Claire Redgrave (front, centre) was given the tiara for Miss Essex 2025 by last year’s winner, Lauren Jennings
The winner of Miss Essex 2025 said she wanted to use her platform to share her struggle to get assessed for suspected ADHD and autism.
Claire Redgrave has plotted her difficult journey getting “believed” and tested through her Instagram page, Navigating Neurodiversity.
She said she wanted to break the “stigma” around women and girls being diagnosed, adding the conditions presented themselves differently in men and boys.
The 29-year-old said she hoped through social media she could “give people a place to feel a bit more understood and supported”.
Miss Redgrave, from Basildon, was awarded her tiara last week at the Rayleigh Club and will attend the national final of Miss Great Britain on 17 October.
Last year’s Essex winner, Lauren Jennings, also used her award to raise neurodiversity awareness.
Cutter Creatives
Claire Redgrave – the new “Miss Essex” for 2025 (left) – pictured with Abby Squires, the new “Ms Essex”
On her Instagram page, Miss Redgrave talks about how the high volume of referrals for such conditions had made it difficult for people to get help and support.
“I’ve been fighting for an ADHD [Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder] and autism diagnosis for quite a while now, and I’ve had problems with people not believing me – like GPs submitting my referral, and then going back and checking and realising that they’ve actually not submitted it properly,” she told the BBC.
If you need support with suspected or diagnosed conditions such as ADHD or autism, BBC Action Line has links to organisations that can help.
Last year, the Nuffield Trust warned that a large rise in demand for assessments and treatments in England had overtaken the NHS’s capacity to meet it.
The Department for Health said it was “vital to have a timely diagnosis of autism or ADHD” and it was “taking action to reduce assessment delays”.
Speaking about raising awareness on social media, Miss Redgrave said: “I just wanted to be able to give people a place to feel a bit more understood and supported, because I felt like I was so dismissed and invalidated because I seem ‘normal’.
“I’ve learned to be like this, I’ve put a lot into this, so I wanted to make sure that it was like a safe space for people to feel like they could go somewhere, and be like, ‘Oh, OK, they’re like me.’”
Intermittent fasting has emerged as a popular weight-loss strategy in recent years, and new research suggests it may be just as effective as traditional calorie restriction diets – with one method standing out as particularly beneficial.
Intermittent fasting involves limiting the hours in which food is eaten each day, prompting the body to use stored fat for energy after exhausting its glucose reserves. Numerous health experts, including those at Johns Hopkins Medicine, have previously highlighted the health benefits of this dietary approach.
Obesity remains a major public health concern, affecting two in five adults in the United States and costing the American healthcare system around $173 billion annually. Excess body weight significantly raises the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
In a recent study, researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and several international institutions conducted an analysis comparing various intermittent fasting methods. Published in The BMJ, the study included data from over 6,500 adults across 99 clinical trials, most of whom were obese and had pre-existing health conditions.
The study found that alternate-day fasting, where individuals fast every other day, provided superior health benefits compared to standard calorie restriction and other intermittent fasting techniques.
Harvard researchers highlighted, “Among all intermittent fasting methods studied, alternate-day fasting – where a person eats normally one day and completely abstains from food the next – was shown to be the most effective.”
Participants practising alternate-day fasting achieved greater weight loss, averaging 2.8 pounds (around 1.3 kg) more than those on traditional calorie-restricted diets. This fasting approach also led to significant improvements in key health markers linked to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes risk, including reductions in waist circumference, cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and inflammation measured by C-reactive protein.
Additionally, alternate-day fasting was associated with lower levels of total cholesterol and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, reducing risks linked to heart attacks and strokes.
However, researchers noted the observed differences in weight loss were still below the clinically significant threshold – defined as at least 4.4 pounds (2 kg) – for individuals with obesity. Longer trials are therefore required to better understand the long-term effectiveness of intermittent fasting and its clinical implications.
Zhila Semnani-Azad, the study’s lead researcher, emphasised caution, stating, “Intermittent fasting, despite its promising results, may not be suitable for everyone. Before making significant dietary changes, it is essential to consult healthcare professionals and consider personal medical history, lifestyle, social circumstances, and potential for sustained adherence.”
