Author: admin

Double lung transplant recipient relishes ‘second chance at life’

Emma Stanley

BBC News, Lancashire

ELHT

Since receiving her new lungs, Catherine Makin has gone on to compete and win medals in swimming and table tennis

An NHS worker who had a double lung transplant five years ago has celebrated her new lease of life by going on to win 10 medals at the British Transplant Games.

During the last four years, Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital clerical worker Catherine Makin has secured gold, silver and bronze medals in swimming and table tennis.

The 42-year-old, from Great Harwood in Lancashire, received her new lungs at Manchester’s Wythenshawe Hospital in 2020 after suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension – high blood pressure in the lungs.

“Competing in the games is an amazing weekend of fun and meeting friends,” she said. “But it is also about remembering our donors – without them, we wouldn’t be here.”

‘Grateful to be here’

Ms Makin said she was “very nervous and scared” before the transplant surgery in January 2020 because “it is a major operation and [puts] stress on the body”.

After spending five weeks in hospital she had to isolate for nearly two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Despite the additional challenges posed by this, though, Ms Makin was overjoyed by the results of the transplant.

“I could breathe normally again and do things like walking and swimming without having to stop every five minutes or so,” she explained.

Because of the high risk of infection, she said she was unable to return to her former role as a nursery nurse.

Instead, she began volunteering for the hospital trust, which in turn led to her job in Blackburn.

“After my transplant I haven’t been told not to do anything,” Ms Makin said. “Just basically get on with life and enjoy it.”

Because she had always enjoyed swimming and playing table tennis, she decided to enter the Transplant Games.

‘Second chance at life’

Running for more than 40 years, the games take place in different host cities every summer.

About 1,000 transplant athletes compete over four days in a wide range of events.

The Transplant Games are also designed to raise awareness of the need for organ donation and to encourage transplant recipients to lead active lifestyles.

Recipients are also encouraged to show appreciation for – and remember – organ donors and their families.

“The games themselves are an incredible celebration of life,” Ms Makin said.

“To win medals is amazing and it makes me feel so proud that I can participate.

“As always, my donor and family are never far from my mind, and I am grateful to them for letting me have a second chance at life.

“Every time I compete, I’m reminded of how grateful I am to be here.”

Continue Reading

August 22, 2025
County Durham woman with daily seizures launches support group

A woman who suffered 27 seizures in one night said she was forced to set up her own support group because of a lack of understanding of her brain condition.

Karla Rutherford, from County Durham, has functional neurological disorder (FND) which affects how the brain receives and sends information to the rest of the body.

After her diagnosis in 2023, she said she spoke to a number of health professionals ”who didn’t know anything” about her condition, despite it not being rare.

”I didn’t have the support when I was diagnosed and I know how my mental health suffered,” the 39-year-old said.

“I don’t want anyone to feel they are on their own.”

She has now set up regular coffee mornings with a support group for people with the condition to share their experiences.

They take place on the third Wednesday of the month at Chester-le-Street Community Centre from 11:00 BST.

Symptoms of FND include seizures and weakness in the arms and legs.

The neurological symptoms of paralysis, tremor and seizures, when not explained by stroke, multiple sclerosis, or epilepsy, are often indicative of FND.

Jon Stone, professor of neurology at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, said historically that led people to wrongly question if the condition was real.

”Patients are often accused of having symptoms that are all in their mind or that they have made up, when they clearly haven’t,” he said.

Ms Rutherford said she suffers seizures every night and once had 27 in one night.

”I have weakness in my right side, I fall and sometimes I can’t lift my right arm,” she said.

“I also get a droopiness in my face that makes me look like I’ve had a stroke.”

Continue Reading

August 22, 2025
Sir Billy Connolly says Elton John inspired new artwork

Image courtesy of Castle Fine Art

Sir Billy says the artwork Saturday Night was inspired by touring with Elton John

Legendary Scottish comedian Sir Billy Connolly has released a video talking about his new artwork, including one inspired by his days touring with Elton John in the 1970s.

The 82-year-old funnyman was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2013 and announced his retirement from comedy five years later, telling the BBC his “art is his life now”.

Sir Billy has now released four limited edition works under his Born On A Rainy Day series, recalling some of the fondest memories from his life.

