When the sun is out after a long winter, every one loves it. But not the people of Canary Islands. Tourists there are being warned about the "unusually high risk" of UV rays this week. The Ministry of Health for this holiday destination has urged both, residents and visitors to take extra precautions and preventative measures to limit the impact of sun exposure over their body and skin.

The Ministry observed Aemet, Spain's national weather agency for the forecast which showed higher than normal UV or ultraviolet radiation levels in the region. It is in this backdrop that everyone in the region are requested to be extra careful when they are out in the sun. UV levels are set to reach 7, which is a 'high risk' in La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera and Gran Canaria. Other regions like Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are expected to reach a level 6, which is also classed as 'high risk'.

UV Index Explained

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), a UV index is a measure of the level of UV radiation, which ranges from zero upward. The higher the UVI, the greater potential for damage to skin and eye and the less time it takes for harm to occur, notes WHO.

The range 1 to 2 represents a low risk, 2 to 5 is moderate, 6 to 7 is at high risk, 8 to 10 is at very high and anything over 11 is extremely risky for anyone to stay out.

UV radiation levels fluctuate throughout the day, with the highest values occurring during the four-hour period around solar noon. The reported UV Index (UVI) typically reflects this daily peak. Depending on geographic location and the use of daylight saving time, solar noon falls between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. In some countries, sun protection advisories are issued when UV levels are expected to reach 3 or higher, as exposure at these levels increases the risk of skin damage, making protective measures essential.

What happens to you when you are out in sun for too long?

While sun bathing is good, being out in the sun when the UVI indicates a high or very high risk, may cause you health concerns. It can lead to sunburn, premature skin aging, incresed risk of skin cancer, eye damage and in severe cases, heat related disease.

Sunburn

It is one of the most common skin injury which happens when there is excess exposure to UV radiation from the sun. This happens when the UV radiation directly damages the DNA skin cells. These damaged cells die and shed, this is why people experience peeling after getting a sunburn.

Dehydration

This is also a common occurrence when your body loses too many fluids or electrolytes. It can also interfere with your normal body functions. You may feel dehydrated, especially when you are out in the sun, but not well hydrated. The most common symptoms are dizziness, fatigue and headache on hot days.

Hyponatremia

This is an electrolyte disorder in which your body experiences low sodium in blood. The symptoms could lead to nausea, confusion and even weakness. There are extreme cases when one may have seizures, slip into coma or die.

Heat Exhaustion

This is one of the most common consequence of being out under the hot sun. Dehydration with prolonged heat exposure can lead to heat exhaustion.

Heatstroke

When you are out under the sun and your body's core temperature cross 104°, heatstroke may occur. This is also known as sunstroke. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it causes more than 600 deaths each year in the United States.

A new scientific investigation has drawn attention to alarming levels of uranium in the breastmilk of nursing mothers across six districts in Bihar. The findings suggest possible health risks for infants who depend entirely on breastmilk in their first months.

Published in Scientific Reports, the study is the first to examine uranium contamination in breastmilk from the Gangetic belt of Bihar, a region already known for widespread exposure to arsenic, lead, mercury and other heavy metals.

Researchers collected breastmilk samples from 40 mothers aged 17 to 35 from Bhojpur, Samastipur, Begusarai, Khagaria, Katihar and Nalanda. Each participant gave informed consent, and the team documented breastfeeding habits, child health, and residential history. The work was carried out by scientists from Mahavir Cancer Sansthan & Research Centre (Patna), Lovely Professional University, NIPER-Hajipur and other collaborating institutions.

Breastfeeding Samples Show Uranium In Bihar

The most concerning outcome was that every single sample contained detectable uranium. As per NTDV, the authors noted that “100% of lactating mothers had their breastmilk highly contaminated with uranium.” The concentrations varied, reaching as high as 5.25 μg/L in some cases. Although there is no globally accepted safety limit for uranium in breastmilk, the presence of any radioactive heavy metal in an infant’s only food source raises immediate health worries.