This research contributes valuable insights into how intermittent fasting could help address obesity and associated health risks, though further studies are needed to fully confirm and understand its long-term benefits.
A total of 1052 dogs and 1039 cats from 94 counties (64 rural and 43 non-rural) were examined, with an overall flea infestation prevalence of 33.6% (353/1052) in dogs and 36.5% (379/1039) in cats (Tables 1, 2). No statistically significant difference was observed between dogs and cats in terms of infestation prevalence (χ2 = 2.05, df = 1, P = 0.153).
Table 1 Prevalence of flea infestation in dogs according to host characteristics, environment and insecticide use
Table 2 Prevalence of flea infestation in cats according to host characteristics, environment, and insecticide use
The prevalence of flea infestation did not differ significantly between sexes in either species (dogs: χ2 = 0.36, df = 1, P = 0.550; cats: χ2 = 0.16, df = 1, P = 0.691). In dogs, 32.2% of females (151/469) and 34.0% of males (166/488) were infested. In cats, infestation was recorded in 36.4% of females (177/486) and 35.2% of males (170/483).
A significant association was observed between flea infestation and age group in both dogs (P = 0.015) and cats (χ2 = 21.46, df = 5, P = 0.001). Puppies (age < 6 months; 45.8%, 44/96, ASR = 2.8) and kittens (age ≤ 6 months; 50.0%, 67/134, ASR = 3.6) exhibited the highest prevalence of infestation.
In dogs, fur length was significantly associated with infestation (χ2 = 14.95, df = 2, P = 0.001), with short-haired individuals presenting the lowest prevalence of infestation (28.0%, 151/540, ASR = − 3.8).
Lower body condition scores were significantly associated with higher flea infestation prevalence in both dogs (42.0%, 66/157, χ2 = 7.98, df = 2, P = 0.019, ASR = 2.5) and cats (44.2%, 88/199, χ2 = 11.41, df = 2, P = 0.003, ASR = 2.6).
Geographical origin also influenced flea infestation prevalence, with the highest values recorded in the North (dogs: 45.1%, 143/317, χ2 = 69.74, df = 4, P < 0.0001, ASR = 5.3; cats: 45.0%, 139/309, χ2 = 31.67, df = 4, P < 0.0001, ASR = 3.6) and the lowest recorded in the LMA (dogs: 9.9%, 19/192, ASR = − 7.6; cats: 20.0%, 37/185, ASR = − 5.2). In contrast, no significant differences were found regarding parish type (dogs: χ2 = 0.09, df = 1, P = 0.765; cats: χ2 = 0.75, df = 1, P = 0.387).
Lifestyle was significantly associated with flea infestation (dogs: χ2 = 36.78, df = 4, P < 0.0001; cats: χ2 = 98.77, df = 4, P < 0.0001). Outdoor domestic dogs and cats exhibited the highest prevalence (cats: 78.5%, 51/65, ASR = 7.3; dogs: 50.0%, 42/84, ASR = 3.4), whereas sheltered individuals had the lowest (cats: 27.5%, 100/364, ASR = - 4.4; dogs: 24.5%, 116/473, ASR = - 5.4). Additionally, dogs in contact with outdoor animals had a significantly higher infestation prevalence compared to those without such contact (χ2 = 7.86, df = 1, P = 0.005; 47.8%, 138/289, ASR = 2.8 vs. 30.6%, 26/85, ASR = − 2.8), and those in contact with cats were more frequently infested (χ2 = 14.282, df = 1, P < 0.0001; 39.6%, 91/230, ASR = 3.8 vs. 24.1%, 70/290, ASR = - 3.8).
In contrast to cats, seasonality significantly influenced flea infestation in dogs (χ2 = 16.49, df = 3, P = 0.001), with the highest prevalence observed in summer (39.1%, 106/271, ASR = 2.4) and autumn (39.5%, 90/228, ASR = 2.3), while the lowest infestation prevalence was in winter (25.1%, 44/175, ASR = − 2.5).