They include Sausage Tree, which reflects on a trip with his daughter Amy, Sunburned, which depicts a Scottish man who has spent too long in the sun, and Fly Away Peter, which shows a multicoloured figure surrounded by birds.

Image courtesy of Castle Fine Art

Sir Billy says Sir Elton is an amazing performer

One of the artworks is Saturday Night which shows a rock ‘n’ roll piano player in action.

Sir Billy says the character in the drawing “does that leg thing which is pure Elton”.

The comedian, who is also a talented musician, toured America with Sir Elton in 1976 and says he could not believe what a performer he was.

“When I saw Jerry lee Lewis I thought it was the best thing I’d ever seen apart from Little Richard – and then I saw Elton,” he says.

The drawing shows the flamboyant piano player with his leg on the keyboard and a stool overturned behind him.

“It was that point of the show where he backheeled the stool and it tumbled off the stage,” Sir Billy says.

“The roadies all dived so that it didn’t break.”

He adds: “I saw Elton lately and he was better than I’d ever seen him.

“He’s an amazing performer.”

Image courtesy of Castle Fine Art

Sir Billy says Fly Away Peter makes him smile

Another of the new works, Fly Away Peter, depicts a “happy guy with birds landing on him”.

Sir Billy says he’s particularly pleased with the way he has drawn the stripes on the figure’s purple jacket and with the bird that peers over his shoulder.

“I like things that make me smile,” he says.

Sir Billy describes the drawing as “beautiful”.

“It’s taken me years to say that,” he says.

“I would never dream of saying it before for the chance that somebody would say ‘it’s crap, you’re no good’.

“But I’m quite good. I can make people smile and feel happy. It’s great.”

Image courtesy of Castle Fine Art

The Sausage Tree recalls a trip with his daughter

The Scottish comedian says the Sausage Tree brings back memories of driving around the Scottish countryside when his daughter Amy was a child.

“We just went on the roads and saw things,” he says.

“Once we were near a place called Aberfoyle and we came upon a sausage tree.”

It was actually a bush with seed pods hanging from it but his child’s delight at seeing a “sausage tree” has stayed with him since.

Image courtesy of Castle Fine Art

Sunburned shows a Tartan-clad man whose skin tone is lobster red

In his drawing Sunburned, Sir Billy shows a Tartan-clad man whose skin tone is lobster red.

“When I did it I stood back and I thought ‘my god, you’ve got it’,” he says.

“It’s the colour you go in Scotland when the sun shines on you. It’s weird.

“It’s not a sunbathing country Scotland.

“I once said the climate in Scotland is June and winter.”

Despite the lack of sunshine, Sir Billy says the Scottish climate is “wonderful to experience”.

“Scotland is the most extraordinary country,” he says.

“It’s magical.”

Continue Reading

August 22, 2025
Bereaved dad’s film about hospice ‘superheroes’

Lauren Hirst

BBC News, Lancashire

Paul Woodward

Paul Woodward produced the documentary, inspired by his own experience at Derian House

Emotions were inevitably running high when Paul Woodward stepped foot into Derian House Children’s Hospice with his young son Kalel for the first time.

The family had been referred to the centre in Chorley, Lancashire, as Kalel had been suffering from frequent bone fractures, seizures and chest infections due to an unknown condition.

He was just four years old at the time.

“I was terrified,” recalled 38-year-old Paul from Skelmersdale.

“I didn’t know what to expect going to a hospice when you are told your son is going to go to a hospice.”

Little did he know at the time that his trepidation would be short-lived.

The reality of life within the walls of a hospice was far different than what he ever expected, and was not the cold and clinical place he had feared.

“It was at Derian House where we found many happy memories,” he said.

“Unless you’ve been through it, it’s difficult to explain, now looking back, how amazing that opportunity is.”

Paul Woodward

Kalel received care for seven years until his death in 2019

Kalel, who was born with complex medical needs, received seven years of care and support before he died at the age of 11 in 2019.

Derian House, which costs £6m a year to run, is one of 54 children’s hospices in the UK, supporting more than 400 young people from across the north west of England with respite and end-of-life care.

“It’s a very unique place to come to work,” said Paul.

