Category: 8. Health

  • Foods for Your Mood: Nutrition Helps with Emotional Well-Being – Health.mil

    1. Foods for Your Mood: Nutrition Helps with Emotional Well-Being  Health.mil
    2. The 5 Best Foods to Eat for Better Mental Health  SELF Magazine
    3. Eating These 8 Foods Can Give Your Happiness Hormones a Boost  CNET
    4. Five summer ingredients that boost mental health.  indiaherald.com
    5. News – Foods for Your Mood: Nutrition Helps with Emotional Well-Being  DVIDS

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  • World Hepatitis Day being observed today – RADIO PAKISTAN

    1. World Hepatitis Day being observed today  RADIO PAKISTAN
    2. ‘World Hepatitis Day’ observed with goal to eliminate viral hepatitis as public health threat by 2030  Ptv.com.pk
    3. PIMA launches hepatitis awareness campaign  The Express Tribune
    4. President for joint efforts, awareness to combat challenge of hepatitis  Dunya News
    5. Liver diseases often go undetected; doctors call for early screening and awareness  The Hindu

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  • New Kind of Dental Floss Could Replace Vaccine Needles, Study Finds : ScienceAlert

    New Kind of Dental Floss Could Replace Vaccine Needles, Study Finds : ScienceAlert

    A fear of needles is a common reason for avoiding vaccines, even among many adults. Now researchers have come up with a rather clever alternative: dental floss.

    Led by a team from Texas Tech University, the researchers first identified an often overlooked surface in the mouth as an entry point for vaccines: the junctional epithelium (JE), which sits where the gums meet the teeth.

    The JE is leaky by design, because it allows immune cells to move around and defend the oral cavity from bacterial attack. The researchers wondered whether this could also make this part of the mouth a suitable target for vaccines.

    “We hypothesized that this leakiness of the JE could expedite the entry of vaccine antigens, and the abundance of immune cells in this microenvironment could elicit an adaptive immune response,” the researchers write in their recently published paper.

    Related: Which Arm Gets Vaccinated Could Play a Role in Your Immune Response

    Delivering medications to the JE is complicated by the tissue’s seclusion within the gumline, which is why it hasn’t really been considered as a potential location for introducing vaccines.

    That’s where floss comes in, which is perfect for getting into tight spaces.

    The researchers tested their hypothesis by coating dental floss with different types of vaccines and testing them on mice across a period of several weeks.

    The researchers targeted a specific part of the mouth in mice. (Ingrole et al., Nat. Biomed. Eng., 2025)

    There were numerous encouraging indicators: strong immune responses were observed in the mouth and throughout the bodies of the mice, and the floss vaccine was effective in protecting mice against a later flu infection.

    Further tests were conducted on human volunteers using dye rather than a vaccine, since clinical trials are still some way off. The amount of dye that reached the JE target via flossing was enough to suggest that this really could work in us too.

    “These findings establish floss-based vaccination as a simple, needle-free strategy that enhances vaccine delivery and immune activation compared with existing mucosal immunization methods,” write the researchers.

    It’s not the first time scientists have looked beyond the thorough cleaning job that floss does. Earlier this year research showed that floss could also be adapted to measure stress levels in the body, potentially giving doctors another useful diagnostic tool.

    As well as being potentially less scary for those with a phobia of needles, floss-based vaccines would be easier to transport and store. Doctors and nurses wouldn’t be needed to administer them, and they could even be delivered in the post – a real advantage in the case of pandemics such as COVID-19.

    Researchers have previously tried to deliver vaccines orally under the tongue and in the cheek, but not enough of the vaccine penetrates the tissue into circulation. While there’s still a lot of work to do with this new approach, the potential is clear.

    “Due to drawbacks associated with injectable vaccines, such as pain and needle phobia, potential transmission of blood-borne pathogens from unsafe injection practices and the limited activation of mucosal immunity, there is a need for alternative approaches for vaccine delivery,” write the researchers.

