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.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted tentative approval to Dr. Reddy's Laboratories for the first generic version of lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable for HIV prevention. The development raises hopes of making HIV prevention more affordable in 120 low- and middle-income countries, including India.

The approval is considered “tentative”, the FDA’s standard designation for generics while the originator remains under patent.

The development comes just 16 months after Gilead Sciences received approval for its original product, marking one of the fastest timelines for a major HIV innovation.

Lenacapavir is the first twice-yearly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option for HIV prevention. Dr. Reddy's generic injection is expected to cost US$40 per person annually across the 120 eligible countries, with initial supplies expected by the end of 2026.

Calling it “a moment of immense pride”, Deepak Sapra, Chief Executive Officer, API and Services, at Dr. Reddy's, said the FDA approval validates the company's efforts to expand access to twice-yearly HIV prevention across low- and middle-income countries.

Also read: South Africa Receives 1st Batch Of HIV Prevention Medicine Lenacapavir

Dr Reddy's First Of 6 Generic Drugmakers To Get FDA Nod

In October 2024, Gilead Sciences signed voluntary licensing agreements with six generic manufacturers to produce and supply low-cost versions of lenacapavir in 120 low- and middle-income countries.

The six manufacturers are:

• Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (India)
• Emcure Pharmaceuticals (India)
• Hetero Labs (India)
• Eva Pharma (Egypt)
• Ferozsons Laboratories (Pakistan)
• Mylan (a subsidiary of Viatris)

Dr. Reddy's is the first among the six licensees to receive tentative US FDA approval. The other five companies are at various stages of product development, bioequivalence testing and regulatory filing.

What Will Cheaper Lenacapavir Mean For India?

At its August 11, 2026, meeting, the Indian drug regulator's Subject Expert Committee recommended waiving local Phase III clinical trials and bioequivalence studies for generic injectable lenacapavir applications submitted by Dr. Reddy's and Emcure Pharmaceuticals for PrEP.

The proposed price of approximately US$40 per person annually could make twice-yearly HIV prevention more accessible.

However, this is an indicative price for generic supplies, not a confirmed retail price in India. The eventual Indian price will depend on regulatory approval, manufacturing costs, supply capacity, competition and distribution.

Read More: Exclusive With Leading HIV Expert: What's Driving Rising HIV Cases Among India's Youth And How To Prevent It

What Does The Approval Mean For HIV Prevention?

Generic lenacapavir could offer people at risk of HIV an alternative to daily oral PrEP pills. Its twice-yearly dosing may help those who struggle with daily medication adherence or face stigma and barriers to healthcare access.

“For someone at risk of HIV, taking a pill every day to prevent a disease they do not have is a hard thing to ask. Two injections a year of a product that is almost 100% effective at preventing HIV changes that entirely.”

“Generic lenacapavir has the potential to transform HIV prevention, and this is a significant milestone, but an affordable drug alone is not enough,” said Professor Saiqa Mullick, Director of Implementation Science at Wits RHI, University of the Witwatersrand, which partnered with Dr. Reddy's.

Lenacapavir: How Does It Work?

Lenacapavir is a long-acting antiretroviral drug developed by Gilead. For HIV prevention, it is administered as two injections in the abdomen, providing protection for six months.

People must test negative for HIV before receiving it. The drug does not treat existing HIV infections or prevent other sexually transmitted infections.

Two major clinical trials demonstrated its high efficacy. In one study involving adolescent girls and young women in South Africa and Uganda, there were zero new HIV infections among participants who received lenacapavir. A second trial involving gay men and gender-diverse individuals also demonstrated high efficacy with twice-yearly injections.

Increasing consumption of caffeinated energy drinks and stimulant-containing supplements has been linked to a higher frequency of reported serious cardiovascular events, including cardiac arrest, heart attacks and abnormal heart rhythms, particularly among young adults, according to preliminary research.

The findings, based on an analysis of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety reports, will be presented at the American Heart Association's (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2026, scheduled for November 6-9 in Chicago.

Researchers found that cardiac arrest was reported about 11 times more frequently in connection with caffeine- and

stimulant-containing products than products without these ingredients.

Energy Drinks And Heart Problems: What Did The Study Find?

Researchers analyzed 28,345 reports of possible adverse events submitted to an FDA safety database between 2017 and 2025. Of these, 854 involved energy drinks and supplements containing caffeine or other stimulants.

Key findings included:

• Cardiac arrest was reported about 11 times more frequently with caffeine- and stimulant-containing products.
• Heart attacks were 4.5 times more likely to appear in these reports.
• Ventricular arrhythmias and heart palpitations were reported about four times more frequently.
• Elevated heart rate was reported nearly three times more frequently.
• Chest pain was reported 2.71 times more frequently, while fainting was reported about twice as frequently.

About 45% of reports involving cardiovascular events and these products concerned adults aged 18 to 34. Similar patterns were observed among men and women.

