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.

A sudden and unusually early rise in norovirus infections, often called the “winter vomiting disease”, has been reported across the United States, adding yet another health concern to a season already crowded with respiratory illnesses, as noted by Axios. Figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that positive norovirus tests have doubled over recent weeks, climbing from seven percent in August to 14 percent by mid-November.

This spike has arrived sooner than expected and at a time when cases of COVID, whooping cough, and seasonal flu are also climbing.

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Winter Vomiting Disease: What Is The Norovirus?

Norovirus leads to intense vomiting and diarrhea because it irritates the stomach and intestines, as described by the CDC. This has earned it the informal name “extreme vomiting disease.”

It is the most frequent cause of vomiting and diarrhea in the country. Nearly 20 million people deal with norovirus each year, according to Scientific American. It is different from the common “stomach bug” or “stomach flu” and has no link to the influenza virus.

Winter Vomiting Disease: Norovirus Symptoms To Watch For

Symptoms typically appear 12 to 48 hours after exposure and often include:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Dehydration (usually due to repeated vomiting and diarrhea)

Less often, people may also experience fever, headaches, or body aches.

Winter Vomiting Disease: Who Is At Risk For Norovirus?

Norovirus outbreaks can affect anyone, but children and older adults face a higher chance of serious illness, the CDC notes. Since several strains of the virus exist, people may get sick more than once. Genetics may also influence how likely someone is to catch it.

Also Read: Your Morning Orange Juice Might Be Shaping Thousands Of Immune Genes At Once

Winter Vomiting Disease: How Does Norovirus Spread?

Health officials describe norovirus as extremely contagious. It spreads quickly through droplets, contaminated surfaces, or unsafe food.

Norovirus is a human virus usually spread through the fecal-oral route,” explained Robyn Chatman, a Cincinnati physician, to the American Medical Association. This means the virus can transfer from contaminated hands to the mouth during routine activities. It can remain on surfaces for days or even weeks and moves rapidly in crowded places such as nursing homes, child care centers, and cruise ships, the AMA notes.

Winter Vomiting Disease: Why Are Norovirus Cases Spreading In The US?

A norovirus “outbreak,” as defined by the CDC, occurs when two or more similar illnesses stem from the same suspected or confirmed source. The CDC records about 2,500 such outbreaks each year.

Between August 1 and November 13, 153 outbreaks were reported. By comparison, only 69 outbreaks had been recorded by the final week of November last year. In early December 2023, the U.S. logged 65 outbreaks, according to AP.

Everyday Health reports that a new norovirus strain may be contributing to the current jump in cases. For many years, most infections were linked to the strain GII.4. Now another strain, GII.17, has become dominant, responsible for around 75 percent of outbreaks during the 2024–2025 season, up from about 10 percent during 2022–2023.

What to Do if You Get Sick With Norovirus?

There is no specific treatment for norovirus, as Cleveland Clinic explains. The infection needs to run its course. Staying well-hydrated, resting, and choosing mild, easy-to-digest foods can help ease symptoms. Seek medical care if you cannot keep fluids down or if your symptoms continue beyond three days.

To prevent spreading the virus, the CDC advises avoiding food preparation or caring for others until at least 48 hours after symptoms stop.

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued its first-ever recommendation endorsing GLP-1 medications as part of a long term strategy to manage obesity in adults. Earlier, in the guidance to deal with obesity, the main focus was given to diet and lifestyle changes. Thus, this is a big shift from how the UN agency has traditionally approached obesity treatment.

Until now, WHO guidelines only focused on lifestyle changes including physical activity and diet. The new recommendation acknowledges that medication can play a supportive role when combined with counseling on healthy eating and regular exercise.

Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the guideline describes long-term use as continuous treatment for at least six months. In its note, WHO called obesity a “chronic, relapsing disease” that affects more than one billion people worldwide and contributes substantially to illness, early death, and economic strain on health systems. GLP-1 therapies, the organization wrote, offer “clinically meaningful weight loss and broad metabolic benefits” when used appropriately.