    The research has been published in Nature Biomedical Engineering.

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  • Toxic epidermal necrolysis following lamotrigine replacement therapy in a woman planning pregnancy: a case report and literature review | BMC Women’s Health

    Toxic epidermal necrolysis following lamotrigine replacement therapy in a woman planning pregnancy: a case report and literature review | BMC Women’s Health

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  • British mother died of rabies from puppy scratch on holiday had 'horrendous' death, says daughter – MSN

    1. British mother died of rabies from puppy scratch on holiday had ‘horrendous’ death, says daughter  MSN
    2. ‘One tiny scratch from a puppy, then my mother died of rabies’  The Telegraph
    3. Daughter of Barnsley woman who died of rabies launches global dog vaccine mission  Yorkshire Post
    4. Daughter of mum who caught rabies on holiday will ‘turn terrible negative into something positive’  Yorkshire Live
    5. Mum’s rabies death inspires daughter to act  Barnsley Chronicle

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  • Why the current menopause criteria may be outdated – Monash Lens

    Why the current menopause criteria may be outdated – Monash Lens

    The journey through menopause, a significant life stage marking the end of a woman’s reproductive years, typically spans several years and includes distinct phases – late premenopause, perimenopause (early and late), and postmenopause.

    Each phase is associated with a variety of symptoms, yet distinguishing between these stages has been challenging – especially for women who no longer menstruate in their late premenopausal years.

    However, new research from Monash University challenges current clinical assumptions and is reshaping how we understand and identify these transitions, with profound implications for clinical care and women’s health.

    The comprehensive study, recently published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, has shed light on the menopausal transition. Involving 5509 women aged 40 to 69, the study provides a clearer clinical picture of how symptoms vary – and sometimes blur – across the stages.

    According to lead researcher Professor Susan Davis, head of the Monash Women’s Health Research Program, vasomotor symptoms (VMS) that comprise hot flushes and night sweats are now shown to be the most defining characteristics of perimenopause.

    These symptoms were found to be five times more prevalent in early perimenopause compared with premenopause.

    Vaginal dryness, another often-overlooked symptom, was also highlighted as a significant marker – 2.5 times more likely in perimenopausal women than in premenopausal ones.

    While other symptoms were observed, such as memory issues and low mood, they were less specific to perimenopause, with poor memory being only 1.7 and 1.3 times more likely in early and late perimenopause, respectively.

    Read more: Menopause wars: How much treatment is too much?

    “A major finding was that women with regular cycles yet have changed menstrual flow (heavier or lighter periods) and VMS, who are presently classified as premenopausal, had a similar severity of a wide range of symptoms as early perimenopausal women. This indicated these women should be considered clinically perimenopausal,” Professor Davis says.

    “We already knew that VMS symptoms like hot flushes and night sweats were typical menopausal symptoms. However, our study clearly shows that a new onset of VMS is highly specific to perimenopause, being nearly five times more likely than in premenopause.

    “While other symptoms might emerge in the perimenopausal stage, they lack specificity to that stage as other symptoms, such as poor memory.

    “This study also suggests that classic VMS should be considered as a diagnostic criterion for perimenopause or postmenopause when menopause can’t be distinguished by the bleeding pattern. For example, after a hysterectomy, women with a hormonal IUD, or women with regular cycles,” she says.

    “Additionally, women whose periods have become much heavier or much lighter and have VMS are likely to have started their perimenopause.”

    Photo: iStock/Getty Images Plus

    A redefinition of perimenopause

    The study calls for a redefinition of perimenopause that includes symptoms rather than menstrual bleeding patterns alone, in order to help identify when women whose bleeding patterns are unreliable or absent, such as after a hysterectomy or in women using a hormonal IUD, have reached perimenopause.

    First author on the study, Dr Rakib Islam, from Monash University’s School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, says:

    “This study stands out for its national reach and methodological depth, linking clearly-defined menopausal stages with validated symptom profiles in more than 5500 women. This level of detail is essential to improve how we identify and manage the menopause transition.