Also read: FSSAI Targets 6 Energy Drink Brands; Experts Link Them to Obesity, Liver Problems

Why Are Energy Drinks Raising Concerns?

Sales of caffeinated energy drinks have more than doubled over the past decade, reaching over $20 billion in 2024.

According to the AHA's 2026 scientific statement on caffeine and cardiovascular disease, consuming up to 400 mg of caffeine daily is generally safe for most adults.

However, some energy drinks contain up to three times more caffeine per fluid ounce than brewed coffee. Certain pre-workout supplements contain more than 12 times as much.

High caffeine intake has been associated with cardiovascular harm. Healthcare professionals have also reported cases of arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death following consumption of these products, including among young adults without known heart disease.

Why Are Young Adults Particularly Affected?

Researchers do not yet know why young adults account for such a large proportion of the cardiovascular event reports.

Possible explanations include frequent consumption, using these products before intense exercise, combining them with alcohol or other drugs, and undiagnosed heart conditions.

"These products are marketed as everyday pick-me-ups and sold next to soda and bottled water, so most people assume they carry no real risk," said study author Sai Samayamanthula, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

He cautioned that regular consumers could quickly exceed recommended daily caffeine limits.

The researchers recommended better safety monitoring and urged healthcare professionals to ask younger patients experiencing palpitations, chest pain or fainting about their energy drink and stimulant supplement consumption.

Do Energy Drinks Cause Cardiac Arrest?

Read More: Excessive Energy Drinks Damaging Young Adults’ Livers, Experts Warn

The findings indicate an association, not proof that energy drinks cause cardiac arrest or other cardiovascular conditions.

Gregory M. Marcus, chair of the AHA's 2026 scientific statement on caffeine and cardiovascular disease, said the research raises concerns about products containing very high amounts of caffeine.

"Although there are biological reasons why that connection could be possible, the study does not prove that caffeine products cause these events, because other factors may have influenced the results," said Marcus, who was not involved in the study, and a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine.

What Are The Study's Limitations?

The study relied on voluntary reports submitted to the FDA by consumers, healthcare professionals and manufacturers. Researchers could not determine how many people consumed these products without experiencing adverse events or how many cardiovascular events went unreported.

Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has reportedly said that he has not drunk plain water in 48 years, preferring his favourite soft drink instead.

Billionaire Bill Ackman recalled a dinner conversation with Buffett during an appearance on a recent podcast, where the legendary investor's drinking habits left him surprised, Business Insider reported.

During the dinner, Ackman offered Buffett a choice between still and sparkling water. However, the investor declined both. Curious about his preference, Ackman asked whether he drank water at all.

Buffett's reported response left him surprised.

"Bill, I haven't had water in 48 years," Buffett reportedly told Ackman.

Ackman, knowing about Buffett's fondness for Cherry Coke, had stocked up on the beverage ahead of the meeting.

Buffett's fondness for Coca-Cola is no secret and goes back decades. He has spoken about his preference for the beverage for years, and his association with the brand goes back to the 1980s. He also declared Cherry Coke the official beverage of Berkshire Hathaway's annual shareholder meeting.

Also read: What Happens To Your Body When You Stop Drinking Water?

What Happens If You Replace Plain Water With Coke?

Coca-Cola can contribute to your daily fluid intake, but that does not make it a healthy substitute for plain water. Regular Coke contains added sugar and calories, which can have consequences for health when consumed frequently.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with several health problems, including:

• Weight gain and obesity.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Heart disease.
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
• Tooth decay and cavities.
• Gout, a type of arthritis.

Unlike plain water, which contains no calories, regular soft drinks add sugar and calories to the diet without providing comparable nutritional benefits.

Replacing water with sugary drinks regularly can therefore increase a person's overall sugar and calorie intake, potentially affecting metabolic and dental health over time.

Sugar-sweetened beverages include regular sodas, fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, sweetened water, and coffee and tea beverages with added sugars.

The CDC notes that replacing added sugars with low- or no-calorie sweeteners may reduce calorie intake in the short term and help with weight management. However, questions remain about their effectiveness as a long-term weight management strategy.

Read More: Olympian Ciara Mageean Dies At 34 After Bowel Cancer Battle: Warning Signs In Young Adults

Why Is Drinking Enough Water Important?

According to the CDC, getting enough water every day is essential for health. Water helps prevent dehydration and allows the body to function normally.

Dehydration can cause unclear thinking, mood changes, overheating, constipation and kidney stones.

Water plays several important roles in the body. It helps:

• Maintain a normal body temperature.
• Lubricate and cushion joints.
• Protect the spinal cord and other sensitive tissues.
• Remove waste through urination, perspiration and bowel movements.

The body's water requirements may also increase in hot climates, during physical activity, or when a person has a fever, diarrhoea or vomiting.

Water contains no calories. Replacing sugary drinks with plain water can therefore help reduce overall calorie intake.