As we all age, the global population ages too, and so does the incidence of age-related brain disorders. More than 55 million persons now suffer from dementia and this number is likely to almost triple by 2050. Deaths due to stroke are likely to double and 10% to 20% of elderly persons suffer from late-life depression—a triple burden that affects quality of life, families, and healthcare systems globally.

But there is a silver lining: most of these conditions are not unavoidable. In an extensive review published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, researchers at Mass General Brigham have identified 17 modifiable risk factors that connect stroke, dementia, and late-life depression. The research finds that changing even a few of these lifestyle and behavioral factors might decrease the risk of all three conditions—emphasizing the need for urgent preventive brain care measures.

Why Lifestyle Changes Matter More Than You Think?

Genetics and age do play a part, but this new study reaffirms that environmental and lifestyle factors have a significant impact on brain health outcomes. Dr. Sanjula Singh, the principal investigator in the Brain Care Labs at Massachusetts General Hospital, stressed, "There are many different steps individuals can take to lower their risks for these age-related brain diseases. The hopeful message here is that change is possible."

The researchers performed a systematic review of 59 meta-analyses—summaries of data from multiple studies done between 2000 and 2023. They aimed to find risk factors that are modifiable and common among at least two of the three conditions: stroke, dementia, and late-life depression.

What Are the 17 Modifiable Risk Factors?

These aren't just medically relevant—they're actionable.

The list includes:

1. High blood pressure
2. Body mass index (BMI)
3. Kidney disease
4. Blood sugar
5. Total cholesterol
6. Alcohol use
7. Diet quality
8. Hearing loss
9. Chronic pain
10. Physical activity
11. Sleep quality
12. Smoking
13. Social engagement
14. Stress management
15. Cognitive stimulation
16. Depressive symptoms
17. Sense of purpose in life

They interlink and tend to overlap, so working on one can have a positive impact on several others.

Why Blood Pressure is The Most Important Factor?

Among all the variables examined, blood pressure was the most significant one. Adults with blood pressure levels more than 140/90 mm Hg were:

• 2 times more likely to have a stroke
• 20% more likely to develop dementia
• 16% more likely to have depression

This is an appeal. Cutting down on salt, raising potassium through proper diet, daily exercise, stress management, and treating sleep apnea are starting points. Medication from a doctor may be required for some.

Are Smoking, Sleep, and Sugar A Dangerous Threat?

Smoking strongly raises the risk of vascular injury, resulting in strokes and impaired brain function. Stopping smoking—even later in life—can significantly lower risk.

Sleep, so frequently underestimated, is an essential function in brain detoxification. Lack of sleep has been associated with cognitive impairment, depression, and metabolic syndrome. Elderly individuals need a minimum of 7 hours of quality sleep each night and must establish a regular sleep routine.

High blood sugar due to bad eating or unknown diabetes also leads to cognitive impairment. Keeping blood glucose under control by proper eating and exercise will stop both vascular and neurological injury.

Importance of Movement and Mental Engagement

Regular physical activity in the form of walking, yoga, or strength training increases blood flow to the brain, lowers stress levels, and enhances sleep. At the same time, mental activities like puzzles, reading, or acquiring a new skill keep the brain sharp.

Although it is hard to disentangle whether these habits are causes or consequences of disease, the evidence tips in favor of the advantages of physical activity.

Social and Emotional Well-Being

A sense of direction, social connections, and the capacity to cope with chronic stress are protective factors that are too often neglected. Research indicates that loneliness and social isolation raise the risk of cognitive decline and depression. Adding social interaction, volunteer activities, or group hobbies can serve as potent buffers.

In addition, left untreated, depressive symptoms can speed up neurological damage. Identifying early warning signs and seeking mental health care is critical to maintaining long-term brain health.

Given these findings, scientists have revised the Brain Care Score—a measure that assists individuals in determining their brain health in physical, lifestyle, and emotional aspects. Initially developed by the McCance Center for Brain Health, this 21-point score now includes new knowledge in the form of pain, symptoms of depression, hearing impairment, cognitive activity, and kidney function.

