An experimental treatment happens to be the solution to delay Alzheimer's symptoms in some people. These people are the ones who are genetically destined to get the disease in their 40s or 50s. These new findings form ongoing research has now been caught up in Trump administration funding delas. The early results of the study has been published on Wednesday and the participants too are worried that politics could cut their access to a possible lifeline.

One of the participants had said, "It is still a study but it has given me an extension to my life that I never banked on having." The participant is named Jake Henrichs, form New York City, who is 50 years old. He is one of them to be treated in that study for more than a decade now and has remained symptom-free despite inheriting an Alzheimer's-causing gene that had killed his father and brother around the same age.

Slowing Down The Symptoms

Two drugs which can modestly slow down early-stage Alzheimer's are sold in the United States. These drugs clear the brain of one of its hallmarks, a sticky gunk-like part called the amyloid. However, there have not been any hints that removing amyloid far earlier, way many years before the first symptoms appear, may postpone the disease.

How Was The Research Conducted?

The research is led by Washington University in St Louis, which involved families that passed down rare gene mutation as participants. This meant it was almost guaranteed that they will develop symptoms at the same age their affected relatives did.

The new findings is based on a subset of 22 participants who received amyloid-removing drugs the longest, on average eight years. Long-term amyloid removal cut in half their risk of symptom onset. The study is published in the journal Lancet Neurology.

Washington University's Dr Randall Bateman, who directs the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer's Network of studies involving families with these rare genes says, "What we want to determine over the next five years is how strong is the protection. Will they ever get the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease if we keep treating them?”

The researchers before though did not know what exactly caused Alzheimer's which affects nearly 7 million Americans, most of them in their later life. However, it is clear that these silent changes occur in the brain at least two decades before the first symptom shows up. The big contributor. At some point amyloid buildup can trigger a protein named tau that then starts to kill neurons, which can lead to cognitive decline.

Researchers are now thus studying the Tau-fighting drugs and are looking into other factors, like inflammation, brain's immune cells and certain virus.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) has expanded its focus as researchers have found more reasons for Alzheimer's. In 2013, the NIH's National Institute on Aging funded 14 trials of possible Alzheimer's drugs over a third targeting amyloid. By last fall, there were 68 drugs and 18% of them target amyloid. However, there are scientists too who think that amyloid is not everything and their is way more in the brain tissue, immune cells, and more which can be studied.

As Delhi’s air grows heavier with pollution, citizens have begun stepping out in protest to raise their concerns. During a demonstration at the C Hexagon near India Gate, some protestors allegedly sprayed chilli solution on police officers, disrupted official duties and blocked traffic, according to the police. New Delhi DCP Devesh Kumar Mahla stated that this was the first time such a substance had been used against officers during an agitation. “For the first time, we witnessed chilli spray being used on police personnel. A few officers were hit in the eyes and are receiving care at RML Hospital. Legal action is underway,” the Delhi Police official told The Print.

This raises an important question. How harmful can a chilli spray actually be? Can spraying it put a person’s organs at risk? Here is a closer look.

How Is Chilli Spray Made?

Chilli spray, often known as pepper spray, is produced from oleoresin capsicum (OC), an oily extract taken from chilli peppers. Its main active compound is capsaicin, the same substance that gives chillies their heat, only in a far more concentrated and weaponised form.

The OC is mixed into a liquid base (such as water with an emulsifier like propylene glycol, or an alcohol solution) and is then pressurised so it can be dispersed as a fine aerosol spray, according to The Wire Science.

Physical Effects Of Chilli Spray

When pepper spray reaches the eyes, it brings on sudden eyelid closure, sharp pain and temporary loss of vision. Many describe the sensation as burning, bubbling or boiling, along with intense discomfort, as per Medical News Today.

It may also lead to:

• dry cough or wheezing
• shortness of breath or trouble drawing in air
• burning in the throat
• chest discomfort
• gagging
• runny nose
• gasping
• panic
• difficulty speaking
• dizziness
• fainting
• rashes, blisters or chemical burns where it touches the skin

How Does Chilli Spray Exposure Harm Your Airways?

