Category: 8. Health

  • Doctor explains how to spot magnesium deficiency and best sources to get vital mineral safely – Life News

    Doctor explains how to spot magnesium deficiency and best sources to get vital mineral safely – Life News

    We all have been bombarded with how magnesium supplements will cure our fatigue, leg pains and more. But do we all need magnesium, and should we take magnesium over the counter without any tests? Dr Rakesh Gupta, senior consultant, internal medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, says: “While magnesium supplements are available over-the-counter (OTC), it’s not always advisable to take them without knowing your actual need. Magnesium is an essential mineral, but unnecessary supplementation can lead to side effects such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and in rare cases, toxicity-especially in people with kidney problems. In many cases, a balanced diet provides sufficient magnesium. If you’re experiencing symptoms like fatigue, muscle cramps, or irregular heartbeat, it’s better to consult a healthcare professional. They may recommend a blood test to check magnesium levels or assess your symptoms and dietary intake. Self-medicating with supplements, especially in high doses, isn’t safe or effective for everyone. It’s also important to consider interactions with other medications, such as antibiotics or diuretics. In short, while magnesium is vital, supplements should not be taken casually or as a blanket solution without understanding individual needs.

    What does magnesium do in our bodies and what is the optimum source of intake?

    Magnesium plays a crucial role in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It supports muscle and nerve function, regulates blood pressure, helps in energy production, maintains a healthy heartbeat, and is vital for bone health. It also plays a role in mood regulation and blood sugar control. The best and safest way to meet your magnesium needs is through food. Good dietary sources include green leafy vegetables (like spinach), nuts (especially almonds and cashews), seeds, legumes, whole grains, and bananas. Dark chocolate and certain fish like mackerel also contain magnesium. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for adults is around 310-420 mg per day depending on age and sex. When intake is through food, the risk of excess is low, and the absorption is more balanced. Supplements may be necessary only for those with confirmed deficiency, poor diet, or absorption issues.

    What are the symptoms of magnesium deficiency and how can we check for the deficiency?

    Magnesium deficiency can be subtle at first, but over time, it may present with symptoms like muscle cramps or twitches, fatigue, numbness or tingling, mood swings, irritability, poor sleep, and irregular heartbeat. In more severe cases, deficiency can lead to low calcium or potassium levels, which can further affect nerve and muscle function. However, because only about 1% of magnesium is found in the blood, standard blood tests may not always detect low tissue levels. A better assessment includes considering symptoms, dietary intake, medical history, and sometimes specialised tests like red blood cell magnesium levels. Chronic conditions such as diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, alcoholism, and the use of certain medications can also raise the risk of deficiency. If you suspect low magnesium, consult your doctor rather than self-diagnosing. They can recommend appropriate tests or a trial of dietary changes before jumping to supplementation.

    Who should avoid magnesium supplements?

    Certain people should be cautious of magnesium supplements unless prescribed. Those  with kidney disease are at high risk, as their kidneys may not effectively remove excess magnesium, which can lead to toxicity. Symptoms of excess magnesium include nausea, low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, confusion, and in extreme cases, coma. People on  medications like antibiotics (especially tetracyclines and quinolones), muscle relaxants, or diuretics should also be careful, as magnesium can interact with these drugs and affect absorption or efficacy. Those with heart block or certain digestive disorders that impair magnesium absorption should not take supplements without medical guidance. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also follow prescribed limits. Magnesium from food is generally safe for everyone, but supplementation should be tailored to individual needs and medical history. Always talk to a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, even if it’s available OTC.

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  • Male Cancer Survivors in Physically Demanding Jobs Need More Support

    Male Cancer Survivors in Physically Demanding Jobs Need More Support

    A WeCanWork study showed that men who work laborious jobs need additional support during and after cancer treatment.

    A recent study conducted by the Well-Being and Cancer at Work (WeCanWork) project showed that men who worked in physically demanding jobs needed additional well-being support during and after cancer treatment.1

    Cathy Bradley, PhD, dean of the Colorado School of Public Health and deputy director of the University of Colorado Cancer Center, was an author on this study.2 She spoke to CancerNetwork® about how these findings can be used to design future trials and support the needs of cancer survivors with physically demanding jobs.

