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New study finds financial problems strain the brain and accelerate aging

A new study has found that financial difficulties can take a toll on the brain and cause it to age prematurely.The study, conducted by a research team from University College London, showed that people who experience financial problems or declining income early in adulthood tend to experience a decline in cognitive abilities by the age of 53.Published in the scientific journal Innovation in Aging, which specializes in aging-related research, the study revealed through brain scans of participants that a lifetime of financial hardship affects brain function and may even lead to a reduction in brain volume between the ages of 69 and 71.Researcher Jack Wells, one of the study’s contributors, said: “This study examined several decades to understand the impact of accumulated financial difficulties over many years and their relationship with cognitive brain functions, rather than measuring them only during periods of severe financial stress.”The study analyzed data from around 2,800 British citizens born in 1946. Researchers asked participants about their financial circumstances at ages 26, 43, and 53, including whether they struggled to meet their financial obligations at those ages.The findings showed that lower income and financial difficulties were linked to reduced ability to process information and declining verbal memory by the age of 53.The study also found that men were more affected by financial problems than women.Researchers attributed this difference to the fact that men from that generation were raised in a period when the man was typically considered the head of the household and responsible for supporting the entire family.

28-07-2026 10:46

New study finds financial problems strain the brain and accelerate aging

A new study has found that financial difficulties can take a toll on the brain and cause it to age prematurely.The study, conducted by a research team from University College London, showed that people who experience financial problems or declining income early in adulthood tend to experience a decline in cognitive abilities by the age of 53.Published in the scientific journal Innovation in Aging, which specializes in aging-related research, the study revealed through brain scans of participants that a lifetime of financial hardship affects brain function and may even lead to a reduction in brain volume between the ages of 69 and 71.Researcher Jack Wells, one of the study’s contributors, said: “This study examined several decades to understand the impact of accumulated financial difficulties over many years and their relationship with cognitive brain functions, rather than measuring them only during periods of severe financial stress.”The study analyzed data from around 2,800 British citizens born in 1946. Researchers asked participants about their financial circumstances at ages 26, 43, and 53, including whether they struggled to meet their financial obligations at those ages.The findings showed that lower income and financial difficulties were linked to reduced ability to process information and declining verbal memory by the age of 53.The study also found that men were more affected by financial problems than women.Researchers attributed this difference to the fact that men from that generation were raised in a period when the man was typically considered the head of the household and responsible for supporting the entire family.

28-07-2026 10:46

WHO: We have less than half funding needed to fight Ebola

The World Health Organization has received less than half the funding it ​needs to fight the Ebola outbreak in eastern ‌Democratic Republic of Congo, a WHO official said on Tuesday, urging donors not to abandon the country at a critical ​stage of the epidemic.The global health agency has ​received about 40% of its $115 million appeal to ⁠tackle the Bundibugyo outbreak, for which there is no ​proven treatment or vaccine. At least 1,926 people have been ​infected and 702 have died, government data show."This outbreak requires resources that match the scale of the challenges that we are ​facing. And this is not a burden DRC can ​be allowed to carry alone," Chikwe Ihekweazu, head of the WHO's ‌Health ⁠Emergencies Programme, told reporters in Geneva after a visit to the worst-hit province of Ituri.Ihekweazu said the response had reached a critical point, with intensified efforts needed to ​detect and isolate ​patients after ⁠cases spread this week to two new provinces."It's a bit like a marathon. You can't ​give up after the first lap or ​the second. ⁠You just have to keep pushing even when you're getting tired and exhausted," he said.He repeated estimates that the ⁠true ​number of Ebola cases in ​Congo is at least double, and possibly over four times, the official tally.

14-07-2026 14:05

France Confirms First Ebola Case in Doctor Returning From DR Congo Mission

A doctor returning from a humanitarian mission in Congo has tested positive for Ebola, the country's first case of the virus during the current outbreak, the health ministry said on Wednesday.The health ministry "confirms today the identification of a first positive case of Ebola virus disease on national territory", it said. Contacted by AFP, the ministry specified that the case was identified in mainland France.The patient is being isolated and authorities are contact tracing, the ministry said, adding that the risk for the general European population was low.Congo's Ebola outbreak, which has infected more than 1,000 people and killed 267, has had the largest number of confirmed cases within the first month of any episode of the disease, the World Health Organisation has said.

