Turtle Beach has introduced the Atlas 200, a new wired gaming headset that is the company’s first officially licensed model for the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4.
The Atlas 200 is set to go on sale in Australia on 19 September 2025 and will be priced at AUD $99.95. The headset will also be available in multiplatform and PC-specific editions, catering to gamers on a range of devices. The PC edition matches the PlayStation version in price and includes a USB audio adapter as well as additional features accessible through Turtle Beach’s Swarm II desktop application for Windows.
Design and features
According to Turtle Beach, the Atlas 200 incorporates elements from its Atlas Air flagship PC headset and the Recon 200 multiplatform headset. The headset features Turtle Beach’s 50mm Nanoclear drivers and a closed-back earcup design, optimised for spatial audio performance on both consoles and PCs.
The Atlas 200 has been designed for long hours of use, weighing approximately 280 grams. Notable comfort features include an adjustable floating headband, memory foam ear cushions, and ProSpecs glasses-friendly earcup design tailored for extended sessions and users who wear glasses. The headset also comes equipped with a unidirectional microphone that users can flip up to mute when not in use.
Connectivity is provided via a standard 3.5mm audio jack, enabling compatibility with PlayStation consoles, other gaming systems, Windows PCs, and mobile devices. The PC edition’s USB adapter and exclusive app features offer further options for Windows gamers.
Product availability and editions
The PlayStation version of the Atlas 200 will be produced in black or white, both with blue accents and the PlayStation logo to signify its official licensed status. The multiplatform and PC editions will be available in black with grey accents only.
Company comments
Commenting on the new release, Cris Keirn, Chief Executive Officer at Turtle Beach, said:
“We’re thrilled to unveil the Atlas 200 as our first officially licensed gaming headset for gamers on PS5 and PS4 consoles. By blending some of the best elements of our fan-favourite Atlas and Recon headsets, we’ve created an exceptionally lightweight and comfortable new model that delivers an immersive audio experience.”
Market position
The Atlas 200 is positioned as a mid-range offering that brings together premium sound features and broad device compatibility at a price designed to appeal to both console and PC gamers. The focus on comfort, audio quality, and the inclusion of multiplatform options reflect Turtle Beach’s broader strategy to serve a variety of gamers across different systems.
The product joins Turtle Beach’s existing lineup of headsets, incorporating brand elements that have been present in models recognised by industry awards. Product features highlighted by the company include lightweight construction, support for glasses wearers, and a microphone system designed for both clarity and convenience.
The Atlas 200 will be available to Australian customers at major retailers from 19 September 2025, in both PlayStation-licensed and multiplatform/PC versions. The company has indicated that it intends the Atlas 200 to be a significant addition to its portfolio in the gaming accessories market.
There’s a definitive mood defining jewellery trends of 2025, and it can be best described as maximal yet meaningful. Chunky chains, kitschy icons, colourful accents and mixed metals are forming statement chokers, cuffs, rings and more – but ear lobes are where these looks are truly manifesting with aplomb.
Women are wearing their personalities on their ears, and for summer 2025, these fall under a number of trending silhouettes. Below, see 5 leading earrings trends for the summer.
Sardine girl summer
To start with, there are the fish motifs that have been swimming through ears, from gold drop earrings from Isabel Marant and Anni Lu, to the singular fishbone earring by Dubai-based Kamushki, which encourages playful asymmetry.
The nautical theme has been running strong in jewellery, with undertones that are both feminine and chaotic. Go for a bold take on this mermaid-esque style with Chloe’s gold seashells with dangling charms, or seek out a more refined sense of opulence with Dior’s drop earrings dotted with seashells, seahorses, starfish and pearls.
Photo: Isabel Marant
Photo: Kamushki
Photo: Chloe
Photo: Dior
Riding the wave
Bringing the oceanic theme to more subtle waters are the wave silhouettes that we’re seeing in earrings, framing wearers’ faces to striking effect. Saudi jewellery brand Apoa offers these stylish squiggles with pearls, while UAE label Ailes Jewellery presents these in fine jewellery, with diamonds.