    The median survivor age was 51.48 years, 84.0% were White, and 25.6% reported having physically demanding jobs. Additional characteristics showed that 62.7% of survivors were married, 43.4% were college graduates, 73.7% worked full time, and 67.6% had an annual household income of less than $85,000.

    The highest reported employer accommodations included allowing workers to change their start and stop time (84.2%), allowing more breaks and rest periods (73.7%), and giving shorter workdays (51.3%). However, the lowest reported employer accommodations included arranging transportation (5.3%), providing special equipment (13.2%), and providing rehabilitation services (15.8%).

    The well-being scores highlighted that patients with physically demanding jobs had poorer wages (P <.001) and satisfaction with their benefits (P = .04), less autonomy (P = .03) and flexibility with work (P = .004), and greater financial insecurity (P = .002). Additionally, they experienced more negative job attitudes (P = .0003), workplace safety concerns (P <.001), less sleep (P = .05), and less support outside of work (P = .03).

    What was the primary motivation behind initiating this study on cancer survivors and physically demanding jobs?

    It’s based on prior evidence and work that people in physically demanding jobs have a harder time returning to work [after cancer]. We know that a lot of physically demanding jobs tend to be those without paid sick leave. They may not have health insurance. They may also be smaller employers, or if it’s something like a construction company, that doesn’t have to comply with the Family Medical Leave Act, or the Americans with Disabilities Act. We felt like this was an area of investigation that had not received enough [attention]. We wanted to understand that relationship, in particular. A lot of the prior work, and a lot of its mine, has been on women with breast cancer, and they, too, report that if they’re in physically demanding jobs, it’s harder for them to go back. Just not much work had been done on men, especially those in harder labor jobs.

    What were some of the most surprising or significant findings from the study?

    If [survivors] did have health insurance, they would continue to try hard to work and keep that financial barrier between them. Particularly, if they don’t have health insurance, they could be financially at risk. If they had health insurance, they were more likely to keep working at an hour threshold where they could qualify for health insurance. If they didn’t have these benefits, they were more likely to stop working.

    It’s interesting because you wonder what sacrifices those with health insurance are making to continue to work. Maybe they have other benefits; if you work for an employer that offers health insurance, that employer may also offer accommodations or things like that. The reverse may be true. You also wonder if they’re doing it strictly for health insurance or trading off some of their health. Then, you think about people at the other end who are just leaving work because perhaps they don’t have the sick leave benefits or other things that would allow them to keep working. We just don’t know that underlying mechanism.

    How did these findings challenge or confirm existing understandings of cancer survivorship and employment?

    They challenge it in the way that we’ve started to believe that people just go back to work. We’re seeing that that isn’t necessarily the case, and that if they do, they need to have a lot of support.

    Beyond the general impact, what are some of the specific challenges identified such as lower satisfaction with wages, less job autonomy, and financial insecurity for those in these job situations?

    The challenges are around paid sick leave, being able to take time away, and accommodations. Being able to get them in physically demanding jobs may be hard. If you’re in a desk job in an organization, it might be easier to change, be more flexible, and come in at 10 AM instead of 8 AM. If you’re doing construction, you’re probably going to be on the job site around 5 AM; there aren’t a lot of alternatives. [The challenge is giving] the support that’s required for them, and to be able to give them time away from work or just to be off until they’re ready to come back.

    How has the WeCanWork project evolved from a research study to its current implementation phase?

    In studying this, we started to think about what is it that could be helpful to everybody. We’re not going to be able to get paid sick leave passed as a national policy, but what’s something that we can do? One component is to have oncology practices start thinking about referring patients to occupational medicine for assistance. That can be enormously beneficial in the sense that somebody who is in occupational medicine could sit down and work with the oncology team to understand exactly what it is that the person needs, like more time away from work. I’m thinking about women with breast cancer who have surgery, have lymphedema, and can’t lift. For somebody who’s doing physically demanding work and may only be able to put in a half day, they can negotiate on that patient’s behalf with the employer to say, “Here’s what this person needs [while being treated for] cancer.” Oncology practices have been disconnected from occupational medicine. They fill out disability forms, but that’s not the same as being able to work with that person, ensuring that they have rehabilitation, understanding their benefits, and advocating for them.

