Many of us believe that we are great drinkers and that alcohol does not affect us as much. People who are able to drink without showing any sign of inebriation are known as social drinkers. In short, they are not addicted to alcohol but will not turn down the opportunity to have a good time! While it may seem like it doesn’t affect you, new studies suggest that it is just an illusion, even if you have high tolerance, alcohol affects your cognitive and motor functions more than you think.

The study reveals the below implications and techniques:

• Researchers used a new MRI technique to precisely measure brain electrical activity.
• By comparing brain scans before and after drinking, scientists identified specific areas affected by alcohol and how much brain activity slowed down.
• Participants were chosen to be regular social drinkers without alcohol addiction, ensuring the study focused on the effects of alcohol alone.
• MRI technology provided reliable data on brain activity changes caused by alcohol consumption.

How does the brain react to alcohol?

Think of it as the foundation for your brain's performance. When brain conductivity is high, information flows smoothly, and that helps your brain in rapid processing and response. On the other hand, low conductivity can hinder cognitive function, leading to slower thinking, impaired memory, and difficulties with coordination.

A study conducted at the Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and UNSW Science unveiled a startling connection between alcohol consumption and brain conductivity.

What is the connection between alcohol consumption and brain activity?

While many people brush off the effects of alcohol as temporary changes in behaviour, the reality is much more complex. Beyond the obvious impacts on coordination and judgment, alcohol significantly alters brain function. Alcohol dramatically slowed down brain activity, especially in areas responsible for decision-making, planning, and physical coordination. This decline was so significant that it resembled the brain changes seen in normal ageing. This means even one drink could temporarily accelerate the ageing process of your brain.

Alcohol and Brain activity: What does the study Imply?

The implications of this research are far-reaching. It provides compelling evidence that alcohol consumption has a direct and measurable impact on brain function. The discovery that alcohol can significantly reduce brain conductivity opens new avenues for understanding the neurocognitive effects of alcohol abuse and dependence. While you may not feel like alcohol is affecting you and you have a high tolerance, it most definitely changes and affects your decision-making abilities and impulse control.

Furthermore, the MRI technique employed in the study could be a valuable tool for assessing the impact of other substances on the brain and for developing interventions to mitigate alcohol-related brain damage.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is battling two public health crises at once. While the rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak has sparked global health emergency, health experts warn that another crisis is unfolding quietly: a sharp rise in maternal deaths as pregnant women avoid hospitals out of fear of infection.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), maternal deaths in Ituri province, the epicentre of the outbreak, have nearly doubled since late May.

Between May 25 and July 19, 2026, the weekly maternal deaths increased from an average of 3.1 to 5.8, while deaths occurring outside health facilities also rose significantly.

Rising Maternal Deaths In DR Congo During Ebola Outbreak

One of the biggest reasons rising maternal deaths in Congo is fear. Many pregnant women have stopped attending antenatal appointments because early Ebola symptoms, such as fever, weakness, and body aches, can resemble pregnancy-related illnesses. They worry they could be wrongly identified as Ebola patients and isolated from their families.

A recent Associated Press report shed light on ground reality by bringing forward the case of Esther Lutula, a pregnant woman from Bunia, who stopped visiting health centres after hearing reports of patients being isolated.

Like many expectant mothers, she chose to stay home despite understanding the risks of pregnancy complications.

"No woman should die giving life because she is afraid to seek care," said Noemi Dalmonte, Deputy Country Representative for UNFPA in the DRC, noting that misinformation and fear are preventing women from accessing essential and lifesaving maternal services.

Also read: DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Becomes World’s Second Largest As Death Toll Surpasses 1,500

Health System Under Pressure

The Ebola response in DR Congo has pressurised an already fragile healthcare system. Health workers have been reassigned to work on outbreak control, while others have died, fled conflict, or gone unpaid.

Some health facilities have also faced attacks, disrupting routine maternity care. Surveillance teams continue to struggle with staff shortages, delayed reporting, and limited resources, making it harder to provide essential health services beyond Ebola treatment.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the current outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, is spreading in a difficult humanitarian setting marked by insecurity, population movement, and limited healthcare access.

Unlike earlier outbreaks, there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for this strain, although vaccine trials are underway.

Also read: Milestone In Kala-Azar Treatment: WHO Updates Treatment Guidelines, Recommends Shorter & Safer Regimens

Why Pregnancy Is Even More Risky During Ebola?

In some previous outbreaks, more than 90% of infected pregnant women died. Delays in treating common obstetric emergencies, like severe bleeding, infections, or obstructed labour, further increase maternal mortality.

Health experts stress that many of these deaths are preventable if women receive timely pregnancy care and better clinical services during delivery.

Also read: Uganda Declared Ebola-Free As Congo Outbreak Grows To 3,262 Cases, 1,437 Deaths

DRC Ebola Outbreak

The DRC's Ebola outbreak has already become the world's second-largest on record, with more than 3,500 reported cases and over 1,500 deaths.

However, organisations warn that other indirect casualties, including maternal deaths, could increase dramatically if routine health services continue to crumble.

UNFPA is urging governments and humanitarian partners to strengthen maternity services alongside Ebola control efforts, restore community trust, and ensure that pregnant women can safely access healthcare without fear. "The fear of Ebola should not become another cause of maternal death," the agency has warned.

NBA star Kevin Love has once again opened up about mental health, saying the late actor Robin Williams transformed the way he understands depression by showing that the condition often stays hidden until its too late.

Speaking during a recent conversation about mental health, Love reflected on Williams' life and legacy, saying his death challenged the common belief that depression is often evident on people's faces.

"You would have thought that's not a face of depression," Love said, explaining that Williams helped him realise that people can appear joyful, successful, and full of life while silently battling emotional distress.