    “Current approaches for classifying women by menopause stage overlook women with regular cycles and women who no longer menstruate, for example, after a hysterectomy.

    “Our findings support a more symptom-based approach, enabling earlier recognition of perimenopause and more timely care,” Dr Islam says.

    The stages of menopause

    Premenopause

    This stage encompasses the years of regular menstrual cycles, with hormonal fluctuations aligning with each menstrual cycle phase.

    Perimenopause

    This transitional phase leading up to the menopause can last several years. This is presently defined as occurring when menstrual cycle length varies by at least seven days. Women typically experience increasing menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, low mood, and sleep disturbances.

    Perimenopause is often divided into:

    • Early perimenopause: Menstrual cycles vary in length (shorter or more spaced apart) by at least seven days. Hormone levels start to become more erratic.

    • Late perimenopause: At least two to three months between menstrual bleeds. Hormone levels remain erratic, with estradiol levels fluctuating from very high to very low.

    1. Postmenopause
      The time after the final menstrual period. The final menstrual period is not defined as such until a woman hasn’t had a menstrual bleed for at least 12 months. The production of estrogen and progesterone by the ovaries is minimal. Some symptoms, such as vasomotor symptoms, may persist for years, while others, such as vaginal dryness, may worsen with years post-menopause due to prolonged estrogen deficiency.

    Professor The Hon Jill Hennessy, Chair of Monash Women’s Health Alliance said: “This landmark study reinforces just how critical it is to listen to women and take their symptoms seriously. Too many go untreated for debilitating symptoms like hot flushes and night sweats. Research like this is essential to ensure women get the timely, evidence-based care they deserve during perimenopause.”  

    “Menopause is a major women’s health issue that has been overlooked for too long. By defining the symptoms that truly mark this transition, this study empowers women and clinicians alike with better knowledge and tools to improve women’s health and wellbeing.”

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  • Actinogen Medical Validates Xanamem’s Efficacy at Alzheimer’s Conference

    Actinogen Medical Validates Xanamem’s Efficacy at Alzheimer’s Conference

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    Actinogen Medical ( (AU:ACW) ) has issued an update.

    Actinogen Medical announced the presentation of an academic poster at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Toronto, showcasing the clinical validation of Xanamem’s activity in the brain. The poster highlights the positive clinical effects of Xanamem in lowering CNS cortisol in patients with major depressive disorder, supporting its potential as a treatment for brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and depression. The company also participated in the conference with a sponsored booth, providing an opportunity to engage with healthcare professionals and discuss their late-stage clinical program and advancements in dementia research.

    More about Actinogen Medical

    Actinogen Medical is an ASX-listed biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapies for neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases linked to dysregulated brain cortisol. Their lead compound, Xanamem, is being developed as a treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease and Depression, with potential applications in Fragile X Syndrome and other conditions. The company aims to address the substantial unmet medical need for improved treatments for cognitive dysfunction and neuropsychological burdens associated with these diseases.

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  • Does yellow mucus mean you need antibiotics? What phlegm can – and can’t – say about your health

    Does yellow mucus mean you need antibiotics? What phlegm can – and can’t – say about your health

    When you’re sick you’ll often produce more phlegm, and might notice it’s thicker or a different colour: white, green, yellow or maybe even brown.

    What can this phlegm – also called mucus, snot, sputum, catarrh and booger – really tell us about our health?

    Here’s what to look for, and when to see a doctor.

    What is phlegm?

    We all produce mucus, even when healthy. Mucus is a barrier to the outside world that helps protect the organs in our bodies.

    It’s produced by special cells within the epithelium. This is a tissue that lines the organs, cavities and surfaces in your body, including your eyes, mouth, digestive system and respiratory system (nasal passages and lungs).

