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  • DASH diet: what to eat to lower high blood pressure

    DASH diet: what to eat to lower high blood pressure

    DASH diet explained

    High blood pressure (hypertension) can increase your risk of heart and circulatory diseases. But changing what you eat can make a difference.

    In the 1990s, a new diet was designed to lower blood pressure by researchers at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in the United States.

    It was called DASH diet, which stands for ‘Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension’.

    The aim of the diet is to cut down on salt (sodium) and eat more nutrients like fibre, potassium and calcium that can help to lower blood pressure naturally.

    It contains lots of fruits, vegetables, wholegrains and low-fat dairy products, and is low in salt, saturated fats, sugary foods and alcohol.

    The standard version of the diet limits your sodium intake to 2,300mg or less a day, which is around 6g or 1 teaspoon of salt.

    And a lower-sodium version of the diet – with no more than 1,500mg sodium or around 4g or three-quarters of a teaspoon of salt a day – may help to lower blood pressure further.

    Benefits of the DASH diet

    To find out if you have high blood pressure, your doctor or nurse will take your blood pressure with a monitor that involves having an inflatable cuff positioned around your upper arm.

    You will be diagnosed with high blood pressure if the top number on the monitor is over 140mmHg (this is the systolic blood pressure) and your bottom number is over 90mmHg (this is the diastolic blood pressure), or over 135mmHg and 85 mmHg if you’ve measured your blood pressure at home.

    Many studies have shown that the DASH diet can help you reduce these numbers to a healthy level.

    One large study published in 2019 in the journal Nutrients looked at 7 meta-analyses (including 15 observational studies and 31 controlled trials) of the DASH diet.

    It showed that the diet was linked to a 5.2mmHg decrease in systolic blood pressure (the top number) and 2.6mmHg decrease in diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number).

    The study also found that the diet was linked to a 20 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack, stroke or coronary heart disease.

    As well as high blood pressure, research suggests the DASH diet may improve other risk factors of heart and circulatory diseases too, such as high cholesterol, blood sugar levels and excess weight.

    DASH diet food plan

    The DASH diet recommends eating a certain number of servings (portions) of each food group. It also explains how much of each food group counts as 1 serving.

     

    The number of servings is slightly different depending on how many calories you need, but for a 2,000 calorie a day diet, this would be:

     

    DASH diet recipes

    As long as you’re aiming for the right balance of different food groups, you do not have to eat any specific foods or meals to follow the DASH diet.

    A day of eating according to the diet could look like this:

    Breakfast: Bircher muesli.

    Lunch: Black bean and sweet potato burritos.

    Snacks: Salmon pate on wholegrain toast and a piece of fruit like a banana or apple.

    Dinner: Baked biryani chicken and rice.

    Dessert: Yogurt coated strawberries.

    This would contain roughly:

    • 9 ½ portions of fruit and vegetables
    • 7 portions of wholegrains
    • 7 portions of lean meats, fish and eggs
    • 1 ½ portions of dairy
    • 3 ½ portions of nuts, seeds and beans
    • 1.33g of salt

    Discover more heart-healthy recipes.

    DASH diet vs Mediterranean diet

    The Mediterranean diet is another style of eating often recommended for heart health.

    Like the DASH diet, it’s high in fish, vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, nuts and seeds, and low in salt, added sugar, saturated fats and red meat.

    The Mediterranean diet does specifically recommend eating more oily fish, which contains heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. And the DASH diet includes several daily servings of low-fat dairy products because calcium is known to lower blood pressure.

    In general, the DASH diet is more structured, with a specific number of servings of each food group.

    Meanwhile, the Mediterranean diet is more flexible, which may be easier to follow in the long term. It’s often described as a way of life, not just a diet.

    But both diets can help you look after your heart, so the one you choose to follow depends on what works for you and your lifestyle.

    What to read next…

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  • 10 second-year players to keep an eye on in 2025-26

    10 second-year players to keep an eye on in 2025-26

    Big men Kel’el Ware (left) and Zaccharie Risacher are 2 second-year players to keep tabs on in 2025-26.

