For the longest it was believed that taking a daily low-dose aspirin, around 81mg is okay. In fact, there were benefits to it, like preventing heart attacks and strokes. But, this is not the case anymore. As per the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology and the US Preventive Services Task Force founded that this advice must be reconsidered, especially for the older people.

As per the study, people without a previous heart attack or stroke, aspirin had only modest benefit. However, it increased the chance of bleeding in the brain. For instance, if a person fell and hit their head and the gut. Despite this, as per a study by the University of Michigan, titled Aspirin Use among Older Adults, 57% of people aged 50 to 80 regularly take daily low-dose aspirin. The truth is, there is no benefit from it if they do not have a history of cardiovascular disease.

Aspirin - A yes, no, maybe?

If you have ever had a heart attack or a stroke, and had a coronary stent inserted to treat the heart disease, or any diagnosis related to heart problems, the advice has not changed for you. For those who have had heart-related problems, taking daily low dose aspirin is not harmful, confirms cardiologist Don Lloyd-Jones, a past president of the American Heart Association, reports The Washington Post.

The problem or the confusion is for those who do not fall in this category. For them, it is not that simple. People, who are under 60 may actually benefit from daily dose if they have 10% or greater chance of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years. But, how does one know of these risks? The best way to know is if you have high blood pressure, or cholesterol levels. Though experts recommend to control it through diet, lifestyle changes and other medicines, rather than starting aspirin.

Who else can benefit? Smokers and people with a coronary calcium sore over 100, which also indicates moderate or higher levels of plaque in the heart's arteries.

However, it is not for everyone.

If you have a history of ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding, it is a big no for you. People with two or more alcoholic drinks daily or with a history of falls must also not jump the bandwagon of taking low-dose aspirin daily.

Is Age A Factor?

Yes, age matters too. There are certain guidelines that states that no one over 60 years old, even those who are at the high risk of above mentioned should start an aspirin regimen. Whereas, some guidelines limit the age at 70. The easy way to understand it is the greater your chance of having a heart attack is, the lower your risk of bleeding, the more likely aspirin is not harmful for you.

But, when should you stop?

The age matters. Especially if you are 70, you must stop, as the risk of bleeding rises with age. The good news is, experts believe that stopping aspirin therapy would not cause any danger to people at low risk. However, it is always wise to consult your healthcare advisor, or a doctor.

What is important is that you start and stop the therapy with the correct prescription and speak to your doctor on how may it interact with other drugs, especially if you are on blood thinner.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has postponed granting full approval to Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine. The decision, which was anticipated by April 1, has been deferred as the agency says it requires additional information before proceeding.

While the Novavax vaccine is currently available under emergency use authorization, full approval by the FDA would pave the way for broader use and potentially reassure individuals seeking alternatives to mRNA vaccines, according to CNN.

This delay coincides with efforts by Republican lawmakers in at least seven U.S. states to restrict or ban mRNA vaccines. As reported by KFF Health News, some of these legislators are also urging federal regulators to revoke approval for mRNA-based COVID vaccines—shots that former President Donald Trump highlighted as a major achievement of his administration.

Unlike the mRNA vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna, Novavax uses a protein-based platform, a more traditional vaccine approach.

“As of Tuesday, April 1, we had responded to all of the FDA’s information requests and we believe that our [Biologics License Application] is ready for approval,” the company stated. Novavax added that the application “included robust Phase 3 clinical trial data that showed our vaccine is safe and effective for the prevention of COVID-19.”

The company also said it remains confident its “well-tolerated vaccine represents an important alternative to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for the U.S.”

The delay follows leadership changes within the FDA. Dr. Scott Steele has been appointed acting director of the agency’s vaccine division after Dr. Peter Marks stepped down last month.

Meanwhile, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—a longtime vaccine opponent—has continued to circulate false claims about COVID vaccines and recently shared misleading information about the measles vaccine amid a deadly outbreak.

An HHS spokesperson told CNN that the FDA’s evaluation of the Novavax vaccine, like all vaccines, is undergoing an independent review process.