Chilli spray affects your airways by provoking strong inflammation and irritation of the moist lining inside the nose, throat, and lungs. Capsaicin is the key driver of this reaction, and it can spark a wide set of breathing symptoms. In more serious instances, it may even lead to complications.

Chilli Spray Exposure To Eyes

The eyes react almost instantly to pepper spray. It causes heavy tearing, swelling, redness, stinging and momentary blindness. The cornea’s surface layer becomes disturbed, which means people with conditions like diabetes, dry eyes or recurrent corneal erosion may experience stronger effects than someone with healthy eyes, as reported by Medical News Today.

Anyone wearing contact lenses should remove them at once using clean fingers that have not touched the spray. The lenses must be thrown away because they cannot be salvaged.

Rubbing the eyes will make the pain far worse and should be avoided. Rinsing gently with saline can help. Blinking repeatedly also assists in washing the irritant out with tears.

What To Do After Exposure To Chilli Spray?

After being exposed to pepper spray, these steps can help shorten the discomfort:

• Move to an open area with clean air if possible.
• Rinse the affected parts with plenty of water to clear away the chemical.
• Do not use soap near the eyes, because it can aggravate irritation.
• Remove clothing that has come into contact with the spray to prevent the chemical from spreading. Cutting it off instead of pulling it over the head reduces further exposure to the eyes and skin.
• Keep hands away from the irritated areas to avoid transferring the oily chemical elsewhere on the body.
• Blink quickly to help tears flush out the substance.

Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra passed away on Monday morning in Mumbai at the age of 89, police sources at the cremation ground confirmed. The actor, who had featured in over 300 films across a remarkable career, had been unwell for about a month. His final rites were performed at the Pawan Hans crematorium.

Dharmendra was just weeks away from his 90th birthday on December 8. He had been hospitalised in October for breathlessness, placed on ventilator support, and discharged on November 12. He passed away at his home in Mumbai on November 24, 2025.

Dharmendra Passes Away At 89

Legendary actor Dharmendra has passed away at 89. Fondly remembered as the 'He-Man' of Indian cinema, he leaves behind a career spanning over six decades and more than 300 films. The country mourns an icon who shaped an era of Hindi cinema. While the official cause of death has not been formally announced, sources close to the family indicate that his passing was linked to long-standing age-related health issues.

In the past weeks, Dharmendra had been hospitalised multiple times for respiratory problems, including a stay at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital in early November.

Reports suggest he was on ventilator support for some time and later discharged to continue treatment at home. Age-related complications, including breathing difficulties, appear to have played a role in his declining health.

Why Respiratory Ailments Are Tougher To Treat In The Elderly?

As reports suggest Dharmendra passed away due to respiratory issues, it is important to understand why such illnesses are harder to manage in older adults. According to the National Institutes of Health, respiratory ailments are challenging to treat in the elderly because of a mix of physical changes in the lungs and chest wall, a weakened immune system, multiple pre-existing health conditions, and difficulties in diagnosis and treatment delivery.

Decreased Lung Elasticity and Function: With age, the lungs lose flexibility and the chest wall stiffens, making breathing harder and reducing total lung capacity. This limits the oxygen entering the bloodstream and slows the removal of carbon dioxide.

Weakened Respiratory Muscles: Muscles like the diaphragm and intercostals lose strength, reducing the ability to take deep breaths or cough effectively. This allows mucus and germs to accumulate in the lungs, raising the risk of infections such as pneumonia.

Impaired Gas Exchange: Tiny air sacs (alveoli) lose their shape and efficiency, decreasing the surface area for oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange.

Diminished Protective Reflexes: Nerve sensitivity in the airways declines, weakening the cough reflex and making it harder to clear germs and particles from the lungs.

Moreover, as Dharmendra had been on a ventilator, studies published in BMC Geriatrics and the JAMA Network show that elderly patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation face significantly higher mortality rates, nearly 90% for those aged 80 and above. Experts explain that age-related frailty, existing health conditions, and the invasive nature of ventilation all reduce chances of recovery.