Flea species
A total of 1513 flea specimens were collected from dogs (51.8%, 784/1513) and cats (48.2%, 729/1513) (Fig. 1). Ctenocephalides felis was the most frequently identified flea species, accounting for 85.7% (672/784) of fleas in dogs and 98.8% (720/729) in cats (Table 3). Other species identified included C. canis (7.8%, 61/784 in dogs; 1.2%, 9/729 in cats), P. irritans (5.5%, 43/784, exclusively in dogs) and A. erinacei maura (1.0%, 8/784, exclusively in dogs).
Fig. 1
Geographic distribution of flea species detected in infested hosts, by regions classified according to the Nomenclature of Units for Territorial Statistics level II (NUTS II). A Ctenocephalides felis; B Ctenocephalides canis; C Pulex irritans; D Archaeopsylla erinacei maura.
Table 3 Prevalence and mean intensity of flea infestation by flea species in dogs and cats
Mono-infestations were predominant, with C. felis being the only flea species in 85.6% (302/353) of infested dogs and 98.2% (372/373) of infested cats. Co-infestations were observed only in dogs (3.4%, 12/353), most frequently involving C. felis and P. irritans (50.0%, 6/12), followed by C. canis and C. felis (33.3%, 4/12), A. erinacei maura and C. felis (8.3%, 1/12) and C. canis, C. felis and P. irritans (8.3%, 1/12).
Flea intensity ranged from 1 to 17 (mean 2.2) fleas per dog and from 1 to 33 (mean 1.9) fleas per cat.
Molecular characterisation and phylogenetics
A total of 75 cox2 sequences were obtained (100% amplification success) from flea specimens morphologically identified as C. felis (72.0%, 54/75), C. canis (13.3%, 10/75), P. irritans (13.3%, 10/75) and A. erinacei maura (1.3%, 1/75) (Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5).
Fig. 2
Morphological characteristics of Ctenocephalides felis. a Female cephalic capsule with a noticeable acute angle and not very convex front anteriorly (a1); first spine of the genal comb is approximately the same length as the second (a2); occiput area has two setae (a3); lateral metatorax area with one or two setae (a4). b Male front more convex anteriorly compared to the female. c Hind tibia with five groups of setae bearing notches on the dorsoposterior margin (black arrows) with vestigial spiniform setae c1 and developed seta c2. d Female genitalia; spermatheca (d1); sternite VII with two setae, one posterior and one anterior (d2). e Male genitalia, with the manubrium (m) not expanded apically with a constricted apex (white dashed line). Scale bars as shown in the Figure.
Fig. 3
Morphological characteristics of Ctenocephalides canis. a First spine of the genal comb is half the length of the second (a1); occiput area has three setae (a2); lateral metatorax area with three setae (a3). b Cephalic capsule with a convex front anteriorly. c Hind tibia with six to seven groups of setae bearing notches on the dorsoposterior margin (black arrows) with developed spiniform setae c1 and c2. d Female genitalia; spermatheca (d1); sternite VII with two setae on the same level (d2). e Male genitalia, with manubrium (m) expanded apically with a dilated apex (white dashed line). Scale bars as shown in the Figure.
Fig. 4
Morphological characteristics of Pulex irritans. a Pronotal and genal combs absent (a1 and a2); pleural rod of mesothorax absent (a3); rounded front (a4). b Male genitalia, phallosome (tubular and central) (b1) and accessory filaments (ventral) (b2). c Female genitalia, spermatheca. Scale bars as shown in the Figure.
Fig. 5
Morphological characteristics Archaeopsylla erinacei maura (male). a Pronotal comb absent or vestigial, with one or three combs on each side (a1); vestigial genal comb with one or three spines (a2); pleural rod of mesothorax present (a3); cephalic capsule with rounded front (a4); distance from base of spine at tip of genal process to front (DGF). b Whole body. c Phallosome (tubular and central) (c1) and accessory filaments (ventral) (c2); basimere (c3); basimere length (higher in the subspecies A. erinacei maura compared to A. erinacei erinacei) (BL), basimere length equal to DGF. Scale bars as shown in the Figure.