    • Download the NBA App

    Familiar faces in new places, either by trade or free agency, always fuel anticipation for a new NBA season. Rookies, in this case, the 2025 Draft class led by Dallas’ Cooper Flagg, bring energy and excitement.

    But some of the biggest impact annually comes from the new guys’ predecessors, last season’s newcomers returning for their second seasons. Like freshmen turned sophomores, they know their way around campus now. Many are ready to take the next step, and typically, a few who struggled have a little traction now.

    The best of 2024’s rookie class demonstrated last season they’re on their way, including Spurs guard Stephon Castle, the Kia Rookie of the Year winner, as well as All-Rookie picks such as Memphis Grizzlies big man Zach Edey, Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan, New Orleans Pelicans big man Yves Missi and the Washington Wizards’ Alex Sarr and Bub Carrington.

    Others face questions or expectations that have been dialed up for Year 2. Here are 10 second-year players, listed in order of Draft selection in 2024, to watch in 2025-26:

    Zaccharie Risacher | F | Atlanta Hawks

    Draft position: No. 1

    2024-25 stats: 12.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.2 apg

    Risacher was nurtured on the job by the Hawks, starting 73 games. He responded well to that opportunity, being named top rookie in the East for both February and March. From Jan. 1, the lanky Frenchman averaged 14 points per game and shot 50% overall, including 40% on 3-pointers and 72.6% from the line. Only nine players hit those marks over the same span. Risacher’s shooting will be more essential with Atlanta making a strong offseason push to join the conference contenders.

    Zaccharie Risacher drops a season-high 38 points on the Nets in a win last season.

    Reed Sheppard | G | Houston Rockets

    Draft position: No. 3

    2024-25 stats: 4.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.4 apg

    Sheppard’s rookie arc played like a mirror opposite of Risacher — his chances to learn and shine got squeezed out by Houston’s push to a 52-30 mark in the West. The Kentucky point guard fell short of some lofty expectations, appeared as a bit player in 52 games and logged 70% of his modest 654 minutes before the All-Star break. His shooting perked up late — he hit 20 of his final 40 3-pointers — and he showed solid command as a playmaker, but coach Ime Udoka wasn’t willing to sacrifice defensively by boosting Sheppard’s role. He will be vying with Aaron Holiday for backcourt minutes behind Fred VanVleet and Amen Thompson.

    Rob Dillingham | G | Minnesota Timberwolves

    Draft position: No. 8

    2024-25 stats: 4.5 ppg, 1 rpg, 2 apg

    Sheppard’s Kentucky teammate got a vote of confidence by what Minnesota did not do over the summer, namely, seek a more proven point guard to step in as veteran Mike Conley steps back. Dillingham played well when he had time to catch a rhythm — on the nights he got 20-plus minutes, he averaged 11.7 points, 5.7 assists and just 2.0 turnovers. But there were only six such nights, none after February, and the 6-foot-1 guard was an afterthought in the Wolves’ run to a second straight West finals. Dillingham’s playing time will depend not just on Conley’s role but on how well he fits next to Anthony Edwards.

    Cody Williams | G | Utah Jazz

    Draft position: No. 10

    2024-25 stats: 4.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.2 apg

    Any pressure on Williams to perform big as Utah’s lottery pick was released when fellow rookies Isaiah Collier (No. 29 overall) and Kyle Filipowski (No. 32) carved out bigger roles. But the potential the Jazz saw in Williams looms larger after his brother Jalen’s breakout work in the playoffs for OKC. The 20-year-old Jazz guard dialed up strong performances in Summer League — 11.7 points on 43% shooting in Salt Lake City, then 20.4 points on 46% in Las Vegas. He has embarked on a training and nutrition program to add strength to his slender frame (at 190, he gave up 30 pounds to his 24-year-old brother).

    Matas Buzelis | F | Chicago Bulls

    Draft position: No. 11

    2024-25 stats: 8.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1 apg

    Some Bulls fans approved of the team’s ramping up of Buzelis’ opportunity over the span of 82 games. Others wondered what they were waiting for. After the All-Star break, by which time Chicago was 22-33 and going nowhere, his minutes spiked to 26.8 per game and his production rose with them: 13 ppg and 4.8 rpg. He shot well, was an open-court threat and had some highlight dunks. As his team heads into another SoFi-Play-In Tournament-or-bust, lukewarm season, the highly skilled 6-foot-10 forward isn’t pacing himself. Asked in an offseason interview about his “ceiling,” Buzelis said: “I always think I could be the best. … That’s just how I was raised. I think I could be the best player ever.”

