Stomach cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of the stomach. Also, known as Gastric cancer, it affects the elderly more than the adult. According to the American Cancer Society, about 6 of every 10 people diagnosed with stomach cancer each year are 65 or older. Also, the lifetime risk of developing stomach cancer is higher in men (about 1 in 101) than in women (about 1 in 155).

A health expert, speaking to a leading media house, emphasized five common symptoms of stomach cancer that should not be ignored:

1. Unexplained weight loss: Losing weight without trying or experiencing an unexplained drop in appetite, which may signal cancer progression.

2. Pain in the upper part of the abdomen: Persistent or occasional pain in the stomach area, often after eating, can become more severe as the condition progresses.

3. Frequent vomiting after meals: Nausea, sometimes accompanied by vomiting, may occur especially after meals and is linked to cancer blocking or irritating the stomach.

4. Vomiting blood, which may appear coffee-colored: This can indicate bleeding in the stomach, often caused by ulcers or tumors, and requires immediate medical attention.

5. Black, tarry stools: This occurs when blood from the stomach is digested and passed through the intestines, signaling potential internal bleeding

There are also other concerning signs that should not be overlooked such as jaundice, unexplained weight loss, early onset of diabetes, dark stools, and loss of appetite. Health experts strongly advise seeking immediate medical attention if you notice any of these symptoms. If you or a loved one experience these signs, it's crucial to visit a physician for a thorough evaluation to rule out serious underlying health conditions.

How Does Stomach Cancer Spread?

Oncologist Dr Pankaj Kumar Pande, Director–Surgical Oncology, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi explained that this form of cancer spreads through three main pathways: Direct spread, lymphatic spread, and bloodstream.

1. Direct Spread: In its early stages, stomach cancer can invade nearby tissues and grow into the deeper layers of the stomach or spread to surrounding organs such as the oesophagus, liver, pancreas, or intestines.

2. Lymphatic Spread: Cancer cells can travel through the lymphatic system. The most common areas affected are the regional lymph nodes near the stomach, particularly those around the liver and diaphragm.

3. Bloodstream: "Cancer cells can enter the bloodstream and travel to distant parts of the body," which is a common route for stomach cancer to metastasize to distant organs.

He further explained that cancerous cells spread from the original tumour to other parts of the body through a process called Metastasis. The most common sites for the spread are the liver, lymph nodes, peritoneum, lungs, bones, and ovaries.

The vast underwater meadows of seagrass beneath the surface of the ocean may help fight one of the world's biggest public health challenges - malnutrition.

A new study published in Cell Reports Sustainability has found that fish living in seagrass ecosystems are significantly richer in essential nutrients than those found on nearby coral reefs.

It highlighted the critical role these habitats could play in improving nutrition for millions of people living in coastal regions.

How Was The Study Conducted?

Researchers from Stockholm University and Project Seagrass examined fish communities across 20 seagrass meadows and 20 coral reefs along a 3,000-kilometre stretch of the East African coastline, spanning Kenya to Mozambique.

These regions are home to communities that depend heavily on fishing for food and income, while also facing persistent challenges related to poverty and undernutrition.

Rather than focusing on individual nutrients, scientists evaluated fish as complete food sources. They measured six nutrients that are vital for human health - calcium, iron, zinc, selenium, vitamin A, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Also read: Eating Toxin-Tainted Seafood May Pose Serious Health Risks: Study

What Did The Study Find?

The findings showed that fish communities living in the seagrass meadows were 1.6 times more nutritionally dense than those living around nearby coral reefs.

Dr. Benjamin Jones, Chief Conservation Officer at Project Seagrass and lead author of the study said, “Fish don't nourish people one nutrient at a time. They come as a package. A single fish contains iron, zinc, calcium, selenium, vitamin A, and omega-3s. We wanted to understand which habitats produce fish with the best mix of these nutrients.”

The nutritional advantage became even more striking when researchers focused on the fish species most consumed by local communities. For the three key food fish species studied, seagrass meadows provided more than eight times greater nutritional support than coral reefs.

Species like rabbitfish and parrotfish, which are widely eaten in East Africa, were found to thrive in these underwater grasslands.

The findings challenge the traditional emphasis on coral reefs as the primary marine habitats supporting food security.

While coral reefs remain biodiversity hotspots, the researchers argue that seagrass ecosystems deserve equal recognition for their contribution to human nutrition and sustainable fisheries.

Environmental Benefits

Beyond nutrition, seagrass meadows provide many environmental benefits. They act as nurseries for commercially important fish, stabilize coastlines, filter pollutants, improve water quality and store vast amounts of “blue carbon”, fighting climate change.

Despite covering just 0.1% of the ocean floor, they store up to 18% of the ocean's carbon and support more than one-fifth of the world's largest fisheries.

However, these ecosystems are disappearing at an alarming rate due to coastal development, pollution, fishing industries and climate change.

Scientists warn that protecting the seagrass meadows is essential not only for marine biodiversity but also for safeguarding food security and public health.

The researchers stated, “If we want healthy oceans that feed healthy people, we need to protect the habitats that make this possible.”

Indian researchers have created the world's most detailed three-dimensional atlas of the human brainstem. This breakthrough could significantly advance research into neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease, sleep disorders, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease.

Developed by researchers at the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre at IIT Madras, the atlas is called ANCHOR (Atlas of Neurochemical Characterization of the Human Brainstem with 3D Reconstruction).

