Many people might be aware of an ongoing opioid epidemic, with thousands of people dying every year from overdoses. But many who are misusing opioids are also using-and dying from-stimulant drugs as well, according to a study published July 2 in the open access journal PLOS Mental Health by Yutong Li from the University of Alberta, Canada, and colleagues.
In 2021, more than 88,000 people passed away from opiate-related deaths in the United States and Canada-the latest in three major waves of opiate deaths. But many opioid users also use stimulants-82 percent have been exposed to stimulants and 22 percent are regular amphetamine users. To better understand how opioid and stimulant deaths might be connected, the authors of this study examined data from the United States National Institute on Drug Abuse for both intentional and unintentional deaths in the United States between 1999 and 2021, as well as the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Alberta Substance Use Surveillance System between 2016 and 2021. They also looked at Google Trends in the same time span, to gain some insight into how aware the public may be of deaths involving both opioid- and stimulant use.
The authors found four distinct surges in opioid-related deaths, with the biggest increase in deaths between 2019 and 2021, and three surges in stimulant-related deaths between 1999 and 2021, with the biggest increase between 2013 and 2021. There were two major jumps in the number of deaths involving both opioids and stimulants, with the largest between 2013 and 2021. But while Google Trends for opiates showed peaks during increases in opioid-related deaths, searches for stimulants remained low, indicating a lack of public awareness. While the authors did not have access to data, which included the use of other substances such as alcohol, and most of the data was centered in the United States, their findings nonetheless indicate that the surge in stimulant-related deaths along with opiate-related deaths is occurring in the shadows, with a lack of public awareness potentially impeding interventions.
Source:
Journal reference:
Li, Y., et al. (2025) Co-involvement of stimulants with opioids in North America: A ‘silent epidemic’. PLOS Mental Health. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmen.0000319.
LHASA — Southwest China”s Xizang autonomous region has achieved significant results in preventing and treating endemic diseases, the regional health authority said Wednesday.
In 2023 and 2024, the region screened more than 1.7 million people for echinococcosis (hydatid disease), treating over 6,000 with medication and performing surgery on 675. The human infection rate decreased to 0.16 percent in 2024 from 0.22 percent in 2022, mainly due to effective dog management and rodent control.
Xizang reported no new cases of Kashin-Beck disease, a historically prevalent condition in the region also known as the “big bone disease,” since 2018, citing measures such as improved water and grain quality, as well as relocation.
Addressing the high incidence of congenital heart disease (CHD) in children, Xizang has raised the number of designated hospitals from three to five, with routine and standardized screening and treatment. Since 2023, more than 300,000 children have been screened for the disease, leading to over 800 surgical procedures. The proportion of CHD surgeries performed within the region rose from 3.9 percent to 46.25 percent.
Health check-up subsidies increased to 164 yuan (about $22.9) per person in 2025, with 200 yuan allocated for those aged 65 and over. Cataract screening is now a mandatory part of the check-up for this age group. Designated cataract surgery hospitals grew from 35 to 45 since 2023, treating 22,000 patients.
Tan Xiangdong, deputy director of the regional health commission, said that efforts will continue to address pressing public health needs.
Johni Broome posts his 2nd straight double-double with a dominant 22-point, 14-rebound performance Wednesday.
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Johni Broome and Mark Armstrong scored 22 points each to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 90-82 win over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA 2K26 Summer League at Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday evening.
Armstrong did most of his damage early in the game, as he had 18 points on 6-for-10 shooting by halftime. On the contrary, Broome picked up the pace in the second half, where he scored 13 of his points, on his way to 8-for-19 shooting on the night.
The Sixers jumped out to a quick start and earned a nine-point lead after one quarter. The Mavs bounced back in the second, outscoring the opponents by 11 in the frame, to take a two-point lead into the break. Both teams came out hot in the third, but the 76ers were able to reclaim the edge with a two-point advantage to open the final frame. The Sixers kept the momentum going in the fourth and rallied to a 10-point lead with just over six minutes left, which was enough of a cushion for them to maintain control the rest of the way.