    Kel’el Ware | C | Miami Heat

    Draft position: No. 15

    2024-25 stats: 9.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.1 bpg

    The 7-footer from Little Rock, Ark., finished strong, starting 36 of his final 38 games and landing on the All-Rookie Second Team. He was a double-double man per 36 minutes and played at that pace in Las Vegas in July, putting up 17.3 points and 10.0 rebounds while shooting 52.6%. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra wants Ware to match his talent level with more effort and intensity, especially since Miami envisions him alongside Bam Adebayo as a tall starting tandem.

    Jared McCain | G | Philadelphia 76ers

    Draft position: No. 16

    2024-25 stats: 15.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.6 apg

    McCain was the biggest “what if?” of the 2024 class, seemingly on his way to contending for the Kia Rookie of the Year award until his season ended two weeks into December with meniscus surgery. The Duke product was logging starter’s minutes and hitting 38% of his 3-pointers when he went down, while making several of the teams that let him slide to No. 16 rethink their decisions. McCain won’t be shy about carving out a place for himself in the Sixers’ busy backcourt with Tyrese Maxey, rookie V.J. Edgecombe, Kyle Lowry and possibly Quentin Grimes.

    76ers rookie Jared McCain discusses how he’s healing from his injury, his love of TikTok and gets in a cheer for the Eagles.

    Jaylen Wells | F | Memphis Grizzlies

    Draft position: No. 39

    2024-25 stats: 10.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.7 apg

    Wells was the sleeper of last year’s Draft, an overachiever who arrived from Washington State in the second round. He finished third among rookies in total minutes, fourth in points, 14th in rebounds and ninth in assists, starting 74 games. His usage rate was modest in the Grizzlies’ pecking order, but they didn’t hesitate to stick him on opponents’ most potent scorers. His season ended almost three weeks before Memphis’ due to a wrist fracture, but his offensive game should benefit from Desmond Bane’s trade to Orlando.

    Quinten Post | C | Golden State Warriors

    Draft position: No. 52

    2024-25 stats: 8.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.3 apg

    The 7-foot native of the Netherlands was a late-season find for the Warriors, making all but 10 of his 42 appearances after January and giving them a true stretch five by hitting 40.8% from the arc. His minutes grew scarcer in the playoffs as coach Steve Kerr went with veterans. Post did not participate in NBA Summer League and is still recovering from a sore ankle suffered in the spring. He projects as a possible starter in 2025-26, but he needs some defensive improvement and strength.

    Bronny James | G | Los Angeles Lakers

    Draft position: No. 55

    2024-25 stats: 2.4 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.8 apg

    Hype? Nah. James’ rookie season was met more with skepticism, even a little dread, from folks who thought he would be in over his head in the NBA at all, never mind on the same team as his father. He weathered the scrutiny, ended up rightfully playing more in the NBA G League, then looked like a decent second-summer prospect in Las Vegas (14.3 ppg, 24.3 mpg, 47.6% shooting). The surest way for James to earn time in the Lakers’ crowded guard rotation would be to dial up his defense. By the way, based on his 181 minutes played for L.A., he was paid $6,393 per minute, the equivalent of a $19 million salary for an NBA starter.

    During Summer League, Bronny James (and Dalton Knecht) showed some flashes of their future with the Lakers.

    Others to watch in 2025-26: Devin Carter, G, Sacramento Kings; Ajay Mitchell, G, Oklahoma City Thunder; Tidjane Salaün, F, Charlotte Hornets; Terrence Shannon Jr., G, Minnesota Timberwolves; Nikola Topić, G, Oklahoma City Thunder

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  • Black Hole Rips Star, Lights Up Universe Twice

    Black Hole Rips Star, Lights Up Universe Twice

    Key Takeaways

    The explosion of a massive star locked in a deadly orbit with a black hole has been discovered with the help of artificial intelligence used by an astronomy collaboration led by the University of California, Santa Cruz, that hunts for stars shortly after they explode as supernovae.