Photo: APOA
Photo: Ailes Jewellery
Mixed metals
Mixed metals are still enjoying the limelight, as is evidenced by the latest drops from Saint Laurent, Demarson and Egypt’s very own Jude Benhalim. This season’s twist on the trend sees earrings fitted with hoops in contrasting sizes and shapes, in both gold and silver finishes.
Photo: Demarson
Photo: Jude Benhalim
Floral inspired
Flowers are also adorning ears, but not the dainty, delicate and diamond-studded blooms that are typical of women’s jewellery. Instead, designers are experimenting with oversized styles and finishings, giving duos and trios of flora a sculptural edge with drama and decadence. Lebanese label Vanina achieves this with large, head-turning earrings crafted from natural shells, while Jennifer Behr’s come in glorious, gold-plated brass.
The off-label use of ketamine to treat chronic pain is not supported by scientific evidence, a new Cochrane review has found.
Ketamine is an anaesthetic commonly used for procedural sedation and short-term pain relief. Ketamine is also frequently prescribed off-label to manage chronic pain conditions such as nerve pain, fibromyalgia and complex regional pain syndrome. It is one of several NMDA receptor antagonists – a group of drugs thought to reduce pain by blocking certain brain receptors involved in pain signalling.
The review, conducted by researchers from UNSW Sydney, Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), and Brunel University of London, examined 67 trials involving over 2,300 adult participants. It assessed five NMDA receptor antagonists: ketamine, memantine, dextromethorphan, amantadine, and magnesium.
Results show no clear evidence of benefit for ketamine in chronic pain and identified an increased risk of adverse effects such as delusions, delirium, paranoia, nausea, and vomiting. Evidence was rated low to very low certainty, due to small study sizes and poor methodological quality.
We want to be clear – we’re not saying ketamine is ineffective, but there’s a lot of uncertainty. The data could point to a benefit or no effect at all. Right now, we just don’t know.”
Michael Ferraro, Study First Author and Doctoral Candidate, University of New South Wales
Researchers looked at the effects across various chronic pain conditions and dosing strategies but found no clear evidence of benefit in any specific condition or dose. Side effects were a major concern, particularly with intravenous use.
“The most common adverse events we saw were psychotomimetic effects such as delusions, delirium, and paranoia, as well as nausea and vomiting,” said Ferraro. “These effects are distressing for many patients. Clinicians often try to balance the dose for pain relief without triggering those symptoms, but this isn’t always achieved.”
The review also found no studies that reported on two key outcomes: whether ketamine reduced depressive symptoms or opioid use. This is notable, as ketamine is often proposed for patients with depressive symptoms or opioid tolerance.
“This group of drugs, and ketamine in particular, is in relatively common use for chronic pain around the world. Yet we have no convincing evidence that they are delivering meaningful benefits for people with pain, even in the short term,” said Neil O’Connell, Professor at Brunel University of London, co-senior author of the review. “That seems a good reason to be cautious in the clinic and clearly indicates an urgent need to undertake high-quality trials.”
The authors hope the review will help inform patients and clinicians weighing up potential benefits and harms, and guide future research. While more evidence is needed, this review highlights the importance of high-quality trials to understand whether ketamine has a role in chronic pain care.
“We’ve seen the harm that can come from taking medicines developed for acute pain and applying them to chronic pain, opioids are a prime example. Now we’re seeing a similar pattern with ketamine,” said co-senior author James McAuley, Professor at UNSW and senior researcher at NeuRA . “As opioid prescribing is slowly reduced, there’s a growing demand for alternatives, but we need to be careful not to rush into widespread use without strong evidence.”
Source:
Journal reference:
Ferraro, M. C., et al. (2025). Ketamine and other NMDA receptor antagonists for chronic pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD015373.pub2
Ilona Maher transcends women’s rugby, giving it a profile outside of the sport in the way that Mia Hamm did for women’s football.
Now the stage is set at the women’s World Cup in England for the American to spark even more interest.
The 29-year-old phenomenon has attracted over eight million followers on social media, not only through her sporting exploits but also for her promotion of body positivity.
She played a pivotal role in the USA women’s team winning a first ever Olympic medal, beating Australia in the third-place playoff in Paris last year.
On the back of that achievement, Maher featured in Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition and appeared in the US version of hit TV show “Dancing with the Stars”, finishing runner-up.