Phylogenetic analysis indicated that C. felis sequences shared a common ancestor. Nonetheless, C. felis felis showed a paraphyletic origin, with sequences obtained from morphologically identified C. felis specimens collected from dogs and cats segregating into a monophyletic cluster with low genetic divergence, composed exclusively of reference sequences of C. felis felis from dogs and cats in Australia, Hungary, Israel, Italy and Spain (Fig. 6).
Fig. 6
Maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree inferred from cytochrome oxidase subunit II (cox2) sequences of various flea species and subspecies. Tree reconstruction was performed in IQ-TREE using the K3Pu+F+G4 substitution model, selected as the best-fitting model based on the Bayesian Information Criterion. Node support was assessed using 1000 bootstrap replicates, and values ≥75% are shown at the corresponding nodes. The tree was rooted using Xenopsylla cheopis sequence (outgroup). Reference sequences are labelled with species name and GenBank accession number. Sequences obtained in this study are shown in bold and include specimen identifier and GenBank accession number (LC871646-LC871720). Branch lengths are scaled to the number of substitutions per site. Coloured sectors denote the phylogenetic clusters in which the sequences obtained in this study segregated
Ctenocephalides canis showed a monophyletic origin, with the obtained sequences of C. canis from dogs and cats clustering together with reference sequences of C. canis collected from dogs and cats in China, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Iran and Turkey.
The obtained sequences of P. irritans from dogs segregated into a monophyletic cluster composed exclusively of sequences of P. irritans collected from humans and animals, Argentina, China, Croatia, Madagascar and Spain.
Similarly, the obtained sequence of A. erinacei maura collected from a dog formed a robust monophyletic cluster with sequences of A. erinacei maura from hedgehogs in Spain and Portugal.
Flea allergy dermatitis in infested animals
Flea allergy dermatitis was significantly associated with flea infestation in both dogs and cats (dogs: χ2 = 71.81, df = 1, P < 0.0001; cats: χ2 = 16.02, df = 1, P < 0.0001. Infested animals had a higher prevalence of FAD compared to non-infested individuals (dogs: 16.1%, 53/330, ASR = 8.5 vs. 1.8%, 12/653, ASR = − 8.5); cats: 5.4%, 20/367, ASR = 4.0 vs. 1.1%, 7/616, ASR = - 4.0). Host species was also significantly associated with FAD occurrence (χ2 = 16.47, df = 1, P < 0.0001), with dogs showing a higher prevalence of FAD (6.6%, 65/983, ASR = 4.1) compared to cats (2.7%, 27/983; ASR = − 4.1). In addition, flea burden was significantly higher in animals presenting clinical signs compatible with FAD (dogs: U = 15098.00, Z = − 7.95, P < 0.0001; cats: U = 8168.00, Z = − 3.79, P < 0.0001).
Effect of insecticide use
The use of insecticides was significantly associated with lower flea infestation in both dogs and cats (dogs: χ2 = 23.69, df = 1, P = < 0.001; cats: χ2 = 21.78, df = 1, P = < 0.001).
Infestation prevalence was lower in treated animals (dogs: 22.4%, 146/651, ASR = − 4.9; cats: 21.7%, 106/488, ASR = = − 4.7) compared to untreated individuals (dogs: 50.0%, 32/64, ASR = 4.9; cats: 45.8%, 38/83, ASR = = 4.7), indicating a protective effect of insecticide application. Additionally, a significant association was observed between insecticidal use and flea infestation in both species (P < 0.001). Animals treated with fipronil showed the highest ASR (dogs = 6.0; cats = 8.7), compared to all other treatment groups (Additional file 2: Table S1, Table S2).
Multivariable logistic regression analysis of risk factors for flea infestation
The multivariate logistic regression analysis identified NUTS II/seasonality/insecticide use and NUTS II/lifestyle/insecticide use as significant predictors of flea infestation in dogs (G2 = 85.22, df = 8, P < 0.0001) and cats (G2 = 136.12, df = 9, P < 0.0001), respectively (Additional file 2: Table S3, Table S4; Figs. 7, 8).