The 76ers had a total of four players score in double digits, including Keve Aluma, with 17, and Judah Mintz, with 14. Broome also had a game-high 14 rebounds to go with his 22 points, while Armstrong chipped in three assists and two steals.
On the other side, Maxwell Lewis led the Mavericks with 23 points on 10-for-20 shooting, including 3-for-8 from deep. Miles Kelly followed up with 21 points, five rebounds, two steals and a block, while Jordan Hall racked up 17 points, five rebounds and nine assists.
Today, the asteroid’ ‘2022 YS5’ is going to come very close to Earth. Scientists have warned that this asteroid, which is about 120 feet in diameter, will pass Earth at a speed of 22,500 km/h, and if its path changes, it will pose a threat to the Earth. This asteroid will pass Earth at a distance of about 4.15 million kilometers. This may seem like a huge distance to us on Earth. But in terms of space, it is considered close. Its speed and distance have created a crisis that requires this asteroid to be monitored. According to NASA’s CNEOS Center, the ‘2022 YS5’ asteroid is about the size of a 10-story building. However, it is not large enough to be classified as a “potentially hazardous” asteroid. This means that if it hits Earth, it will not cause a catastrophe. The effects will be minimal. Although ‘2022 YS5’ is not directly harmful, experts warn that its direction may change over time due to factors such as gravity or solar radiation. This makes it important to continue monitoring near-Earth objects.NASA will only classify an asteroid as “potentially hazardous” if it is more than 85 meters in diameter and passes within 7.4 million kilometers of Earth. Since 2022, YS5 has not met these criteria, and it is not considered hazardous.
Often, meteorites of this size break up and explode in the atmosphere before hitting the ground. This is called an “airburst.” Meteorites that break up in this way can cause damage in many places. Not only that, the atmospheric explosion creates a powerful shock wave. This shock wave can spread over thousands of square kilometers and break windows. If this stone hits the head, it will create a crater with a diameter of 1,200 feet to 2,400 feet. Studies have shown that this can cause earthquakes and tsunamis if it falls into the ocean.
John Miller supports Jennifer Garner for her coparenting dynamic with Ben Affleck
Jennifer Garner’s boyfriend John Miller has nothing but “respect” for the actress’s coparenting relationship with ex Ben Affleck.
A source privy to People told the outlet that Miller has “embraced” Garner’s motherhood responsibilities, and he fully supports her coparenting dynamic with her ex husband too.
“John has embraced Jen’s family life,” the tipster said.
The insider continued, “He’s been patient, supportive, and deeply respectful of her dynamic with Ben and the kids.”
It is pertinent to mention that Garner shares three kids with Affleck: Seraphina, 16, Samuel, 13, and 19-year-old Violet.
The former couple were married for almost a decade from 2005 to 2015.
The 53-year-old actress and businessman beau, known for his tech company that owns CaliBurger restaurant chain, “hit a stride as a couple and those who know them say this is the most solid and connected they’ve ever been.”
For those unversed, Miller and the 13 Going on 30 actress have been quietly dating on-and-off since 2018.
Summary: A large-scale European study by the University of Geneva reveals that hearing loss significantly accelerates memory decline in older adults—especially among those experiencing loneliness—highlighting the urgent need for early hearing care and social support.
Key Takeaways:
Hearing loss and loneliness together create a high-risk pathway to dementia, even for individuals who are socially connected but still feel emotionally isolated.
Three distinct social profiles were identified—isolated and lonely, connected but lonely, and isolated but not lonely—with the most cognitive decline observed in those who felt lonely despite not being socially isolated.
Early hearing interventions, like hearing aids, can be effective preventive tools, particularly for those who are socially engaged but hindered by hearing difficulties.