Older age, pre-existing illnesses, and the need for ventilator support together contribute to poor outcomes. Simply put, the combination of advanced age and ventilator use is strongly linked to lower survival chances. This highlights the importance of raising awareness about liver and respiratory conditions, particularly in older adults, to ensure timely treatment and improved health outcomes.

Leptospirosis Outbreak: In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s destruction, Jamaica is now confronting a second emergency: a surge of leptospirosis cases. Public health authorities confirmed on Friday that six people have died from the bacterial illness, which is commonly spread through water contaminated with rat urine, a major risk after heavy flooding and storm damage.

So far, 37 people are believed to have fallen ill since the Category 5 storm struck on October 28. Although only nine cases have been confirmed through laboratory tests, officials warn that the true number is likely far higher. With widespread power outages, damaged communication lines, and thousands still living amid floodwaters, the country’s health minister, Christopher Tufton, told the New York Times, the extent of infections may remain unknown for weeks.

Hurricane Melissa left behind staggering destruction, 45 lives lost and more than 146,000 structures severely damaged, and the public health consequences are just beginning to unfold.

What Is Leptospirosis and Why It Spreads After Storms

Leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira bacteria found in the urine of infected animals, most commonly rodents. The bacteria thrive in moist environments and can survive for months in wet soil or stagnant water. When storms displace rodents and contaminate floodwaters, the risk of widespread exposure rises sharply.

Mild cases resemble common viral illnesses like flu or dengue, while severe infections can lead to kidney failure, liver damage, or jaundice. Typical symptoms include fever, muscle pain, chills, vomiting and fatigue, making diagnosis difficult without testing.

Leptospirosis is relatively rare in high-income countries, yet even cities like New York have seen rising cases due to rat infestations. After Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017, the illness killed at least 26 people, a pattern now repeating in Jamaica.

Why Post-Storm Conditions Heighten Risk

Health minister Tufton noted that anyone exposed to flooded streets, muddy fields, or storm debris faces a heightened risk. Farmers, emergency workers, and cleanup volunteers are among the most vulnerable, he said.

“Dead animals would carry the bacteria,” Tufton explained. “It’s very easy to pick up the bacteria while you are doing your regular — or unusual — work of cleanup.”

Flooding also forces rodents out of their burrows, leading them into homes, shelters, and debris piles where they shed bacteria more easily.

Before Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica typically recorded two to 21 cases per month, according to Karen Webster Kerr, the country’s chief epidemiologist. But November alone has already seen about 35 cases, with days still left in the month. Most infections are concentrated around Montego Bay, and a majority of the sick are men — a pattern that aligns with who often undertakes cleanup work.

Everyone Now at Risk — Not Just High-Exposure Workers

Dr. Webster Kerr, as reported by The New York Times, explained that before the storm, leptospirosis was mainly an occupational hazard. Workers on farms or in sewer systems faced the most exposure. But after Melissa, the risk expanded dramatically.

“Now everybody has the likelihood of being exposed,” she said. “Everybody is cleaning up, and a lot of persons are in those waters.”

With many communities still struggling without electricity or cell service, public health outreach has become significantly harder. Teams are attempting early detection and awareness campaigns, warning families not to walk in floodwaters and to wear protective gear whenever possible.

Urgent Call for Supplies and Protective Gear

Alongside food aid, the health minister urged volunteers and relief teams to distribute rubber boots, gloves, and cleaning supplies — items essential for protection but scarce in many areas.

“There are more cases out there than actually detected,” Tufton warned. “It’s like Covid: For every one that’s detected, there may be five or six others in the environment. We can’t treat it lightly.”

Health Experts Stress Continued Vigilance

Ian Stein, the Pan American Health Organization’s representative in Jamaica, praised the government’s quick response and transparency. But he emphasized that information flow in affected regions will be critical for epidemiologists to identify new clusters and predict spread.

“We often focus on a hurricane’s immediate path,” Stein said. “Yet the aftermath can pose equally serious risks, particularly the threat of emerging diseases that tend to follow major storms.”

As families across Jamaica continue clearing debris and navigating unsafe waters, health authorities fear that the leptospirosis outbreak may grow before it subsides, a stark reminder that the danger of hurricanes often lingers long after the winds fade.