The Maher-fuelled improvement of the USA team attracted the attention of American investor Michele Kang who donated $4 million to help develop the USA Women’s Rugby Sevens Team over four years.
In another sport, Kang owns the Lyon women’s football team, the eight-time European champions.
Maher’s days in Paris were not just spent playing rugby but also attracting even more followers with her pithy social media posts.
She compared life in the Athletes’ Village to a reality TV show, in one humorous posting saying she was there “looking for love”, to which her friend replies: “No you are here to play rugby.”
In more reflective mode in Paris, she told the Bleacher Report one of her goals was trying to reassure “girls” that playing sport did not take away their “girliness”.
“What we’re trying to show is the beauty that in sports you can be a badass on the field, you can be a beast on the field, but also be a beauty,” she said.
“It’s really important for me because I want girls to see what their body is capable of.
“It’s not just to be looked at, objectified, but it’s strong and it’s fast, and it’s brilliant.”
Maher, who through her body positivity push has become a brand ambassador for a deodorant and a skincare product she co-founded, revels in her global popularity and being “America’s sweetheart.”
“I love when people call me that because I feel like I’m maybe not the image you would have of a sweetheart in some sense of the word,” Maher told CNN in January this year.
“I’m honoured.”
Maher, who hails from Vermont, may be extrovert and cheerful but she keeps her ego in check by showing appreciation to those women sports stars who paved the way for her.
Hamm, her fellow American and a groundbreaking football superstar of the 1990s and early noughties, a two-time Olympic and World Cup winner, features high on the list.
“I remember in our gym we always had a poster of Mia Hamm, and that was always cool to look up to her,” Maher told the Bleacher Report.
Closer to home, though, she is part of a tight-knit family unit, with her father Michael, a keen rugby player who introduced her to the sport, Netherlands-born mum Mieneke and sisters Olivia and Adrianna.
Elder sister Olivia has a considerable social media presence herself.
From her father Ilona not only learned about rugby but also a crucial life lesson when he defended her at a softball event.
One of the other dads complained that Maher’s pitches were unhittable but he was put in his place by Maher senior.
“I think that was the first moment of being told to never tone it down,” she told CNN.
“Because that dad over there … wanted me to tone myself down so that it could be easier for (his daughter).
“But that’s not the world, is it? The world isn’t going to tone down for you.”
Instead Maher has upped the ante and the fruits for women’s rugby have been plentiful as New Zealand legend Portia Woodman-Wickliffe told AFP.
“Having someone from America with that American market who is very confident, loves rugby, loves supporting women’s bodies, someone as vocal as that is amazing for us,” Woodman-Wickliffe said.
“We need to capitalise and follow her as much as we can.”
The AirPods Max are Apple’s finest set of headphones. They’re also some of the most expensive, but will their superior build and unique design give them what they need to vanquish the Sony WH-1000XM6?
Pros
Luxurious design and feel
Easy-to-use controls
Crisp, balanced sound
Spatial audio
Cons
No on/off switch
Smart case provides no protection
Sony’s latest pair of noise canceling over-ears come with a freshly sharpened set of tools with which to dispatch the AirPods Max. But how will the XM6 fare when they go head-to-head with Apple’s flagship cans?
Pros
Incredible comfort
Improved vocal clarity
30-hour battery life
Great codec support
Cons
Fragile-feeling articulating hinges
Limited soundstage
Now that the Sony WH-1000XM6 have been out for a little while, I’ve had ample time to properly test them and put them up against their closest competition from Apple and Bose. With a refreshed design and a brand new sound signature, Sony’s flagship is sailing into battle with confidence.
But the AirPods Max won’t make it an easy victory. They still have their unique design and solid ANC going for them, and that magic pairing with Apple devices is going to take something special to beat.
So, which headphones should you buy in 2025? I’ve put the two head-to-head to see which you should take home.
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs AirPods Max: Price and availability
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
The Sony WH-1000XM6 snatch an early victory here — they’re much more affordable than Apple’s weighty aluminum cans. The XM6 come in at $449, which is more than the older XM5 model, but crucially less than the AirPods Max.