“Everybody in this hospice and hospices around the country, palliative care with children, end of life care, they are very special people.”

And that is what has inspired The Little Things, a documentary which offers a moving insight into the families, staff, and volunteers at the hospice.

It aims to break down misconceptions about children’s hospices, highlighting not just the challenges but also the love, support, and treasured memories created within.

The documentary was Paul’s way of saying thank you for the care his son received.

“You’ve got to look at these people as they’re just a modern-day superhero, I’ve said that loads of times but it’s true isn’t it,” said Paul.

The Little Things

The Little Things shares the stories of families, staff and volunteers

The film’s director Thomas Elliott Griffiths, 29, said he was grateful for the opportunity, juggling filming the footage while working nightshifts at a hotel in Liverpool.

“Everyone’s just got a smile on their face and a hello to say and when you learn about the stories and the people here, overall I found it incredibly rewarding,” he said.

The documentary, which cost just £15,000 to make, has been released on Amazon Prime in the UK and America.

Karen Edwards OBE, chief executive officer at Derian House, said she hoped the documentary would help to spread awareness.

“It’s about bringing the magic and the joy of the children’s hospice world right into people’s living rooms, breaking down some of the stigma about what children’s hospices are and creating hope for the future,” she said.

“It’s about reminding people just how important the little things are.”

Paul Woodward

Paul said he realised there was an opportunity to help people understand what life is like in a hospice

For Paul, this documentary is also a lasting legacy to his “incredible little boy”.

“He doesn’t feature. It’s more of his feeling, more of what he gave us in this place,” he said.

“We were watching the screening and I remember the credits rolled and at the very end it says inspired by Kalel.

“He’s the last person you see and that hit me really hard

“The very end of the film – that is so incredibly personal – a little picture that means the world to me.”

Continue Reading

August 22, 2025
AI and advanced microscopy reveal tangled DNA structures with nanometer precision

At school, it’s often presented as a tidy double helix but scientists are revealing the varied and intricate shapes of DNA molecules.

DNA is a molecule found in just about every living cell. Because the molecule is long, it ends up twisting on itself and getting tangled. Enzymes in the body try to regulate this process but when that fails, normal activity in the cell can be disrupted, which triggers ill health and could be a factor in diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration.

To find cures for major illnesses, scientists need to understand the complex shape of DNA tangles. Existing lab techniques enable them to plot the shape and structure of DNA tangles but it is laborious and time-consuming.

An international scientific team led by the University of Sheffield in the UK has now automated the process. Using what is known as an atomic force microscope, advanced computer software and AI – they are able to visualize the DNA molecules, trace their paths and measure them.

Understanding the way DNA changes shape, a field of science known as DNA topology, requires researchers to conduct analysis at the nanoscale, where a nanometre is one billionth of a metre.

Alice Pyne, Professor of Biophysics at the University of Sheffield, who supervised the research, said: “This is the first time we have been able to determine the structure of individual complex DNA structures found in cells with nanometre precision. We have done that by developing advanced new image analysis tools that can do in a matter of seconds that before may have taken hours.

“This will allow us to look at what complex structures may be formed in the cell during normal and abnormal cellular processes, such as DNA replication and understand their implications. From here, we can start to look at how these complex topologies and structures affect proteins interacting with the genome, for example key antibiotic and anti-cancer targets such as topoisomerases (an enzyme that untangles knotted DNA).”

Dr Sean Colloms, from the School of Molecular Bioscience at the University of Glasgow and a co-author of the study, said: “DNA is a really long molecule. Just like any long piece of string, the DNA in our cells gets tangled and knotted. If we want to study the processes in cells that lead to DNA knotting, as well as the action of topoisomerases to remove the knotting, we need to be able to determine exactly how the DNA is tangled.

“At each DNA crossing, we can see which piece of DNA goes over which and this even allows us to tell the difference between one knot and its mirror image, which is important in our studies.”

An atomic force microscope uses a tiny probe to physically measure the object under analysis – rather than light or electrons as in other types of microscope. That difference makes it suitable for nanoscale analysis.

“Molecular simulations help us understand how DNA interacts with mica surfaces in AFM experiments,” said Dušan Račko from the Polymer Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, who was involved in the study. “By developing advanced models, we can generate thousands of molecular structures to train future AI frameworks – bringing us closer to visualizing and understanding topology of complex DNA assemblies.”

