Special Reports

Monday, 06 November 2023 04:43

State of democracy declines worldwide amid tainted elections, eroding freedoms - Report

The state of democracy is diminishing around the globe as dozens of nations experienced recent declines in democratic values, including tainted elections and restrictions on individual freedoms, according to a new study published Thursday by a Swedish political advocacy group. The analysis by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance said democratic norms and standards were faltering in nearly half of the 173 countries it surveyed due to weakening government checks and balances, corruption, rigged elections, and a general lack of accountability from elected leaders who flout the law. A collective focus on major crises, including inflation, climate change,…

Sunday, 08 October 2023 05:11

Neighborhood woes: How living conditions impact brain structure and diet

Summary: Living in disadvantaged neighborhoods not only influences food choices and weight gain but can also alter the brain’s microstructure. Researchers found that poor food quality, high-calorie intake, and inactive environments common in such areas disrupt brain regions crucial for emotion, cognition, and reward processing. A direct link was established between brain cortex changes and high trans-fatty acid intake, prevalent in such neighborhoods. These findings emphasize the urgent need to improve dietary quality in deprived areas for better brain health. Key Facts: Disadvantaged neighborhoods can lead to changes in the brain’s cortex related to reward, emotion, and cognition due to…

Friday, 06 October 2023 04:21

Let it shine: the unexpected benefits of sun exposure on skin

Shades? SPF50 suncream? Wide-brimmed hat? For decades, it has been drilled into us that if the sun is out, we’d better slip on protective clothing, slop on suncream and slap on a hat to stay safe. There’s little doubt that too much sun exposure – and particularly sunburn – increases our risk of developing skin cancer. It also prematurely ages the skin. But scientists are increasingly questioning the mantra that sunlight is an evil to be avoided at all costs, and investigating the brighter side of sun exposure. It’s not just about vitamin D. Though important for strong bones and…

Tuesday, 03 October 2023 04:31

Your dementia risk is highest if you sit for longer than this each day

The chances of developing dementia increase if you spend the day sedentary Experts say this risk increases the longer you spend at a desk or driving Spending more than 10 hours a day sitting down in front of the TV or driving increases the risk of dementia, a study suggests. Researchers have discovered the chances of developing the condition increase dramatically among adults who spend the majority of their day engaged in sedentary behaviours. A team from the University of Southern California and the University of Arizona analyzed data on more than 50,000 British adults aged 60 and over. They…

Sunday, 01 October 2023 04:31

A third of trans children given puberty blockers saw their mental health deteriorate, analysis shows

A third of trans children treated with puberty blockers had their mental health deteriorate while on the medication, a new analysis of a landmark study reveals. The original study found that 44 children, aged 12 to 15, who took the controversial drugs experienced no change — good or bad — to their mental health. This report, produced by experts from the NHS's Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) at Tavistock and University College LondonHospitals (UCLH) in 2021 eventually led to a lowering of the age children could access puberty blockers. But a fresh analysis of the data used in the report …

Friday, 15 September 2023 04:39

Social isolation contributes to brain atrophy and cognitive decline in older adults, study says

A 6-year longitudinal neuroimaging study in Germany found that social isolation contributes to brain atrophy (progressive loss of brain tissue) and cognitive decline in humans. More socially isolated individuals tended to have smaller volumes in the hippocampus, reduced cortical thickness, and poorer cognitive functioning. Results indicate that dementia risk might be reduced by promoting better social connectedness, particularly among older adults. The study was published in eLife. As the average duration of human life increases, there are more and more individuals experiencing cognitive and brain changes associated with old age. These changes are multifaceted and can vary from person to…

Friday, 08 September 2023 04:52

Western countries are facing their own century of humiliation

A rising great power fills the ports of a decaying empire with its merchants and goods. Its ambassadors mock the diplomatic and political traditions of their hosts and refuse to be bound by them. Soon, the great power is openly allowing poisonous drugs to be pushed on the old empire’s streets, refusing to do anything to stop their spread. China in 1839? Or Britain and America in 2023? A century and a half on from Britain’s wicked traffic in soul-destroying drugs, ruthless imperial commerce is wreaking its revenge on the West. Britain’s primary motive in the Opium Wars was of…

