Author: Lester Holt

Former Watford footballer Jay DeMerit has co-founded a new social media platform, Rise and Shine (RxS), designed to fight online abuse and promote positive engagement. The platform rewards users for constructive behavior, aiming to create a safer digital space. Rise and Shine focuses on encouraging verified, positive contributions. Users can earn real-world rewards for thoughtful posts, supportive comments, and helpful interactions. The platform’s approach is intended to reduce toxicity that is common on existing social media networks. DeMerit said the idea for RxS came from witnessing the negative impact of online abuse on individuals and communities. By combining social media…

A female founder is reshaping the world of football footwear by creating boots specifically designed for women. Her work emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in sports equipment, offering players footwear that matches their needs and performance requirements. Traditionally, football boots were designed with male athletes in mind, often leaving women players with ill-fitting shoes. The founder’s approach addresses this gap by studying female anatomy and movement patterns to develop boots that provide better comfort, control, and injury prevention. Her company collaborates closely with female athletes to understand the challenges they face on the pitch. From adjusting the boot’s width and…

Scientists have reported that a single administration of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in “magic mushrooms,” rapidly reversed both chronic pain and depressive-like symptoms in mice. Within just one day of treatment, the animals showed marked improvements in pain sensitivity and mood-related behavior, offering new insight into how psychedelics may influence brain circuits that link emotion and pain. Targeting the Brain’s Emotional-Pain Network The research found that psilocybin’s active metabolite, psilocin, exerted its strongest effects in the anterior cingulate cortex — a region that processes both emotional and physical distress. When psilocin was delivered to this brain area, abnormal nerve activity…

International health organisations, led by the World Health Organization (WHO), have released new clinical recommendations aimed at eliminating preventable deaths from postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), the world’s leading cause of maternal mortality. The updated guidance consolidates prevention, detection, and treatment strategies to strengthen maternal care in every setting, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where the burden remains highest. Unified Global Guidelines to Improve Maternal Outcomes The recommendations, developed jointly by WHO, FIGO, and the International Confederation of Midwives, introduce a “treatment bundle” model that combines proven interventions such as the use of uterotonic drugs, tranexamic acid, and controlled uterine massage.…

Companionship Increases HappinessA new study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science shows that people tend to feel happier when completing everyday activities alongside friends. Researchers reviewed over 100,000 time-use records from more than 40,000 participants in the American Time Use Survey, finding that even routine tasks like commuting, shopping, or household chores were rated more positively when shared with others. Face-to-Face Connections Are Most EffectiveThe research highlights that in-person interactions provide the largest boost to mood, although phone calls and virtual communication still contribute to well-being. The results emphasize the value of maintaining social connections, even during ordinary, everyday…

Transforming Blood Types for Transplant CompatibilityResearchers at the University of British Columbia have developed a method to convert a kidney from blood type A to type O using specialized enzymes. This approach aims to make a single donor organ compatible with all patients, potentially alleviating the chronic shortage of kidneys available for transplantation. Laboratory tests indicate that the modified organs show reduced risk of immune rejection. Reducing Wait Times and Rejection RiskUniversal donor kidneys could significantly shorten the waiting period for patients in need of transplants. Traditional blood type matching often delays access to organs, and immune rejection remains a…

Modulating Brain PathwaysNew research from Penn Medicine indicates that psilocybin, the hallucinogenic compound in certain mushrooms, can influence brain pathways connected to pain and mood regulation. The study suggests that the substance interacts with serotonin receptors, fine-tuning brain activity in a way that reduces both discomfort and depressive behaviors in animal models. A Non-Addictive Approach to Pain ReliefIn the experiments, a single administration of psilocybin alleviated chronic pain and eased anxiety- and depression-like responses in mice for up to two weeks. Scientists note that these effects differ from conventional opioid treatments, highlighting the potential of psilocybin as a safer, non-addictive…

Genetic defenses give women an advantageLife expectancy is consistently higher for women than for men, and scientists argue that evolution offers part of the explanation. Women possess two X chromosomes, which allows one to compensate when the other carries harmful mutations. Men, by contrast, rely on a single X chromosome, leaving them more vulnerable to genetic weaknesses. This chromosomal difference provides women with a built-in safeguard that may contribute to longer lives. Hormonal protection and biological costs of reproductionEstrogen, a key female hormone, has been linked to stronger immune defenses and better protection against cellular damage. Testosterone, on the other…

Newly Recognized Type 5 Diabetes Scientists have identified a previously underdiagnosed form of diabetes, referred to as Type 5, which primarily affects adolescents and young adults in low- and middle-income countries. Unlike more common forms, this variant is associated with malnutrition and presents unique clinical features, making diagnosis more challenging for healthcare providers. Distinct Symptoms and Diagnostic Challenges Patients with Type 5 diabetes often show symptoms similar to Type 1 diabetes but lack the usual autoimmune markers. Traditional tests may not detect the condition, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Researchers emphasize the importance of recognizing these differences to provide…

NDM-CRE Cases Surge NationwideThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified a sharp increase in infections caused by New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (NDM-CRE) across the United States. From 2019 to 2023, the number of reported cases climbed by more than 460%. These infections, which can affect the bloodstream, lungs, urinary tract, and wounds, are highly resistant to standard treatments and can be fatal. Detection and Treatment Remain DifficultNDM-CRE infections are particularly challenging to detect due to limited testing in laboratories, delaying diagnosis and treatment. The bacteria’s resistance to powerful antibiotics makes managing infections complex, increasing the risk…