Isolation, communication difficulties, reduced alertness—hearing impairment or loss is a real challenge in daily life. Over time, it can also become a risk factor for cognitive decline. A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) analyzed data from 33,000 older adults across Europe to examine the combined impact of hearing loss and loneliness on memory. They identified three distinct profiles based on the degree of social isolation and perceived loneliness. The findings show that hearing loss accelerates cognitive decline particularly among individuals who feel lonely, regardless of whether they are socially isolated. These results, published in Communications Psychology, support the case for early and preventive hearing care.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 2.5 billion people will experience hearing loss or impairment by 2050. More than 25% of people over the age of 60 experience disabling hearing loss. In addition to the social challenges it creates, this loss—or reduction—is linked to a significantly increased risk of cognitive decline in later life. That risk may be two to three times higher for those affected.
A joint team from the Lifespan Developmental Psychology Lab and the Cognitive Ageing Lab at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) set out to investigate whether the combination of hearing difficulties and feelings of loneliness—whether objectively measured or subjectively perceived—could be associated with accelerated memory decline in older age. “This is a relatively new approach,” explains Charikleia Lampraki, postdoctoral researcher in the Lifespan Lab at UNIGE’s Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences and first author of the study. “While some studies have suggested that this might be a promising avenue, very few research teams have actually explored it.”
33,000 People Studied
To conduct their analyses, the researchers drew on data from the large-scale SHARE study (Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe)—a longitudinal survey launched in 2002 that examines the health and ageing of Europeans aged 50 and over.
“We used data from twelve countries, including Switzerland, representing a sample of 33,000 people,” explains Andreas Ihle, assistant professor at the Lifespan Lab and director of the study. Participants are surveyed every two years on various aspects of their daily lives—such as activities, social connections, and perceptions—and undergo tests on cognitive functions like episodic memory, using standardized exercises.
The UNIGE research team identified three distinct profiles related to the issue:
1. Individuals who are socially isolated and feel lonely
2. Individuals who are not socially isolated but still feel lonely
3. Individuals who are socially isolated but do not feel lonely
Isolation and Hearing Loss: an “Explosive” Cocktail
The scientists then examined whether these different profiles had different trajectories of cognitive decline, depending on the type of perceived isolation and the degree of hearing loss. “We found that people who were not socially isolated but who felt lonely saw their cognitive decline accelerate when they were deaf,” says Matthias Kliegel, a full professor in the Cognitive Ageing Laboratory in the UNIGE’s Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, and co-author of the study.
These findings support the importance of addressing both hearing loss and the social and emotional dimensions of individuals in efforts to prevent cognitive decline. This is particularly crucial for people who are not socially isolated but still feel lonely—in such cases, simple hearing interventions, like using a hearing aid, may be enough to help them engage more fully in social life.
“These individuals are already socially integrated, so it’s a matter of removing a sensory barrier in order to reinforce their engagement and protect their cognitive health,” concludes Lampraki.
Iron ore climbed to a two-month high, with traders encouraged by China’s pledge to reduce excess competition and outdated capacity, despite the steel market’s weakening demand outlook.
The bulk commodity rose as much as 1.3% on Thursday before paring gains. Prices have moved above $100 a ton this week for the first time since May, bolstered by Beijing’s signals that it’s determined to eradicate industrial overcapacity in a bid to improve mills’ margins. Expectations for fresh property-sector stimulus measures have improved the consumption outlook.
More than five years after its initial emergence, COVID-19 continues to evolve, with the World Health Organization (WHO) recently designating XFG, nicknamed “Stratus,” as a new variant under monitoring in late June 2025. XFG, which is rapidly outpacing its predecessor, Nimbus, is a recombinant Omicron subvariant that has been found in increasing proportions globally, particularly in India, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Despite its spread, the WHO currently assesses the additional public health risk posed by XFG as low at the global level, with existing COVID-19 vaccines expected to remain effective against symptomatic and severe disease. However, this ongoing viral evolution and transmission occurs amidst a devastating crisis in US public health, driven by sweeping policy shifts and budget cuts.
