Around 4.9 million British adults, nearly one in ten, have recently used or expressed interest in GLP-1 medications to support weight loss. The demand highlights substantial need for these medications, which help lower blood sugar, support weight loss, and reduce the risk of heart and kidney complications.
The discovery of a 66-million-year-old tooth in North Dakota, USA, reveals that mosasaurs may have hunted in freshwater environments as well as seas. The analysis of isotopes in the tooth's enamel suggests that the mosasaur preyed on freshwater animals and lived in a river-like area formerly connected to an ancient sea.
The winner of the 2025 BMC journals Image Competition is a photograph of two male saigas sparring on the banks of a steppe lake. The image, taken by Andrey Giljov, showcases the unique characteristics of saiga antelopes and their survival strategies.
A meta-analysis published in BMC Medicine found that patients prescribed anti-obesity medications may experience a significant weight gain after stopping their prescription. The study analyzed data from 11 randomised trials and suggests that six approved anti-obesity medications are associated with weight regain after treatment cessation.
A study found that UK dog populations decreased by 0.9% annually from 1990 to 2021, with a rise in crossbreed and imported dogs. The research highlights concerns about inherited diseases due to limited genetic diversity in pedigree breeds.
Researchers discovered a fossilized wasp from the mid-Cretaceous period with a Venus flytrap-like abdomen, indicating it was a parasitoid insect. The species, Sirenobethylus charybdis, had a unique grasping apparatus that likely targeted highly mobile prey.
A study published in BMC Medicine found that an eight-week vegan diet reduced biological age estimates by analyzing DNA methylation levels. The research, conducted on 21 pairs of identical twins, showed decreases in biological age and organ systems' ages for those who followed a vegan diet.
Regular NHS Health Checks are associated with reduced risks of dying and developing long-term diseases like dementia and liver cirrhosis. The study analyzed data from 97,204 UK Biobank participants and found that attendees had lower diagnosis rates for these conditions, including a 19% lower rate of dementia diagnosis.
Research published in BMC Medicine found that greater adherence to the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) recommendations is associated with a lower risk of all cancers combined and some individual cancers. Adhering to moderate levels of recommendation adherence scores was linked to significan...
A study of 458,146 adults found that never being visited by friends or family is associated with a 39% increased risk of death. Participants who received regular social interactions, such as monthly visits from friends and family, had a lower mortality risk compared to those who were isolated.
A study found that river plastics can host pathogenic microbes like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia, while water samples contained human pathogens. Degraded plastics released more organic compounds, encouraging microbial growth and antimicrobial resistance gene presence.
The invasive orange pore fungus has won the third BMC Ecology and Evolution image competition, highlighting its potential threats to Australian ecosystems. The winning image depicts bright orange fruiting bodies growing on deadwood in the Australian rainforest.
A study found that honeybee hive debris contains diverse genetic information from environmental bacteria, fungi, and plants, indicating unique microbial signatures for each city. This could be used to assess the overall health of cities and honeybees.
A traditional Mediterranean-type diet rich in seafood, fruit, and nuts is associated with a lower risk of dementia. Individuals with higher adherence had up to 23% lower risk compared to those with lower adherence. The study, published in BMC Medicine, analyzed data from 60,298 individuals from the UK Biobank.
A recent study published in BMC Medicine found that higher consumption of free sugars is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. The researchers analyzed data from 110,497 individuals and found that consuming more free sugar, particularly from sugary drinks and sweets, increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. In...
Eating a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, and legumes is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer in men. The study found that men who consumed the highest amounts of healthy plant-based foods had a 22% lower risk of colorectal cancer compared to those who ate the lowest amounts.
The winning image depicts a parasitic fungus infecting a fly, while other images showcase the relationships between species, biodiversity under threat, and research in action. The competition highlights the intersection of art and science, celebrating ecologists' creativity to protect the natural world.
A study published in Canine Medicine and Genetics found English Bulldogs are at increased risk of breathing, eye, and skin conditions due to their extreme physical features. The authors advocate for redefining the breed standard towards more moderate characteristics to improve health.
A recent study published in Breast Cancer Research suggests that self-reported male infertility may be associated with an increased risk of invasive breast cancer. The researchers conducted a case-control study among 1,998 males diagnosed with breast cancer, comparing them to 1,597 control males without blood relatives. The study found...
A new review estimates that 52% of the global population experience a headache disorder each year, with significant variations in prevalence rates across different age groups and regions. The study also highlights differences in diagnostic methods and their impact on estimated rates.
Eating meat five times or less per week is associated with a lower overall cancer risk, according to a study published in BMC Medicine. Participants who ate meat five or less times per week had a 2% lower cancer risk compared to those who ate meat more than five times per week.
A recent study published in Canine Medicine and Genetics found that French Bulldogs have a significantly higher risk of being diagnosed with 20 common health disorders compared to other breeds. The authors propose breeding towards more moderate characteristics to reduce these risks.
The winning image by Kristen Brown depicts a school of jack fish in a spiral formation, symbolizing the beauty and bounty of oceans as well as the spiralling crisis of coral reef decline. The competition celebrates Earth's biodiversity and its evolutionary origins through six categories.
A recent study published in BMC Medicine found that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol daily can decrease the risk of heart attacks, strokes, angina, or death among individuals with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Those who consumed between six and eight grams of alcohol per day had significantly lower risks compared to non-drinkers.