Fig. 7
Predicted probability of flea infestation in dogs according to NUTS II region, season, and insecticide use.
Fig. 8
Predicted probability of flea infestation in cats according to NUTS II region, lifestyle, and insecticide use.
Regarding infestation according to NUTS II regions in mainland Portugal, compared to the North region, the odds of flea infestation were significantly lower in LMA (χ2Wald = 31.85, df = 1, P < 0.0001, aOR = 0.14, 95% CI 0.21–0.69), Alentejo (χ2Wald = 10.35, df = 1, P = 0.001, aOR = 0.38, 95% CI 0.21–0.69) and Algarve (χ2Wald = 8.81, df = 1, P = 0.003, aOR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.27–0.76) for dogs, and in LMA (χ2Wald = 24.73, df = 1, P < 0.0001, aOR = 0.10, 95% CI 0.41–0.25), Alentejo (χ2Wald = 10.08, df = 1, P = 0.001, aOR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.13–0.62), and Centro (χ2Wald = 7.08, df = 1, P = 0.008, aOR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.25–0.81) for cats.
The odds of flea infestation in dogs were significantly higher in spring (χ2Wald = 4.60, df = 1, P = 0.032, aOR = 2.08, 95% CI 1.07–4.06), summer (χ2Wald = 8.89, df = 1, P = 0.003, aOR = 2.83, 95% CI 1.43–5.61) and autumn (χ2Wald = 13.85, df = 1, P < 0.0001, aOR = 3.72, 95% CI 1.86–7.43), compared to winter.
In cats, lifestyle was a significant predictor of flea infestation (χ2Wald = 53.93, df = 4, P < 0.0001), with domestic cats having outdoor access exhibiting the highest odds of infestation.
Flea infestation was associated with the absence of insecticide use in both dogs and cats. Compared to treated individuals, untreated dogs had nearly a fivefold higher odds of infestation (χ2Wald = 27.57, df = 1, P < 0.0001, aOR = 4.87, 95% CI 2.70–8.79), while untreated cats had approximately a fourfold higher odds of infestation (χ2Wald = 17.88, df = 1, P < 0.0001, aOR = 4.02, 95% CI 2.11–8.67).
The adjusted models demonstrated a good fit to the data (dogs: χ2HL = 7.96, df = 8, P = 0.438; cats: χ2HL = 9.72, df = 7, P = 0.205) and exhibited adequate discriminative performance (dogs: AUC = 0.71, P < 0.0001; cats: AUC = 0.77, P < 0.0001).
Mornings set the tone for the rest of the day. For most of us, that means gulping down chai, skipping breakfast, or diving headfirst into stress before we’ve even made the bed. But what if these seemingly harmless habits were quietly taking a toll on one of the most important—and underappreciated—organs in your body: the liver? Yes, your liver. That quiet, behind-the-scenes organ that filters out toxins, metabolizes fats and sugars, breaks down alcohol and medications, and basically keeps your body running like a well-oiled machine. Unlike your heart or brain, your liver rarely complains—until it’s already overworked, sluggish, or inflamed. And by then? The damage could already be underway. Let’s break down how your a.m. routine might be sneakily sabotaging your liver—and what you can do about it, without overhauling your life or spending a fortune on detox teas.
The scanner works by using photos to measure fluid levels in the feet and ankles.
Jul 6, 2025
0
(PeopleImages.com – Yuri A / Shutterstock.com)
There has been a revolution in heart failure care. This long-term disease does not have a cure, but it can be managed. Now, heart failure patients have another tool in their tool box that can help them monitor the disease and act quickly before it worsens.
That is because researchers have developed an AI scanner that can detect early signs of heart failure by using photographs of a patient’s feet to measure fluid levels,reported TheIndependent. The research was presented at the annual conference of the British Cardiovascular Society in June of 2024, could help prevent hospitalization and expedite care for thousands of people suffering from heart disease around the world.