    The blast, named SN 2023zkd, was first discovered in July 2023 with the help of a new AI algorithm designed to scan for unusual explosions in real time. The early alert allowed astronomers to begin follow-up observations immediately — an essential step in capturing the full story of the explosion.

    By the time the explosion was over, it had been observed by a large set of telescopes, both on the ground and from space. That included two telescopes at the Haleakalāa Observatory in Hawaiʻi used by the Young Supernova Experiment (YSE) based at UC Santa Cruz.

    “Something exactly like this supernova has not been seen before, so it might be very rare,” said Ryan Foley, associate professor of astronomy and astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz. “Humans are reasonably good at finding things that ‘aren’t like the others,’ but the algorithm can flag things earlier than a human may notice. This is critical for these time-sensitive observations.”

    Time-bound astrophysics

    Foley’s team runs YSE, which surveys an area of the sky equivalent to 6,000 times the full moon (4% of the night sky) every three days and has discovered thousands of new cosmic explosions and other astrophysical transients — dozens of them just days or hours after explosion.

    The scientists behind the discovery of SN 2023zkd said the most likely interpretation is that a collision between the massive star and the black hole was inevitable. As energy was lost from the orbit, their separation decreased until the supernova was triggered by the star’s gravitational stress as it was partially swallowed the black hole.

    The discovery was published on August 13 in the Astrophysical Journal. “Our analysis shows that the blast was sparked by a catastrophic encounter with a black hole companion, and is the strongest evidence to date that such close interactions can actually detonate a star,” said lead author Alexander Gagliano, a fellow at the NSF Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Fundamental Interactions.

    An alternative interpretation considered by the team is that the black hole completely tore the star apart before it could explode on its own. In that case, the black hole quickly pulled in the star’s debris and bright light was generated when the debris crashed into the gas surrounding it. In both cases, a single, heavier black hole is left behind.

    An unusual, gradual glow up

    Located about 730 million light-years from Earth, SN 2023zkd initially looked like a typical supernova, with a single burst of light. But as the scientists tracked its decline over several months, it did something unexpected: It brightened again. To understand this unusual behavior, the scientists analyzed archival data, which showed something even more unusual: The system had been slowly brightening for more than four years before the explosion. That kind of long-term activity before the explosion is rarely seen in supernovae.

    Detailed analysis done in part at UC Santa Cruz revealed that the explosion’s light was shaped by material the star had shed in the years before it died. The early brightening came from the supernova’s blast wave hitting low-density gas. The second, delayed peak was caused by a slower but sustained collision with a thick, disk-like cloud. This structure — and the star’s erratic pre-explosion behavior — suggest that the dying star was under extreme gravitational stress, likely from a nearby, compact companion such as a black hole.

    Foley said he and Gagliano had several conversations about the spectra, leading to the eventual interpretation of the binary system with a black hole. Gagliano led the charge in that area, while Foley played the role of “spectroscopy expert” and served as a sounding board — and often, skeptic.

    At first, the idea that the black hole triggered the supernova almost sounded like science fiction, Foley recalled. So it was important to make sure all of the observations lined up with this explanation, and Foley said Gagliano methodically demonstrated that they did.

    “Our team also built the software platform that we use to consolidate data and manage observations. The AI tools used for this study are integrated into this software ecosystem,” Foley said. “Similarly, our research collaboration brings together the variety of expertise necessary to make these discoveries.”

    Co-author Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz, also a professor of astronomy and astrophysics, leads the theory team at UC Santa Cruz. Fellow co-author V. Ashley Villar, an assistant professor of astronomy in the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences, provided AI expertise. The team behind this discovery was led by the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as part of YSE.

    This work was funded by the National Science Foundation, NASA, the Moore Foundation, and the Packard Foundation. Several students, including Gagliano, are or were NSF graduate research fellows, Foley said.

