Research finds a strong association between retinal age and real age, with large gaps associated with increased mortality risk. The 'retinal age gap' could be used as a screening tool to predict mortality risk, particularly for non-cardiovascular causes.
A study of over 5 million patients in England found that waiting over 5 hours in emergency care before admission is linked to a heightened risk of death from any cause within the next 30 days. The number needed to harm metric was calculated as 1 extra death for every 82 patients delayed after 6-8 hours.
The WHO recommends baricitinib for patients with severe COVID-19, improving survival and reducing ventilation needs. Sotrovimab is recommended for non-severe cases in high-risk patients, providing a trivial benefit against hospitalization.
E-cigarette medicinal licensing may help smokers quit, but its effectiveness and societal risks are debated. Critics argue that licensed e-cigarettes could weaken sustainable cessation strategies and distract from other efforts to achieve the UK's smoke-free goal by 2030.
Hospital admissions for common and severe childhood infections in England decreased by up to 94% during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. This suggests that non-COVID-19 interventions, such as school closures and social distancing measures, may also reduce transmission of other infectious diseases in children.
A large population study found that living alone for several years and/or experiencing serial relationship break-ups are strongly linked to raised levels of inflammatory markers in the blood of middle-aged men. The researchers suggest that this combination may indicate a heightened risk of age-related ill health and death.
Research suggests long term exposure to particulate matter in the air may increase the risk of COVID-19 infection by 5%, with effects most pronounced on respiratory health. The study found associations between air pollution and increased infection rates, particularly among older age groups.
Research finds a heightened risk of bronchitic symptoms and shortness of breath among young adults exposed to secondhand nicotine vapour from e-cigarettes. Exposure to ultrafine particles, volatile compounds, and metals can harm lung tissue.
Public health experts urge stronger warnings on ultra-processed foods due to their high salt, sugar, and saturated fats content. The authors suggest building a public brand around the term 'ultra-processed' to increase awareness of the product's harms.
A study analyzing McDonald's social media marketing across 15 countries found that the company prioritizes children in lower-middle-income countries with more posts and child-friendly content. This may exacerbate existing healthcare issues in these vulnerable populations.
A review suggests that doctors should prescribe fewer antidepressants and for shorter periods due to the potential severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms. The use of antidepressants is also associated with a range of side effects, but clinical trial data often don't assess outcomes that matter most to patients.
A large study found that around four out of ten consultations in English family doctors' surgeries are with 'frequent attenders', who visit their GP 5 times as often as other patients. These patients account for a significant proportion of GP workload, contributing to the perception of increased workload.
A study of nearly 5 million Danish residents finds mRNA vaccines associated with a low risk of myocarditis or myopericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination, particularly for Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech. Absolute numbers are low, even in younger age groups.
Expert Declan Patton analyzes seven nursery rhymes to teach the importance of safe play and occupational hazards in preventing head injuries. The study highlights the role of biomechanics, impact surfaces, and protective equipment in reducing skull fractures.
Christmas trees and ivy are generally safe, but holly's berries contain saponins that can cause stomach upset. Pears and mistletoe should also be avoided due to cyanide and viscotoxin content. Safe options include cyclamen species, Christmas Cactus, and poinsettia.
A study by The BMJ found that AI-generated titles were as attractive and entertaining to readers as real titles, with performance enhanced by human input. The AI generated titles were rated as having less scientific or educational merit than the real titles, but this difference became non-significant when humans curated the AI output.
A case series of 10 children with severe epilepsy found that whole plant medicinal cannabis reduced monthly seizure frequency by an average of 86%. The study suggests that whole plant products may be more effective than CBD products in treating childhood-onset severe treatment-resistant epilepsy.
Despite low vaccine uptake, West Africa needs to boost vaccination efforts to achieve population-level immunity. To reach 50%, 60%, and 70% coverage after 9, 12, and 18 months, vaccination speeds must increase by 4, 7, and 10 times the current pace.
A small clinical trial found that high-pressure hyperbaric oxygen treatment resolved severe COVID-19 breathing difficulties faster than standard therapy, with significant improvements in oxygen saturation and reduced risk of complications. However, further larger trials are needed to confirm the treatment's effects on survival.
Researchers analyzed Marvel movies to understand aging trajectories and outcomes among superheroes. They found that physical activity, social cohesion, and a positive mindset are essential for healthy aging, while negative behaviors such as loud noises and smoking increase the risk of dementia and disability.
A study by The BMJ found that aerospace engineers and neurosurgeons have similar intelligence to those in the general population. However, they showed better mental manipulation abilities and faster problem-solving skills than the general population in certain domains.
A study found that a hip hop song about suicide prevention led to an increase in calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and a reduction in suicides. The researchers suggest that positive media stories can have a protective effect, particularly for hard-to-reach groups.
A study of US adults found a link between cannabis use and extremes of nightly sleep duration, with recent users more likely to report short or long sleep. Heavy users were 64% more likely to experience short sleep and 76% more likely to experience long sleep compared to non-users.
A survey of UK cardiology trainees reveals that bullying is a pervasive problem, with 1 in 10 reporting being subjected to abusive behavior. Women and those who qualified outside the UK are disproportionately affected, highlighting a need for targeted measures to address workplace bullying in medicine.
An analysis of Germany, Sweden, and the UK's handling of the COVID-19 crisis found that a lack of transparency around policy decisions, mixed messaging, and increased questioning of government legitimacy fueled public distrust. The study suggests that crisis preparedness and resilience framing should encompass governance structures tha...
