Bird flu pandemic could be 100 times worse than COVID, warn American scientists

American scientists have warned that a bird flu pandemic could be 100 times worse than COVID. Recently, a person in Texas became the first to be infected with the H5N1 strain of bird flu. It was detected in 2020 and now birds in every state are infected. Scientists say that if this continues, a new COVID is inevitable.

Tea Mushroom Helps Worms Lose Weight

The scientists from the University of North Carolina have discovered that tea mushroom contains beneficial microbes. These microbes have a similar effect to fasting. Experts have researched how microorganisms affect the metabolism of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Probiotic microbes change the expression of genes involved in fat metabolism. As a result, the worms' fat reserves decrease. However, scientists note that additional research is needed to study the effects of tea mushroom on humans.

Vaping and E-cigarettes Linked to Cheek Cancer, Californian Scientists Warn

Smoking e-cigarettes and vaping leads to cheek cancer. Even 100 puffs can permanently alter the DNA in the oral cavity, according to Californian scientists. They claim that e-cigarettes are no better than conventional cigarettes. However, marketers say the opposite.

Chocolate Helps with Weight Loss - Scientists

Chinese researchers have found theobromine in chocolate, which promotes fat breakdown in the body. In addition, it has a positive effect on the health of the liver and kidneys. But that's not all - regular consumption of theobromine significantly reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Poverty Accelerates Brain Aging

It turns out that poverty can accelerate brain aging. Researchers conducted brain MRI scans for people with different income levels. After analyzing the obtained images, scientists concluded that the lower the income, the faster the white matter in the brain deteriorates.

Nighttime Illumination and Dirty Air Increase the Risk of Stroke

Chinese scientists analyzed medical data from 28,302 residents of Ningbo. During the observation period, there were a total of 1,287 strokes among the participants (777 ischemic strokes and 133 hemorrhagic strokes). Both nighttime illumination and air pollution were found to be associated with an increased risk of cerebrovascular diseases in general. The interaction between the two factors had no impact on the results.

The Effect of Sleep on Aging

Even just two sleepless nights can make you feel four years older, according to a study by Swedish scientists. The reverse is also true: a month of quality sleep, with nine hours a day, can make you feel five years younger.

Scientists propose a new method to combat aggressive breast cancer

Scientists have proposed a new way to fight aggressive breast cancer. Specialists analyzed the combination of metabolites of this type of cancer and identified the compound GDP-M, which inhibits DNA repair. Experiments have shown that the use of this metabolite makes tumor cells more vulnerable to drugs and enhances the effectiveness of antibodies. Scientists hope that GDP-M will help develop a therapy for individuals with the most aggressive form of triple-negative breast cancer in the near future.

Air Quality Standards

Only seven countries in the world meet air quality standards: Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, and New Zealand. In other regions, the limits for fine particulate matter in the air, emitted by transportation and industry, are exceeded. The most polluted air can be found in Pakistan, India, Tajikistan, and Burkina Faso. Scientists added that air pollution annually kills about 7 million people worldwide - more than the combined deaths from AIDS and malaria, primarily in developing countries.

AI Detects Cancer Missed by Doctors in 11 Women

AI has identified cancer in 11 women that doctors missed. The AI reviewed over 9000 mammograms and accurately identified all individuals with oncology diagnoses. One woman had a 6-millimeter tumor that could have only been noticed through routine mammography three years later, without the involvement of artificial intelligence.

Coffee and a Cigarette: Not the Ideal Breakfast

Having coffee with a cigarette is not a proper breakfast. A dietitian claims that such a menu in the morning can lead to various gastrointestinal and reflux diseases. It is not necessary to eat a lot, but along with this combination, it is important to consume at least some cheese or a banana.

Guide glasses for the blind

Romanian startup Lumen has invented guiding glasses that help the blind navigate their surroundings. The device detects obstacles through cameras and lidars, and then guides the user with vibrations and sound signals. The glasses are currently undergoing final clinical trials and are expected to be available for purchase by the end of 2024, although the price has not been disclosed yet.

Robot massage therapist

Startup Aescape has created a massage robot that studies human bodies and delivers massages as good as professionals. Users can choose the pressure level on the screen, play music or relaxing sounds, and the robot analyzes the body and reaction during the process, improving its understanding of each client's preferences with every session. These robots will be placed in fitness clubs. The price for a 30-minute massage is $60.

Loneliness is Worse for Health Than Smoking, Alcoholism, and Obesity

Loneliness is a significant biopsychosocial stressor, with a mortality risk comparable to smoking more than 15 cigarettes a day, according to scientists from a university in the United States. 53% of elderly people receiving medical assistance experience loneliness.

The dangers of sedentary work

Sedentary work for 9-11 hours a day increases the risk of early death. It is 57% higher compared to those who sit for less than 9 hours. Taking breaks and exercising cannot eliminate the risk. To address the situation, it is necessary to take 9-15 thousand steps per day and reduce the amount of sedentary work.

Late rise on weekends

The habit of waking up late on weekends does not help to get enough rest. On the contrary, it hinders recovery and contributes to the accumulation of fatigue. Late wake-ups on weekends disrupt the schedule. The only solution to this problem is to go to bed and wake up at approximately the same time throughout the week. Also, it is important to sleep for at least 7 hours.

Gut bacteria linked to baldness

Intestinal bacteria are associated with baldness, according to a new study. The research showed that certain types of bacteria prevent baldness, while the presence of Ruminococcaceae UCG-003 microorganisms in the gut was found to be a risk factor for alopecia areata. Scientists hope to develop treatment and prevention strategies for pathological baldness by studying the mechanism of gut bacteria's influence on alopecia.

The Influence of Quality Wine on People's Emotions

Good wine makes people happier, while cheap wine does not. A total of 50 people participated in the experiment, and their emotional response was measured using pulse monitors and questionnaires. Researchers note that those who drank truly high-quality wine, unlike the cheap one, experienced a more noticeable surge of joy and tranquility, as well as a reduction in fear and sadness. The effect was further enhanced when jazz music was played for the participants. The key takeaway: a bottle of good wine should be sought starting from 8 pounds sterling.

The effect of dogs on stress

Scientists from South Korea have found that people who spend a lot of time with dogs experience decreased stress and improved concentration. They monitored the brain activity of dog owners and discovered that interacting with dogs activates the part of the brain associated with relaxation, focus, creativity, and attention.

Hot shower is detrimental to health - scientists

Hot shower is detrimental to health - scientists. It can lead to hair and heart problems in people. But that's not all - hot shower strips the body of natural oils, leading to dryness, flaking, and itching.