    Societal costs of uncertainty

    But currently, Foley said the funding situation and outlook for continued support is very uncertain, forcing the collaboration to take fewer risks, resulting in decreased science output overall. “The uncertainty means we are shrinking,” he said, “reducing the number of students who are admitted to our graduate program — many of them being forced out of the field or to take jobs outside the U.S.”

    Although predicting the path this AI approach will take is difficult, Foley said this research is cutting edge. “You can easily imagine similar techniques being used to screen for diseases, focus attention for terrorist attacks, treat mental health issues early, and detect financial fraud,” he explained. “Anywhere real-time detection of anomalies could be useful, these techniques will likely eventually play a role.”

    /Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.

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  • Netflix’s ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Could Win Weekend Box Office With Two-Day Release

    Netflix’s ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Could Win Weekend Box Office With Two-Day Release

    Topline

    Netflix’s smash hit “KPop Demon Hunters” could conquer the box office this weekend thanks to a limited sing-along release in movie theaters, adding to its global dominance on Netflix and the music charts with its blockbuster soundtrack.

    Key Facts

    “KPop Demon Hunters” will screen in nearly 2,000 U.S. and Canada theaters this weekend as part of a two-day theatrical release where audiences are encouraged to sing along with the fictional girl group’s chart-topping soundtrack.

    In just two days, the movie could gross as much as $15 million, Deadline reported, which could beat the projected total of $13.5 million for its closest challenger, horror movie hit “Weapons.”

    “KPop Demon Hunters” could also win this weekend because of the lack of major releases: “Weapons” is a holdover from two weeks ago, and this weekend’s release schedule is barren aside from “Honey Don’t,” the Ethan Coen-directed film opening in wide release.

    Conquering the box office would add to the film’s accolades, as it currently sits atop Netflix’s movie charts, and the movie’s soundtrack and song “Golden” both lead Spotify’s weekly global album charts.

    How Has “kpop Demon Hunters” Dominated?

    “KPop Demon Hunters,” just two months after release, ranks as Netflix’s second most-watched movie of all time with more than 210 million views. The movie is just 20 million views away from taking the crown from “Red Notice,” a 2021 Netflix original action comedy film. The film has held steady on Netflix’s weekly charts since its release. For the week ending Aug. 17, it earned 26 million views—a slight increase from the week prior. The soundtrack, with original songs sung by the movie’s fictional girl group Huntr/x, has also shattered a host of records on the Billboard and Spotify charts. The movie’s most popular song, “Golden,” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 last week, and although it dipped to No. 2 this week, the group still ranks three songs in the Hot 100’s top ten. Huntr/x is the first K-pop girl group to top the Hot 100, and the first girl group to lead the chart in almost a quarter-century since Destiny’s Child’s “Bootylicious.” On the Billboard 200 albums chart, the soundtrack ranks No. 2, only behind chart juggernaut Morgan Wallen.

    How Is “kpop Demon Hunters” Helping The Box Office?

    The movie’s expected success at the box office is a small reprieve for what is otherwise a weak end-of-summer for moviegoing. After the success of “Weapons,” which has led the box office for two straight weekends, the coming weeks don’t have any expected blockbusters on the release calendar. Though the summer had several hits, like “Jurassic World: Rebirth” and “Superman,” analysts worry the summer could fall below expectations, possibly below the 2024 summer movie season. Comscore analysts told the Hollywood Reporter the summer is on track to gross $3.75 billion, below the $4 billion some had hoped for. At the midpoint of 2025, the box office was up 16% over the same timeframe in 2024, according to data shared with Forbes by Comscore, partially thanks to a strong April and May, buoyed by hits like “A Minecraft Movie” and “Sinners.”

    Key Background

    “KPop Demon Hunters” follows Huntr/x, a fictional girl group who lead secret double lives as demon slayers. In the film, they face off against the Saja Boys, a rival boy group who are actually demons. The movie has been a success with critics, earning a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with many praising the animation and the music.