A French trial found that financial incentives improved pregnancy outcomes for smokers, with a 16% increase in continuous abstinence rate compared to no vouchers. Participants who received progressively higher financial rewards had lower nicotine withdrawal symptoms and fewer relapses.
The new interactive graphic, developed by UK researchers and published by The BMJ, provides estimates on different pathways of COVID-19 transmission. It highlights the importance of airborne transmission routes and face coverings in reducing transmission.
A large UK study found that individuals with atopic diseases like eczema or hay fever had a 23% lower risk of developing COVID-19. In contrast, people of Asian/Asian British ethnicity and those in crowded households faced a higher risk. The study suggests that some risk factors for severe disease may differ from those for infection.
A study of over 950 children with asthma found that those with well-controlled symptoms were less likely to be bullied, but reported worse control if teased about their condition. Children who experienced bullying/teasing were more likely to report activity restrictions and had poorer asthma control.
A third of first-year university students experience moderate to severe depression or anxiety. Socializing and getting involved in student clubs is associated with a lower risk of developing symptoms and improving recovery rates. In contrast, increasing drug use heightens the risk of mental health issues.
Experts warn that proposed UK law changes could lead to increased financial abuse of older people, particularly those with dementia. Healthcare professionals are called upon to play a vital role in safeguarding vulnerable individuals through training and support.
A study found that covid infection risk gradually increases after a second vaccine dose, with protection waning over time. The research suggests that a third (booster) dose might be warranted to prevent breakthrough infections.
A large study found that extremely hot days are associated with a higher risk of emergency department visits for various health conditions. The study suggests that adults of all ages are at increased risk of heat-related health effects, and the risk is more pronounced in certain geographic regions, age groups, and socioeconomic statuses.
Research identifies two distinct microbial signatures in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients, with one showing a significant response to the low FODMAP diet. The study found that patients with the pathogenic-like signature experienced improved symptoms after adopting the diet.
Research found that housework is associated with sharper mental abilities and better physical capacity in older adults, particularly among those who engage in high volumes of light or heavy household chores. Housework intensity was also linked to specific cognitive domains, such as attention and memory scores.
A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that colchicine did not reduce the risk of death, ventilatory support need, intensive care admission, or hospital stay among patients with COVID-19. The drug was also associated with a higher risk of side effects, particularly diarrhea.
A plant-based diet rich in dark green leafy vegetables may help alleviate chronic migraine symptoms, according to doctors. The LIFE diet, which includes dark green veggies and limits animal protein, reduced the patient's migraines from 18 days a month to just one day a month.
The global red and processed meat trade has risen exponentially, leading to a sharp increase in diet-related illnesses, particularly bowel cancer, diabetes, and coronary artery heart disease. Health policies should be integrated with agricultural and trade policies to address this issue.
Experts debate whether newborn genome sequencing should be routine, with some arguing it can save lives and be cost-effective. A phased rollout is advocated, with genomic information disclosed sequentially at appropriate ages. The rollout requires data quality improvement and informed consent.
Handwashing, mask wearing, and physical distancing are effective in reducing COVID-19 incidence, with a 53% reduction seen with mask wearing and a 25% reduction with physical distancing. However, more stringent measures like lockdowns need further assessment to weigh their potential negative effects on general populations.
A proposal suggests that wealthier nations should pay a COVID-19 vaccine tax to support COVAX, an international initiative buying and distributing vaccines for the world's poorest. The tax would be proportional to how much they spend on jabs for their own populations.
The UK government is being called on to recognize every miscarriage as a bereavement, rather than an illness, and award statutory bereavement leave. This would provide parents with up to 1 week of paid leave after a miscarriage, regardless of gestation, and address the current arbitrary cliff edge at 24 weeks.
New guidelines recommend using nerve blocks to select patients with chronic neck pain who may benefit from radiofrequency ablation. Only one nerve block is required, rather than two, and patients must experience meaningful pain relief from diagnostic blocks. This approach aims to reduce unnecessary procedures and improve patient outcomes.
A study published in The BMJ found that early post-operative exercise improves shoulder and arm mobility, reduces pain, and increases quality of life for women after non-reconstructive breast cancer surgery. The exercise programme is also cost-effective, with an average saving of £387 per patient.
A study published in The BMJ found that children who had nutrient-enriched formula milk as babies did not have higher exam scores than those fed with standard formula. Researchers linked data from seven randomised controlled trials to school records and found no clear differences in academic performance.
A group of global healthcare and tech companies has pledged to decarbonize the NHS supply chain by 2045, aiming to support the NHS's ambition to become the world's first net zero health service. The International Leadership Group for a Net Zero NHS has urged suppliers to commit to reducing their operations' carbon footprint by 2045.
An 8-country study finds that obesity will contribute 3.6% of a nation's GDP by 2060, with total costs projected to double in Spain and increase 19-fold in India. Reducing obesity prevalence could cut average annual costs by 5-13%.
Studies show that non-invasive breathing support like CPAP and high-flow nasal oxygen do not produce more air/surface viral contamination than simple oxygen therapy. Coughing produces the most aerosol, prompting a call for reevaluation of infection control measures for these respiratory support methods.
COVID passes may help prevent lockdowns, but experts warn of risks including segregation, surveillance, and economic barriers. Some researchers advocate for mandatory covid passes as a 'mechanism to target restrictions' and reduce cases, while others argue they introduce profound risks and can exacerbate existing inequalities.
A study published in The BMJ found that more than 28 million extra years of life were lost worldwide in 2020 compared to expected numbers, with a higher rate of excess premature deaths in men than women. This analysis provides insight into the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations.