Category: 8. Health

A new study, published recently in Nature Communications, offers the first-ever map of which parts of Chikungunya virus trigger the strongest response from the body’s T cells. 

With this map in hand, researchers are closer to developing Chikungunya vaccines or therapies that harness T cells to strike specific targets, or “epitopes,” to halt infection. The new study also offers important clues for understanding why many people experience chronic, severe joint pain for years after clearing the virus.

Now we can see what T cells are seeing patients with chronic disease.”

Daniela Weiskopf, Ph.D., LJI Assistant Professor, senior author of the new study

This research comes as many mosquito-borne viruses, including Chikungunya, are moving into new areas of the globe.

“Historically, Chikungunya was considered an emerging virus. Now all of Latin America has been exposed,” says Weiskopf. “These mosquitoes are traveling further north, and we need to know what’s going on with this virus before it arrives in the United States.”

T cells jump into action

Chronic Chikungunya virus disease strikes between 30 to 60 percent of those infected-usually women-and causes chronic, severe joint pain. This debilitating joint pain can last for years following the initial viral infection. 

In a study out earlier this year, Weiskopf and her colleagues showed that these patients have a population of inflammatory CD4+ T cells that closely resembles the T cell signature of rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease.

“So many people, mostly women, have chronic disease following Chikungunya virus infection,” says Weiskopf. “This has an impact on the workforce and impacts the economy. And there’s no treatment.”

Weiskopf and her colleagues are working to understand why these CD4+ T cells linger and cause problems after a person clears the virus. For this study, they investigated whether people who develop chronic disease produce T cells that naturally target a different set of epitopes on Chikungunya virus.

Would a different “flavor” of T cells be more likely to stay in the body after infection?

Weiskopf and her team used a “peptide pool” approach to assemble a map of key T cell epitopes on Chikungunya virus. The researchers broke up the virus into very small amino acid sequences, called peptides. Then they took T cells from people with chronic Chikungunya virus disease and exposed these cells to the pool of peptides.

By stimulating the T cells, the researchers discovered exactly which parts of the virus are most likely to be recognized by T cells. These “immunodominant” regions may prove to be good targets for future Chikungunya treatments.

Rimjhim Agarwal, a UC San Diego graduate student and member of the Weiskopf Lab, spearheaded experiments to learn more about these T cells. Agarwal received funding from The Tullie and Rickey Families SPARK Awards for Innovations in Immunology to take a closer look. 

For her project, funded through the generosity of the Rosemary Kraemer Raitt Foundation Trust, Agarwal compared CD4+ T cells from people with chronic Chikungunya virus disease to people who cleared the virus quickly with no lasting symptoms.

Agarwal found that both patient groups had T cells that targeted the same viral epitopes. People who developed chronic disease did not recognize different proteins of the virus.

Now the question is-why do these T cells stick around to cause inflammation in some but not all people? Weiskopf and Agarwal are now looking at where Chikungunya virus might hide in the body to stimulate a long-term T cell response.

The LJI team also hopes to help other laboratories shed light on how to fight the virus. “Identifying the immunodominant T cell epitopes could seed new research into Chikungunya-specific T cell responses,” says Agarwal.

Individual expectations about one’s health can influence him/her future condition and the speed of the progression of a disease: in fact, a research conducted by researchers of psychology at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan campus, shows that, after a diagnosis of asthma, people who are optimistic about their health will have a slower progression of the disease.

The study was published in the journal Health Expectations (Wiley) and conducted by full Professor Francesco Pagnini of the Department of Psychology at the Università Cattolica and colleagues.

Professor Pagnini explains: “this study was developed in response to the difficulties reported by patients in managing asthma. Patients helped identify key areas of concern, and their perspectives influenced the choice of outcomes and tools“. Although direct involvement in recruitment and dissemination was limited due to the pandemic, the design and focus of the study were guided by patient priorities, with potential applications in clinical consultations and future co-designed interventions.