The study is the culmination of an international research collaboration involving scientists from 6 universities and research institutes from across the UK, Slovakia and France.

Source:

Journal reference:

Holmes, E. P., et al. (2025). Quantifying complexity in DNA structures with high resolution Atomic Force Microscopy. Nature Communications. doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60559-x.

Continue Reading

August 22, 2025
The U.S.-China space race is getting tighter
CNBC’s Investing in Space newsletter offers a view into the business of space exploration and privatization, delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up to receive future editions.

A Long March-12 rocket carrying a group of internet satellites blasts off from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site on Aug. 4, 2025 in Wenchang, Hainan.

China News Service | China News Service | Getty Images

Overview: The U.S.-China space race is getting tighter

So on land, so among the stars: tensions between the U.S. and China have until early November to gently simmer in matters of trade, but they’re set to soar in the race to advance the competing lunar agendas of the world’s two largest economies.

Since 1969, the U.S. has led the pack on lunar exploration as the only nation to land humans on the Moon’s soil. The Soviet Union, Washington’s only real contender at the time, never duplicated the feat despite putting the first man into space some eight years prior — even as sanctions-struck Russia plans to construct the International Lunar Research Station with Beijing by 2035.

China itself only prevailed with a first crewed space mission back in 2003 — but its surging space sector has been picking up pace, with coalescing ambitions to put boots on the Moon by the end of the decade. Beijing made significant advances just this month, with the China Manned Space Agency announcing it had successfully carried out the maiden take-off and descent test of its Lanyue lunar lander in Hebei province, on a trial surface designed to simulate the Moon’s gravity and terrain conditions.

Just last week, China’s 176-feet Long March-10 carrier rocket cleared its first static test firing up its seven parallel YF-100K engines at the Wenchang facility in Hainan. Its sister rocket of the same series, the two-stage partially reusable Long March-10a, remains under development with a debut flight penciled in 2026 and plans to serve for crew and cargo transport to China’s Tiangong space station.

It’s been a busy summer: in June, China’s Mengzhou spacecraft — key to its lunar ambitions — passed an escape flight test. Last month meanwhile saw the launch of the ninth Tianzhou-series cargo spacecraft, the Tianzhou-9, to the Tiangong space station.

Along the way, Beijing has reiterated its plans to land its cosmonauts on the Moon before 2030 for scientific exploration — squarely throwing the gauntlet Stateside, where NASA’s Artemis program also scheduled a mission to return U.S. astronauts on lunar ground around 2027. This is a game where, with NASA now setting sights on redder Mars pastures, the U.S. has a roughly six-decade advantage, after the success of the Apollo program.

But question marks linger over both of NASA’s picks for lunar landers. SpaceX’s Starship has had a tumultuous record in the year to date, which it may still vindicate in its upcoming Aug. 24 test launch. Blue Origin is meanwhile still developing the Mark 2 lander and only intends to test launch its precursor — the Mark 1 — later this year. Jeff Bezos’ rocket that will carry the landers is itself only undergoing its second flight next month.

The increasing prominence of the U.S.’ private firms in advancing their space activity is notable, but not singular. While much of China’s space landscape is dominated by state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, commercial players like Galactic Energy, LandSpace and i-Space — not to be confused with Japan’s iSpace — have also been stepping up to the plate.

“I believe China could beat NASA back to the Moon,” Prof. Quentin Parker, director of the lab for space research at the University of Hong Kong, told CNBC by email.

“NASA’s Artemis project is facing massive delays, budget problems and leadership issues under the current administration in the US. This leaves open the distinct possibility that China could land humans back on the moon first,” he added, noting China’s rapid space tech development and “demonstrated mission capacity over the last decade in particular, including the CST and Chang’e and Tianwen missions.”

As with the first space race, at stake isn’t just national prestige — U.S. officials and analysts have expressed concerns that China’s space ambitions are inevitably linked to militarization. It hasn’t been that long since the spring comments of Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations at the U.S. Space Force, that “the [People’s Republic of China] has been developing what we’ve kind of, tongue in cheek, called a ‘kill web’. And it’s nothing more than a network of hundreds of satellites that are a sensor network that provide real-time updates targeting quality information of our force.”