    Further Reading

    Biggest Culture Winners Of 2025 So Far: Box Office Up 16% As ‘Sunrise On The Reaping’ Tops Fiction Books (Forbes)

    Box Office Shocker: Netflix’s ‘Kpop Demon Hunters’ Sing-Along Looks To Slay ‘Weapons’ For No. 1 At Box Office With $15M+ – Preview (Deadline)

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  • Nottingham Forest: Nuno Espirito Santo’s future as manager is uncertain

    Nottingham Forest: Nuno Espirito Santo’s future as manager is uncertain

    Nuno Espirito Santo’s future as Nottingham Forest manager is uncertain after a breakdown in his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis.

    Sources have told BBC Sport that Nuno’s position is not completely safe despite last season’s achievement of qualifying for Europe, and their win over Brentford in the first round of matches in this season’s Premier League on Sunday.

    The uncertainty, according to sources, has now stretched to the playing squad, who are said to be aware of the situation.

    On Friday, 51-year-old Nuno said “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” amid rumours about his job.

    “I always had a very good relationship with the owner – last season we were very close and spoke on a daily basis,” he added.

    “This season it is not so well [between us], but I always believe that dialogue is important because my concern is the squad and the season we have ahead of us. Our relationship has changed and we are not as close.”

    When asked if it was good that his relationship with Marinakis had changed, Nuno said: “No, it is not good. I think everybody at the club should be together but this is not the reality.”

    Forest have been active in the transfer market this summer, signing seven players – although they did sell winger Anthony Elanga to Newcastle for £55m.

    But before last Sunday’s 3-1 win over Brentford, Nuno outlined his transfer concerns.

    “We have doubts, who is going to be [here], when are they [new signings] going to come? All these things create doubts,” he said.

    “Not only me but in the club. What we want is game-by-game to have as many options as possible. Europe will come after, and for sure it will be better, but for now until that happens it is a major concern.

    “The owner is aware, the club is aware, everyone is aware. Everybody knows the reality. This is a lost chance that we had as a group to do it.”

    There have been suggestions Nuno has not been fully involved in the club’s recruitment this summer, which could be a factor in the deterioration of his relationship with Marinakis.

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  • Dysfunctional circular RNA network in major depressive disorder: dissecting the cell identity and potential clinical applications

    Dysfunctional circular RNA network in major depressive disorder: dissecting the cell identity and potential clinical applications

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  • Colibactin-producing E. coli linked to higher colorectal cancer risk in FAP patients

    Colibactin-producing E. coli linked to higher colorectal cancer risk in FAP patients

    image: 

    A polyp lesion with colibactin-producing E. coli (pks+) is shown in panels A–C. (A) HE staining of the polyp lesion, which shows high-grade tubular adenoma. (B) High magnification of A. (C) A few bacteria with gram-positive and negative stains are seen in the crypts and cryptal lumen. A polyp lesion without colibactin-producing E. coli (pks−) is shown in D–F. (D) HE staining of the polyp lesion, which shows low-grade tubular adenoma. (E) High magnification of D. (F) Bacteria with gram-positive and negative stains are observed in the crypts and cryptal lumen. Figure permission is sought for the image.


    view more 

    Credit: By Hideki Ishikawa, Ryogo Aoki, Michihiro Mutoh, et al.

    Researchers from Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine and collaborating Japanese institutions found that patients carrying colibactin-producing Escherichia coli (pks+ E. coli) in their colon polyps were more than three times as likely to have a history of colorectal cancer compared to those without the bacterium.

    The findings, published in eGastroenterology, highlight a potential role for gut microbes in accelerating cancer risk in people with a strong genetic predisposition.

    Study Details

    Between 2018 and 2019, the team studied 75 FAP patients who had not yet undergone colon surgery, preserving their natural gut microbiota. Tissue samples from colon polyps and surrounding mucosa were collected during endoscopy and analyzed for pks+ E. coli.

    Key results include:

    1. High prevalence: The bacterium was found in a substantial proportion of patients, especially smokers.
    2. Surgery effect: No pks+ E. coli was detected in patients who had previously undergone colorectal surgery, suggesting that an intact microbiota is required for colonization.
    3. Cancer link: Among non-surgical patients, those with prior colorectal cancer were over three times more likely to carry pks+ E. coli (risk ratio 3.25).
    4. Tissue changes: Adenomas harboring the bacterium showed more DNA damage and signs of inflammation, including elevated IL-6, a pro-inflammatory cytokine.