District Wise Readings

Uranium concentrations were not uniform across districts. The data showed the highest average burden in Khagaria, followed by Samastipur, Begusarai, Katihar, Bhojpur and Nalanda. Katihar had the single highest recorded value at 5.25 μg/L, while Khagaria had the highest mean value of 4.035 μg/L. Nalanda showed the lowest average level at 2.354 μg/L. Spatial mapping in the study also indicated a distinct distribution pattern, suggesting local environmental and geological influences.

Can Breastmilk Contaminated with Uranium Affect Newborns?

To assess potential harm, the team estimated uranium intake by infants using Monte Carlo modelling with 10,000 simulations. The analysis suggested that about 70 percent of infants could face non-cancer health effects if exposure continues.

The study stressed that babies are far more vulnerable than adults because their organs are still developing, their body weight is low, and they eliminate toxins less efficiently. While the analysis did not show a cancer risk from the detected levels, the exposure was high enough for researchers to warn about possible kidney damage and other non-carcinogenic effects in infants.

Interestingly, as per NDTV, a senior scientist with the National Disaster Management Authority said the study does not signal a public health threat. According to him, the uranium levels detected in the Bihar samples fall well below the limit set by the World Health Organization.

Is Uranium In Breastmilk Worrisome?

Though uranium is known for its radioactive properties, its chemical toxicity poses a more immediate threat. Since infants absorb heavy metals more easily, uranium exposure in early life may cause long-term issues, including:

• Kidney damage and impaired kidney function

• Problems in neurological development, affecting behaviour and cognition

• Possible increased cancer risk later in life

• Interference with bone, immune and motor development

• The ability to cross the placental and blood-brain barriers, potentially harming brain growth

The study did not test water or food consumed by the participating mothers, but the authors referred to previous research that documented high uranium levels in 273 groundwater samples from Bihar.

Districts such as Supaul, Nalanda and Vaishali recorded extremely elevated levels, far above the WHO guideline of 30 μg/L for drinking water. Since groundwater is widely used for drinking and farming in Bihar, the contamination likely stems from natural geological deposits, excessive groundwater extraction, phosphate fertilisers, industrial waste and inadequately treated sewage. Earlier surveys show that uranium contamination is widespread, with at least 11 districts reporting unsafe concentrations in drinking water,

Should Mothers Stop Breastfeeding Their Newborns?

The researchers make it clear that mothers should not stop breastfeeding because of these findings. They emphasise that breastfeeding remains the healthiest and most beneficial source of nutrition for infants, and should only be discontinued if a doctor advises it. While the uranium levels observed are a cause for concern, the study notes that they are not a reason to halt breastfeeding on their own.

New findings suggest that a common supplement might play a role in lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers have found that a naturally occurring amino acid may help stop the build-up of harmful plaque in the brain. Alzheimer’s remains the leading cause of dementia and often brings changes in memory, communication and behaviour.

Experts believe the condition begins when certain proteins collect in and around brain cells. One of these proteins, amyloid, can form thick deposits that interfere with how the brain functions. Recent work now indicates that a simple oral supplement may help limit amyloid levels.

A Supplement That May Help Protect The Brain

The study, published in Neurochemistry International, showed that arginine, a naturally present amino acid, could reduce the clumping of amyloid and lessen its damaging effects in animal models of Alzheimer’s.

What Is Arginine?

Arginine, sometimes listed as l-arginine, helps the body build proteins and is found in foods such as meat, fish, nuts, seeds and dairy. It is also available in supplement form. Researchers stressed that the doses used in their experiments were specific to the study and do not match the amounts sold in commercial supplements. Professor Yoshitaka Nagai, who led the research, said the results suggest that arginine has the ability to curb this build-up both in lab testing and in living organisms.