Artist’s conception of the spike proteins that allow SARS-CoV-2 to invade human cells. [Photo by Emanresucamit / CC BY-SA 4.0]
With respect to recent scientific analysis on XFG, in a Lancet Correspondence, Caiwan Guo and colleagues from Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC) at Peking University explained that XFG is a recombinant variant, meaning it emerged from two existing subvariants, LF.7 and LP.8.1.2, sharing genetic material from both. It has four important mutations in its spike protein, which is the part of the virus that helps it attach to human cells.
Some of these mutations are thought to help it evade certain antibodies, meaning our existing immune protection from past infections or vaccinations might not work as well. Early lab studies suggest XFG has a nearly two-fold reduction in neutralization compared to LP.8.1.1, indicating strong immune evasion. However, its ability to attach to human cells (ACE2 engagement efficiency) is relatively low, which might require additional changes for it to spread widely and consistently.
It was first detected on January 27, 2025. By June 22, 2025, it accounted for 22.7 percent of globally available SARS-CoV-2 sequences from 38 countries, a significant increase from 7.4 percent four weeks prior. It presently accounts for at least 30 percent of all SARS-CoV-2 variants in the US.
The only accurate and comprehensive review of the state of the pandemic in the US and internationally remains the Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative (PMC), run by Dr. Mike Hoerger at Tulane University. This underscores the deep crisis of public health, as previously checked diseases like measles have recently resurfaced as a threat to American population.
According to their latest forecast, as of its report on July 14, 2025, the PMC model estimates approximately 2.3 million new infections per week in the U.S. This rate is forecasted to increase, potentially reaching 500,000 daily infections around July 30 (or 3.5 million a week, an increase of more than 50 percent).
While earlier estimates based on reported test cases suggested a much lower figure of around 50,000 new infections per day, updated analysis using wastewater data indicates a significantly higher range of 300,000 to 600,000 new daily infections, translating to 9 million to 18 million infections per month in the US.
Marty Makary (left), Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (center) and Jay Bhattacharya (right) announcing restricted access to anti-COVID vaccines in video posted on X/Twitter [Photo: HHS]
Wastewater surveillance is now the most reliable population-level tool for assessing true infection rates, as many infections go unrecorded due to reduced testing and reporting. Extrapolating these U.S. wastewater-based rates to the global population, an estimated 216 million to 432 million people worldwide may be newly infected with SARS-CoV-2 each month as of mid-2025. This global extrapolation is considered reasonable, given the comparable wastewater surveillance trends observed in other developed nations like Germany and Australia.
With respect to excess death rates, PMC estimate that the U.S. is currently experiencing 800 to 1,300 excess deaths per week attributable to COVID-19. If this pace continues, it will amount to approximately 50,000 excess deaths this year, comparable to the worst flu seasons, but primarily affecting high-risk populations such as the elderly and immunocompromised.
The comparison of Infection Fatality Rate (IFR) between COVID and flu finds that COVID remains much more lethal than flu. (IFR measures the proportion of deaths among all infected individuals, including those who are asymptomatic or undiagnosed.)
For seasonal influenza, typical IFR estimates are very low, hovering around 0.03 to 0.04 percent in population studies. For COVID-19, overall global IFR estimates are significantly higher, ranging from 0.3 to 0.7 percent. COVID-19’s IFR is thus roughly 10 times higher than that of seasonal influenza across all age groups on average.
Long COVID, also known as Post-COVID Condition, is a syndrome characterized by persistent or late-onset symptoms after the acute infection. It includes a wide range of issues such as fatigue, cognitive impairment (“brain fog”), shortness of breath, chronic pain and organ dysfunction. According to the WHO, there are over 200 symptoms across virtually every organ system have been reported in patients suffering from this debilitating disease.