In a case raising global public health concerns, a three-year-old girl from the western Mexican state of Durango has emerged as the nation's first officially confirmed human case of bird flu (H5N1), health officials announced on Friday. The case, combined with recent patterns of virus mutations, is highlighting increasing concerns among scientists globally that the avian influenza virus is moving closer to becoming a more general human threat.

The young girl, currently in serious condition at a hospital in Torreón, Coahuila, was diagnosed with the Type A H5N1 influenza virus, Mexico’s Health Ministry said in an official statement. While initially treated with antiviral flu medication, the severity of her symptoms prompted immediate hospitalization.

The question that still is not answered is how she became infected. Authorities initiated an investigation, screening wild birds in the area around her house, but no specific source has been confirmed. The Health Ministry stressed that the risk to the general population at present is still low. Nevertheless, the timing of the case—in the midst of growing H5N1 activity worldwide—is prompting greater alarm.

While H5N1 bird flu has been present in bird populations for decades, the last few years have produced a disturbing increase in its host range. In the United States alone, at least 70 people were infected in the last year, reports the World Health Organization (WHO), although experts estimate the true figure may be many times higher because of restricted testing and lack of reporting.

What was previously thought to be an avian-exclusive pathogen is now infecting an increasing band of species, small mammals, and, more recently, cattle. The virus's expanding capability for interspecies jumping dramatically increases the stakes for human health.

A new study by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte provides new evidence on why this outbreak—and future outbreaks—may become more deadly. Released in the peer-reviewed journal eBioMedicine, the research highlights how quickly the H5N1 virus is mutating to infect mammals and evade immune systems.

"The H5N1 virus is exhibiting evidence of enhanced adaptability to mammalian hosts, such as humans," explained lead author Colby Ford, a visiting scholar at the University of North Carolina Charlotte's Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER).

Ford and his colleagues employed powerful AI software to examine more than 1,800 virus-antibody interactions, targeting the hemagglutinin (HA) proteins—key molecules that enable the virus to infect host cells. The research discovered that newer virus variants have altered these proteins in ways that render them more evasive to current immune responses.

"This evolution makes previous infections and even current vaccines less effective," Ford said.

How the Virus Is Evading Human Immunity?

Perhaps the most dramatic revelation from the UNC Charlotte team was a dramatic mutation in a gene critical for the virus to infect mammalian cells and avoid immune detection. These mutations are making H5N1 transmit more easily—not only within bird flocks, but across species boundaries.

“High-performance computational modeling is helping us decode viral behavior at a much faster rate,” said CIPHER co-director Dan Janies. “We’re learning how the virus is shifting in real time and identifying key changes that could impact vaccine development and infection control.”

The speed and scope of the virus’s changes, Janies said, reinforce the urgency of proactive health measures rather than reactive responses.

Although the girl's case in Mexico appears to be an isolated incident, scientists warn that it could be the tip of the iceberg. As the virus becomes more effective at infecting mammals, such as livestock like cattle, the chances of human spillover events rise.

"Whenever a virus broadens its host range, it broadens its chance to mutate again," said Dr. Eleanor White, an international infectious disease expert at the Global Health Security Alliance. "Every new host is a possible lab for evolutionary change for the virus."

The fact that the girl's case took place in a non-agricultural environment, without a confirmed source, indicates environmental transmission is already occurring at a level health officials are not yet aware of.

The Mexico case has spurred demands for more intense surveillance, quicker diagnostic testing, and more comprehensive vaccine development programs that take into account viral evolution. It also underlines the need for global cooperation since viruses such as H5N1 have no borders.

"To avoid future outbreaks, we need to invest in visionary research, responsive systems, and public education," Ford emphasized. "The time is now—before a more virulent pandemic breaks out."

Public health professionals across the globe are called upon to keep close watch on livestock, wildlife, and human populations and remain open about reporting cases. Meanwhile, people are asked to keep their distance from ailing or deceased birds and report any strange animal behavior to the local authorities.

Although the risk to the general public is low at this time, the initial confirmed human case of H5N1 in Mexico, in addition to increasing studies on the virus's changing behavior, emphasizes a pressing need for caution. As the bird flu virus continues to become increasingly skilled at breaching species barriers, the world health community must get ready for a future in which H5N1 will no longer pose only a risk to animals—but to humans as well.

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.