A study using data from 186 countries found a significant correlation between lower UVB exposure and higher rates of colorectal cancer across all age groups. Lower UVB exposure may reduce levels of vitamin D, which has been associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
A recent study found that minority groups in the US are more likely to experience cognitive issues earlier in life. The study analyzed data from over 179,000 adults and found that Black and Hispanic individuals were more likely to self-report memory loss and cognitive decline compared to white individuals.
A study published in BMC Public Health found that consuming any type of coffee is associated with a reduced risk of developing chronic liver disease and related conditions. Moderate coffee consumption, particularly ground coffee containing kahweol and cafestol, was linked to the greatest benefits.
A study found that travellers who returned from abroad acquired and spread destination-specific antimicrobial resistance genes in their gut microbiome. The diversity of these genes increased significantly after travel, with high-risk genes resistant to common antibiotics identified.
The study found that invasive alien species cause substantial crop losses and economic costs, with the moth Phthorimaea absoluta affecting tomato plants and costing $4.1 billion per year in crop losses. Weeding cereal crops accounts for 72% of total weeding costs, totaling $26.2 billion annually.
A ceremonial tsantsa was authenticated and repatriated to Ecuador in 2019, with researchers confirming its origins using CT scans and assessing 33 criteria. The artefact's unique features, such as a distinctive hairstyle and three holes in the lips, matched those of SAAWC culture group members.
A new species of deep-sea dumbo octopus has been identified using a combination of non-invasive and minimally invasive techniques. The study utilized MRI, micro-CT, and gene analysis to gather morphological and molecular information on the specimen without causing harm.
Researchers identified two dietary patterns associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death in middle-age. The first pattern includes high intakes of chocolate, confectionary, butter, and white bread, while the second is characterized by high sugar-sweetened beverages, fruit juice, and preserves.
A study of 264,230 individuals found that UK adults who are overweight or obese retain their weight over time, associated with an increased risk of health complications and death. The researchers also found greater levels of socioeconomic deprivation linked to increasing severity of obesity.
Researchers found that algorithm-generated music recommendations were less accurate for listeners of high-energy music such as hard rock and hip-hop. Those who mostly listened to ambient music received the most accurate recommendations, while those who mostly listened to hard rock received the least accurate ones.
Researchers found most British legal documents from this period were written on sheepskins, which allowed for easy detection of fraudulent changes. The high fat content of sheepskins made it difficult to alter text without leaving a visible mark.
A study found that children exposed to abuse before age 11 and those exposed to both childhood and adolescence are more likely to develop conduct problems. The early-onset persistent group developed conduct problems in childhood, while the adolescence-onset group developed them in adolescence.
A study compared seven countries' dietary guidelines and found significant variations in greenhouse gas emissions associated with food consumption patterns. India's diet had the lowest carbon footprint, while the US had one of the highest due to high dairy recommendations.
Research found that jobs classified as skilled trade occupations were most likely associated with heavy drinking, while professional occupations had lower rates. The study used data from 100,817 UK adults aged 40-69 and found associations between occupation and alcohol consumption differed in men and women.
A study published in BMC Medicine found that mothers who consumed a low-quality diet high in inflammation-associated foods during pregnancy had children with lower levels of muscle mass and higher risk of obesity in late childhood. Promoting healthy diets during pregnancy may help prevent childhood obesity.
A study published in BMC Medicine found that local and national restrictions in England reduced social contacts, but the effects were mixed. Restrictions like the Rule of Six and working from home led to modest reductions in contacts, while the 10pm closure had little impact.
A recent study published in BMC Public Health found that obesity and excess body fat likely accounted for more deaths than smoking among older adults, but still contributed to more deaths among younger adults. The analysis also suggests that gender played a role in the contributions of these factors to estimated deaths.
A study found high levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in drinking water in some Chinese cities, exceeding international guideline levels. The findings suggest urgent need for elimination of these chemicals from drinking water and better control and reduction of PFAS releases.
A study published in BMC Medicine found that vegans had a 43% higher risk of total fractures compared to meat-eaters, with higher risks of hip, leg, and vertebrae fractures. Vegetarians also had a higher risk of hip fractures.
Girls living in single-parent households before age two are at higher risk of starting puberty earlier than their peers. The study, published in BMC Pediatrics, found that infant attachment insecurity and socioeconomic status may contribute to this association.
A study published in BMC Public Health found a significant increase in sedentary behaviour across Europe, with 54.3% of adults spending more than four-and-a-half hours sitting per day in 2017. The research also showed that young and older adults were equally affected, but the age group with the largest increase was those aged 35-44.
The study found that sedentary behavior increased by 3.9% in Spain, 7.4% in Germany, 17.8% in France, and 22.5% in Great Britain between 2002 and 2017. The authors suggest that increasing physical activity and reducing screen time could help mitigate the risks associated with prolonged sitting.
A frigatebird chick suffering from a viral infection has won the 7th BMC Ecology Image competition. The winning image showcases the intricate relationships between species and their environments. David Costantini's powerful photo highlights pressing issues in ecology, including viral outbreaks affecting bird populations.
A cross-sectional study in the Netherlands found that loneliness experiences differ by age, with certain factors associated with loneliness varying across adult life stages. The strongest association with loneliness was found for those who felt excluded from society.
A study published in BMC Public Health found that poor work-life balance is associated with poor general health, particularly among women. The researchers analyzed data from 32,275 working adults across 30 countries and found that workers who reported poor work-life balance were twice as likely to report poor health.
A literature review found significant evidence supporting the causal role of high-risk HPV types 16 and 18 in prostate cancer. The authors suggest that HPV vaccination may help prevent prostate cancer development, particularly in countries with high mortality rates from cervical cancer.