Low-dose CT chest scans could help detect pneumonia in at-risk patients while exposing them to only small amounts of radiation, a new study has found. The research, published in Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging, shows that ultra-low-dose scans can effectively detect pneumonia in patients with compromised immune systems, enabling doctors to treat the infection before it becomes life-threatening. According to the researchers, these scans expose patients to just 2% of the radiation dose used in a standard CT scan.

"This study paves the way for safer, AI-driven imaging that reduces radiation exposure while preserving diagnostic accuracy,” lead researcher Dr Maximiliano Klug, a radiologist with the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, said in a news release. He added that CT scans are the gold standard for detecting pneumonia but there are concerns regarding the risk posed by repeated exposure to radiation. There is a solution- ultra-low-dose CT scan. However, the problem is that these scans can be grainy and hard to read, researchers said.

Study Gives Solution To This

To overcome that, Klug's team developed an AI program that could help "de-noise" low-dose scans, making them sharper and easier to read. Between September 2020 and December 2022, 54 patients with compromised immune systems who had fevers underwent a pair of chest CT scans -- a normal dose scan and an ultra-low-dose scan. The AI program cleaned up the low-dose scan, and then both sets of images were given to a pair of radiologists for assessment. Radiologists had 100% accuracy in detecting pneumonia and other lung problems with the AI-cleaned low-dose scans, but 91% to 98% accuracy in examining the scans that hadn’t been improved through AI, results show.

"This pilot study identified infection with a fraction of the radiation dose," Klug said. "This approach could drive larger studies and ultimately reshape clinical guidelines, making denoised ultra-low dose CT the new standard for young immunocompromised patients.

How Can You Detect Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes the air sacs in the lungs to fill with fluid or pus and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The symptoms can range from milk to severe, which includes:

Coughing with or without cough

Fever

Chills

Trouble breathing

Chest pain, especially when breathing deeply or coughing

Sweating or chills

Rapid heart rate

Loss of appetite

Bluish skin, lips, and nails

Confusion.

How to detect Pneumonia in coughing newborns and toddlers?

Pneumonia can severely affect newborns and young children as their lungs are comparatively more sensitive. As per Dr Goyal, young children can cough for various reasons including seasonal infections and tonsillitis, which is very common in this age group. But if they look visibly irritable and have poor sleep patterns, then parents must reach out to an expert. "I am not saying that parents must visit a hospital but any local paediatrician would be able to detect pneumonia in your kid.

One of the most debated claims that sunscreen may significantly increase the risk of skin cancer is putting an old study back in focus. We took a closer look at the research and it shows a far more complicated picture than social media noise.

Study On 470,000 Participants

The controversy stems from a 2023 study based on data from more than 470,000 UK Biobank participants.

The research studied how genetic and environmental factors interact to impact the risk of skin cancer. It found that people who used sunscreen frequently had higher observed rates of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Compared to people who rarely or never reported using sunscreen, those who always used it had an observed relative risk of about 3.92 for invasive melanoma, 2.40 for basal cell carcinoma, and 2.26 for squamous cell carcinoma.

Can Sunscreen Use Contribute To Risk Of Skin Cancer?

The the crucial part of the study is that it did not establish that sunscreen directly causes skin cancer.

The observational research was primarily designed to investigate gene-environment interactions, not to test whether sunscreen causes skin cancer.

The authors themselves described the sunscreen association as surprising and discussed several possible explanations. One of them is “sunscreen paradox.”

Also read: Scientists Find Rare Contagious Skin Cancer In Fish From US, Canada: Should Humans Worry?

What Is The 'Sunscreen Paradox'?

People who spend more time outdoors, have accumulated more UV exposure, or already have a higher risk of skin cancer may be more likely to use sunscreen in the first place. Sunscreen use can therefore become a marker of higher sun exposure rather than the cause of the cancer.

Lead author Ivan Litvinov told AAP FactCheck that the viral interpretation had misrepresented the findings. “The post misinterpreted the results of our study,” he said.

Litvinov also explained that sunscreen can create a false sense of security when people use too little, fail to reapply it or treat it as permission to stay in the sun longer. This indirectly contributes to the risk of skin cancer. “When sunscreen is used as a ‘permission to tan’, problems arise,” he said.

Should You Stop Using Sunscreen?

Current evidence does not support the conclusion that one must stop using sunscreen to avoid skin cancer.

A randomized trial based on 1,621 adults in Australia found that regular sunscreen use was linked with fewer melanomas over long-term follow-up. Invasive melanoma was substantially lower among those assigned to daily sunscreen use.

More recently, a 2026 review of photoprotection concluded that daily sunscreen use reduces actinic keratoses and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in high-risk people, although evidence for basal cell carcinoma and melanoma prevention is more heterogeneous.

Also read: How Vitamin D Helps Protect Your Skin And Lower Cancer Risks Naturally

How Can You Protect Your Skin Without Using Sunscreen?

While sunscreen is important, one must follow some other steps to ensure complete protection. Here are some tips you should remember according to American Academy of Dermatology Association.

Find Your Shade

The sun's rays are most powerful between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. During these hours, it's best to seek shade. A good rule of thumb: if your shadow is shorter than you are, the sun is very strong, and you should definitely look for some cover.

Dress For Sun Protection

Whenever you can, wear sun-protective clothing. This means choosing things like a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection.

For even better defense, look for clothing labels that have an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) number, which tells you how much UV radiation the fabric blocks.