One thing worth noting, however, is that XM6 haven’t yet seen any healthy discounts. This might change with Black Friday or the next Amazon Prime Day, but as of yet, there has been little movement in their MSRP.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
Though you can occasionally find them on sale, AirPods Max have a higher MSRP — $549 to be exact — but thanks to their age, they’ve also seen some price drops. If your heart is set on the AirPods Max, you’re best off waiting for Black Friday and Prime Day to get the best price possible.
Despite those deal prices, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are going to take the win because they’re a cheaper pair of headphones for most of the year.
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Sony WH-1000XM6 vs AirPods Max: Design
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
The Sony WH-1000XM6 have received some visual updates over the previous version, but they are few. The armature holding the earcups to the headband now folds so that they can be more compact, and the headband is slightly wider for a more comfortable fit. Otherwise, these look an awful lot like the model that came before them.
The 1000XM6’s case is much better than before, and also more protective than the AirPods Max’s sleeve… thing.
The 1000XM6’s case is much better than before, and also more protective than the AirPods Max’s sleeve… thing. There’s space inside for your cables, and I’m more a fan of the magnetic clasp than I thought I would be. It works well, and makes opening and closing the case much quicker than the conventional zipper.
Comfort is good, but not excellent. The widened headband can still dig in after long periods of time, and the earcups get very sweaty with wear. They also press on glasses and piercings. They’re not uncomfortable, but there are better.
Finally, let’s talk about Sony’s build. I think they’re a bit non-descript. Their plastic is nothing to write home about, and the overall look doesn’t scream “$449 headphones!” Perhaps that’s a good thing — they’re less likely to get stolen — but compare them to the AirPods and things don’t look great for Sony’s headphones in the looks and build department.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
The AirPods Max are just the nicer pair of headphones in hand. Those aluminum earcups feel extremely premium, and the fully metal build feels like you could run your car over them. Don’t do that, obviously, but it’s encouraging to feel such heft. Especially when you’ve spent $549.
Comfort is better than Sony’s out of the box as well, thanks to a nicer foam and more breathable materials in the earcups. Importantly, the earcups can be swapped out and cleaned, which is neat.
There is a big ‘however’ waiting in the wings, unfortunately: The AirPods don’t stand up to years of abuse, it turns out. My older AirPods with Lightning connector have lost the elasticity in their headband, so they’re no longer as comfortable. They look really ratty now as well, with some staining on the headband and discoloration on the earcups. Make sure you keep them clean, or they’ll end up looking pretty grim.
The case is a letdown as well. The suede diaper thing that holds just the earcups does little more than prevent scratches, with the headband left to the outside world and potential damage.
Overall, this one is a tie — the AirPods are nice looking and far more premium, but the case is bad and some bits of their build might struggle after years of use.
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Max: Controls
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
Sony has opted for touch controls again with the XM6, and they’re fine if you like swiping your earcups to change volume, skip and play/pause. I don’t like them, because they’re all to easy to nudge while adjusting my hair, and completely useless when it’s cold and I’m wearing some gloves.
The power button and the ANC button are easy to tell apart, though, which is always good. No more accidentally pressing the pairing key when I want to turn the ANC off, as I did many times with their predecessor.
The AirPods Max, on the other hand, feature one of the best headphone control schemes around. The digital crown and button combo is super intuitive. The dial controls the volume, and the button controls the ANC. Pause your music with a press of the dial, and then skip and go back a track with one or two taps.
They’ve stood the test of time incredibly well — in the last few years I can’t think of a control scheme that I like more than the AirPods Max.
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Max: Sound quality
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
The Sony WH-1000XM6 have a newly updated sound profile, now giving more emphasis on vocals. They’re some of the clearest vocals we’ve found in headphones, which is great for a bunch of different genres.
The XM6 sound good, don’t get me wrong, but they’re just not quite as impressive when you put them up against the AirPods Max.
They’re not perfect, however. That newfound focus let soundstage and spatial imaging slip to the wayside, making them feel slightly more restricted as a result. They also retain Sony’s rather bassy low-end, which many really enjoy. Alas, it also has a habit of overpowering the mids and the highs.
The XM6 sound good, don’t get me wrong, but they’re just not quite as impressive when you put them up against the AirPods Max.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
The AirPods Max have much better sound than the Sony WH-1000XM6. The soundstage is much wider, for one, which makes your music sound more open and airy. The bass is less overpowering, with great control and restraint on display than the Sony headphones.