What’s up

Space becomes the new battlefront — Hackers backing the Kremlin hijacked an orbiting satellite and beamed down footage from Russia’s Victory Day parade to Ukrainian televisions — as modern warfare moves to space. — Associated Press

Kazakhstan’s Baikonur spaceport resurges — The Astana government is looking to upgrade the Baikonur Cosmodrome, which is still largely leased out to Russia, into a top-of-the-line spaceport for startups and attract foreign investment. — Euractiv

UK independent space agency to merge with DSIT in cost-savings push — The U.K. Space Agency will be absorbed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology in April, amid a broader push to reduce costs and red tape. — BBC

What is the U.S. ‘orbital carrier’? — Newsweek examines the U.S. Space Force’s “orbital carrier” that looks to pre-position multiple spacefaring vessels. The carrier is being designed by Seattle-based startup Gravitics. — Newsweek

Uranus has a (tiny) new moon — Scientists have found a new moon orbiting Uranus with a diameter of just six miles, upping the planet’s observed satellite family to 29. The discovery was made with NASA’s James Webb space telescope. — NASA

Industry maneuvers

Something old, something new — Jim Cantrell looks back at a decade of space activity between established and new players, as government and commercial industry programs increasingly join forces. — Space News

LandSpace rocket fails test launch — LandSpace’s methane Zhuque-2E Y3 rocket failed its test launch out of northwestern China. The company previously scored the spot of first firm to launch a methane-liquid oxygen rocket into orbit. — Reuters

Space tech startups make defense shift — Space tech startups are now increasingly “repositioning for the defense market,” says VS Seraphim Space CEO Mark Boggett, as venture capitalists and investors focus on security and AI. — Sifted

China’s Long March-10 completed rocket test — China’s Long March-10 carrier rocket successfully saw through its first static fire test, according to the China Manned Space Agency, hitting a new milestone in Beijing’s crewed lunar exploration program. — CGTN

Firefly Aerospace looks to launch Alpha rocket out of Japan — Firefly Aerospace is considering options to open its first Asian offshore launch site in Japan, from where it looks to run flights for its Alpha rocket, according to a Japanese company operating a spaceport in northern Hokkaido. — Reuters

Market movers

Five space stocks with soaring upside — MarketBeat looks at five space companies with huge upside potential as the sector evolves over the next decade. — MarketBeat via MSN

SpaceX prepares for next Starship launch — SpaceX has chosen Aug. 24 as the next test launch date for its giant Starship rocket, which has had an explosive record with take-offs this year to date. — Ars Technica

Blue Origin’s New Glenn to head out with NASA Mars probes next month — On its second-ever launch, Blue Origin’s New Glenn will depart with twin NASA Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamic Explorers (ESCAPADE) probes on Sept. 29. — Space.com

Can Rocket Lab go higher? — Rocket Lab has attracted investor attentions after gaining more than 70% in the past three months, while the upcoming test launch of the Neutron rocket and the company’s operating costs shape its outlook. — Zacks

On the horizon

Aug. 21 — Kosmos’ Angara 1.2 to take off with an unknown payload from Plesetsk, Russia

Aug. 22 — Space X’s Falcon 9 to launch the US Space Force X-37B spaceplane into low earth orbit out of Florida

Aug. 22 — SpaceX’s Falcon 9 to depart with Starlink satellites out of California

Aug. 23 — Blue Origin’s New Shepard to take off on suborbital flight out of Texas

Aug. 23 — Rocket Lab’s Electron to launch with undisclosed satellites out of New Zealand

Aug. 24 — Space X’s Falcon 9 to take off out of Florida and deliver supplies to the International Space Station

Aug. 24 — The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation’s Long March 8A to depart with an unknown payload out of Wenchang

Aug. 24 — SpaceX’s Starship to attempt its next test flight

Aug. 25 — Launch window opens for Nordspace’s suborbital rocket Taiga to lift off out of Canada

Aug. 27 – SpaceX’s Falcon 9 to head off with Starlink satellites out of Florida
Continue Reading
August 22, 2025
Long Covid patients gaslit by GPs, Surrey study finds

Patients living with “long Covid” faced “dismissal” and “medical gaslighting” from medical professionals, research has found.