Say No To Tanning Beds

Both the sun and tanning beds give off harmful ultraviolet (UV) light, which can cause skin cancer and wrinkles. It's best to avoid tanning beds completely.

If you want to have a tanned look, consider using a self-tanning product instead, but remember to still use sunscreen along with it for actual sun protection.

Be Extra Careful Near Reflective Surfaces

You need to be especially cautious when you're near water, snow, or sand. These surfaces are highly reflective, meaning they bounce back the sun's damaging rays, which can significantly increase your chance of getting a sunburn.

COVID-19 is surging in some parts of California as wastewater surveillance showing a sharp rise in the amount of virus circulating in the surrounding communities.

The latest data comes as California health officials warn that the state’s COVID-19 pattern appears to be shifting, with summer outbreaks becoming more prominent than winter ones.

According to the California Department of Public Health data cited by the San Francisco Chronicle, COVID-19 outbreak expanded in June, rose through July and continued rising in August. Hospital admissions are also increasing, although they remain relatively low compared to previous outbreaks.

WastewaterSCAN data showed that COVID-19 concentrations across monitored Bay Area sites were 136% higher in July than in June. By early August, nearly 54% of monitored sites were classified as having “high” levels, with San Francisco, San Jose, Sunnyvale, San Rafael, Vallejo and Napa among the communities reporting high levels of cases.

“Monitoring wastewater can act as an early warning system for health officials and the public,” said Amanda Bidwell, WastewaterSCAN’s scientific program manager.

Wastewater Surveillance Reveals COVID-19 Resurgence

Wastewater surveillance looks for traces of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage. Because infected people can shed the virus even when they have mild or no symptoms, wastewater can provide an early picture of infections spreading through a community.

The CDC says wastewater trends can detect viruses earlier than clinical testing and can also capture infections that never result in a doctor's visit. An increase in wastewater viral activity may therefore signal a higher risk of infection in the community.

California is currently one of only four U.S. states where COVID-19 wastewater activity is classified as moderate or high by the CDC, according to the Los Angeles Times. The CDC also says COVID-19 is growing or likely growing in 43 states.

Also read: BMJ Public Health Retracts Controversial COVID Vaccine Study Cited In US Senate Hearing

Is A Dangerous New COVID Variant Causing The Surge?

Wastewater monitoring suggests several variants are circulating rather than one strain. In the Bay Area, XFG, also known as “Stratus,” remains prominent, while NB.1.8.1, or “Nimbus,” is also circulating.

Stanford infectious disease expert Dr. Abraar Karan said there is currently no evidence suggesting a dangerous or different virus or a variant that is expected to cause a major increase in hospitalizations or causalties.

Experts say the current wave should not be confused with the severe COVID-19 surges of the pandemic's early years. According to recent data and reports, hospitalizations remain comparatively low compared to previous outbreaks.

However, California health officials are urging people who have not received the 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine to consider getting it now rather than waiting for the updated vaccine expected later this year.

“Summer is really the bigger peak,” California Public Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan said. “Go ahead and get it now, given the surge.”

The timing could become important as schools reopen and people spend more time in crowded indoor settings. In 2025, California's summer COVID-19 wave peaked later in the season, meaning the current increase may not be over yet.

V, a member of K-pop sensation BTS, has revealed that he has been dealing with hearing loss in one ear for about two and a half years.

V, whose real name is Kim Tae-hyung, opened up about the condition for the first time during a livestream amid the band's highly anticipated world tour.

"If the hearing in my left ear is at 100, it's only about 30 in my right," V said.

The 30-year-old singer said his hearing became worse while he was serving in the military. However, he initially ignored the problem, believing it was "a matter of mental strength," BBC reported.

He said he is now taking medication and visiting the hospital regularly.

V Reveals Risk Of Stress Fracture

V also admitted to pushing through pain during BTS' current tour, revealing that he is dangerously close to developing a stress fracture in his leg.

“My shin is right at the point just before a stress fracture. Even today on stage, my heart was set on running around, but it hurt too much at points and I couldn’t," he was quoted as saying by Channel News Asia.

Doctors have warned him about inflammation and early bone damage.

“It hasn’t reached a stress fracture yet, but there’s a lot of inflammation in my shin, and I think there’s some microdamage to the bone. I’ll be careful with myself so I can finish this tour properly,” he added.

BTS is currently halfway through its massive Arirang world tour, which will stop in Singapore in December and conclude in the Philippines in March 2027.

What Is Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss can happen when any part of the ear is not working in the usual way. This includes:

• The outer ear
• The middle ear
• The inner ear
• The hearing or acoustic nerve
• The auditory system in the brain

Hearing loss is a growing health concern worldwide. According to the WHO, more than 1.5 billion people—nearly 20% of the world's population—live with some degree of hearing loss. Of these, approximately 430 million people have disabling hearing loss requiring rehabilitation.

Hearing loss can have a significant impact on a person's life, affecting education and job prospects.

What Causes Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss can occur at any time during life. Causes can range from genetic factors to conditions such as Down syndrome or Usher syndrome.

Other factors include:

• Maternal infections during pregnancy
• Complications after birth
• Spending five days or more in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
• Severe jaundice requiring a blood transfusion

How To Prevent Hearing Loss

To help prevent hearing loss in adults:

• Limit exposure to loud noises above 85 decibels.
• Wear ear protection, such as foam plugs or earmuffs, around heavy machinery or at concerts.
• Keep personal headphone use at safe volumes.
• Manage chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure.
• Avoid putting objects such as cotton swabs inside the ears.