Wednesday, 06 September 2023 04:46

What are healthy fats? They're essential, and here's one you should consume more of

Fat has had quite the parley in dietary discussion spaces – the low-fat movement starting in the 1980s told us we should eliminate fat, while high-fat diets like keto tell us the opposite. How do you know where the answers lie? The reality is, fat is engrained in American diets. It’s in the oil we use in the pan, the fish we cook, the vegetables we eat (think avocado). It’s also an essential part of a healthy diet and is crucial for energy, cell function, hormone production and nutrient absorption. What are the healthiest fats? Not all fats are created…

Sunday, 03 September 2023 04:28

Ultra-processed food more dangerous than previously thought, according to new studies

While there's been lots of press in recent years about the harms of ultra-processed food (UPFs), a new study might be more damning than ever: As reported by Andrew Gregory at The Guardian, "ultra-processed food significantly raises the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attacks and strokes," according to two new separate studies presented at this month's annual European Society of Cardiology conference in Amsterdam. One study — which monitored 10,000 women over the course of 15 years — found that those who consumed a higher amount of UPFs were 39% more likely to have high blood pressure…

Saturday, 02 September 2023 04:24

Taking dietary supplements full of antioxidants could actually help cancerous tumors grow

Taking vitamins or dietary supplements could be feeding tumors and promote their growth, scientists warn. Common antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C, selenium, and zinc, can stimulate the growth of blood vessels in cancer when taken in excess. This discovery surprised researchers, as prior studies have shown antioxidants to be protective. While Swedish scientists state that natural levels of antioxidants in food are safe, taking supplements containing additional antioxidants could fuel tumor growth and allow the disease to spread faster. The study, conducted by a team at the Karolinska Institutet, concludes that vitamin C and other antioxidants promote the formation…

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Thursday, 31 August 2023 04:51

Cigarettes ignite risk of mental illness, new study finds

Summary: A new study reveals a direct link between smoking and the increased risk of mental illnesses like depression and bipolar disorder. The research, based on data from 350,000 individuals from the UK Biobank, shows that smoking increases the risk of hospitalization for mental illness by 250%. Importantly, the study finds that smoking typically precedes mental illness, often by a significant time gap. The research not only clarifies the role of smoking in mental illness but also raises questions about raising the legal age for cigarette purchase. Key Facts: Smoking increases the risk of being hospitalized for a mental illness…

Wednesday, 30 August 2023 04:32

Entering the age of artificial truth

Gary Marcus, cofounder of the Center for the Advancement of Trustworthy AI, has for years been highly critical of generative artificial intelligence and large language model applications like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. These programs consume vast quantities of data to perform various functions, from creating new cocktail recipes to sharing insights about the folding sequences of proteins. Marcus recently wrote that there are “not one, but many, serious, unsolved problems at the core of generative AI.” He isn’t alone. During an interview earlier this month, theoretical physicist Michio Kaku dismissed AI chat bots as “glorified tape recorders” that are only a “warped…

Saturday, 05 August 2023 04:22

Finally, one policeman found - who’s ‘your friend’

Maryam Isa, an orphan based in Keke Community of Kaduna Millennium, has been in a relationship with her boyfriend, Aliyu Jibril, for months, hoping to marry him someday. Maryam lived under the care of her mother’s elder sister and grandmother after losing her biological mother years back. Her family struggled financially. As the relationship between Maryam and Aliyu grew stronger, her family became uncomfortable when Aliyu failed to send his family members for a marriage talk, as requested by Maryam’s family. Maryam’s family asked Aliyu to pay N20,000 as part of the money to indicate interest in marrying Maryam, following…

Saturday, 29 July 2023 04:01

Night owls tend to die sooner. But it's not late bedtimes killing them

A large study covering 37 years from start to finish has revealed something about those who tend to stay up late: These night owls are more likely to die at a younger age, but due to smoking and drinking-related causes rather than how late they go to bed. Data on 22,976 Finnish adult twins were analyzed for the study, with 42.9 percent identifying as "somewhat evening types" or "evening types". Technically, this is our chronotype – our tendency to want to sleep or be active at certain times. Previous studies have suggested night owls have a higher mortality risk and…

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