The overall soundscape is far more neutral and pleasant to listen to: All genres sound really good, and you’re not going to miss any of the extra bass of the WH-1000XM6 when you hear just how good your music can sound out of the AirPods.
They’re also better at spatial audio. Sony’s are good, but Apple’s head tracking is more accurate and natural. I much prefer listening to spatial audio with the AirPods Max, although my final preference is still to leave it turned off.
There are better out there for sound than both – the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3, for example — but the AirPods take the sound cake.
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Max: Features
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
Sony is always good at filling its headphones with loads of features, and the XM6 are no different. First of all, there’s the Sony Music app, which is a very useful way of accessing the headphones’ features. There are some settings and sliders hidden away in submenus, which is annoying, but you’ll soon get a handle on where everything is.
Inside the app is where you’ll find the features. The noise-canceling modes dominate the first page of the app. There are levels you can set the ANC, beyond simply ‘on’ and ‘off’. I don’t really get it — I like my ANC all the way up whenever I want the outside blocked out. You can also select transparency mode here.
Then there’s the EQ, which is very robust. There are 10 bands you can adjust you can really dial in the sound of your headphones. There’s a form of spatial audio on board as well, although it only works with Amazon Music Unlimited. I also don’t like it, so I leave it turned off.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
The AirPods Max aren’t quite so fully featured. They do have several noise-canceling modes to choose from, although again, I leave them on max. There’s also Apple’s Spatial Audio on board, which is much better than Sony’s thanks to accurate head tracking.
There’s little in the way of sound customization, however, which is a shame. Thankfully, they sound fine without it.
Things look up again for Apple with its ecosystem integration. Using any pair of AirPods if you have a selection of Apple devices is magical, and the AirPods Max continue that legacy. They connect incredibly easily, and can then switch between your iPhone, MacBook and iPad whenever needed.
But that’s only for Apple users. For everyone else, the Sony headphones have the superior feature set.
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Max: ANC
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
The ANC of the Sony headphones is better than the AirPods Max in the long run, although their focuses are different from one another. Sony wants to make your commute more tolerable, blocking out the sounds of bus and train engines. Offices and libraries are silenced — but jet engines remain a small issue.
That’s what the AirPods are for — your business class seat on a cross-continent flight where the engine is just outside your window. They might not be quite as good in normal day-to-day use like the Sony WH-1000XM6, but they’re perfect for the frequent flier or long-distance train traveler.
Transparency modes in both are very good, and sound natural when you’re ordering your McDonald’s breakfast. Like me.
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Max: Battery life
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
The Sony XM6 are going to last you longer than the AirPods Max, without a shadow of a doubt. There are 30 hours of battery on tap here when you’ve got the ANC turned on, which rises to 40 hours when you turn it off. That’s perfectly fine for battery life, although there are some that are better.
The AirPods Max, on the other hand, do not have good battery life. They only last for 20 hours on a single charge. You’ll be searching for a charger after a couple of days’ use with the AirPods I found, which is less than ideal.
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Max: Verdict
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
After my period of comparative testing, I can say that the Sony WH-1000XM6 are the better pair of headphones. They last for much longer when it comes to battery life, and they’ve got more useful ANC along the way. They’re not quite enough to take the top spot on our list of the best headphones anymore, but they’re still an excellent set of cans.
The AirPods Max have their charm, however. They sound much better, and they feel far more premium than the plastic Sony headphones. If you’re an Apple user, they’ll mesh with the rest of your devices super well too. I like the AirPods Max more — they’ve got more personality — but the WH-1000XM6 are the better pair of headphones.
Yet still, there are alternatives I’d buy instead of either. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 sound better and are more comfortable than both, while boasting a build that’s similar to the AirPods Max.
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Scientists have confirmed that a signal detected by the KM3NeT detector in 2023 was indeed a cosmic neutrino. Initially, it was believed to be a glitch since it is almost impossible to detect neutrinos. These particles neither have any mass nor an electric charge, and they hardly ever interact with other particles. But KM3NeT, located deep under the Mediterranean Sea, detected a faint signal in February that year, which was determined to be a neutrino with a record-shattering energy of 220 petaelectronvolts (PeV). How was that possible? Researchers have since been analysing the particle and are sure that it was a neutrino. They are also known as ghost particles since they move around us, and even through us, without ever being noticed. Data and analysis support the assumption that the KM3-230213A signal was caused by a 220-PeV neutrino. But now another mystery has cropped up, about its origin. Scientists are almost sure that the neutrino came from deep space. Also Read: Could a 1-km-deep under-water volcano trigger a disaster? showing signs of imminent eruption
Despite being hard to detect, neutrinos are the most abundant particle in the universe. When stars merge or die in a supernova, an abundance of neutrinos is created. Even though a lack of physical character makes neutrinos tough to find, sometimes they crash into another particle, creating a burst of muons and photons, particles of light. This triggers a faint glow that some detectors can pick up. The same thing happened with KM3NeT. Set up at a depth of 11,320 feet under the ocean, the detector sits in a pitch-dark environment. Here, a neutrino smacking into a particle would shine like a beacon. Also Read: Beast’s eye in space: Object spewing particles at Earth was a mystery. A photo has revealed it is…
Only 1 in 100 chance of detecting a neutrino
When the neutrino smacked into Earth in 2023, scientists didn’t believe it was a neutrino event since nothing like this had ever been detected by other detectors in operation for longer than KM3NeT. This includes IceCube and Auger, which have swept regions for ultra-high-energy neutrinos, but have never seen one. Researchers think that “the neutrino observed by KM3NeT is the first such neutrino observed,” as stated in the KM3Net collaboration. They inferred that even though there is “a rather low probability” of something like this happening, “approximately 1 in 100,” KM3NeT has definitely picked up a neutrino event. Also Read: Signal from the early universe: Radio burst travels 10 billion years to reach Earth. It came from a…
This discovery has also led scientists to think about the newer sources of neutrinos in the universe. KM3-230213A suggests a new component or process that produces ultra-high-energy neutrinos could be present in the universe that blasted out the neutrino. “This is relevant because it is expected that such a new component would arise at ultra-high energies, due to cosmogenic neutrinos,” those produced when cosmic rays interact with “the first observable light of the Universe emitted about 13.8 billion years ago.” It is also possible that “a new population of astrophysical objects emitting ultra-high-energy neutrinos” is present somewhere in the universe. However, they are sure that it did not originate in the Milky Way, but came from an extreme distance.
Romeo Beckham sends subtle message with new move amid family feud
Romeo Beckham is not wasting any more time on the ongoing drama with his brother Brooklyn Beckham and focusing on what’s important to him: relationships with the rest of his family.
The 22-year-old athlete took to Instagram on Saturday, August 16, and shared a carousel of pictures from the Beckhams’ recent family vacation.
Romeo’s post featured a picture of himself and sister Harper, 13, among many of his own snapshots from the family holiday.
The former football player showed off his tattoos in a swimming suit in one of the pictures, himself taking the wheel of a boat in one, and his surfing skills in another.
The other picture also showed him having fun with a friend during the family’s time off from the drama surrounding them as Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz renewed their vows without inviting anyone from his family.
Romeo’s camera roll from the vacation came a week after his mom Victoria Beckham shared a glimpse into their travels on her Instagram.
The fashion mogul’s carousel featured husband David Beckham, Romeo, Harper and son Cruz, 20, on a yacht in Europe.
In a study, patients with neuropathic pruritus showed significantly higher rates of anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and falls than healthy individuals. Gabapentin and topical corticosteroids were the most prescribed treatment agents with high success rates.
METHODOLOGY:
Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study of 71 adults with neuropathic pruritus at the University of Maryland outpatient dermatology clinic between January 2017 and January 2023.
Overall, 32.4% of patients had notalgia paresthetica, 52.1% had scalp dysesthesia, and 9.9% had generalized neuropathic pruritus.
They also assessed 71 healthy individuals without neuropathic pruritus from the same clinic with clinically normal skin and no pruritus or inflammatory dermatoses.
Comorbidity rates, treatments, and their responses were evaluated for both the patient groups.
TAKEAWAY:
Patients with neuropathic pruritus demonstrated increased odds of anxiety (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.6; P = .04), depression (aOR, 2.2; P = .05), sleep disorders (aOR, 3.4; P < .01), type 2 diabetes (aOR, 2.5; P = .08), obesity (aOR, 2.9; P = .02), and falls (aOR, 4.4; P = .01).
Topical corticosteroids were the most prescribed treatment (67.6%), followed by gabapentin (63.4%) and physical therapy or neck exercises (35.7%). Pregabalin (16.9% of patients), tricyclic antidepressants (19.7%), capsaicin (19.7%), and first-generation (28.2%) and second-generation (25.4%) antihistamines were also frequently prescribed treatments.
Gabapentin was the most effective neurally acting therapy, with improvement in 26 of 45 (57.8%) treated patients, while pregabalin demonstrated benefit in 4 of 12 (33.3%) treated patients.
Nearly half of the 48 patients prescribed topical corticosteroids showed improvement; antihistamines were the least effective, showing improvement in only 2 of 38 treated patients (6.1%).
IN PRACTICE:
The study “highlights the clinical complexity” of neuropathic pruritus “and the need for a multidisciplinary, individualized approach to care,” the authors of the study wrote, noting that the higher rates of anxiety, sleep disorders, obesity, T2D, and falls represent “important comorbidities to screen for and possible contributors” to the pathophysiology of neuropathic pruritus. “The diversity of treatments used reflects the heterogenous and complex nature” of the condition, they added, “underscoring the need for a deeper understanding of its pathophysiology and personalized treatment strategies.”
SOURCE:
The study was led by Viviane Liao, BA, and Yagiz Matthew Akiska, BSE, Department of Dermatology and the Maryland Itch Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, and was published online on August 8 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
LIMITATIONS:
Limitations included the retrospective, single-center design and the absence of quantitative itch assessments.
DISCLOSURES:
The study did not receive any funding. One author disclosed serving as an advisory board member and consultant for AbbVie, Amgen, Arcutis Biotherapeutics, ASLAN Pharmaceuticals, and various other pharmaceutical or biotech companies. Other authors reported having no conflicts of interest.
This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
An undated picture of India T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav. – AFP
India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has been declared fit to participate in the Asia Cup 2025 after successfully clearing a fitness test at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, Indian media reported on Sunday.
According to reports, he is almost certain to continue as India’s T20I captain for the tournament. Having undergone mandatory fitness tests post-surgery, Suryakumar has successfully cleared all benchmarks required for a return to play.
His fitness clearance provides a major boost to India’s squad ahead of the Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in the UAE from September 9 to 28.
Suryakumar is expected to attend the Asia Cup squad selection meeting in Mumbai on August 19 alongside chairman of selectors and former India cricketer Ajit Agarkar.
Suryakumar had been sidelined since the conclusion of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), during which he amassed 717 runs for the Mumbai Indians, becoming only the second player after Sachin Tendulkar to cross 600 runs in a single season for the franchise.
His outstanding performances helped MI reach the playoffs and made him one of the leading run-scorers of the season.
Following the IPL, Suryakumar traveled to Munich, Germany, where he underwent surgery for a sports hernia in his lower right abdomen in June.
Upon his return to India, he began rehabilitation program at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, where he has resumed batting and fitness training.
It is pertinent to mention that the Asia Cup 2025 will begin with a Group B fixture between Afghanistan and Hong Kong on September 9.
A total of eight teams, divided into two groups, will vie for the prestigious title. Fierce rivals Pakistan and India are placed in Group A, alongside UAE and Oman, while Group B features Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong.
Pakistan will open their campaign against Oman on September 12, followed by the blockbuster match against India on September 14. Their final group-stage game is scheduled for September 17 against the UAE.
Complete schedule of ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025
• 9 September: Afghanistan vs Hong Kong • 10 September: India vs UAE • 11 September: Bangladesh vs Hong Kong • 12 September: Pakistan vs Oman • 13 September: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka • 14 September: India vs Pakistan • 15 September: UAE vs Oman • 15 September: Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong • 16 September: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan • 17 September: Pakistan vs UAE • 18 September: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan • 19 September: India vs Oman
Super Four Stage:
• September 20: B1 vs B2 • September 21: A1 vs A2 • September 23: A2 vs B1 • September 24: A1 vs B2 • September 25: A2 vs B2 • September 26: A1 vs B1
A team of 13 has earned selection to the ARA Australian Cycling Team for the 2025 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from October 16–19.
