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 stifling heatwave that has several European nations in its chokehold has turned deadly, with more than 1,300 deaths reported within a week by the World Health Organization (WHO). The recent casualties have compelled authorities to adopt emergency measures as temperatures continue to soar to record-breaking levels.

Europe’s Heatwave Claims 1,300 Lives

According to the WHO, the deaths were recorded between June 21 and June 28, making it one of the deadliest early Europe has witnessed in recent years. Government and health authorities fear that the toll could surge further as temperatures continue to increase.

In a post on X, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO attributed the uncontrolled heatwave to climate change, saying, “We were warned.”

He also said, “Heat stress is often called the ‘silent killer’ – and European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for these temperatures.”

The Director-General also said that the WHO is working with its member states to address the emerging health threats posed by extreme heat.

The WHO has repeatedly warned that climate change is increasing both the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events globally. Europe, which is warming at nearly twice the global average rate, has become particularly vulnerable to prolonged and severe heatwaves.

Countries like Germany and the Czech Republic recorded nearly 42 degrees Celsius on Sunday. Among the nations in crisis, France has emerged as the worst-hit, as approximately 1,000 excess deaths due to extreme heat were recorded.

Poland and Hungary have also experienced record-breaking heat, with meteorological agencies reporting unusually high temperatures for this time of year.

Elderly Individuals Are The Most Vulnerable

Public health experts have repeatedly warned that older adults are especially vulnerable during prolonged periods of intense heat.

Officials said many of those who died were elderly individuals, particularly those living by themselves or suffering from chronic health conditions like cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, and diabetes.

Age-related changes in the body's ability to regulate temperature, combined with pre-existing medical conditions, significantly increase the risk of death due to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, dehydration, and other life-threatening complications.

Experts caution that heat-related deaths are often underreported because extreme heat can worsen existing medical conditions rather than being listed as the direct cause of death. Due to this, the real cost of human life due to the heatwave may go underreported.

With meteorologists predicting that hot conditions could persist in several parts of Europe, health authorities remain on high alert. According to the WHO, the recent climate crisis is no longer a seasonal inconvenience, but a growing public health emergency warranting urgent preparedness, appropriate measures, and long-term climate action.

Tips to Beat the Heat:

To reduce the health risks associated with extreme temperatures, the WHO suggested to:

Stay hydrated - Drink enough water throughout the day. Bring a refillable water bottle. Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol.

Watch your urine color - Dark yellow may indicate you are not drinking enough water.

Wear light clothing – Opt for breathable, loose-fitting light-colored clothes and a hat to shield yourself from the sun.

Use sunscreen – Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen regularly to protect your skin

Seek shade – Take breaks in shaded areas or air-conditioned spaces when possible.

Know the signs of heat illness – Watch for dizziness, nausea, or confusion. Seek medical help if needed.

Cool down – Use wet towels, misting fans, or splash water on your face and arms to enhance thermal comfort.

Stay well – if you have a medical condition or take medicines regularly, check with your doctor.

The Centre is gearing up to unveil a series of digital healthcare initiatives, including the much-anticipated Aarogya Setu 2.0, at the 16th meeting of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare (CCHFW) on June 29 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

The Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda will chair the meeting, which will be joined by the Health Ministers from States and Union Territories, Members of Parliament, senior government officials, public health experts, and other members of the council. Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel and Prataprao Jadhav are also expected to attend.

This edition of the meeting has an agenda including the progress of the National Health Mission (NHM), India's Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets, reforms in the food and drug sector, and ways to improve allied health services.

The Aarogya Setu 2.0 app will also be launched on this occasion. The app is being transformed into a Personal Health Record (PHR) app that lets users create and manage their Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), securely store and share medical records, receive AI-powered health insights, and sync with wearable devices.

The revamped app is designed to let users register for OPD appointments, pay hospital bills, track family health records, and locate nearby hospitals, ambulance services, blood banks, Jan Aushadhi Kendras, and PM-JAY hospitals without leaving the app.

The Ayushman App is also getting a major overhaul. People covered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) will be able to check their eligibility, manage Ayushman Cards, access treatment history, search for empanelled hospitals, raise grievances, and connect with support services through a single interface.

To make these services even more accessible, especially for those who may not be comfortable using dedicated mobile apps, the government will launch Ayushman Sarathi, a WhatsApp-based chatbot. Through a simple chat, users will be able to access key PM-JAY services without navigating complex menus, a move expected to benefit people in rural and underserved areas.

The conference will also plan to launch other digital platforms. These include the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX), which seeks to make insurance claim processing quicker and more seamless across public and private insurers; the Unified Health Interface (UHI), which is intended to connect patients with healthcare providers through an interoperable digital network; and e-Sushrut Clinic, a clinic management solution designed to help hospitals and clinics digitise everyday operations while integrating with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.

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Notably, the broader focus remains on improving healthcare delivery. With States sharing their experiences, reviewing ongoing programmes and discussing future priorities, the conference is likely to shape the next phase of India's digital public health journey.

The Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reached 1,203 confirmed cases, including 321 deaths, according to the latest report from the country's public health authorities.

The report said 148 patients have recovered, while 419 remain in isolation or are receiving hospital care. Health authorities have also identified 265 suspected cases, including 77 deaths.

WHO Warns Fight Is Far From Over

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X that contact tracing in the DRC is reaching more people and more Ebola patients are recovering and returning home.

However, he warned that the fight is "far from over."

"War and insecurity still slow the response, and mistrust is the real battleground. Win trust, and we win this," he said.

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Nearly 300 Confirmed Patients Unaccounted For

The whereabouts of nearly 300 people who tested positive for Ebola remain unknown, according to Africa's top public health official.

The figures on recoveries, patients in treatment and deaths indicate that 297 confirmed cases are currently unaccounted for.

"This is a concern that we have. Where are these people?" Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of the Africa Centers for Disease Control andPrevention (Africa CDC), was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

He added that the ongoing humanitarian crisis and conflict in affected areas have left more than one million people living in camps that health workers cannot access.

WHO Projects More Than 8,000 Cases

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The current outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, was officially declared on May 15.

As per projections published by the World Health Organization's Africa regional office in The Lancet Infectious Diseases estimate that the outbreak could reach about 8,210 cases and 1,420 deaths by mid-September.

Clinical Trials Set To Begin

The first trial of drugs that may treat the Bundibugyo virus is expected to begin in the DRC next week. A separate trial testing an antiviral drug to prevent infection among close contacts is scheduled to start a week later.

The outbreak is being driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments.

Scientists working to develop vaccines and therapies say progress is being slowed by the lack of a viable virus sample.

US CDC Raises Response To Highest Level

Meanwhile, the US CDC raised its response to the Ebola outbreak in the Congo to its highest level, but said the risk of the disease spreading in the US remained low.

The move, reserved for the most severe health crises, signals growing concern over the rare strain's rapid spread.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention raised its emergency activation to Level 1. It is the most severe designation, which is reserved for critical emergencies and assigns the largest number of staff possible to work the response.

The CDC has also deployed 19 staff members overseas to assist its country teams with the response, Dr Satish Pillai, incident manager for the CDC's Ebola response, said ⁠in a press briefing.

The CDC is also providing financial resources to partners on the ground and has trained 25 local field epidemiologists who can operate in areas that CDC staff cannot access.