While more randomized controlled trials are necessary to evaluate interventions utilizing the score, it provides an encouraging foundation upon which clinicians and individuals can start.

A medtech startup IOTA Diagnostic, has received an Indian Patent for its M-Strip, an innovative cervical cancer screening test that uses menstrual blood as a biospecimen. This follows regulatory approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and successful clinical validation. It is pertinent to note that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India, causing around 80,000 deaths annually.

How Does This Work?

M-Strip, the self-sampling kit for cervical cancer (HPV) and STI screening, provides a non-invasive alternative to traditional cervical screenings. This allows women to collect menstrual blood using a sanitary pad-based device. This sample is then sent to a lab for analysis to detect the presence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a major cause of cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer recently gained widespread attention when model and actress Poonam Pandey sparked headlines by creating a hoax about her death to raise awareness about this chronic disease. While she received a lot of flak for her actions, cervical cancer became a trending search on the internet. But what is this and is it treatable?

What Is Cervical cancer?

Cervical Cancer is a type of cancer that deveops in layers of the cervix. It is caused by abnormal cell growth that can spread to another part of your body. There are two main types of cervical cancer. These are squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.

Where Is The Cervix Located?

Cervix is located in the pelvic cavity, about 3 to 6 inches inside the vaginal canal. It serves as the entrance to the uterus to the vagina. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), almost all cervial cancer are linked to human papillomaviruses (HPV) which are transmitted through sexual contact.

What Are The Symptoms Of Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer has no symptoms in the early days and therefore, is hard to detect until it has spread.

Early-Stage Cervical Cancer Symptoms

• Vaginal bleeding after sex
• Vaginal bleeding post-menopause
• Vaginal bleeding between periods or unusually heavy/long periods
• Watery vaginal discharge with a strong odour or containing blood
• Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse

Advanced Cervical Cancer Symptoms (when cancer has spread beyond the cervix):

• Persistent symptoms of early-stage cervical cancer
• Painful or difficult bowel movements or rectal bleeding
• Painful or difficult urination or blood in the urine
• Persistent dull backache
• Swelling of the legs
• Pain in the pelvis or lower abdomen

Treatment Options

Treatment options for cervical cancer vary based on the cancer’s stage, size, and whether it has spread. Early-stage cervical cancer is often treated with surgery, such as a hysterectomy, to remove cancerous tissue. Radiation therapy, which uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells, is frequently combined with chemotherapy in more advanced stages. Chemotherapy involves cancer-killing drugs that circulate throughout the body. Targeted therapy is also emerging as an option, using drugs that focus on specific cancer cell markers while sparing healthy cells. The choice of treatment depends on multiple factors, including the patient’s overall health and desire to preserve fertility.

Anyone who recalls whispering at the dinner table as a child likely also remembers being overheard and reprimanded by their sharp-eared mother, even as an oblivious father ploughed through his meal. Now, science has an explanation for this long-standing observation. A new study conducted by a team of British and French researchers tested around 450 people across 13 countries and found that women typically have higher hearing sensibility than men.

"Women consistently exhibit higher sensitivity by two decibels," the researchers wrote in a paper published in the journal Scientific Reports. This was true across the entire frequency spectrum tested and for all populations sampled. Surprisingly, the study found that in some groups, women's ears were up to six kilohertz sharper than men's. Women not only exhibit heightened cochlear sensitivity—referring to the fluid-filled part of the inner ear that converts sound waves into signals the brain can process—but also outperform men in other auditory tests.

"This difference stems from women's superior function in both the peripheral auditory system and the central auditory pathway. We were surprised to find that women had two decibels more sensitive hearing across all the populations we measured, and this accounted for most of the variations between individuals," said Turi King of the University of Bath in the UK.