Background

After receiving a diagnosis, people often develop expectations about how their condition will evolve, Professor Pagnini explains. This cognitive framework, known as “illness expectations” (IE), comprises future-oriented beliefs about the course of the disease and its symptoms. In chronic conditions such as asthma, IEs can play a crucial role in determining patient-reported outcomes and also variations in clinical markers indicative of disease progression. “In this study, we empirically assessed the impact of IEs on asthma symptoms and respiratory function in patients,” Pagnini affirms.

The study

‘We involved a group of 310 people diagnosed with asthma who were followed for a period of 6 months, with three assessment points, measuring the level of asthma control with the Asthma Control Test (ACT), while respiratory function was assessed through forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) using spirometry,’ he explains. At the beginning of the study, we assessed each person’s IE using the validated Illness Expectation Test (IET), which captures both explicit (conscious) and implicit (unconscious) expectations.

It emerged that people with more negative explicit IE about their asthma reported worse symptoms over time. Explicit IE about symptom progression was also associated with changes in lung function, with more negative expectations predicting greater decline in respiratory performance, the professor adds.

These findings suggest that IE may be significantly associated with asthma outcomes, highlighting their potential relevance in understanding patient experiences and symptom perception. “In experiments with patients affected by other diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, we obtained similar results”, the expert continues.

The hypothesis suggested to explain these results is that, as with the placebo effect, what happens is that if I have an idea about the world and the future that awaits me, that idea will prevail, largely influencing behaviour and thus, for example, modifying adherence to therapies and clinical recommendations, he concludes.

Study design

This randomized controlled trial was conducted in two different Family Health Centers (FHCs) in a province in eastern Turkey. A schematic of the experimental design is given in Fig. 1. This randomized controlled experimental design was conducted in accordance with the CONSORT checklist steps.

Setting and sample

The sample size for this study was determined by G power analysis. The population of the study consisted of 1442 women aged between 45 and 54 years and registered to Family Health Centers No. 1 and 3 in a city center, according to the updated data from Tunceli Provincial Health Directorate in 2018. The sample of the study was determined based on a similar study [11], using the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) and the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLPL II). A power analysis was conducted, using G*Power 3.1.9.2 and considering the total MENQOL score after education, with an effect size of 0.48, standard deviation of 7.22, power of 0.80, β of 0.05, and α of 0.05. Accordingly, the sample was determined to consist of 136 menopausal women, including 68 in the experimental group and 68 in the control group. A computer-generated random number table was used, which can be used when the sample size is n < 100. For selecting women in the sample, those in the age group of 45–54 years were numbered according to their registration number in the FHCs, using simple random sampling method and a random number table. To prevent cross-contamination between the groups, data for the experimental group were collected from the Health Center No. 1, and data for the control group were collected from the Health Center No. 3. Similarly, in FHC No. 1 and 3, there are 4 physicians, 4 family health personnel, 2 auxiliary health personnel, 4 polyclinics, 1 nurse room, 1 vaccination room, 1 pregnant-baby monitoring room, 1 intervention room and 1 training room. During the practice, no intervention regarding MG was performed on menopausal women in FHCs.

Ethical approval

For conducting the study, an ethical approval was obtained from the Munzur University Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee (Date: 03/09/2018/4579) and written permissions from the Tunceli Provincial Health Directorate and the responsible physicians of Health Centers No. 1 and 3. The participants were informed about the purpose of this study, and their written informed consent was obtained using an informed consent form. Compliance with ethical principles was ensured at every stage of the study. Additionally, permission was obtained for using both HPLPL II and MENQOL. No interventions were conducted on women in the control group until the experimental research was completed. After the post-test was administered to women in the experimental and control groups, those in the control group also participated in a motivational interviewing session upon their wishes.

Participants

Between August 15, 2018, and December 30, 2019, the eligibility of women registered with two different FHCs in the city center of Tunceli was evaluated for inclusion in this study. A total of 8 women from the experimental group, 6 women due to transportation difficulties, moving to another city, caring for family members, treatment of secondary disease, and 2 women due to inaccessibility, were excluded from the study. In addition, a total of 9 women from the control group were excluded from the study 5 of them could not be reached and 4 did not participate in the post-test without submitting any reason.

Inclusion criteria

The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) being literate; (2) being able to make a conscious decision to participate in the study, being able to communicate verbally, and being able to sign a consent form; (3) having had menopause naturally and within the last 3 years; (4) being sexually active; (5) having no hormone replacement therapy.

Exclusion criteria

The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) unwilling to continue the study; (2) having a psychiatric diagnosis according to the FHC records.

Termination criteria of the study

The termination criteria were as follows: (1) intending to leave the study and (2) move to another city.

Study protocol

The search was randomized by a computer programming module (http://www.randomizer.org/form.htm) designed for controlled trials; a randomization list was prepared, and the participants were randomly assigned either to the experimental group (n = 68) or to the control group (n = 68).

Instruments for evaluation

The following measurement tools were used in this study.

Introductory information form

The introductory information form was prepared by the researcher in line with the literature [24,25,26,27,28,29,30]. It consists of a total of 10 questions about the menopausal women’s socio-demographic characteristics (age, education level, income level, place of residence for the longest time) and history of menopause (duration of being in menopause, training on menopause, thoughts about menopause and coping methods for menopausal complaints).

Health promoting lifestyle profile II (HPLPL II)

The HPLPL II was prepared by Walker et al. in 1987 [31]. This scale is suitable for use in research to evaluate health promotion behaviors within the framework of the health promotion model [11]. The scale includes six dimensions, namely, nutrition, physical activity, stress management, interpersonal relationships, responsibility for health, and spiritual growth (52 items in total). The items are scored based on a 4point Likert scale (never, sometimes, often, and usually). The total score of the scale ranges from 52 to 208. The score of each dimension is calculated separately and a higher scores mean better health. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was found as 0.92 for the total scale and ranged between 0.64 and 0.80 for its dimensions, suggesting that the Turkish version of the scale has sufficient validity and reliability [32]. In the present study, the Cronbach’s alpha value of the scale was 0.88.

Menopause-Specific quality of life (MENQOL)

The MENQOL was developed by John R. Hilditch et al. in 1996 to create a health-specific quality of life scale for menopausal women [33], and its Turkish validity and reliability study was conducted by Kharbouch and Şahin in 2007 [34]. This is a 7-point Likert-type scale containing 29 items and consists of four domains: vasomotor, psychosocial, physical and sexual. Each item is scored from “0” to “6”, where “0” refers to “not bothersome” and “6” to “extremely bothersome”. A higher scale score indicates greater severity of the complaint. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the scale domains was found to range between 0.81 and 0.89 [34]. In the present study, the Cronbach’s alpha value of the scale domains ranged between 0.71 and 0.83.

Nursing interventions

Since the method is a technique that generally requires expertise, it is recommended that practitioners undergo a certain training and certification process in order to apply the technique effectively. The researcher participated in the motivational interviewing program and received a certificate prior to the application in this study. Additionally, expert opinions were received from 5 experts during the preparation of motivational interviewing steps. The nursing intervention was applied to 68 menopausal women included in the experimental group. A total of 9 sessions were conducted, including 1 preparation session, 6 motivational interviews, 1 initial follow-up interview one week after the intervention, and 2 follow-up interviews 4 weeks after the initial follow-up. Considering the interactive training method, the motivational interviewing sessions were conducted in the training room of the Health Center in groups of 10 at three different days (Monday, Thursday, Friday) once a week, through face-to-face sessions each lasting 50–60 min. During the interviews, the women were provided with counseling to activate their own sources of motivation, develop healthy lifestyle behaviors and improve their quality of life specific to menopause. The specific contents of the interventions were as follows:

During the research period, no interventions were applied to women in the control group by the researcher, and they filled in the data collection forms simultaneously with those in the experimental group. During the application, no interventions of motivational interviewing were conducted for menopausal women at the FHCs.

Statistical analysis

The data were coded and statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS 24) software package. Fisher’s exact test and chi-square test were employed by the researcher to determine the homogeneity of women in the experimental and control groups. The effects of healthy lifestyle behaviors and menopausal-specific quality of life between the groups were analyzed using independent samples t-test and repeated measures ANOVA. Cohen’s d value was calculated to determine the effect size for women in the experimental and control groups. The results were evaluated at a 95% confidence interval and a significance level of 0.05.

According to the Ministry of Health (MoH), in the first five months of 2025, the country recorded 22,974 dengue cases and five deaths. This indicates that risks remain, especially in the context of overlapping outbreaks such as dengue, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, and COVID-19 increasing in some localities.

At the end of May, the MoH issued an urgent directive calling for strengthened leadership, surveillance, and communication to reduce dengue-related fatalities.

Dengue was previously known for having an outbreak cycle of about once every five years, with a clear “quiet period”. But now, epidemiological patterns have changed alarmingly. It is no longer seasonal and has spread geographically.

Information about the unpredictable developments, burdens, and risks posed by dengue was shared by experts at a recent online talk show organised by Suc khoe & Doi song, the official media voice of the MoH, in collaboration with Takeda Vietnam Pharmaceuticals Limited. Takeda has made significant efforts to support the health sector by raising community awareness about dengue. The talk show was held under the theme: “Towards zero dengue deaths: Collective disease prevention with integrated solutions”.

Guest speakers at the talk show

Dr. Vo Hai Son, deputy director of the Vietnam Administration of Disease Prevention, said, “Previously, high case numbers followed a cycle of about five years, but now it has changed, and high case numbers appear roughly every two years.” He further explained that urbanisation, migration, and easier travel between regions have facilitated the wider and harder-to-control spread of dengue fever.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Thai, vice head of the Infectious Diseases Control Department at the National institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, stated from an epidemiological perspective that dengue has now spread across provinces, including mountainous areas that previously recorded very few cases. This development means that everyone needs to be more proactive in responding to the disease.

Negligence and improper handling

Although general awareness about dengue has improved, according to experts, a significant portion of the population remains negligent and mismanages the illness, leading to cases of late hospitalisation, severe disease progression, and even death.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Duy Cuong, director of Bach Mai Institute of Tropical Medicine, said, People with a fever may assume it is due to other illnesses like the flu, but in reality some cases show no clear symptoms, and patients arrive at the hospital late, already in shock or with multiple organ failure.

Misinterpretation of symptoms causes many people to self-treat at home, missing the “golden period” for intervention and facing unpredictable risks

A typical case shared by Cuong involved a male student from the countryside living in rented accommodation in Hanoi. Due to poor living conditions, when he had a fever, he just stayed in his room and ate sparsely. He was only admitted to hospital on the fifth day, when his condition had worsened, and he was showing signs of shock and haemoconcentration.

Additionally, dengue is caused by a virus and has no specific cure. The unauthorised use of antibiotics, corticosteroids, or IV fluids without a doctor’s prescription is a serious mistake that can worsen the illness.

Comprehensive collaboration towards zero dengue deaths

To cope with the increasingly complex dengue epidemiology, reduce fatalities, and effectively control outbreaks, experts emphasise the need for a comprehensive strategy including vector control, epidemiological surveillance, early warning systems, behavioural communication, and strengthening of the health system. Among these, vaccination, a new solution endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), is a part of the overall strategy, enabling proactive prevention and reducing the risk of severe disease progression.

Sharing at the talk show, MSc. Dr. Vo Hai Son emphasised the importance of controlling disease vectors, along with proactive actions from everyone: “Social measures, together with the proactiveness in each locality, neighbourhood, and household, will make people aware of the risks of infection and death due to dengue. From there, we will coordinate with the health sector to eliminate mosquito larvae and mosquitoes. This will help enhance disease and vector control.”

Adding to the vector control solution, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Thai also pointed out the unpredictable challenges in urban environments. “Some people say their apartment is on the 30th floor and they don’t see mosquitoes, so they believe they’re safe. But don’t assume that. Mosquitoes are very smart. They don’t fly directly from the first to the 30th floor, but instead ascend step by step, breeding on each floor. As a result, even the highest floors of apartment buildings will have mosquitoes.”