Also Read: US Senator & Trump's Close Ally Lindsey Graham Died Of Aortic Dissection: All About The Fatal Heart Emergency

It offers an unprecedented view of one of the brain's most vital yet least understood regions. The atlas integrates MRI scans, microscopic tissue imaging, and neurochemical mapping to reveal the brainstem at cellular resolution across prenatal, childhood, and adult stages.

About The Human Brainstem

The brainstem controls all the essential functions that keep us alive, including breathing, heart rate, sleep, consciousness, body temperature, and movement. It also serves as the communication bridge between the brain and the spinal cord.

Dr. Mihail Bota, neuroanatomist at IIT Madras and one of the project's lead researchers, told BBC News, “It's a huge controller of the brain. Without it, it's impossible to live.”

Despite its importance, the brainstem has remained understudied because of its highly complex structure.

According to Prof. Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam, Head of the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre, mapping it required overcoming major technological challenges. He also believes the atlas will open the door to many future discoveries.

“The brainstem is very heterogeneous and very densely packed,” Sivaprakasam explained. “To image it properly, digitise it, and then put it all back together is a pretty tough technological and engineering challenge.”

How The Atlas Can Help Study Neurological Diseases Better?

Also read: Long COVID May Be Damaging The Brain's Dopamine System, Major Study Finds

The atlas maps more than 200 tiny brainstem structures, known as nuclei and fibre tracts, allowing researchers to zoom from whole-brain MRI images down to individual brain cells. Experts say this level of detail could help scientists locate exactly which cells and neural circuits are affected in diseases.

One of the key examples is Parkinson's disease, where the degeneration of neurons in a brainstem region called the substantia nigra causes the symptomatic movements.

Researchers believe the atlas can also help understand the damage to the brainstem that occurs with stroke, sleep disorders, Alzheimer's disease, and age-related neurological decline.

“There are so many discoveries waiting to happen,” he said, noting that the research team now plans to expand the project by mapping brains affected by neurological diseases, including stroke, while creating similar atlases across different stages of human development.

A Major Milestone

Independent experts have also celebrated this milestone in neurology. Martin Parent, a neuroscientist at the CERVO Brain Research Center who was not involved in the project, described it as “really important work” because “we don't know that much about the brainstem.”

He added that the newly developed atlas could eventually become an important component in brainstem surgeries and improve the placement of electrodes used in deep-brain stimulation for neurological disorders.

Researchers hope the freely accessible ANCHOR atlas will become a valuable global resource, accelerating discoveries that could ultimately improve diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of brain disorders.

Veteran Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of President Donald Trump's closest allies, has died at the age of 71. As per the preliminary findings released by the District of Columbia's medical examiner, he passed away after suffering an aortic dissection.

Lindsey Graham Dies At 71

His office said, “On the evening of Saturday, July 11, Senator Lindsey Graham passed away after a brief and sudden illness. Senator Graham's family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”

Also Read: Indian Scientists Create 3D Brainstem Atlas That Can Help Understand Parkinson’s, Sleep Disorders & Stroke Better

Graham was a prominent South Carolina Republican and former Air Force lawyer who served in Congress for more than three decades. He had turned 71 years old just two days before his death.

In a statement on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump wrote: "Melania and I are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham. Lindsey was a true American Patriot, one of the best people and Senators I have ever known. He was always there when our Nation needed him, and he gave everything he had to the people of South Carolina and the United States. We will miss him greatly. Our prayers are with his family, friends, and everyone who loved this truly great man."

The preliminary medical examiner’s report later confirmed that the underlying cause was aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, commonly known as the hardening of the arteries.

According to reports, a final death certificate will be issued after additional toxicological and microscopic testing.

Graham’s passing has sparked discussion about aortic dissection, a rare but extremely dangerous cardiovascular emergency that requires immediate medical treatment.

What Is An Aortic Dissection?

An aortic dissection occurs when a tear develops in the inner layer of the aorta, the body's largest artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Blood surges through this tear, forcing the layers of the artery wall apart, effectively “dissecting” them.

When the wall of this aorta tears, blood flow to vital organs can become compromised, and the weakened artery may rupture, often leading to a fatal internal bleeding.

Why Is Aortic Dissection Dangerous?

Cardiologists consider aortic dissection to be one of the most life-threatening cardiovascular emergencies. The condition can rapidly lead to complications like:

• Rupture of the aorta
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Multiple organ failure
• Sudden death

The risk of death significantly increases if the condition is not diagnosed and treated quickly.

There are several causes of aortic dissection. Major risk factors include hypertension, atherosclerosis, smoking, high cholesterol, connective tissue disorders like Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, congenital abnormalities of the aortic valve or previous heart surgery

In Graham's case, preliminary findings stated that the aortic dissection was caused due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, indicating that long-term hardening of the arteries likely contributed to the fatal tear.

Also read: Donald Trump Says Physical Checkup At Walter Reed 'Checked Out Perfectly' Amid Recent Health Scrutiny

Symptoms That Should Never Be Ignored

An aortic dissection often begins suddenly. As the symptoms of an aortic dissection can mimic those of a heart attack, immediate medical evaluation is essential. Symptoms may include:

• Pain that spreads to the back, neck, or abdomen
• Shortness of breath
• Fainting
• Sweating
• Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
• Difficulty speaking
• Weak pulse in one arm compared with the other
• Leg pain or loss of circulation

How To Prevent It?

According to experts, the risk of aortic dissection can be reduced by making several lifestyle changes early on:

• Keeping blood pressure under control
• Managing cholesterol levels
• Quitting smoking
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Exercising regularly
• Eating a heart-healthy diet
• Treating pre-existing cardiovascular disease
• Undergoing regular screening if there is a family history of aortic disease