Smokers who make the decision to quit will experience immediate health benefits, including a rapid reduction in their risk of atrial fibrillation (A-Fib), according to new research published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology. The study, conducted by Dr. Gregory Marcus, a cardiologist at the University of California, San Francisco, offers compelling evidence for smokers to quit, showing that it’s never too late to avoid the damaging effects of smoking on heart health.

Dr. Marcus, the senior author of the study, emphasized that A-Fib can be prevented even in individuals who have smoked for years. "The findings provide a compelling new reason to show current smokers that it’s not too late to quit, and that having smoked in the past doesn’t mean you’re ‘destined’ to develop A-Fib," Marcus explained. "Even for the current and longtime smoker, A-Fib can still be avoided."

What is Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)?

"There’s strong evidence that smoking increases the risk of A-Fib," Marcus said. "But the benefits of quitting smoking have been less certain." With this in mind, his team sought to determine whether quitting could significantly lower a person’s risk of developing A-Fib, or if the risk would remain the same.

The research team analyzed data from over 146,700 current and former smokers, tracking their smoking habits and health over a 12-year period using data from the UK Biobank database. The results were promising: former smokers had a 13% lower risk of developing A-Fib compared to current smokers, while those who quit during the study saw an 18% reduction in their risk.

"This is likely a testament to the potency of reducing atrial fibrillation risk pretty shortly after quitting," Marcus said in a statement from the American College of Cardiology.

The findings highlight the importance of quitting smoking, not only for general health but specifically for reducing the risk of serious heart conditions like A-Fib.

Tips for Quitting Smoking

Quitting smoking is one of the most effective ways to lower the risk of A-Fib and improve overall heart health. While it can be challenging, the benefits of quitting are clear and immediate. Here are some tips to help you quit smoking successfully:

1. Choose a specific date to quit smoking and stick to it. Prepare yourself mentally and physically for this change.

2. Reach out to family, friends, or a support group to help keep you accountable. Sharing your goals with others can provide encouragement.

3. Options like nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges can help ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.

4. Identify situations that make you want to smoke, such as stress or social gatherings, and find healthy ways to cope with them.

5. Regular exercise can help distract you from cravings and improve your mood during the quitting process.

6. Drinking water can help flush nicotine out of your system faster, reducing cravings.

7. Activities like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises can help manage stress, a common trigger for smoking.

Quitting smoking offers immediate and significant benefits, particularly in reducing the risk of atrial fibrillation. The latest research provides smokers with more motivation to quit, showing that it's never too late to take control of their heart health.

A key chemical used in many gel nail polish products has been banned in England, Wales and Scotland.

The “gel nail ban” applies to one ingredient — Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide, commonly known as TPO. It is used in some gel manicures to help the polish achieve a glossy finish and cure properly.

What Is TPO?

TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide) is a photoinitiator commonly used in UV- and LED-cured nail products. It makes the varnish more durable and helps it hold its color for longer.

When Did the Gel Nail Ban Start?

The European Union banned TPO in cosmetic products from September 1, 2025. In the UK, the ban came into effect on August 15.

The ban means manufacturers can no longer sell new products containing TPO. However, salons can continue to offer gel manicures using existing TPO-containing products until February 14, 2027, or until their stocks run out.

Nail technicians will not be able to purchase new stock containing TPO. TPO-containing products continue to be used in the US, Australia and Asia.

Why Has TPO Been Banned in the UK?

The ban follows several animal studies that linked TPO to long-term fertility damage and reproductive issues.

Caroline Rainsford, Director of Science at The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA), said the EU ban was based on the chemical's hazardous properties and how a substance might behave in a “worst-case” situation when the body is exposed to a very large amount.

“This is not how TPO is used in cosmetics. The amount of this ingredient used in nail products is over a thousand times less than the amount which could have any negative effect on fertility, and these products are applied to the nail, so the potential for the ingredient to be absorbed into our bodies is even smaller,” Rainsford was quoted as saying in media reports.

What Will Salons Use Instead?

TPO is used only in some gel polishes and is not found in traditional air-dried nail polishes. There are already TPO-free gels on the market, and many salons use these products. While some alternatives may belong to the same chemical family, different compounds have different safety ratings.

TPO-free gel systems now use alternative photoinitiators that meet regulatory standards while still delivering similar results.

TPO-free options are available across:

• Gel polish
• Builder gels
• BIAB-style systems
• Extension and overlay products

How to Maintain Healthy Nails

• Include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, lean proteins, and iron.
• Hydrate your nails with regular moisturizing to keep them from becoming brittle.
• Trim nails when they are soft and don't cut too far down.
• Select non-toxic polishes and minimize use of harsh removers.
• Replace stress-relief activities with stress balls to break nail-biting habits.
• Smoking stains nails with nicotine and damages overall nail condition.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has declared a national outbreak of Salmonella in the UK, with health officials suspecting a possible link to imported eggs.

According to the UKHSA, 207 confirmed cases were detected between August 11, 2025, and August 1, 2026, with the majority reported in 2026. Of those affected, 38% were admitted to hospital, and one person has died.

Where Have Cases Been Reported?