People Living in Forests Can Hear Better

Beyond the gender-based differences, the study also uncovered that people living in forest environments exhibited the highest hearing sensitivity. In contrast, those residing in mountainous areas showed the lowest. The researchers noted that people living at higher altitudes tend to have reduced hearing capabilities.

Environmental factors like population density, natural soundscapes, and pollution levels were found to play a significant role in shaping auditory sensitivity. Language exposure also had a measurable impact.

Why Is This Study Important?

According to the lead researchers, the findings are significant because they challenge long-held assumptions about hearing. The study highlights the importance of considering both biological and environmental influences when examining auditory health.

Here's How You Can Enhance Your Hearing

- Avoid loud environments or use ear protection like earplugs or noise-canceling headphones.

- Keep earphone volume low—follow the 60/60 rule (no more than 60% volume for 60 minutes).

- Exercise regularly to improve blood circulation to the ears.

- Eat a balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.

- Stay hydrated to support overall ear health.

- Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake, as both can harm hearing.

- Manage stress, which can worsen tinnitus or hearing sensitivity.

- Clean your ears gently—avoid inserting cotton swabs or sharp objects.

- Go for regular hearing check-ups, especially if you notice any hearing changes.

- Seek early treatment if you experience ringing, pain, or hearing loss.

Novo Nordisk on Saturday announced that its diabetes pill, Rybelsus, demonstrated cardiovascular benefits in a late-stage trial. The findings pave the way for the medication to become a new treatment option for people living with both diabetes and heart disease.

In the trial, Rybelsus reduced the risk of cardiovascular-related death, heart attack, and stroke by 14% compared to a placebo over an average follow-up period of four years. The study involved patients with Type 2 diabetes and established heart disease, some of whom also had chronic kidney disease. The Danish drugmaker presented these results at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session in Chicago.

Rybelsus, already approved for Type 2 diabetes, is the once-daily oral formulation of Novo Nordisk’s blockbuster weekly injection, Ozempic. Both drugs, along with the company’s weekly weight-loss injection Wegovy, contain semaglutide as their active ingredient.

According to Stephen Gough, Novo Nordisk’s global chief medical officer, the company has submitted applications in the U.S. and EU to expand Rybelsus’ approval to include reducing the risk of serious cardiovascular events. “We know not everybody wants an injection, whether it is painful or not, they want the option of an oral medication,” Gough told CNBC. “We provide that option, that you can have one or the other, depending on what the patients and the healthcare professional think is right in that joint discussion.”

In March 2024, Wegovy received U.S. approval for lowering the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults who are overweight or obese and have heart disease. The new data on Rybelsus suggests an additional option for patients hesitant about injections, offering a more convenient pill-based treatment.

The phase three trial included over 9,600 participants aged 50 and older, who received either Rybelsus or a placebo, in addition to standard therapies. Nearly half of the participants also received SGLT2 inhibitors—commonly used to lower blood sugar—at some point during the trial. By the end, 12% of those on Rybelsus and 13.8% of those on placebo experienced cardiovascular-related death, heart attack, or stroke, amounting to a 14% overall reduction in risk for the Rybelsus group.

The most significant reduction was seen in non-fatal heart attacks, which were reduced by 26%, followed by a 12% drop in non-fatal strokes and a 7% reduction in cardiovascular-related deaths. These findings align with previous trials of injectable GLP-1s like semaglutide, which mimic gut hormones to regulate blood sugar, reduce appetite, and curb inflammation.

While the study showed no major differences in kidney-related outcomes, Gough clarified that the trial primarily focused on heart health. Ozempic, however, is already approved for treating chronic kidney disease in diabetic patients.

Common side effects of Rybelsus were gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, diarrhea, and constipation—similar to those experienced with injectable semaglutide. These symptoms rarely led to patients discontinuing the drug.

Dr. Darren McGuire, the study’s lead author from UT Southwestern Medical Center, noted that despite needing to be taken on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before eating, patients successfully adhered to Rybelsus and experienced cardiovascular benefits across all age, sex, and health condition subgroups.