Estimates suggest that roughly five to 10 percent of all infections lead to lingering symptoms that can last many months if not years. Although WHO indicates that the risk of developing Long COVID appears to be somewhat lower with Omicron variants and in vaccinated individuals, it remains a concern as immunity continues to wane, new immune evading variants continue unabated, and amid abysmal vaccination rates.
Notably, according to the US CDC, approximately 60 million people received a booster in the US in the last 12 months. In Europe, approximately 15.5 million total boosters were given between August 2024 and March 2025.
Yet, with billions infected globally, even a single-digit percentage of Long COVID incidence translates to a vast number: tens of millions globally have experienced Long COVID. While approximately 85 percent of people with Long COVID are estimated to recover by one year, about 15 percent continue to experience symptoms for a longer time.
The long-term picture regarding COVID-19’s health consequences is grim. Large cohort studies globally have revealed elevated rates of heart attacks, strokes, blood clots, diabetes onset, kidney disease, and mental health disorders in the months and years following infection.
This precarious situation is intensified by recent governmental actions, notably the implementation of Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which is rapidly laying waste to crucial public health infrastructure and research funding. The United States is woefully unprepared for the next pandemic, let alone the continuing COVID wave that is regaining momentum.
Following a Supreme Court ruling on July 8, 2025 that lifted an injunction, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proceeded with the layoff of thousands of employees, representing about 25 percent of its workforce, impacting agencies like the CDC and FDA.
Concurrently, the Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal outlines drastic cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). NIH faces an almost 40 percent budget reduction, forcing the consolidation of its 27 institutes into eight and eliminating funding for critical research areas and training programs. Similarly, the CDC’s budget is proposed to be slashed by nearly half, undermining its ability to fund state and local health departments and impacting chronic disease, HIV and injury prevention programs.
These moves are occurring alongside the Trump administration’s efforts to declare the pandemic “finished” and promote the repeatedly disproven lab-leak theory for COVID-19’s origin, as part of the preparation of public opinion for war with China.
Furthermore, the international actions of the Trump administration threaten the complete collapse of the global network of health agencies. The Trump administration’s decisions to defund the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and withdraw the United States from the WHO represent a profound and deliberate dismantling of global health infrastructure.
The appointment of figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) further politicizes public health, treating vaccines and research as “weapons for US national security policy” and fostering anti-China campaigns that include the “witch-hunting” of scientists. Collectively, these actions demonstrate a profound abandonment of global responsibility by the United States, signifying a broader collapse of the international community’s capacity to address global disease threats, leaving millions without access to critical healthcare, food and clean water, and the world more vulnerable to future pandemics.
Katy Perry performs’Not Like the Movies’ for fans after Orlando Bloom split
Katy Perry had an almost emotional moment on stage during her concert at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, on Tuesday, July 15.
As part of her interactive Choose Your Own Adventure segment, the singer let fans vote on which songs she should perform, and the results hit a little too close to home.
After seeing that fans had chosen Not Like the Movies, Perry, who recently split from Orlando Bloom after nine years together, reacted honestly.
“You’re gonna make me sing this song in this time in my life?” she asked the crowd. “OK, we’ll do it! Because you voted for it,” she told the audience, before sharing that fans also selected another heartfelt ballad, The One That Got Away.
Perry went on to explain why she let her fans pick the song for her.
“I let you choose the song tonight because I like to pick an album for every country that I go to and for the U.S.A., I picked Teenage Dream because U.S.A., you could be a teenage dream baby. You better get it together. I’ll always have that feeling for you,” she said.
Introducing Not Like the Movies, the 40-year-old pop star gave some context for the emotional weight of the song. “This next song I wrote in my 20s… after my first divorce,” she shared with the crowd.
And in classic Katy Perry fashion, she ended the moment with a dose of humour, warning fans, “I’ll try and hold my composure while I sing it.”
Though the moment was clearly raw, Perry kept it real with fans, offering vulnerability, laughter, and a performance that resonated even more deeply given her recent breakup.