Heart Failure is Not Rare Though it sounds dramatic, heart failure is not that rare. There are more than a million people living with this long-term condition currently in the UK alone. The disease occurs when the heart can no longer pump blood through the body properly because it is too weak or stiff. The three primary symptoms that the disease is worsening are weight gain, breathlessness, and fluid build up in the feet and legs.
This is why the new AI scanner, created by Heartfelt Technologies, could be so revolutionary. It is installed at the patient’s home and works by taking over 1,800 photographs of a patient’s lower legs and feet per minute and using those to calculate the amount of fluid their feet are retaining, reported theBBC.
Dr Philip Keeling, senior author of the study and consultant cardiologist at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, told BBC that the scanner “keeps an eye on you and alerts the health failure nurse”.
Testing the Scanner According to the Independent, the AI scanner was tested on 26 heart-failure patients from five NHS trusts. The patients were monitored by the scanner and were also asked to weigh themselves daily on a Bluetooth embedded scale, so the researchers could keep track of their weight.
The AI scanner was able to detect a worsening of the disease in six patients, and for people who had been enrolled in the study for two weeks before the alert, the average time between the alert and hospitalization was 13 days. That is to say, the scanner picked up on the intensification of the disease nearly two weeks before it got so bad that it required the patient to be hospitalized. On the other hand, the scale was not useful in detecting changes in the patients’ medical situation.
So it seems that the AI scanners can truly provide an early warning that could help those suffering from heart disease receive the care they need before they deteriorate.
Professor Bryan Williams, chief scientific and medical officer at the British Heart Foundation, told the BBC, that the study was “a good example of how technology might aid earlier interventions and treatment. This small study suggests a simple device could significantly improve outcomes for at-risk patients with heart failure by keeping them out of hospital.”
AI is revolutionizing so many fields, from writing, to art, and science. The AI scanner is proof that though it is sometimes wise to be wary of AI, in many cases, when used correctly, it can truly help make a difference in the lives of so many people.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Celebrating an Artificial Heart Milestone Scientists Develop Temporary Pacemaker Smaller Than a Grain of Rice New Diagnostic Tool Gives Tests Results From Just One Finger Prick in Only an Hour
TIKI KRAKOWSKI, CONTRIBUTOR
Tiki is a freelance writer, editor, and translator with a passion for writing stories. She believes in taking small actions to positively impact the world. She spends her free time reading, baking, creating art, and walking her rescue dog.
Enjoying a chocolate treat occasionally could actually provide some health benefits, with a study suggesting it may help in lowering “bad” cholesterol levels. Dark chocolate, when combined with another wholesome snack, could help bring down cholesterol levels.
The findings of research featured in the Journal of the American Heart Association indicate that eating dark chocolate along with almonds can result in reduced cholesterol levels in as little as four weeks. This particular pairing was found to specifically target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), commonly referred to as the “bad” cholesterol.
While the human body needs a certain amount of cholesterol for optimal functioning, an overabundance of LDL can clog arteries and increase the risk of heart complications.
The study was led by Pennsylvania State University and Tufts University in Boston, involving 48 participants who were overweight or obese, aged between 30 to 70 years.
The aim was to investigate the effects of dark chocolate, cocoa, and almonds on coronary heart disease risk factors, which is one of the top causes of mortality worldwide. The study was conducted over several four-week dietary phases.
Initially, during the first month, the participants refrained from consuming any of the foods under investigation. In the subsequent four weeks, they began adding daily portions of 42.5 grams of almonds to their regular diet.
During the penultimate phase of their research, subjects were asked to eat 43 grams of dark chocolate coupled with 18 grams of cocoa powder. The ultimate trial incorporated a blend of all three snack varieties studied.
The research unveiled that eating almonds solo diminished LDL cholesterol by 7%; an identical effect was witnessed when almonds were teamed with dark chocolate. Moreover, the study indicated that sprinkling these chocolaty delights into an ordinary American diet, without upping overall calories, “may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease”.