    Why It Matters

    This study raises the possibility that targeting specific microbes could help prevent cancer in high-risk groups.”

    The researchers propose that colibactin, a toxin produced by the bacterium, damages DNA and triggers inflammatory signals that may accelerate tumor progression in the already vulnerable colonic tissue of FAP patients.

    Looking Ahead

    The study is among the first to examine the role of gut bacteria in FAP patients before surgery, offering a rare glimpse into the natural microbial environment of this population.

    The authors caution that the findings are preliminary and based on a relatively small patient group. Larger, multicenter studies are needed to confirm the results. If validated, the research could pave the way for new approaches, such as:

    1. Microbiome-targeted prevention (probiotics, bacteriophages, or antibiotics).
    2. Risk screening through bacterial detection in stool or mucosal samples.
    3. New therapies targeting colibactin-induced DNA damage and inflammation.

    Conclusion

    The study provides early but compelling evidence that colibactin-producing E. coli may play a role in colorectal cancer development in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. By shining light on the interplay between genes, microbes, and environment, the findings open new avenues for cancer prevention strategies in hereditary syndromes.

     

    See the article:

    Ishikawa H, Aoki R, Mutoh M, et al. Contribution of colibactin-producing Escherichia coli to colonic carcinogenesis. eGastroenterology 2025;3:e100177. doi:10.1136/ egastro-2024-100177

     

    About eGastroenterology

    eGastroenterology is a new, open-access, and open peer-reviewed BMJ Journal, which focuses on basic, clinical, translational, and evidence-based medicine research in all areas of gastroenterology (including hepatology, pancreatology, esophagology, and gastrointestinal surgery). eGastroenterology is now indexed by PubMed, Scopus, CAS, DOAJ, Dimensions, OpenAlex, ROAD, and COPE, with more to come!

    For more information, please visit: egastroenterology.bmj.com and follow us on Twitter (@eGastro_BMJ).

    Sign-up to Email Alerts for eGastroenterology: https://emails.bmj.com/k/Bmj/jausu/egastroenterology

    Journal

    eGastroenterology

    Article Title

    Contribution of colibactin-producing Escherichia coli to colonic carcinogenesis

    Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.

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  • Awareness seminar on World Hepatitis Day 2025 at Fatima Jinnah Medical University

    Awareness seminar on World Hepatitis Day 2025 at Fatima Jinnah Medical University

    The Department of Medicine of Fatima Jinnah Medical University (FJMU)/ Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, in collaboration with SOS Foundation, organised an awareness seminar to mark World Hepatitis Day 2025 under the leadership of Chairperson Department of Medicine Prof. Dr. Bilquis Shabbir.

    Prof. Dr. Khalid Masood Gondal, Vice Chancellor of FJMU, graced the seminar as the Chief Guest. Dr. Shaista Sohail, Ex-Executive Director HEC, graced the event as Guest of Honour, while Prof. Azra Mehmood from the Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, joined as Guest Speaker.

    This year’s theme, “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” emphasised the importance of prevention, early diagnosis, and timely treatment.

    In his welcome address, Prof. Dr. Khalid Masood Gondal highlighted that FJMU is ranked among the top three medical universities in Pakistan and continues to lead in postgraduate programs. He stressed that “the best people are those who serve humanity” and underlined the need for awareness and early detection of hepatitis, a serious infectious disease.

    Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Shaista Sohail reiterated the principle that “prevention is better than cure.” She shared details about SOS Foundation’s community-oriented initiatives and urged the public to avoid contaminated food and water to prevent hepatitis. She also emphasised the importance of tree plantation as a vital step toward public health and environmental well-being.

    Prof. Azra Mehmood delivered an insightful lecture on hepatitis, explaining it as an inflammation of the liver, most commonly caused by viral infections. She elaborated on the disease’s symptoms, modes of transmission, preventive measures, and available treatments, stressing that lack of timely diagnosis and treatment can have life-threatening consequences.

    Principal Prof. Abdul Hameed, Deans, Consultant Gastroenterologist Dr. Ayub Naich, Faculty Members, and a large number of students attended the seminar, reflecting the commitment of the institution toward community health awareness.