A study by the University of Surrey found participants were relying on data self-gathered from smart watches and phones to track symptoms and advocate for diagnostic tests.

A total of 30 participants, aged between 25 and 62, were recruited from three online long Covid support groups and interviewed about their experiences living with the condition and using self-monitoring practices to track their symptoms.

NHS England has been contacted for comment.

Dr Sazana Jayadeva, a research fellow at the university, said a “shift was needed in medical culture” following the findings.

Dr Jayadeva, who co-authored the study, added: “We found that people with long Covid are often led to fend for themselves in a system that isn’t adequately informed about their condition and doesn’t offer them appropriate medical support.”

There is no cure for long Covid – and currently no standard test. There are also more than 200 recognised symptoms, the most common being fatigue, breathlessness and brain fog.

Fellows heard that 12 participants had straightforward experiences of obtaining a diagnosis of long Covid based on their symptoms, but others had struggled, “facing gatekeeping from the medical practitioners they consulted”.

The latter experience was “especially common” among those who had developed the condition in 2020 rather than in later years, when it was more widely recognised, the study found.

The research was conducted in collaboration with teams from the University of South Wales in Sydney, Australia and received an ethical go-ahead from the Department of Sociology at the University of Cambridge.

The study also found that online patient groups contributed to “the uptake of self-tracking technologies” and found that having wearable data gave patience “greater confidence to advocate for themselves” in medical settings.

Many participants still felt their data was “disregarded or even resented”.

Dr Jayadeva added: “We urge practitioners to treat patient-generated data as a valuable resource. Without this shift, patients with contested illnesses like long Covid risk remaining stuck in a system where they have to be their own doctors.”

The full study was published in Sociology, a flagship journal for the British Sociological Association.

Continue Reading

August 22, 2025
How different sugars impact type 2 diabetes risk: Study reveals |
For years, sugar has been blamed as a leading cause of type 2 diabetes (T2D) worldwide. However, recent research reveals that not all sugars impact diabetes risk equally. Studies now show that the type and source of sugar, whether from sugary drinks, fruit juices, or whole foods, significantly influence the development of T2D. Sugary beverages pose a higher risk, while sugars from whole fruits and dairy may be protective or neutral. This evolving understanding challenges previous assumptions and highlights the importance of focusing on sugar sources and dietary quality to better manage and prevent type 2 diabetes.

Understanding the role of different sugars in type 2 diabetes risk

A comprehensive study conducted by researchers from Brigham Young University (BYU), in collaboration with institutions in Germany, was published in the journal Advances in Nutrition. The study analysed data from over half a million individuals across the globe and revealed surprising insights into the role of sugar in the development of type 2 diabetes. Crucially, the research highlights that not all sugars affect diabetes risk in the same way; rather, the source of the sugar plays a significant role in determining its impact on metabolic health.The research highlights three key findings: Risks and benefits:
Sugar-sweetened beverages significantly increase the risk of T2D. For every additional 12-ounce serving consumed daily, the risk rises by 25%.

Fruit juices, often seen as healthy alternatives, are associated with a smaller but still notable 5% increase in diabetes risk per 8-ounce serving.

Conversely, sugars naturally found in whole fruits and dairy products do not appear to raise the risk of diabetes. In some cases, they may even offer protective benefits.
This evidence suggests that the form in which sugar is consumed, liquid versus whole food, can dramatically influence its metabolic effects.

Why the form of sugar is important

The reason sugar’s impact varies lies in how the body processes different foods:Sugary drinks and fruit juices lack fibre, fat, and protein, which are essential components found in whole foods. Without these, sugars are absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream, causing sharp spikes in blood glucose and insulin levels. This rapid absorption can overwhelm the liver and promote insulin resistance, a key factor in the development of diabetes.In contrast, whole fruits and dairy products deliver sugars alongside fibre and other nutrients that slow digestion and promote a steady, gradual release of glucose. This helps to maintain stable blood sugar levels and reduces stress on the body’s insulin-producing systems.