The study authors said: “Our results demonstrate that consumption of almonds alone or combined with dark chocolate under controlled‐feeding conditions improves lipid profiles.”
Nevertheless, it is key to recognise that this doesn’t imply one can indulge in massive amounts of almonds and dark chocolate unchecked. It’s vital to exercise moderation due to the calorie-dense nature of these foods.
Penny Kris-Etherton, the lead researcher, made it clear: “It’s important to put this into context. The message is not that people should go out and eat a lot of chocolate and almonds to lower their low-density lipoprotein.
“People are allowed to have about 270 discretionary calories a day, and when foods like almonds, dark chocolate and cocoa are consumed together as a discretionary food, they confer health benefits unlike other discretionary foods such as frosted doughnuts.”
But for those considering swapping almonds for chocolate, Kris-Etherton advises caution. The research indicates that consuming dark chocolate and cocoa alone doesn’t significantly impact heart health.
“Chocolate doesn’t increase cholesterol levels, but it doesn’t decrease cholesterol levels either,” she clarified. However, cocoa beans are held in high regard for their potential health benefits, owing to their content of flavanols – plant-derived antioxidants.
Prior studies have associated these flavanols with cardiovascular perks, including improved flexibility of blood vessels and alleviated blood pressure. For those aiming to lower cholesterol, the NHS endorses a variety of approaches: trimming down on high-fat foods, increasing consumption of fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, oily fish, olive oil and whole grains, engaging in more physical activity, ditching cigarettes, and reducing alcohol intake.
If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels, it is advisable to seek guidance from a doctor.
Groundbreaking research by the University of Sydney has identified a new brain protein involved in the development of Parkinson’s disease and a way to modify it, paving the way for future treatments for the disease.
Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurological condition after dementia, with over 150,000 people in Australia living with the condition.
The research team, led by Professor Kay Double from the Brain and Mind Centre, has spent more than a decade studying the biological mechanisms underpinning the condition, with the aim of finding new treatments to slow or stop its progression.
In 2017, the team published a paper in Acta Neuropathologica, identifying for the first time the presence of an abnormal form of a protein – called SOD1 – in the brains of patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Normally, the SOD1 protein provides protective benefits to the brain but, in Parkinson’s patients, it becomes faulty, causing the protein to clump and damage brain cells.
The newest study by the same University of Sydney team, published in Acta Neuropathologica Communications,builds on this research. It found that targeting the faulty SOD1 protein with a drug treatment improved the motor function in mice bred to have Parkinson-like symptoms.
Professor Double said: “All the mice we treated saw a dramatic improvement in their motor skills which is a really promising sign it could be effective in treating people who have Parkinson disease too.
“We hoped that by treating this malfunctioning protein, we might be able to improve the Parkinson-like symptoms in the mice we were treating – but even we were astonished by the success of the intervention.”
Methodology
The study involved two groups of mice bred to have Parkinson-like symptoms. One group of mice was treated with a special copper supplement for three months, while the other received a placebo.
Throughout the study, the mice receiving the placebo saw a decline in their motor symptoms. The mice receiving the special copper supplement, however, did not develop movement problems.
Professor Double said: “The results were beyond our expectations and suggest, once further studies are carried out, this treatment approach could slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease in humans.”
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative neurological disorder in which dopamine-producing cells in the brain die, leading to a range of symptoms including tremors, muscle stiffness, slow movement and impaired balance.
At present there is no known cure and only limited treatments, although researchers hope understanding the causes of the disease will lead to improved treatments.
Professor Double said: “As our understanding of Parkinson’s disease grows, we are finding that there are many factors contributing to its development and progression in humans – and faulty forms of the SOD1 protein is likely one of them.
“Just as researchers found with HIV, Parkinson’s disease is a complex condition that likely requires multiple interventions. A single treatment may have a small effect when used alone but, when combined with other interventions, contributes to a significant overall improvement in health.”
The researchers’ next step is to identify the best approach to targeting the faulty SOD1 protein in a clinical trial, which could be the start of a new therapy to slow the development of Parkinson’s disease.
Cutter Creatives
Cutter Creatives