24-06-2026 13:11

UNICEF Warns Nearly 50 Percent of Children Exposed to Multiple Climate Risks

Nearly half of the world’s children – or 1.1 billion – are now exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards, threatening their health, education, and survival, according to a new UNICEF report launched today. Almost every child in the world faces at least one climate hazard, while more than 4 million could face as many as six overlapping threats, the report warns.The Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026 uses the latest available data to map children’s exposure to the eight most frequent climate threats, including coastal floods, droughts, extreme heat, fires, heatwaves, riverine floods, sand and dust storms, and tropical storms. For the first time, the report reveals exactly where – and how intense – multiple and overlapping climate threats are affecting children and the essential social services they rely on, and how governments can take concrete actions to respond.“The lives of children continue to be upended by the impact of heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, and floods,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Half of the world’s children are now living with at least three overlapping climate threats shaping their daily lives.”Drought, extreme heat, and heatwaves are the most widespread combination of climate hazards, with over 296 million children living in areas exposed to all three conditions, according to the findings. The second most common combination – drought, extreme heat, and tropical storms – leaves more than 115 million children worldwide exposed to these overlapping threats.In the Sahel region of Africa, one of the hardest hit, more than 4 million children face the triple threat of heatwaves, extreme heat, and sand and dust storms, while in countries across Asia, for example Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Pakistan, children are exposed to more climate hazards at once and at a higher intensity than anywhere else in the world.High-income countries are not immune to overlapping climate shocks. In Italy, for example, more than 6 million children are exposed to prolonged heatwaves and drought, the data show. Yet the country illustrates how investment in climate change adaptation can mitigate some of the risks children face, while highlighting the need for further action as the climate crisis intensifies.In addition to the eight most frequent climate hazards, the report analyses children’s exposure to air pollution and malaria; two risks that are highly sensitive to the effects of climate change. Data show that air pollution affects nearly every child globally, while 1 billion children are exposed to malaria, adding another layer of danger for children already facing multiple climate hazards.The report also presents a framework to analyse the different types of risks children face, based on their exposure to climate shocks and their vulnerability, determined by access to essential social services such as healthcare, clean water, education, and more. The approach can be applied in different ways, from looking at risks related to individual or multiple climate hazards to examining risks across sectors, revealing the threats children face across different contexts.For example, considering multiple hazards and vulnerabilities together, children in landlocked* and fragile* countries such as the Central African Republic or Chad face overlapping climate hazards while also lacking access to basic services, making it much harder for them to cope and recover. Meanwhile, all children in 24 Small Island Developing States*, including from Haiti to Vanuatu, are exposed to tropical storms, which can disrupt entire islands at once and overwhelm essential services, the report notes.Without urgent efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, climate hazards will grow more frequent and severe, placing even greater strain on government budgets and systems, threatening children's well-being, the report warns.To protect children’s rights from climate threats and adapt to growing environmental changes, UNICEF is calling on governments, businesses and relevant actors to:- Reduce emissions and take ambitious action to fulfil existing international commitments, grounded in the best available science, including the urgent phasing-out of fossil fuels and a just transition towards renewable energy.- Protect children through inclusive climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and responses to loss and damage that prioritise the resilience of social services, ensuring that children and child-critical services are included in national adaptation plans and sector strategies, disaster risk governance, preparedness and response plans. This includes, for example, developing safe and green learning facilities and climate‑resilient health care facilities, securing children’s food security, making multi‑hazard early warning systems effective for children and accessible to the services they rely on, and strengthening the efficiency of water and sanitation services, as well as shock‑responsive social protection systems.- Empower children and young people to meaningfully participate in climate action by investing in climate education, knowledge and skills, and by strengthening the capacity of decision makers and experts to respect children’s rights to be heard, freedom of expression, and participation in decisions that affect their lives.“This analysis can help governments and decision-makers plan better and invest more effectively in resilient services,” said Russell. “When we strengthen health and education systems, and improve infrastructure with children in mind, we protect them from today’s climate threats and help secure their future.”

16-06-2026 10:13

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New study finds financial problems strain the brain and accelerate aging

A new study has found that financial difficulties can take a toll on the brain and cause it to age prematurely.The study, conducted by a research team from University College London, showed that people who experience financial problems or declining income early in adulthood tend to experience a decline in cognitive abilities by the age of 53.Published in the scientific journal Innovation in Aging, which specializes in aging-related research, the study revealed through brain scans of participants that a lifetime of financial hardship affects brain function and may even lead to a reduction in brain volume between the ages of 69 and 71.Researcher Jack Wells, one of the study’s contributors, said: “This study examined several decades to understand the impact of accumulated financial difficulties over many years and their relationship with cognitive brain functions, rather than measuring them only during periods of severe financial stress.”The study analyzed data from around 2,800 British citizens born in 1946. Researchers asked participants about their financial circumstances at ages 26, 43, and 53, including whether they struggled to meet their financial obligations at those ages.The findings showed that lower income and financial difficulties were linked to reduced ability to process information and declining verbal memory by the age of 53.The study also found that men were more affected by financial problems than women.Researchers attributed this difference to the fact that men from that generation were raised in a period when the man was typically considered the head of the household and responsible for supporting the entire family.