    Cells in this epithelial lining constantly secrete mucus. It acts as:

    • a lubricant, preventing tissues from drying out

    • a physical barrier filtering out and trapping particles such as dust, allergens and bacteria

    • an immune barrier which contains various antimicrobial molecules that can kill a wide range of bacteria, fungi and even viruses.

    Why do we produce more mucus when we’re sick?

    The epithelium is one of the body’s first lines of defence when we have an infection. When these cells detect a pathogen – whether bacteria or a virus – they produce more mucus to strengthen the body’s physical and immune barriers.

    Your body’s immune response causes inflammation, and this makes you produce more mucus. This excessive production and build-up is called mucus hypersecretion.

    We often feel this is in our nasal passages when we have a cold, and sometimes lungs if we have a chest infection.

    Usually, the epithelium’s cilia – long, hair-like cells – propel this mucus away and keep our airway passages clear.

    But infections might damage or over-work the cilia, making us need to cough up phlegm or blow our noses to deal with this build-up.

    Allergies are similar – your immune system overreacts to harmless substances (such as dust, pollen and certain foods) and produces excessive amounts of mucus.

    Hypersecretion also affects people with chronic illness such as asthma, cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

    Why does mucus get thicker?

    Being sick can also affect the consistency of phlegm.

    In a healthy person, mucus is around 90–95% water – the rest is made up of proteins called mucins and salts. This is why snot is usually clear and runny.

    But when you’re sick, or recovering from an infection, studies suggest you produce more mucin proteins. These make your phlegm thicker.

    This can give you a stuffy head, blocked nose or mean mucus accumulates and trickles to the back of your throat. This is known as post-nasal drip – also a common source of cough.

    What about colour?

    Thick mucus that is white or cloudy is usually an early sign of an infection, such as a cold. It may also indicate inflammation from allergies or chronic conditions such as asthma.

    In the later stages of infection, snot is generally green, yellow or even brown. The greenish-yellow tinge comes from an enzyme called myeloperoxidase produced by immune cells that are fighting the infection.

    Brownish-red mucus usually means it contains blood. This may happen when your nasal passages are damaged or irritated, often from blowing your nose a lot or because they’re dry.

    This usually isn’t a cause for concern when blowing your nose. But if you cough up blood (haemoptysis) it can indicate something more serious, including a serious lung infection or even cancer. You should speak to a medical professional.

    Black mucus is rare. It can be the sign of a fungal infection, or exposure to pollutants such as coal, dust or cigarette smoke. You should see a doctor if your mucus is black.

    So, do I need antibiotics?

    Your doctor may ask about your phlegm to make a diagnosis – its colour, consistency and how much you’re producing.

    But studies show patients’ descriptions might not always be consistent or match observations made by a health-care professional.

    So, a doctor may use a sputum colour chart to differentiate between viral and bacterial infections and decide whether to prescribe antibiotics.

    Some evidence suggests yellowish-green mucus might be caused by a bacterial infection, rather than a virus (which won’t respond to antibiotics).

    However, it’s not always the case.

    So, the colour of your phlegm is not enough by itself to accurately diagnose an infection and tell if you need antibiotics.

    But if you’re producing a lot of mucus and the colour or consistency is different from normal, it could be the sign your body is fighting an infection.

    Drinking lots of fluids or use of decongestant sprays may help in the short term.

    However, if you have additional symptoms, such as a fever, fatigue or loss of appetite for more than one to two weeks, speak to a health-care professional.

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  • TGA received nearly 240 adverse event reports on B6 in first half of 2025

    TGA received nearly 240 adverse event reports on B6 in first half of 2025

    This is more than the total number of adverse event reports received in the whole of last year, where 193 cases were reported.

    The TGA was responding to queries from NutraIngredients amid ongoing public attention on vitamin B6 and adverse side effects such as peripheral neuropathy.

    In the past week, vitamin B6 was thrust into the spotlight following news of a potential class action against major dietary supplement company Blackmores.