    How does the study highlight the critical need for integrated support systems that bridge the gap between oncology care and the workplace?

    Our goal is to provide evidence-based information to show that this is helpful to people, and that it helps them continue to work. If employers know they can keep a good employee, they might be more enthusiastic about [these accommodations]. I imagine insurers would be as well. Just for oncology, it’s to give them additional support. They don’t necessarily understand sick leave policies or what a person needs at work the [same] way they understand that chemotherapy slows tumor progression. They’re focused on a very different component. Our goal is to be able to show that evidence base; that it’s a worthwhile thing to do. Also, we’re trying to understand the billing [aspect]. What code could they use for the referral and to help get reimbursed?

    The investigators called for additional longitudinal studies. What specific long-term implications do you hope to explore with such studies?

    I can see, in the future, being able to study who goes back to work in the long term. How long do they stay at work? What happens when they get there? [We want] to understand that, both with men and women in a variety of different jobs. We tend to find that people who are in good jobs are okay; if they work for a big employer, and it’s a job that offers a whole array of benefits, they tend to find their way and be okay with that. What kind of things can we do to provide support for people who aren’t in that situation? Over half of Americans are employed in small businesses.

    Is there anything else you would like to highlight?

    This is just an ongoing area of inquiry that we need to spend more time with as we start to develop these new therapies to treat cancer. I’m thinking about these oral targeted agents; they have longer-term [adverse] effects, and we need to know how that affects somebody who’s employed over time, especially if they’re going to take them for a long time. It’s not just chemotherapy for 6 months and they’re [finished]. They take them to evidence of disease progression, and that could be years. We do have to keep people working because those drugs aren’t cheap. It’s an interesting dynamic, and like I said, a place for more study.

    References

    1. Schwatka NV, Dally M, Dye-Robinson A, et al. WeCanWork study: well-being of male cancer survivors working physically demanding jobs. BMC Public Health. 2025;25(1):2025. doi:10.1186/s12889-025-23147-8
    2. Zarella O. New study reveals cancer survivors in physically demanding jobs face greater challenges. News release. Colorado School of Public Health. June 23, 2025. Accessed July 1, 2025. https://tinyurl.com/4k6hmk4u

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  • How regular physical activity can help prevent cancer and aid recovery – Firstpost

    How regular physical activity can help prevent cancer and aid recovery – Firstpost

    In recent years, science has made one thing clear: exercise isn’t just about fitness, it’s a vital component in preventing and managing serious diseases including cancer. From cutting the risk of developing certain cancers to improving treatment outcomes and lowering the chances of recurrence, staying physically active has powerful, proven benefits.

    Dr. Arun Kumar Goel, Chairman (Surgical Oncology) at Andromeda Cancer Hospital, Sonipat talked to Firstpost on how regular movement can strengthen the immune system, regulate hormones, reduce inflammation and support long-term survival.  

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    How does regular physical activity impact cancer prevention?

    Cancers such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, oesophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, cancer of kidney, multiple myeloma, meningioma etc, can be associated with excess body weight/obesity. Regular physical activity helps in reducing the risk of developing certain types of cancer. It keeps body weight under control, boosts the immune system, improves hormone balance, and reduces inflammation—all of which help lower cancer risk.

    Is there scientific evidence linking specific types of exercise to reduced cancer risk?

    Yes. Studies show that aerobic exercises like walking, jogging, swimming and cycling as well as strength training, can lower the risk of some cancers. Among them, brisk walking for at least 30 minutes a day has shown significant benefits.

    What are the most common cancers where exercise shows a strong preventive benefit?

    Exercise is especially helpful in reducing the risk of: Breast cancer, Colon cancer, Endometrial (uterine) cancer, Prostate cancer, Lung cancer (in non-smokers), and many more.

    Can moderate daily activity like walking or household chores also lower cancer risk?

    Yes. Even regular household work, climbing stairs, or walking to the local market can contribute to better health and lower cancer risk. You don’t need to join a gym—being active in daily life makes a difference.

    How safe is it for patients to exercise during cancer treatment like chemotherapy or radiation?