In a major change to the program, this year’s World Championships introduces the sprint and elimination race and removes the individual pursuit for C-classified riders. B (tandem) riders will continue racing the individual pursuit.
Paralympic gold medallist Korey Boddington is set for his second attempt at a world title, 18 months after winning silver in the men’s C4 1000m time trial and bronze in the mixed C1-5 team sprint bronze.
The introduction of individual sprint world titles is right in Boddington’s wheelhouse. The 29-year-old set a new flying 200-metre world record in his category at the 2025 Oceania Track Championships in February.
Korey Boddington won kilo silver at the 2024 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships. (CBC)
Boddington’s team sprint teammates from 2024, Gordon Allan and Michael Shippley, are saddling up again in 2025 after both also winning individual medals last year.
ARA Australian Cycling Team veteran Emily Petricola has her eyes firmly planted on more gold medals in the bunch races, having twice been a winner of the women’s C4 scratch race title.
In the tandem class, perennial medal threat Jess Gallagher will be joined by her new pilot, Jacqui Mengler-Mohr.
The pair delivered early signs of podium-level speed at the 2025 AusCycling Track National Championships in March.
Paralympians Kane Perris and pilot Luke Zaccaria will travel to Brazil full of motivation to factor in the men’s tandem podium battles, specifically the 1000m time trial and sprint.
Jacqui Mengler-Mohr, Jess Gallagher, Luke Zaccaria and Kane Perris racing in the mixed tandem team sprint at the 2025 Oceania Track Cycling Championships. (Mat Gilfedder)
This quartet will have confidence in a genuine gold medal opportunity in the mixed tandem team sprint, reinforced by the blistering time they recorded at TrackNats.
Victoria’s Tara Neyland will make her maiden appearance at a Para-cycling Track Worlds, earning selection a month after being elevated to the 2025 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships team.
Neyland was a revelation at TrackNats, winning women’s C4 national championships in the scratch race and 1000m time trial, setting a new national record in the process. She looms as an exciting prospect in Rio.
Tahlia Clayton-Goodie is fast becoming a mainstay of the ARA Australian Cycling Team. She will compete in C1 for the first time at a Para-cycling Track Worlds after a reclassification earlier this year.
Rounding out the squad is 2023 C5 scratch race world champion Alana Forster; fellow 2023 medallist Erin Rowell; and Paralympic gold medallist Paige Greco, who will return to the international stage with excitement for the new event format, specifically the longer 1000m time trial and bunch races.
Erin Rowell powers out of the gate at the 2025 Oceania Track Cycling Championships. (Mat Gilfedder)
AusCycling’s Head Coach of Para-cycling, Sheila Galloway, said she is incredibly proud of the team selected for this year’s Para-cycling Track World Championships.
“It brings together Paralympic and world champions, world record holders and medallists, alongside athletes ready to make their mark across LA 2028 medal events including sprint, bunch and team races,” Galloway said.
“I know each rider will take great pride in wearing the green and gold and showcasing the strength of Australian para-cycling on the world stage.”
ARA Australian Cycling Team – 2025 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships
Women
Tahlia Clayton-Goodie – C1 (Geelong and Surf Coast Cycling Club/VIC)
Alana Forster – C5 (Ballarat Sebastopol Cycling Club/VIC)
Jess Gallagher (St Kilda Cycling Club/VIC) and Jacqui Mengler-Mohr (Balmoral Cycling Club/QLD) [pilot] – B
Paige Greco – C3 (Lifecycle Cycling Club/QLD)
Tara Neyland – C4 (Brunswick Cycling Club/VIC)
Emily Petricola – C4 (St Kilda Cycling Club/VIC)
Erin Rowell – C4 (Geelong Cycling Club/VIC)
Men
Gordon Allan – C2 (Parklife Cycling Club/NSW)
Korey Boddington – C4 (University of Queensland Cycling Club/QLD)
Kane Perris (Track Cycling WA/WA) and Luke Zaccaria (Track Cycling WA/WA) [pilot] – B