Cases have been reported across the UK:

• England: 199 cases
• Scotland: 6 cases
• Wales: 1 case
• Northern Ireland: 1 case

Among cases in England, London reported 47 cases, the highest number, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber with 38 cases.

Imported Eggs Suspected as Possible Source

The UKHSA identified an increase in Salmonella Enteritidis infections caused by a single strain through whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data.

The agency has launched an investigation to identify the source of the outbreak. Initial findings suggest that the outbreak may be linked to eggs imported from outside the UK. However, the source has not been definitively established, and investigations are continuing.

Dr Kathleen O'Reilly, Associate Professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said the investigation involves identifying additional cases and examining possible common sources of infection.

Dr Damien Tully, Associate Professor at the Medical Research Council at LSHTM's Uganda Research Unit, added that the number of confirmed cases is likely to be “just the tip of the iceberg.”

What Is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a bacterial infection that commonly causes diarrhea and gastrointestinal illness.

Common symptoms include:

• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Vomiting
• Fever

Salmonella is generally a self-limiting infection. However, young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems can develop more severe complications.

These may include bloodstream infections, infections at other sites, sepsis and multiorgan failure.

How Does Salmonella Spread?

The UKHSA stated that Salmonella Enteritidis is the most common Salmonella serovar in England and a leading cause of salmonellosis.

Like other non-typhoidal Salmonella infections, it can spread through contaminated food, including:

• Eggs
• Poultry
• Meat
• Unpasteurized dairy products
• Fresh produce

The bacteria can also spread through contact with contaminated environments or from person to person.

How To Reduce Salmonella Risk

Dr O'Reilly advised fully cooking eggs before eating them and maintaining good food hygiene.

Key precautions include:

• Cook eggs thoroughly, including omelettes that remain runny.
• Wash your hands with soap after handling food and during food preparation.
• Clean chopping boards and utensils after preparing food.
• Check food hygiene ratings when choosing catering outlets.

People who develop diarrhea or stomach cramps should rest and drink plenty of fluids. Young children, older adults and other vulnerable people who become ill should seek medical advice.

Salmonella Outbreak in US

The US is also experiencing a Salmonella outbreak linked to eggs. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) upgraded the recall to its highest risk level and classified nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs as “Class I.” The agency defines a Class I recall as a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that exposure to the affected product could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

The FDA said illness usually occurs 12 to 72 hours after consuming food contaminated with Salmonella, with symptoms typically lasting four to seven days.

For people living with alopecia areata, hair loss can be unpredictable, persistent, and difficult to treat. Now, amid lack of a definitive cure, a medicine originally developed for inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, is showing striking results in patients with severe alopecia areata.

Two large Phase III clinical trials involving 1,399 adults and adolescents found that the drug upadacitinib significantly improved scalp hair regrowth compared with placebo. The trial’s findings were published in JAMA Dermatology.

The results are both striking and promising as alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles.

How Can An Arthritis Drug Help Hair Grow?

Upadacitinib, sold under the brand name Rinvoq, belongs to a class of medicines called JAK inhibitors.

JAK proteins help transmit signals that are involved in immune and inflammatory responses. In alopecia areata, abnormal immune response contributes to the attack on hair follicles.

By blocking JAK1 signaling, upadacitinib can slow down some of these immune responses, potentially allowing damaged or suppressed hair follicles to resume producing hair for some time.

The drug is already used for other autoimmune conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Its potential use in alopecia is an example of drug repurposing, where an existing medicine gets used for a completely different disease.

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How Much Hair Did Patients Regrow?

The Phase III programme included two parallel trials, UP-AA1 and UP-AA2, involving adults and adolescents with severe alopecia areata.

After 24 weeks, about 45% of patients taking 15 mg of upadacitinib achieved at least 80% scalp hair coverage. More than 54% of those taking 30 mg reached the same threshold.

In comparison, only about 2% of placebo recipients achieved that level of regrowth.

Researchers also reported improvements in eyebrow and eyelash hair and indirectly in quality of life

Strikingly, benefits were seen in people with severe disease, rather than only those with a few small bald patches. Severe alopecia areata in the trials was defined as hair loss affecting at least half of the scalp.

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What Does This Mean For Alopecia Areata Treatment?

Alopecia areata currently has no guaranteed permanent cure. And this trial does not mean that the condition can be cured.

The disease can follow a relapsing and unpredictable course, with hair growing back and then falling out again.

The new findings show that upadacitinib can promote substantial hair regrowth while patients are receiving treatment. They do not prove that the underlying autoimmune disease can be permanently eliminated.

There are already approved JAK inhibitors for alopecia areata, including baricitinib, ritlecitinib and deuruxolitinib, so upadacitinib would not be the first drug in this category.

Side Effects

The safety findings in the trials were consistent with the known safety profile of upadacitinib, and researchers reported no new safety concerns during the study period.

Common adverse events included upper respiratory infections, acne, increased creatine phosphokinase and nasopharyngitis.

But JAK inhibitors are powerful medicines that regulates immune system and are not something people should take simply because they are experiencing hair loss. Their risks and benefits need to be assessed by a doctor.