    For most patients, gentle to moderate exercise is safe and often recommended during treatment. It should be done under medical guidance, especially if the patient feels weak or has specific health issues. We advise patients to remain active during the cancer treatments so that they do not gain excess weight during the treatment.

    Does exercise help reduce the side effects of cancer treatments, such as fatigue or neuropathy?

    Yes. Light exercise can help reduce tiredness (fatigue), nausea, constipation, depression, and even nerve pain (neuropathy). It also improves sleep and overall mood.

    What are the biological pathways through which exercise influences tumor growth or immune function?

    Exercise improves blood flow, enhances the body’s natural killer cells (which fight cancer), reduces growth factors that feed tumors, and helps the body repair damage faster. It also controls insulin and hormone levels.

    Yes. Exercise reduces chronic inflammation, balances hormones like estrogen and insulin, and improves the way the body uses sugar. These changes help prevent cancer and slow its progression.

    Are there standard exercise guidelines for cancer patients or survivors, and how should they be customised?

    Global guidelines suggest at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, plus two days of strength training. However, the plan should be personalised based on age, type of cancer, stage, current treatment, and energy levels.

    Should the approach differ based on cancer type, stage, or treatment status?

    Yes. Someone recovering from surgery needs a different routine than someone on chemotherapy. A patient with bone cancer or lung involvement may need supervised or lighter exercises. Always consult your cancer doctor or physiotherapist before starting.

    How important is exercise in post-cancer recovery and preventing recurrence?

    Physical activity plays a big role in recovery. It helps patients regain strength, reduce depression, and may lower the chances of cancer coming back, especially in breast, colon, and prostate cancers.

    What role does physical activity play in improving long-term outcomes and survival rates?

    Patients who remain active tend to live longer and have a better quality of life. They are less likely to face complications, and their chances of surviving the disease improve.

    Are there any myths or misconceptions about exercise and cancer you would like to correct?

    Yes. Some people think rest is best during cancer—this is not true. While rest is needed when one is exhausted, avoiding all activity can lead to weakness, loss of muscle, and poor recovery. Another myth is that exercise can “spread cancer”—this is false. Exercise is safe and helpful in most cases.

    Are there cases where patients should avoid certain types of exercise during treatment or recovery?

    Yes. Patients with low blood counts, severe fatigue, balance problems, or risk of fractures (e.g., bone metastasis) should avoid heavy or risky exercises. In such cases, exercises should be guided by a physiotherapist or oncology team.

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  • Q2 2025 Recap: Nephrology News and Updates

    Q2 2025 Recap: Nephrology News and Updates

    The second quarter of 2025 brought a flurry of regulatory activity and major clinical trial updates underscoring the rapidly evolving landscape in nephrology. From IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) to lupus nephritis (LN) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a string of FDA actions—including multiple Priority Review designations, a novel autoinjector approval, and an accelerated approval for a new class of therapy in IgAN—signal increasing momentum for therapeutic innovation across a range of kidney diseases.

    Meanwhile, the 62nd European Renal Association (ERA 2025) Congress served as a showcase for emerging data that could shape future standards of care. Highlights included 52-week results from VALIANT supporting pegcetacoplan’s benefit in C3G/primary immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN), CONFIDENCE trial findings backing dual initiation of finerenone and empagliflozin in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes, and sibeprenlimab’s 51% proteinuria reduction in IgAN.

    Here’s a recap of what made headlines in Q2 of 2025:

    Renal FDA News

    FDA Accepts Pegcetacoplan (Empaveli) sNDA for C3G, IC-MPGN

    Starting Q2 on a high note, on April 1, 2025, Apellis Pharmaceuticals announced the FDA accepted and granted Priority Review designation to the Company’s supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for pegcetacoplan (Empaveli) for C3G and IC-MPGN. Supported by positive 26-week results from the phase 3 VALIANT trial, a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of July 28, 2025, has been assigned.