    A law firm, Polaris Lawyers, claimed that lead plaintiff Dominic Noonan-O’Keeffe has been experiencing neuropathy caused by “excessive B6 levels” in the Blackmores supplements that he was taking.

    One of the supplements mentioned, Blackmores Super Magnesium +, contains 60.78mg of pyridoxine hydrochloride — a form of vitamin B6.

    This is within the current limits permitted by the TGA, where listed or “low risk” complementary medicines can contain a maximum permitted daily dose of vitamin B6 at 100mg for adults.

    Peripheral neuropathy is one of the common side effects of excessive vitamin B6 levels.

    However, this is tricky as deficiency in B6 levels could also be associated with peripheral neuropathy, the TGA said in its interim decision to lower the recommended daily dose of vitamin B6 in listed medicines to 50mg.

    Other side effects of excessive B6 levels include nausea and insomnia.

    “From 1 January to 30 June 2025, the TGA received a total of 239 adverse event reports for medicines containing vitamin B6. In 2024, we received 193 reports for B6 products.

    “Many of these products contain multiple ingredients, and some of the reports might be related to ingredients other than B6,” said the TGA.

    The TGA said that the adverse event reports received came from all sources, including consumers, and did not include ‘complaints’ related to things other than adverse events.

    Last year, 41 out of the 193 cases were related to reports of peripheral neuropathy, peripheral sensory neuropathy, small fibre neuropathy or chronic polyneuropathy.

    Between January 1 and June 4 this year, 54 such cases had been received.

    The TGA added that adverse event notifications are publicly available on Database of Adverse Events Notifications (DAEN) – Medicines.

    “To search for reports for products containing B6, search for ‘pyridox’ — which will capture the various B6 ingredients.

    “It is important to note that reporting of an adverse event to the TGA or publication in DAEN does not necessarily mean that a causal link with the medicine is established.

    “Further information about DAEN, including advice on interpreting the data and limitations of the data, is available on our website,” said the TGA.

    Actions and public education

    The TGA said it has strongly encouraged and actively promoted adverse event reporting among health professionals and consumers.

    “Reporting serious adverse events is mandatory for the companies that supply therapeutic goods,” it said.

    “We strongly support the Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling (ACMS) recommendation on education campaigns to inform consumers about risks of high or prolonged intake,” it added.

    Yesterday (July 27), it also ended a public consultation on its interim decision to lower the maximum recommended daily dose (RDD) of vitamin B6 in listed medicines to 50mg.

    If approved, the policy will take effect from February 1, 2027.

    This follows TGA’s decision back in March 2022, where medicines providing over 10 mg equivalent of vitamin B6 per day are required to state the label warning statement: “WARNING – Stop taking this medication if you experience tingling, burning or numbness and see your healthcare practitioner as soon as possible. [Contains vitamin B6].”

    Other initiatives include publishing information on its website alerting consumers to the risk of neuropathy, and also running a public awareness campaign on understanding complementary medicines.

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  • Polio tally rises to 17 with three new cases in KP, Sindh – Newspaper

    Polio tally rises to 17 with three new cases in KP, Sindh – Newspaper

    ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed three new polio cases in the country — two from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and one from Sindh — bringing the total number of cases this year to 17.

    The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Era­dication at the NIH reorted new cases involving a 15-month-old girl from Union Council Takhti­khel in Lakki Marwat, a 6-month-old girl from Union Council Mir Ali-3 in North Waziristan, and a 5-year-old boy from Union Council Chajro in Umerkot.

    “With these new detections, the total number of polio cases in Pakistan in 2025 has risen to 17 — including 10 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, five from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan,” an official at the NIH said.

    He stressed the importance of vaccination, saying the only effective protection is through repeated doses of the oral polio vaccine for every child under five during the immunisation campaigns.

    “Despite substantial progress in polio eradication efforts, the detection of cases underscores the persistent risk to children, especially in areas where vaccine acceptance rem­ains low,” the official said.

    Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2025

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