How Do GLP-1 Drugs Work?

GLP-1 drugs mimic the action of the natural hormone GLP-1 to regulate blood sugar and promote weight loss. They work by increasing insulin release in a glucose-dependent manner, decreasing the liver's production of glucagon, and slowing down the emptying of the stomach, which helps lower blood sugar levels after a meal. They also act on the brain to suppress appetite and increase feelings of fullness, leading to reduced calorie intake.

In people with type 2 diabetes, notes Harvard Health, the body's cells are resistant to the effects of insulin and body does not produce enough insulin, or both. This is when GLP-1 agonists stimulate pancreas to release insulin and suppress the release of another hormone called glucagon.

These drugs also act in the brain to reduce hunger and act on the stomach to delay emptying, so you feel full for a longer time. These effects can lead to weight loss, which can be an important part of managing diabetes.

Why WHO’s Guidance Matters

In September, WHO added GLP-1 drugs to its list of essential medicines, but only for treating diabetes, not for obesity alone. The new guideline extends that conversation, offering a more formal stance on their use in obesity management. The recommendations were developed by a committee of experts in obesity, pharmacology, and public health, following requests from several WHO member states. They also align with approvals already granted by regulators like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Obesity: A Global Health Challenge

Obesity is now recognized as one of the most widespread health concerns worldwide, linked to an increased risk of chronic conditions, including cancers, heart disease, and metabolic disorders. Beyond physical health, it also impacts mental well-being and quality of life. With more than a billion people affected globally, the economic burden on healthcare systems continues to grow.

Also Read: Only 1 in 10 People With Obesity Have Access To Popular GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs, Says WHO

However, the accessibility still remains a major issue. n the United States, the most widely used medications: Eli Lilly’s Zepbound and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, carry list prices exceeding $1,000 per month. Recently, the Trump administration announced agreements with pharmaceutical companies aimed at lowering costs for people paying out of pocket or covered under Medicare or Medicaid.

Every year on December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is observed. It is a UN day that works towards promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development, and to raise awareness of the situation of personal with disabilities in all aspects of life.

At the headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO), IDPD events are organized to educate the public, raise awareness, advocate for political will and resources, and celebrate WHO's achievement.

Who Are Persons With Disabilities?

As per the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities or the UNCRPD, persons with disabilities are individuals with long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments that restrict their ability to participate in society on equal terms.

India’s commitment to accessibility stems from Article 9 of the UNCRPD, which mandates equal access to physical spaces, transportation, and services.

Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016: India’s RPwD Act, 2016, aligns with this definition and adds the term “benchmark disability,” which refers to individuals with at least 40% of a specified disability.

This Act sets accessibility standards for public spaces and digital platforms.

The Act increased reservation for PwDs from 3% to 4% in jobs and 3% to 5% in higher education.

The RPwD Act expanded the list of disabilities from 7 to 21 categories, including conditions like:

• Autism spectrum disorders.
• Acid attack survivors.
• Multiple sclerosis and chronic neurological conditions.

As per the 2011 Census, India is home to 26.8 million persons with disabilities, which means at least 2.21% of its total population. The highest prevalence is observed between the age group of 10 to 19 years. Among them, 20% have mobility impairments, 19% have visual impairment, 19% have hearing impairment, and 8% suffer from multiple disabilities.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Theme

This year, the theme is 'Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress, while in 2024, the theme was: 'Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future'.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Origin

This was first established by the United Nations in 1992, to raise awareness and creating inclusive society for all. The aim was to create an inclusive, accessible, and equitable society where no one is left behind.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Significance

The main role of this day in observance is to educate people. As more than 1 billion people in the world, which is around 20% of the world population live with some kind of disability. Thus, in such a scenario it is important for people to be sensitive towards their need. This day also helps address and solve the barriers faced by people living with disabilities, which include:

Limited access to education and employment

Inaccessible public spaces and transportation

Social stigma and discrimination

Insufficient healthcare and rehabilitation services

Lack of assistive technologies and accessible digital platforms