    Atrasentan (Vanrafia) Receives Accelerated Approval in IgA Nephropathy

    The next day, on April 2, 2025, the FDA granted accelerated approval to atrasentan (Vanrafia), a once-daily, non-steroidal, oral treatment, for reducing proteinuria in adults with primary IgAN at risk of rapid disease progression. Notably, the decision marked the FDA’s first approval for a selective endothelin A receptor antagonist for reducing protein in IgAN and came without any requirement for a Risk Evaluation Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program for use.

    Related: Understanding Atrasentan (Vanrafia) for IgA Nephropathy, with Richard Lafayette, MD

    FDA Accepts Sparsentan (Filspari) sNDA for Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

    On May 15, 2025, the FDA accepted Travere Therapeutics’ sNDA for traditional approval of sparsentan (Filspari) for the treatment of FSGS, supported by results from the phase 3 DUPLEX Study and the phase 2 DUET Study. With the acceptance, the FDA assigned a PDUFA target action date of January 13, 2026, and indicated plans to hold an advisory committee meeting to discuss the application.

    FDA Accepts, Grants Priority Review to Sibeprenlimab BLA for IgA Nephropathy

    On May 27, 2025, the FDA accepted and granted priority review to Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization’s Biologics License Application (BLA) for sibeprenlimab for the treatment of IgAN, which was supported by data from the phase 3 VISIONARY trial and the phase 2 ENVISION trial. With the acceptance, the FDA assigned a PDUFA target action date of November 28, 2025.

    FDA Approves Belimumab (Benlysta) Autoinjector for Pediatric Lupus Nephritis

    On June 24, 2025, the FDA approved a 200 mg/mL autoinjector of GlaxoSmithKline’s belimumab (Benlysta), a B-lymphocyte stimulator-specific inhibiting monoclonal antibody, for subcutaneous injection in patients ≥ 5 years of age with active LN who are receiving standard therapy. Initially approved for pediatric patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus in 2024, the approval of the belimumab autoinjector for LN offers patients and caregivers a first-of-its-kind subcutaneous option that can be administered at home.

    Top Nephrology News from ERA 2025

    Pegcetacoplan Sustains Proteinuria Reductions in C3G, IC-MPGN at 52 Weeks

    Extended data from the phase 3 VALIANT trial presented at ERA 2025 support the sustained efficacy and safety of pegcetacoplan (Empaveli) in patients with C3G or IC-MPGN, including adolescents and adults with native or transplanted kidneys. Specifically, the 52-week results show continued proteinuria reduction and eGFR stabilization in both treatment-naïve and crossover groups. An FDA decision on its approval for this indication is expected by July 28, 2025.

    CONFIDENCE: SGLT2i and Finerenone Effective, Safe to Initiate Simultaneously in CKD

    Findings from the CONFIDENCE trial presented at ERA 2025 suggest simultaneous initiation of finerenone (Kerendia) and empagliflozin (Jardiance) is well-tolerated and associated with a greater reduction in urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) than either therapy alone among patients with CKD and type 2 diabetes.

    Related: Kidney Compass: CONFIDENCE Trial at ERA 2025, with Rajiv Agarwal, MD, MS

    Sibeprenlimab Halves Proteinuria in IgAN in Phase 3 VISIONARY Trial

    Findings from an interim analysis of the phase 3 VISIONARY trial show use of sibeprenlimab was associated with a 51.2% reduction in proteinuria at 9 months relative to placebo therapy among patients with IgAN, according to an interim analysis of the phase 3 VISIONARY trial. With its BLA acceptance in May, a decision on sibeprenlimab’s approval for IgAN is expected by November 28, 2025.

    Related: Kidney Compass: Sibeprenlimab and the VISIONARY Trial, with Vlado Perkovic, MBBS, PhD, at ERA 2025

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  • Researchers 3D print breast tissue to better understand lactation

    Researchers 3D print breast tissue to better understand lactation

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    According to ETH Zurich, researchers are developing a model in the lab made from human breast milk cells, with the hope that it will help them understand how breast milk is made – a little-researched area of female biology.

    Human breast milk is uniquely adapted to meet an infant’s nutritional needs. Surprisingly, we still know very little about how milk is even made in the breast. A team of ETH Zurich researchers led by Marcy Zenobi-Wong, Professor of Tissue Engineering and Biofabrication, wants to change that. In the lab, Zenobi-Wong and her team developed tiny replicas of lactating breast tissue. This involved isolating cells from human breast milk that are naturally found in milk. Some of the cells from lactating breast tissue and the so-called lactocytes – the cells in breast tissue that produce milk – end up in breast milk during lactation.