    The event concluded with Prof. Dr. Khalid Masood Gondal presenting honorary shields to Guest of Honor Dr. Shaista Sohail and Guest Speaker Prof. Azra Mehmood, in recognition of their valuable contributions.


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  • China Prepares to Unveil Domestic AI Chips, DeepSeek Confirms

    China Prepares to Unveil Domestic AI Chips, DeepSeek Confirms

    TLDRs;

    • DeepSeek confirms China will soon unveil domestically made AI chips optimized for its new V3.1 AI model.
    • The firm’s adoption of UE8M0 FP8 scaling could cut memory use by 75%, boosting efficiency on local processors.
    • Huawei and other firms are racing to adapt chips for Chinese AI models amid tightening U.S. export controls.
    • Despite progress, Nvidia chips remain dominant, though China’s $340B semiconductor push could accelerate domestic innovation.

    China is preparing to unveil domestically developed artificial intelligence (AI) chips in a move that could reshape its fast-evolving tech landscape, according to a new announcement from AI startup DeepSeek.

    The Hangzhou-based company disclosed the development through its official WeChat account while introducing its upgraded V3.1 model, sparking speculation that a major breakthrough in China’s chip ecosystem may be imminent.

    While DeepSeek did not name the chip supplier, it confirmed that the new model has been designed to run on next-generation local processors using the UE8M0 FP8 data format, a method aimed at optimizing memory efficiency and computational performance.

    DeepSeek’s V3.1 Signals Strategic Shift

    DeepSeek’s latest model, the V3.1, combines reasoning and non-reasoning modes and is optimized for compatibility with the upcoming Chinese chips.

    The company emphasized that its use of UE8M0 FP8 scaling could lower memory requirements by up to 75%, making training and inference far more efficient compared to conventional approaches.

    The AI firm had previously relied on foreign hardware, including 2,048 Nvidia H800 GPUs to train its earlier V3 model. However, with access to advanced U.S. chips increasingly restricted, the pivot toward homegrown processors indicates a deliberate shift in strategy, integrating domestic hardware with software designed for maximum efficiency.

    Domestic Competition Intensifies

    DeepSeek’s announcement comes as Chinese technology giants including Huawei Technologies and Moore Threads accelerate efforts to make their self-developed chips compatible with local AI models.

    Huawei’s Cloud Matrix architecture, combined with its Ascend chip series, has reportedly demonstrated the ability to run DeepSeek’s models more efficiently than Nvidia-based systems under certain workloads, according to joint research published earlier this year.

    This reflects a growing trend of hardware-software co-design in China, where firms are not merely attempting to replicate Nvidia’s products but are instead tailoring chip designs for specific AI applications. Such specialization could allow Chinese firms to gain unique advantages in targeted areas, even if performance gaps remain in broader applications.

    Export Controls Drive Urgency

    The push for domestic chip development has been fueled in large part by U.S. export restrictions that limit Chinese access to advanced semiconductors. Analysts project that domestic AI chip production could rise to 55% of total demand by 2027, up from today’s relatively modest share.

    Despite this progress, Nvidia chips remain highly sought after in China. In 2024 alone, Chinese firms purchased nearly one million Nvidia H20 chips compared to around 450,000 Huawei Ascend 910B chips. Industry leaders such as Tencent and Baidu continue to favor Nvidia’s hardware, citing superior memory capacity and bandwidth.

    To bridge this gap, Beijing has committed more than $340 billion in funding through its semiconductor “Big Fund” and related initiatives, underscoring the state’s determination to build a resilient and competitive chip industry.


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  • Major League Rugby 2025 College Draft – Major League Rugby

    1. Major League Rugby 2025 College Draft  Major League Rugby
    2. 2025 MLR College Draft Preview  Americas Rugby News
    3. Ieremia, Walsh Taken In 2025 MLR Collegiate Draft  California Golden Bears Athletics
    4. Bastian Brunello Selected in the Second Round of the 2025 MLR Draft by the Chicago Hounds  mountathletics.com
    5. Charlotte pro rugby team has first two picks in college draft, looking for first win in franchise history  Queen City News

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