticeably more relaxed.
Hospice staff also report shifts in breathing patterns during this stage. Breathing often becomes slower and more regular, giving the impression that the body is gradually preparing for its final transition.
While these changes can be difficult for families to witness, experts say they are often considered a natural part of the dying process.
An unexpected burst of energy
Another phenomenon that continues to fascinate medical professionals is a temporary return of energy shortly before death.
Some patients who have been sleeping most of the day or showing little response suddenly become more alert. They may engage in conversations, eat a meal, recognize family members, or show a level of energy that seemed impossible just days earlier.
Healthcare workers often refer to this as a “rally” or end-of-life surge. Although it can appear encouraging, experts stress that it does not necessarily signal recovery.
Increased alertness
Greater interaction with loved ones
More energy than expected
Noticeable changes in breathing
What experts have learned
Hospice professionals have also reported that some patients appear focused on people or experiences that others in the room cannot perceive. While science has yet to fully explain these moments, they are frequently documented in palliative care settings.
Experts further note that hearing is believed to be among the last senses to fade. For that reason, families are often encouraged to continue speaking to loved ones, even when they no longer seem responsive.
Most parents notice when their child seems unusually quiet, withdrawn, or less enthusiastic than normal. But some of the earliest signs of mental health struggles may appear long before those changes become obvious.
According to researchers at Binghamton University in New York, a child’s visual attention to emotional expressions could provide important clues about their future risk of depression. The findings were published in the Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science.
Hidden signals
The research team followed 242 children and their mothers over a two-year period. Every six months, participants returned for assessments designed to measure emotional development and mental health, reports Science Daily.
As part of the study, children viewed images of faces showing different emotions while eye-tracking technology recorded exactly where their attention was directed.
Researchers wanted to understand whether depressive symptoms influence what children notice in the world around them and whether family history affects those patterns.
Family history matters
The results revealed a clear difference between children depending on whether their mothers had previously experienced major depression.
Among children with a family history of depression, increasing depressive symptoms were linked to greater attention toward sad facial expressions. Researchers believe these children may become more sensitive to negative emotional cues as symptoms develop.
The findings suggest that depression does not simply affect mood. It may also influence how young people process the emotions they encounter every day.
Different pattern
Children whose mothers had no history of depression showed a different response.
Rather than focusing more on sadness, they gradually spent less time looking at happy faces as depressive symptoms increased. Researchers believe this may represent the loss of a natural protective factor that supports emotional well-being.
Higher-risk children became more focused on sad expressions
Lower-risk children paid less attention to happy expressions
The team is continuing to follow the participants into adolescence to determine whether these attention patterns can predict future clinical depression and help identify vulnerable children earlier.
Nails are made mainly of keratin, a strong protein produced in the nail matrix beneath the cuticle.
Because nails grow continuously, they can sometimes show signs of changes happening inside the body.
According to Mypersonaltrainer, ridges or grooves in the nails may indicate nutritional deficiencies or other health conditions.
However, nail changes should not be viewed as proof of a specific problem.
Different types of ridges
Doctors often look at the direction of nail ridges when assessing possible causes. Vertical ridges run from the base to the tip of the nail, while horizontal ridges run across the nail.
Vertical ridges, especially when combined with brittle nails, may be linked to low levels of B vitamins such as biotin, folate, or vitamin B12. Deficiencies in iron, calcium, or magnesium may also contribute to these changes.
Horizontal ridges, known as Beau’s lines, may appear when nail growth has been temporarily disrupted.
They have been associated with zinc deficiency, severe protein deficiency, and conditions involving serious malnutrition.
Medical advice
Experts stress that ridged nails can have many causes.
Ageing, skin disorders, fungal infections, and hormonal conditions may produce similar changes.
For this reason, a medical evaluation is recommended before taking supplements. Blood tests can help determine whether a true deficiency exists.
Self treatment may delay diagnosis and, in some cases, lead to excessive intake of vitamins or minerals.
For many people, checking a smartphone is part of their morning routine. However, experts say that immediately diving into messages, social media, and news updates after waking up may affect both mental well-being and eye comfort, reports Firstpost.
The first moments of the day can shape your mindset
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The period immediately after waking plays an important role in setting the tone for the rest of the day.
Your brain is still transitioning into wakefulness
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After sleep, the brain gradually moves from a resting state to a more alert state and needs time to adjust naturally.
An information overload can arrive too soon
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Messages, news alerts, and social media updates may flood the mind before it is ready to process large amounts of information.
Stress responses may be triggered earlier
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Experts say that notifications and digital content can activate stress-related reactions shortly after waking up.
Mental clarity can be affected
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Starting the day with a constant stream of information may make it harder to feel calm and focused.
Attention shifts toward external demands
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Instead of focusing on personal goals for the day, people may immediately begin reacting to messages and updates from others.
Morning screen exposure may influence mood
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According to experts, digital stimulation right after waking can affect how people feel throughout the day.
Feelings of anxiety and overwhelm may increase
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Early exposure to emails, notifications, and social media content can leave some people feeling mentally scattered or anxious.
Eyes are often drier after a night’s sleep
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Tear production slows during sleep, which can leave the eyes feeling less lubricated upon waking.
Bright screens can add to eye discomfort
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Looking at a smartphone screen immediately after waking may worsen dryness, discomfort, and visual fatigue.
Reduced blinking can make dryness worse
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Research has shown that people tend to blink less while using digital devices, which may contribute to irritation and dry eyes.
Digital eye strain is becoming more common
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Experts warn that prolonged screen use can contribute to symptoms such as dry eyes, visual fatigue, discomfort, and difficulty focusing, particularly among younger people.