    The centrepiece of the research project is a novel tissue model that the researchers produced using a special light printing process. The volumetric bioprinting process involves a laser beam that is shone into a liquid from several angles. The liquid then hardens precisely where the light dose accumulates. In seconds, this gives rise to small structures that are similar to real milk ducts and alveoli, where the milk is produced in the breast. The material used comes from bovine udder tissue and contains similar components to human breast tissue.

    The researchers populated these mini milk ducts with cells that they extracted directly from human breast milk. These mammary epithelial cells formed a dense layer of cells on the inside wall of the milk ducts. As the researchers were able to demonstrate, this resulted in functional tissue: the cells began producing typical milk components, such as β-casein and milk fat globules.

    3D model of a ductal-alveolar unit of the human mammary gland: On the left is a digital design, and on the right, the real-life structure created using advanced volumetric 3D printing and visualised with a light sheet microscope. Illustration: Amelia Hasenauer / ETH Zurich.

    “It took several attempts to find out how we could best make the cells grow. Many of my colleagues were surprised to learn that milk-epithelial cells could grow at all,” said Amelia Hasenauer, doctoral student in Zenobi-Wong’s team and first author of the external study, published in the journal Science Advances.

    Despite the impressive findings, the two researchers emphasise that they are not yet producing complete breast milk. “We have identified the first components, but milk is made up of hundreds of different ones, including complex sugars, proteins, lipids, immune cells, and living microorganisms,” said Zenobi-Wong.

    “Above all, our cell culture model is designed to help better understand the lactation process. I know many women who have struggled to breastfeed. Our model could one day help find answers,” said Hasenauer.

    The model allows lactating cells to be observed and manipulated under controlled conditions in the lab for the first time. This opens up an array of possibilities. Besides lactation research, other possible areas that could be studied are the impact of medications and chemicals on lactation and models of breast cancer.

    “The next step is to increase the throughput of the milk collection, something which is achievable through 3D printing,” said Zenobi-Wong.

    The work by Zenobi-Wong’s research group is an example of how little scientific research has been carried out on certain processes in the female body. Models like the new breast tissue printing could change that. Unlike many other biomedical studies, this research isn’t based on invasive surgery or animal experiments, but on cells that occur naturally in breast milk. This makes it easier, ethically justifiable, and accessible to such research topics.

    Both researchers hope that their work will bring greater visibility not only to the topic of lactation, but also to a whole range of long-neglected areas of women’s health. “There are so many unanswered questions, from endometriosis to mastitis and fertility issues,” said Zenobi-Wong. “It all warrants more scientific attention.”

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  • Cancer Incidence and Epidemiological Trends in Punjab: A Population-Based Registry Analysis for State-Level Health Policy

    Cancer Incidence and Epidemiological Trends in Punjab: A Population-Based Registry Analysis for State-Level Health Policy


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  • Monitoring of Schmallenberg virus, bluetongue virus and epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus in biting midges in Germany 2019–2023 | Parasites & Vectors

    Monitoring of Schmallenberg virus, bluetongue virus and epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus in biting midges in Germany 2019–2023 | Parasites & Vectors

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  • Tiny plastic particles found in human egg and sperm fluids

    Tiny plastic particles found in human egg and sperm fluids

    Tiny bits of plastic no wider than a human hair have turned up in some unexpected places, including the human bloodstream.

    Now, data presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology meeting shows that these fragments have breached the fluids that surround eggs and travel with sperm.


    The research team led by Dr. Emilio Gómez‑Sánchez of Next Fertility Murcia in Spain scanned follicular fluid from 29 women and seminal fluid from 22 men.

    The experts found microplastics in 69 percent of the women and 55 percent of the men they studied. According to Dr. Gómez‑Sánchez, the team was surprised to find that the particles were so widespread.

    Plastics in human reproductive fluids

    The study detected polymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene and polypropylene, materials better known for slick frying pans and food packaging. Seeing them next to human eggs turns a theoretical hazard into a measurable one.

    Back in 2021, Italian obstetricians spotted twelve plastic fragments in every placenta they examined, confirming that particles smaller than five millimeters can cross the maternal‑fetal boundary.

    Similarly sized particles have been uncovered deep in lung tissue removed during surgery, proving that inhalation is a realistic delivery route for plastic dust.

    Researchers in the Netherlands have even measured plastic mass circulating in human blood samples, an observation that explains how fragments migrate to distant tissues.

    How plastics enter the human body

    Most people take in plastic flecks by eating, drinking, or breathing, because everyday products shed invisible dust whenever they are heated, abraded, or exposed to sunlight.

    Once swallowed or inhaled, particles small enough can slip through the gut wall or the thin air‑blood membrane in the lungs.

    Animal studies suggest that fragments under one micrometer can enter cells directly, whereas larger shards get trapped in tissue and spark local irritation. Either way, they bypass the body’s usual waste filters.

    Laboratory work on mice shows that digestive uptake rises when microplastics hitchhike on fats, a detail that matters for fertility research because reproductive hormones ride on similar lipid highways.

    The overlap raises worry that plastics may act as endocrine mimics or carriers for other chemicals.

    Dr. Gómez‑Sánchez’s team avoided laboratory contamination by collecting every human sample in glass vials and verifying the absence of background plastic. This means the polymers they found were genuine residents, not stray lab dust.

    Plastic harms fertility

    Mice exposed to polystyrene fragments shed sperm with damaged DNA and sluggish movement, effects traced to oxidative stress that overwhelms antioxidant defenses.

    Separate work on rodent Leydig cells shows shriveled mitochondria after nanoplastic exposure, which throttles testosterone production and shrinks litter sizes.

    Reviews published in 2024 concluded that microplastics can disrupt the hypothalamic‑pituitary‑gonadal axis, leading to hormonal imbalances and faulty egg maturation.

    Because human oocytes develop over months, chronic exposure could matter more than a short spike. That makes the repeated detection of PTFE in both eggs and sperm especially noteworthy.

    Plastic levels in eggs and sperm

    In the current data set, PTFE appeared in 31 percent of sampled egg fluid and 41 percent of semen. PP ranked second among women and polystyrene second among men, with polyethylene terephthalate also present but in smaller numbers.

    Annual plastic output has climbed from under two million tons in 1950 to about 460 million in 2019, a 230‑fold jump documented by the Minderoo‑Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health.

    Each uptick in production increases litter, weathering, and fragment release, tightening the feedback loop between plastics and people. Reproductive cells, delicate by design, stand on the front line.

    Gómez‑Sánchez reported that most reproductive samples contained only one or two plastic particles, amounts considered low compared with overall debris in the fluids. Yet fertility specialists note that even trace metals can derail embryo development, so particle counts alone may not predict risk.

    Human fertility research must include plastics

    “They should be considered an additional argument in favor of avoiding the generalized use of plastics in our daily lives,” said Professor Carlos Calhaz‑Jorge of the University of Lisbon. He also noted that further research is needed to prove causation.

    The research team will now study hundreds of patients and link particle loads to embryo quality during in vitro fertilization cycles. Those correlations could supply the first direct human evidence beyond laboratory rodents.

    They plan lifestyle questionnaires to test whether habits such as heavy bottled‑water use or microwaving food in plastic correlate with higher particle counts. The approach could convert abstract exposure theory into personal advice.

    “Microplastics are just one variable in a complex equation,” said Dr. Gómez‑Sánchez. He urges moderation of plastic use rather than alarm. 

    Simple habits to lower exposure

    Switching from plastic bottles to glass or stainless steel lowers ingestion because heat and time no longer leach particles from container walls. Replacing scratched nonstick pans can cut PTFE flakes in the diet.

    Researchers advise skipping plastic cutting boards and using ceramic or bamboo instead, because knife action liberates shavings that cling to food. Letting take‑out cool before transferring it from polystyrene boxes also helps.

    Air purifiers with HEPA filters capture airborne fibers shed by synthetic textiles, a step especially useful for nurseries. Regular vacuuming with a sealed system keeps particles from resuspending.