The complex role of artificial sweeteners in diabetes

While artificial sweeteners are often marketed as healthier alternatives to sugar, growing evidence suggests they may not be without risks. Some studies have linked high consumption of diet beverages and sugar substitutes with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as weight gain and larger waist circumference.Health experts now caution against relying on artificial sweeteners for weight management or diabetes prevention, advocating instead for diets rich in whole, unprocessed foods and natural beverages like water and unsweetened teas.

Other important factors in diabetes risk

It is essential to remember that sugar consumption is just one piece of the puzzle. The development of type 2 diabetes is influenced by multiple factors, including:
Genetics: Family history and inherited traits can predispose individuals to diabetes.

Obesity: Excess body fat, especially around the abdomen, significantly increases diabetes risk.

Physical inactivity: Sedentary lifestyles contribute to insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism.
Addressing these factors through regular exercise, weight management, and balanced nutrition remains vital for diabetes prevention.Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health routine or treatment.Also read | Does eating ‘roti and sabzi’ increase blood sugar? What diabetic patients must know
Continue Reading
August 22, 2025
Kent researchers say cherry powder could help Alzheimer’s

Researchers say they have found a way to turn cherries into a powder that could help protect against Alzheimer’s disease.

Studies have previously claimed that consuming cherries can lead to improved cognition among people with mild to moderate dementia.

But researchers at the University of Kent believe that developing the fruit into powder, rather than consuming just the juice, can have a greater impact.

They said this was due to the powder’s ability to retain anthocyanin – an antioxidant found in cherries which some claim may contribute to defending against dementia.

The study in Kent took damaged or discoloured cherries that would have otherwise been thrown away to create the powder.

Researchers say the powder was found to protect against harmful effects linked to age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, in laboratory models.

Dr Marina Ezcurra, the project’s lead researcher based in the University of Kent’s School of Natural Sciences, said: “Working with local growers has been key to this success.

“Together we are showing that agricultural by-products don’t need to go to waste – they can become part of the solution to producing sustainable and accessible healthy foods.

“Our newly discovered innovation is a scientific approach that could be adopted at scale in Kent and other agricultural regions, and we look forward to carrying out further research to help drive this forward.”

The study was carried out in partnership with Rent A Cherry Tree – a cherry tree business in Northiam, East Sussex.

Continue Reading

August 22, 2025
James Gunn explains ‘Justice Gang’ cameo in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2

James Gunn explains ‘Justice Gang’ cameo in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2

James Gunn recently sat down with People magazine to discuss the second season of his DC Universe series, Peacemaker, and shed some light on the show’s connection to the broader DC Universe.

One of the key aspects he touched on was the cameo appearances in the show, particularly those featuring his brother Sean Gunn and other familiar faces from the Superman film.

In the show’s teaser trailer, John Cena’s Peacemaker is seen auditioning to join the Justice Gang, alongside Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn), and Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion).

According to Gunn, the decision to include these characters was driven by the story’s needs. “For this show, it was really about what we needed for the story of Peacemaker,” he explains.

The scene showcases the Justice Gang’s dynamic, with James joking that Mr Terrific (Edi Gathegi) wasn’t included because he’s “too together and kind of too nice” for the group’s mean-spirited banter.

The director also shared his thoughts on why he decided to continue Peacemaker’s story in the second season. “I think the first season of Peacemaker is really about this character coming to terms that he has these demons that have been motivating him, have been pushing him for his entire life,” he says.

The second season, however, sees Peacemaker confronting those demons head-on. James Gunn felt there was more story to tell, and the show’s transition from the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) to the new DCU was seamless, requiring only “a couple of minor permutations.”

When asked about the show’s transition, James Gunn explained that Peacemaker “was never really in any universe” to begin with, making it easier to bridge the two iterations of DC characters.

He joked that it was like “taking out a couple of screws” and “putting in a couple of new screws” to make things work.

The Justice Gang cameo is one example of how the show is connecting to the broader DC Universe, including the Superman film, which features a brief appearance by John Cena’s Peacemaker.

The Peacemaker series is not the only project that James Gunn has collaborated on with his brother Sean. Sean Gunn has appeared in various James Gunn-directed projects, including the Guardians of the Galaxy films and The Suicide Squad.

Their collaboration extends to the DCU, with Sean starring in Creature Commandos, which was written and created by James.

Continue Reading

August 22, 2025