Professor Nagai explained that the discovery is especially encouraging because arginine already has a well-established safety record and is relatively affordable. This combination, he noted, makes it a promising candidate for future therapeutic use. Reports from Science Daily highlight that the animals given oral arginine developed fewer amyloid plaques and showed a drop in insoluble Aβ42 in the brain. These mice also performed better in behavioural assessments and showed reduced activity of inflammatory genes linked to the progression of Alzheimer’s.

How Arginine Affected Brain Changes In Mice

The research team believes that these results may help spark new ideas for preventing Alzheimer’s or slowing its progression. Professor Nagai said that the findings could be useful not only for Alzheimer’s but also for other disorders linked to abnormal protein folding. He added that because arginine is low-cost and already considered safe for general use, it could move into clinical testing more quickly than many experimental drugs. Even so, researchers cautioned that more preclinical work and human-based studies are needed before any firm conclusions can be made about recommended doses or long-term impact.

Signs of Alzheimer’s disease

According to the NHS, early Alzheimer’s often begins with noticeable memory problems. A person in the initial stages may show signs such as:

• Forgetting recent events or conversations

• Misplacing belongings

• Struggling to recall names of common places or objects

• Having difficulty finding the right words

• Repeating questions

• Showing weaker judgement or taking longer to make decisions

• Becoming less adaptable or more resistant to changes

Anyone who notices these changes in themselves or a loved one should consider seeking advice from a GP.

People who are dealing with a particular Covid symptom have been given a cautionary note by the NHS. The way you position yourself while resting or sleeping can actually aggravate how you feel. As cold weather settles over the UK, the chances of picking up seasonal infections such as colds, flu or COVID-19 begin to rise. These viruses thrive in lower temperatures and spread more easily when people spend more time indoors.

For most individuals, Covid clears up within a few days or a couple of weeks without needing specialised care. Because of this, the NHS advises plenty of rest to support recovery. It also recommends staying home and limiting contact with others if you have symptoms and do not feel well enough to go about your usual activities. The health service further offers specific guidance for anyone struggling with a cough.

NHS Issued A Warning For Certain Covid Symptoms

Cough remains one of the most common signs of Covid, especially when it becomes “continuous.” The NHS describes this as coughing repeatedly for more than an hour, or having three or more coughing spells in a single day.

To help ease the discomfort, the NHS advises: “Do not lie on your back if you have a cough – lie on your side or sit upright instead.”

This suggestion is echoed by Dr Elizabeth Rainbolt. In an interview with the Cleveland Clinic, she noted that lying flat on your back can worsen postnasal drip.

Why Sleeping Position Matters When You Have a Cough

For people dealing with a dry cough, resting on your side rather than on your back may help limit irritation. Dr Rainbolt added: “Raising your head is usually the best position for sleep. You can do this by adding an extra pillow or slightly lifting the head of your bed. This keeps drainage from settling at the back of your throat.”

Anyone coping with a persistent cough should speak with a pharmacist to explore available remedies.

Symptoms

Along with coughing, the NHS lists several other signs of Covid, including:

• A high temperature or shivers (chills) – a high temperature means your chest or back feels hot to the touch (you do not need to check it with a thermometer)
• A change or loss in your sense of smell or taste
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Aches in the body
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Blocked or runny nose
• Poor appetite
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea or vomiting

Covid Recovery Tips From Health Experts

• Make sure you get enough rest to support your body’s recovery.
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated; aim for urine that is light yellow or clear.
• Use paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease discomfort if needed.
• A teaspoon of honey may soothe a cough, but never give honey to infants under 12 months.
• For breathlessness, lower the room temperature or open a window to improve airflow.
• Practice slow, controlled breathing: inhale through your nose and exhale gently through pursed lips, like blowing out a candle.
• Sitting upright in a chair can help ease shortness of breath.
• Keep your shoulders relaxed to prevent tension that can worsen breathing.
• Lean forward slightly, supporting yourself with your hands on your knees or a stable surface, to make breathing easier.
• Avoid using fans to cool your room, as they may disperse viral particles.
• Stay calm if you feel breathless, as anxiety can intensify the sensation.