    These tweaks are not foolproof, yet they come with side benefits like removing chemical additives that ride on plastic dust. They buy time while science sorts out the clinical stakes.

    Efforts to cut human plastics pollution

    Public‑health researchers argue that personal choices alone cannot outrun a supply chain making more than a billion pounds of new plastic every day.

    Negotiators at the United Nations are hammering out a global treaty that could cap production and streamline recycling.

    Dr. Philip Landrigan of Boston College calls the treaty a once‑in‑a‑generation chance to protect human health, because curbing output remains the only sure way to slow microplastic fallout. He points to the emerging fertility data as evidence that time is short.

    Whether lawmakers act or not, the science of sub‑visible plastic is moving fast thanks to sharper imaging tools and nanomechanical sensors. Studies that once took months now finish in days, filling the literature with fresh clues.

    Every new dataset sharpens the same picture: plastics weather into dust, the dust goes everywhere, and living tissue keeps no closed doors. Eggs and sperm, it turns out, are no exception.

    The study is published in the journal Human Reproduction.

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  • Exploring the Sociodemographic Factors Influencing Women’s Experiences With Domestic Violence and Their Help-Seeking Behaviors at the National Guard Health Hospitals

    Exploring the Sociodemographic Factors Influencing Women’s Experiences With Domestic Violence and Their Help-Seeking Behaviors at the National Guard Health Hospitals


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  • Easy Ways To Regulate Your Cortisol Levels in the Morning and Have a Stress-Free Day

    Easy Ways To Regulate Your Cortisol Levels in the Morning and Have a Stress-Free Day

    “One recommendation that has worked very well for me, and that I give to all my patients, is to eliminate coffee as the first intake in the morning,” says de la Peña. “On a biochemical level, it exacerbates the natural cortisol spike that we all experience at the start of the day.”

    Instead, consider a nutritious, slow energy-releasing breakfast, one you enjoy and that makes you feel good for both physical and mental wellbeing. If you drink your coffee even a little later, you’ll experience its benefits all while avoiding those spikes. “Coffee contains caffeine, which is a natural stimulant,” nutritionist Mugdha Pradhan, founder of iThrive, previously told Vogue. “This means it can boost your metabolism by increasing the body’s heart rate and energy expenditure. That’s why drinking coffee in the morning—about 90 minutes after waking up—works well, because it syncs up with the body’s natural cortisol rhythm.”

    If you want to cut out coffee, you can choose herbal teas, chicory, or matcha instead.

    Other tips for stabilizing your cortisol levels

    These are certainly some pretty general recommendations for reducing cortisol, and the reality is that not everyone relaxes in the same way. A meditation session or yoga class can be an anti-stress balm for some, while for others, trying to focus on the present moment or doing the tree pose can be a challenge that actually destabilizes their cortisol levels.

    Truth is, finding universal tips and tricks for keeping your cortisol levels stable first thing in the morning and when leaving the house is tough. “Recommendations depends a lot on what helps each person to calm their nervous system,” explains de la Peña. “Some people will do better listening to music with headphones, others reading, while some are so tired that they take advantage of the subway ride to sleep and relax. Everyone knows what works best for them to cope with the situation, but what is really important is their level of self-care.” Ultimately: You have to know what personally relaxes and de-stresses you, and consistently seek it out.

    Still, there’s one very simple remedy: “When you realize you’re feeling high-stress and at speed, taking a deep breath is the best way to let our brain know that everything is okay,” she says. “It’s easy and free.”

    Keep breakfasts sacred

    Some people prefer to eat breakfast when they get to the office, or to practice intermittent fasting and do it later, but having a leisurely breakfast is one of the fundamental principles of slow mornings that help keep cortisol spikes at bay. “This way, you let your body know that there is nothing more urgent at that moment than to put the focus on you, to wake up calmly, to be thankful for another day, and to do whatever feels best for you in order to have a good day,” says de la Peña. “When I had high cortisol levels in the morning, I would feel so stressed I couldn’t even eat. Today, for me, breakfast is a sacred and symbolic act towards myself that sends an important message to my brain every morning: You come first, the rest can wait!”


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