Love, one of the most prominent athletes advocating for mental health awareness, said the experience reinforced an important lesson: depression cannot be judged by outward appearances.

Depression Doesn't Always Look Like Depression

Mental health experts have long warned that depression is an invisible illness. While some people experience persistent sadness, others continue working, socialising, and smiling despite struggling internally.

This is one reason the condition often goes unnoticed by family, friends, and even healthcare providers.

Love's remarks reflect his own journey. After experiencing a panic attack during an NBA game in 2017, he began speaking publicly about anxiety and depression, encouraging others to seek help instead of suffering in silence.

In a previous essay, he wrote, "You would be amazed at how freeing it is just to talk to somebody, and tell them the truth about what you're going through," adding that "it does get better."

Also read: Laughing Gas Can Relieve Long Term Depression—New Study Finds

Recognising The Symptoms

According to mental health experts, depression is more than feeling sad for a few days. It comes with a bunch of symptoms that often get neglected. Common symptoms include:

• Changes in mood: Persistent feelings of sadness, irritability, or apathy can be indicative of depression or anxiety.
• Loss of interest: Decreased enjoyment in activities that were once pleasurable is a common sign of mental health struggles.
• Difficulty concentrating: Problems with focus, memory, or decision-making can significantly impact daily life.
• Changes in sleep patterns: Insomnia, excessive sleep, or disrupted sleep may be related to underlying emotional distress.
• Withdrawal from social activities: Isolating oneself from friends and family can be a sign of deteriorating mental health.

It's important to note that these are general indicators, and individual experiences may vary. If you or someone you know is experiencing persistent symptoms, seeking professional help is crucial.

Symptoms vary from person to person, and many individuals may not openly express what they are experiencing.

Love said Robin Williams changed his perspective because his story challenged stereotypes surrounding depression. His message serves as a reminder that mental health conditions do not discriminate based on fame, success, or personality.

By continuing to share his own experiences, Love hopes more people will feel comfortable asking for help and checking in with those around them.

His words also reinforce an important public health message: emotional struggles are not always visible, making compassion, open conversations, and early support essential for recognising depression before it becomes a crisis.

The Cyclospora outbreak that has spread across the US for more than three months has turned deadly, with Michigan—the hardest-hit state—reporting the country's first two deaths linked to the diarrhea-causing parasite.

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), both individuals had significant underlying health conditions.

"Two deaths have been identified as part of the cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting Michigan. According to medical records, both individuals had significant underlying health conditions that may have been impacted by cyclosporiasis and dehydration," the department said.

Health officials stressed that deaths from cyclosporiasis are rare, as the infection is generally not life-threatening. Michigan has reported 11,234 cases, including 193 hospitalizations.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also confirmed the two outbreak-related deaths in Michigan. As of its July 28 update, the agency has recorded 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases across 45 states since May 1, along with more than 11,500 suspected cases—primarily in Michigan and Ohio—that are yet to be laboratory confirmed. The outbreak has resulted in 423 hospitalizations.

FDA Links Outbreak to Recalled Iceberg Lettuce

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has linked part of the outbreak to iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico. The company voluntarily recalled affected products on July 17 and said it will no longer source iceberg lettuce from central Mexico for the rest of the growing season.

The recalled lettuce has been linked to illnesses in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Separately, the CDC, FDA, and state health officials are investigating another Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce in nine states, which has sickened at least 1,947 people and hospitalized 98.

Officials are also investigating whether parsley and cilantro may be linked to the outbreak.

What Is Cyclospora?

Cyclospora is a parasite that infects the intestines and is usually spread through contaminated food or water.

Symptoms include:

• Frequent watery diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Excessive gas
• Low-grade fever
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss

What Should You Do If You Think You Have Cyclosporiasis?

Most infections are mild and resolve without treatment. However, the illness can be prolonged or severe in people with weakened immune systems, who may require antibiotic treatment.

If you develop symptoms:

• See a healthcare provider and request a stool test to confirm a Cyclospora infection.
• Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration caused by diarrhea.
• Because diarrhea can have many causes, getting the right diagnosis is important, as cyclosporiasis is treatable with a specific antibiotic.
• Seek immediate medical attention if you have severe diarrhea, feel dizzy when standing, or have a rapid heartbeat, as these may be signs of serious dehydration.

How Is It Diagnosed and Treated?

Doctors diagnose cyclosporiasis with a stool test that detects the Cyclospora parasite shed in stool.

Although some mild infections may resolve on their own, confirmed cases should be treated with antibiotics. The recommended treatment is the antibiotic trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX).

Your doctor may also recommend:

• Medicines to relieve diarrhea, if appropriate.
• Oral or intravenous fluids to prevent or treat dehydration.

How To Reduce Your Risk

• Check whether recently purchased iceberg lettuce was sourced from Taylor Farms de Mexico, Guanajuato.

• The recall includes:

1. 12-ounce and 24-ounce Iceberg Salad with best-by dates July 18–August 3
2. 8-ounce and 16-ounce Shredded Lettuce with best-by dates July 18–August 3

• Discard or return any recalled products. An additional 33 recalled products were supplied to restaurants and are unlikely to be in home refrigerators.
• No other lettuce varieties, including romaine and butter lettuce, have been linked to the outbreak.
• Avoid eating recalled shredded iceberg lettuce.
• Wash all fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water, even if labeled pre-washed.
• Choose whole heads of lettuce over bagged greens when possible. Remove the outer leaves and wash the inner leaves thoroughly.
• Cook produce whenever possible, as heat is the most effective way to kill Cyclospora.
• Follow safe food-handling practices and stay updated on food recalls.