High-rise apartment buildings are not safe zones for dengue. Mosquitoes will still breed and transmit dengue if not properly controlled

From the perspective of an enterprise accompanying Vietnam’s health system, Benjamin Ping, general manager of Takeda, said, “We believe that multi-sectoral collaboration plays a key role because no single unit or organisation can effectively control dengue alone.”

Ping also emphasised the necessity for cooperation between the government, the health sector, businesses, and the community. He stated that Takeda is committed to contributing to collective efforts by strengthening healthcare system capacity, supporting community communication, and ensuring sustainable access to vaccinations as an integral part of the disease control strategy.

Additionally, the role of health education is indispensable. It is necessary to implement diverse, official, and continuous campaigns to raise community awareness, help people understand the disease correctly, recognise early symptoms, avoid negligence, and seek medical care in time. In addition, vaccination is also considered one of the proactive preventive solutions, helping to reduce severe cases and fatalities caused by dengue.

The WHO is currently recommending the use of Takeda’s dengue vaccine for certain populations in countries with high transmission rates and significant dengue burden. This vaccine has been approved in 40 countries, with over 15 million doses distributed globally.

Disclosure

This content was jointly developed by the Sức khỏe & Đời sống Newspaper, and has been professionally reviewed and approved by the Vietnam Association of Preventive Medicine with the aim of raising public awareness. It is intended solely for public informational purposes and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of any health condition. This material is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your physician for further guidance. C-ANPROM/VN/NON/0034

Experts discuss dengue fever prevention in Vietnam Takeda, a global biopharmaceutical company, hosted a series of meetings in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi on September 26-27 to discuss the essential role of vaccines in an integrated dengue prevention strategy in Vietnam and globally.

Integrated solutions for dengue fever prevention in Vietnam Dengue vaccines being available in Vietnam contributes to strengthening the prevention and control strategy for this infectious disease, but synchronised implementation of multiple solutions is needed to ensure vaccine sustainability.

Concerns mount over potential dengue fever outbreaks At a recent scientific symposium on dengue vaccines in Ho Chi Minh City, experts warn that dengue fever is shifting from a seasonal outbreak to a year-round public health threat, with treatment costs in some cases approaching $40,000.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have the nickname ‘forever chemicals’ thanks to their persistence in the environment. While a handful of bacteria are known to mop up these insidious compounds, it’s unclear whether any of our own microflora hide such a talent.

A new study by an international team of researchers has shown how several species of human gut bacteria can absorb and store PFAS. Potentially, boosting these types of bacteria in our bodies could stop the chemicals from negatively impacting our health.

“We found that certain species of human gut bacteria have a remarkably high capacity to soak up PFAS from their environment at a range of concentrations, and store these in clumps inside their cells,” says Kiran Patil, a molecular biologist from the University of Cambridge in the UK.

“Due to aggregation of PFAS in these clumps, the bacteria themselves seem protected from the toxic effects.”

Related: ‘Game Changer’: Hot New Tech Turns Forever Chemicals Into Valuable Resource

Through detailed lab tests, the researchers found a total of 38 different gut bacterial strains able to absorb forever chemicals at a variety of concentrations, with the fiber-degrading bacterium Bacteroides uniformis one of the best at the job.

In experiments with Escherichia coli, the team also discovered certain mechanisms that could make bacteria more or less effective at taking on board PFAS – something that will be useful if this absorption can be bioengineered in the future.

The researchers found that PFAS were effectively locked away in the bacteria that could handle the chemicals, the bacteria clustering together in a way that reduces their surface area and possibly protects the microorganisms from being harmed themselves.

Further tests on mice with nine of these bacteria species implanted in their guts showed that the microbes were able to quickly absorb PFAS, which was excreted from the mice through their feces. As levels of forever chemicals increased, the microbes worked harder at soaking them up.

“The reality is that PFAS are already in the environment and in our bodies, and we need to try and mitigate their impact on our health now,” says molecular biologist Indra Roux from the University of Cambridge.

“We haven’t found a way to destroy PFAS, but our findings open the possibility of developing ways to get them out of our bodies where they do the most harm.”

PFAS are found in everything from cosmetics to drinking water to food packaging, and have become embedded in so many manufacturing processes that it would now be almost impossible to avoid them completely. What’s less clear is the harm they might be doing to our bodies, though they’ve already been linked to a number of health issues – including kidney damage.

The bacteria’s ability to remove PFAS from human bodies remains to be seen. It is possible, the researchers say, that probiotic dietary supplements may be developed to boost the right mix of gut microbes and help safely clear out PFAS from our systems.

“Given the scale of the problem of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’, particularly their effects on human health, it’s concerning that so little is being done about removing these from our bodies,” says Patil.

The research has been published in Nature Microbiology.

Food labeling is out of step with healthy diet recommendations and could be improved by including nutrient release rates, according to University of Queensland Emeritus Professor Mike Gidley.

The researcher at UQ’s Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation said nutrition was currently communicated in two ways, by a food’s nutrient composition and by the diversity of wholefoods in the diet.

“At the moment people pick and choose which of these food languages works best for them, but something is missing,” Emeritus Professor Gidley said.

“Composition defines nutritional value by the nutrients and calorific energy the food contains, measured against daily consumption targets.

“Whole food tends to be what health agencies emphasize because that is where the strongest evidence for human health benefits has been found.

“The problem is if you measure food in terms of how much protein, carbs or fat it contains, it’s not enough to judge nutritional value.

“Some unhealthy foods have similar compositions to healthy options.

“And whole foods generally have a slow and steady nutrient release, while nutrients in fabricated ingredient foods are generally more rapidly released, a difference which is not addressed if nutrition value is only based on composition.

“A better labeling system would include the rate at which an individual component – protein, starch, fat, sugar – is delivered, or predicted to be delivered to the body.

“If we can incorporate nutrient release rates, we can bridge the gap between the two types of nutrition communication.”

Emeritus Professor Gidley said further research was needed before his proposal could become a reality.

“We need more data on real people and how they digest their food, which is a major science challenge because it happens dynamically in the body and needs to be measured non-invasively,” he said.

“We need to know not only how quickly nutrients go into us but also how much nourishes our gut microbiota, which is increasingly recognized as playing an important part of human health.

“Secondly, we need global collaboration to define a standardized analytical method to predict nutrient release from foods using a laboratory method.

“My guess is the first stage would be moving towards a fast, medium or slow kind of classification system.

“It won’t happen immediately, but without talking about it, nothing will happen, so this proposal is a conversation starter.”

Emeritus Professor Gidley’s opinion piece was published in Nature Food.

New research reveals that taking a quick walk immediately after eating is a simple yet powerful way to keep post-meal blood sugar in check, making it a practical strategy for healthier living.

Study: Positive impact of a 10-min walk immediately after glucose intake on postprandial glucose levels. Image Credit: Open FIlms / Shutterstock

In a recent article published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers examined whether walking for 10 minutes immediately after consuming glucose would improve post-meal blood sugar control more effectively than walking for 30 minutes starting half an hour after glucose intake.

Their findings indicate that both approaches improved blood sugar control compared to resting, but that the 10-minute walk immediately after glucose intake was uniquely effective at reducing peak glucose spikes.

Background

Controlling blood glucose levels after meals, known as postprandial glucose control, is essential for reducing the risk of various health issues, including cardiovascular disease and dementia.

Spikes in blood sugar after eating contribute to higher glycated hemoglobin levels, a key marker of long-term glucose control, and are linked to increased oxidative stress that can damage blood vessels and impair cognitive function.

Regular physical activity has been shown to help reduce these spikes, and current guidelines recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise five times per week. However, many people struggle to meet these exercise goals due to time constraints, low motivation, or physical limitations, such as during pregnancy.

To make exercise more accessible, researchers have explored shorter, more feasible alternatives. One study found that a 10-minute walk 30 minutes after dinner was as effective as a 30-minute walk in controlling post-meal blood glucose levels. Another suggested that walking immediately after a meal may be even more beneficial than waiting.

About the Study

Building on previous studies, researchers from Ritsumeikan University aimed to determine whether a 10-minute walk taken immediately after glucose intake could be more effective than the commonly recommended 30-minute walk taken later. Their goal was to develop a straightforward and practical approach for enhancing post-meal blood sugar control.

The randomized trial involved 12 healthy young adults (6 female, 6 male; average age 20±1 years) who were nonsmokers and free from cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Participants completed three test conditions: resting (control), a 10-minute walk immediately after glucose intake, and a 30-minute walk beginning 30 minutes after glucose ingestion.

Participants walked at a self-selected, comfortable pace (average 3.8 km/h) on a treadmill, with the speed maintained consistently across both walking trials. A 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was administered in each session.

Each participant visited the lab four times, once for consent and baseline measurements, and three times for the experimental conditions. Each session began at 8:00 AM with a 20-minute seated rest, followed by baseline measurements of heart rate and blood glucose.

After consuming the glucose solution within one minute, participants either remained seated or walked, depending on the assigned condition. Blood glucose levels were recorded every 10 minutes for two hours using fingertip samples. Post-exercise measures included heart rate, perceived exertion (Borg scale 6-20), and gastrointestinal discomfort.

Key Findings

The study found that both the 10-minute walk immediately after glucose intake and the 30-minute walk beginning 30 minutes later significantly reduced blood glucose area under the curve (AUC) and average blood glucose levels compared to the control (no walking) condition.

However, only the 10-minute walk significantly lowered peak blood glucose levels (164.3 mg/dL vs. the control’s 181.9 mg/dL, p = 0.028) with a large effect size (d = 0.731). The 30-minute walk showed no significant reduction in peak levels (175.8 mg/dL vs. control, p = 0.184).

Participants rated the 10-minute walk as significantly easier (median RPE 7 vs. 9 for the 30-minute walk, p = 0.003). Heart rate increased during walking but did not differ significantly between conditions. Gastrointestinal discomfort was minimal and comparable between walking sessions.

Conclusions

Researchers found that a brief 10-minute walk immediately after glucose intake was uniquely effective at reducing peak glucose levels compared to both resting and a 30-minute delayed walk.

These results highlight the critical importance of timing, as starting exercise immediately after eating prevents the early glucose spike that typically peaks between 30 and 60 minutes post-meal. The 10-minute walk’s significant effect on peak glucose reduction (d = 0.731) suggests clinical relevance for cardiovascular risk management.

The protocol was perceived as easier and caused minimal digestive discomfort, making it practical for busy lifestyles. The authors note that this aligns with Japan’s “Plus Ten” health initiative, which promotes small daily activity increases.

While the study focused on healthy young adults, evidence from other research suggests the benefits may extend to older adults and those with metabolic risks. Limitations include the small, homogenous sample and the use of a glucose drink instead of a real meal.

Future studies should test this approach with mixed meals and in diverse populations, including those with glucose intolerance. Overall, this study supports a time-efficient strategy—walking briefly right after eating—to improve glycemic control in daily life.

In a significant step forward for operator and mine site safety, Simformotion and J.H. Fletcher have announced the release of a next-generation high-reach scaler simulator. This cutting-edge solution is designed to equip mining professionals with the skills necessary to safely and efficiently operate underground scaling equipment within the safety of a virtual environment.

Simformotion is a recognized leader in heavy equipment simulators and J.H. Fletcher is a cornerstone in underground mining innovation since 1937.

The Fletcher High-Reach Scaler simulator immerses trainees in a realistic underground mine with precise replication of real-world conditions. It uses authentic controls, VR-enhanced visuals for depth perception, and motion platforms to help trainees master complex maneuvers and tipping points.

Ben Hardman, vice president of sales at Fletcher, said: “Mining is evolving, and so must the tools we use. This simulator bridges education and industry, empowering professionals and students alike to lead the way in safer, smarter mining.”

The simulator enables trainees to perform machine exercises such as pre-operational inspections, startup and shutdown procedures, tramming, positioning, and scaling techniques. These exercises teach operators to identify and remove unstable rock and debris from tunnel roofs and walls, minimizing the risk of falls or collapses before personnel or machinery enter.

SimU Campus tracks and reports performance through a user-friendly dashboard, providing actionable insights for instructors and trainees to monitor progress and address weaknesses.

SimScholars integrates an online curriculum with instructor guides, videos, interactive quizzes, and other resources, supporting both classroom and remote learning environments.

Lara Aaron, CEO of Simformotion, said: “We recognize the urgent need for skilled, safety-conscious operators in today’s mining operations. Our simulator allows companies to build their workforce confidently, knowing that their trainees are gaining hands-on experience without any safety compromise.”

Simformotion emphasizes that simulation-based remote learning not only enhances safety but also eliminates the need to take expensive equipment out of production for classroom purposes. Operators can practice anytime and anywhere, reducing onboarding times and accelerating readiness for live operation.

More information is posted on www.Simformotion.com/fletcher-simulators.

SYDNEY: An Australian man has died from an “extremely rare” rabies-like infection transmitted by a bat bite, health officials said on Thursday.

The man in his 50s was bitten by a bat carrying Australian bat lyssavirus several months ago, the health service in New South Wales said. “We express our sincere condolences to the man’s family and friends for their tragic loss,” NSW Health said in a statement.

“While it is extremely rare to see a case of Australian bat lyssavirus, there is no effective treatment for it.” The man from northern New South Wales, who has not been identified, was this week listed as being in a “critical condition” in hospital.

Officials said he was treated following the bite and they were investigating to see whether other exposures or factors played a role in his illness.

The virus — a close relative to rabies, which does not exist in Australia — is transmitted when bat saliva enters the human body through a bite or scratch.

First symptoms can take days or years to appear.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2025

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Sheh­baz Sharif on Thursday reaffirmed Pakis­tan’s commitment to eradicating polio, vowing to intensify efforts with the support of international, provincial, and local teams to achieve a polio-free country.

“We are committed to protect every child in Pakistan from this crippling disease and achieve a polio-free Pakistan,” PM Shehbaz said while presiding over a meeting on polio eradication.

He stressed the need for “full dedi-cation and seriousness” to ensure every child receives multiple doses of the polio vaccine.

The prime minister acknowledged significant progress in the fight against polio, crediting frontline workers, government commitment, and support from partners.

He praised the cooperation of provincial governments, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and law enforcement agencies in the anti-polio campaign, emphasising, “The safety of polio workers is our top priority.”

In meeting with Polio Oversight Board delegation, health minister claims country will soon be polio-free

The premier expressed gratitude to all partners, extending special thanks to Saudi Crown Prince Mo­­hammed bin Salman for his co­­m­prehensive support, and lauded the Gates Foundation’s “vital and commendable role” in the campaign.

During the briefing, officials said specific polio campaigns are being designed for each district in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, tailored to local challenges, to ensure complete eradication of the virus.

The campaign also targets the virus’s environmental presence.

‘Polio-free Pakistan’

Separately, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal told a high-level Polio Ov­ersight Board delegation that Pakistan will soon be polio-free, as the country

is utilising all state resources to achieve the goal.

“Our health workers have sacrificed their lives in this fight against polio, which is testament to our unwavering commitment,” Mr Kamal said.

Mr Kamal briefed the delegation on ongoing eradication efforts, challenges, and the strategic way forward, emphasising that polio eradication remains a top national priority.

He noted that poliovirus remains endemic only in Pakistan and Afghanistan, which are considered a single epidemiological block.

“We are conducting synchronised campaigns to prevent cross-border transmission and are giving special attention to mobile and migratory populations. Our goal is for both Pakistan and Afghanistan to achieve polio-free status simultaneously,” he said.

So far this year, 14 polio cases have been reported in Pakistan: eight from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, four from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Gilgit-Bal­tistan. Islam­abad, Balochistan, and Azad Jam­mu and Kashmir remain polio-free.

Last year, 74 cases were reported nationwide.

Syed Irfan Raza also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2025