28-07-2026 10:46

What Causes Diabetes, What Are the Different Types and How Can It Be Treated

Sabrina Barr wrote this article in The Independent:More than 105,000 diabetes patients in England could be eligible for a new technology, likened to an artificial pancreas, that promises to make type 1 diabetes a “thing of the past”.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has recommended the use of the “hybrid closed-loop system”, which helps patients manage blood sugar levels without the need to constantly monitor themselves, in order to control their condition.At the moment the standard care for people with type 1 diabetes involves regularly measuring blood sugar levels either through a finger-prick blood test or by using a continuous glucose monitor.The development is hugely positive news given that the number of people with diabetes in the UK is reported to have doubled over the past two decades.There are currently around 4.9 million diagnosed cases of diabetes across the UK, with many at risk of developing some form of the disease due to factors such as childhood obesity.So what are the symptoms of diabetes, what's the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, how is it caused and how can it be treated?Here’s everything you need to know.What is diabetes and how is it caused?Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates your blood sugar levels.It does this by breaking down the glucose that is in your blood so that it can be used for energy, explains the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.When a person has diabetes, this means that their pancreas is unable to produce enough or any insulin to break down the glucose in their blood.This can lead to a drastic increase in their blood sugar levels.The amount of blood glucose that you have in your body typically depends on the foods that you eat, so if you eat sugary foods, your blood sugar levels will rise.People who consume inordinate quantities of sugar are more likely to develop less severe forms of diabetes.However, whether or not a person is diagnosed as diabetic may also depend on their genetic makeup, explains Diabetes.co.uk.What are the different types of diabetes?There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.If someone is suffering from type 1 diabetes, then this means that their body is not producing any insulin at all and therefore has very serious implications for their health.People who have type 1 diabetes have an increased risk of developing other health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and circulation problems.Scientists have been unable to pinpoint the exact cause of type 1 diabetes, the Mayo Clinic explains, with genetics being the most likely factor.While type 1 diabetes is commonly found in children, it can be diagnosed at any age.When someone has type 2 diabetes, this means that their body is either unable to produce enough insulin, or the insulin that the pancreas is able to produce is not working sufficiently, explains Diabetes UK.While genetics may also play a role in a person developing type 2 diabetes, it can also be caused by other factors such as whether or not they follow a healthy and active lifestyle.Approximately 13.6 million people in the UK reportedly have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in future, due to factors such as obesity.Symptoms of type 1 or type 2 diabetes can include fatigue, unexplained weight loss, excessive thirst and frequent urination.How can diabetes be treated?People who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes may need to take medication in order to reduce the amount of glucose in their blood.They should also aim to include more healthy foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts and high-fibre cereals in their diets and reduce the amount of sugar that they consume.Those who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, the more severe form of the disease, must treat the condition with insulin injections or pumps every day.They may also need to check their blood sugar levels every day by using a finger-prick blood test.The type and quantity of insulin that you need is a matter that you can discuss with a medical professional.The NHS also recommends maintaining an active lifestyle and carrying out regular blood tests to keep an eye on blood sugar levels if you have diabetes.Can diabetes be reversed?In September 2018, the former deputy leader of the Labour Party, Tom Watson, revealed that he had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes but had "reversed" the condition by making changes to his diet and exercising more.After being diagnosed with the condition in summer 2017, Mr Watson said he eliminated junk food, refined sugar and processed food from his diet and took up cycling, boxing and weightlifting.The politician told his audience at the annual conference of health industry association ukactive that his diabetes was in "remission" following the changes he had made to his lifestyle.Diabetes.co.uk explains that people with type 2 diabetes can effectively "reverse" their condition by following similar steps.If you have type 2 diabetes and you think that you may be able to reverse your condition by following a healthier diet and doing more exercise, then it may be wise to speak to a nutritionist or a medical professional for further advice.Furthermore, if you are on type 2 diabetes medication that you think you no longer need, make sure that you speak to a doctor before making any changes to your routine.

16-01-2023 12:36

Six Minutes of Daily Exercise Can Boost Brain Health and Delay Alzheimer’s

Vishwam Sankaran wrote this article in The Independent:Just six minutes of intense exercise every day can boost the brain’s lifespan and delay the onset of neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, according to a new study.The research, published last week in The Journal of Physiology, found that a short but intense bout of cycling can increase the production of a special brain protein linked to brain formation, learning, and memory.Scientists, including those from the University of Otago in New Zealand, say the special protein named brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can protect the brain from age-related cognitive decline.Previous studies have shown that increasing the availability of BDNF in the brain encourages the formation and storage of memories, enhances learning, and also boosts cognitive performance overall.“BDNF has shown great promise in animal models, but pharmaceutical interventions have thus far failed to safely harness the protective power of BDNF in humans,” study lead author Travis Gibbons from the University of Otago said in a statement.“We saw the need to explore non-pharmacological approaches that can preserve the brain’s capacity which humans can use to naturally increase BDNF to help with healthy aging,” Dr Gibbons said.In the new study, researchers analysed the influence of fasting and exercise on BDNF production in 12 physically active participants - six males and six females aged between 18 and 56 years.They assessed the contributing role played on this protein’s production by factors such as fasting for 20 hours, light exercise, a six-minute bout of high-intensity vigorous cycling, and the combined effects of fasting and exercise.Scientists found that brief, but vigorous, exercise was the best way to increase BDNF compared to one day of fasting with or without a lengthy session of light exercise.Researchers say BDNF increased by a factor of four to five times compared to fasting, or prolonged activity.“Six minutes of high-intensity cycling intervals increased every metric of circulating BDNF by 4 to 5 times more than prolonged low-intensity cycling,” researchers wrote in the study.However the cause for these differences remains unknown, they say, adding that more research is needed to understand the biological mechanisms involved.Scientists suspect the brain may be switching its favoured fuel source during exercise for another to ensure the body’s energy demands are met.“We are now studying how fasting for longer durations, for example up to three days, influences BDNF. We are curious whether exercising hard at the start of a fast accelerates the beneficial effects of fasting,” Dr Gibbons said.“Fasting and exercise are rarely studied together. We think fasting and exercise can be used in conjunction to optimize BDNF production in the human brain,” he added.

17-01-2023 09:42

Juice of Beetroot May Increase Muscle Power During Exercise

The Independent published this article:Researchers have found that consuming dietary nitrate - the active molecule in beetroot juice - can increase muscle force while exercising, an advance that may lead to better workout supplements.While previous studies have shown that dietary nitrate enhances exercise, it has remained unclear how the body converts this molecule into the chemical nitric oxide to be used by our cells.In the new study, published earlier this month in the journal Acta Physiologica, scientists traced the distribution of ingested nitrate in the saliva, blood, muscle, and urine of ten healthy volunteers who performed leg exercises.Scientists probed where in the body the dietary nitrate molecules were active to understand better the mechanisms in play.During the workout, which included 60 thigh muscle contractions at maximum intensity for over five minutes, researchers found a significant increase in the nitrate levels in the quadriceps muscle.They say the nitrate boost led to an increase in muscle force of about seven per cent, compared to when participants took a placebo.“Our research has already provided a large body of evidence on the performance-enhancing properties of dietary nitrate, commonly found in beetroot juice,” said study co-author Andy Jones from the University of Exeter in the UK.“Excitingly, this latest study provides the best evidence to date on the mechanisms behind why dietary nitrate improves human muscle performance,” Dr Jones added.Earlier studies had discovered an increase of nitrate in tissue and body fluid after ingesting labeled dietary nitrate.But in the new research, scientists could accurately assess where the nitrate is increased and active.They were also able to shed new light on how the nitrate consumed is used up by the body to enhance exercise performance.Citing a limitation of the study, researchers said while dietary nitrate supplementation often occurs in the form of beetroot juice, they say it is unclear how the results might have differed if the beverage had been consumed by the participants.Since the research was conducted in a young male population, scientists say further studies are required to determine how women and older people responded to the supplementation.“This study provides the first direct evidence that muscle nitrate levels are important for exercise performance, presumably by acting as a source of nitric oxide,” Barbora Piknova, another author of the study from the National Institutes of Health in the US, said.“These results have significant implications not only for the exercise field, but possibly for other medical areas such as those targeting neuromuscular and metabolic diseases related to nitric oxide deficiency,” Dr Piknova added.

24-01-2023 10:43

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