Heart attacks and strokes are among the leading causes of death globally, with millions suffering from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) every year. There are more than seven million people in the UK alone, with about 100,000 patients experiencing heart attacks annually. However, a group of researchers at University College London (UCL) estimate that one 'polypill' taken daily day could eliminate a majority of these cases dramatically lowering death tolls.

The proposed polypill, a combination of a statin and three blood pressure-lowering drugs, has been under study for over two decades. Experts argue that introducing this pill universally for individuals aged 50 and above could be more effective than the current NHS Health Check, which assesses risk factors every five years for those aged between 40 and 74.

Studies have repeatedly proven the effectiveness of the polypill in preventing CVD. A groundbreaking 2019 study in The Lancet found that five years' use of the polypill cut the risk of heart attack and stroke by a third. In addition, previous modelling analyses have estimated that if given universally to people over 55, the polypill might be able to prevent 80% of heart attacks and strokes.

Today, the NHS Health Check follows a risk-based model in which patients are tested for CVD risk factors and treated with drugs accordingly. Yet, as per UCL's study, this system has serious flaws:

Low Uptake: Just 40% of those eligible for the NHS Health Check choose to have it, leaving a considerable number of at-risk patients undiagnosed and untreated.

Ineffective Prediction of Risk: The majority of heart attacks and strokes happen to people at average risk levels, thus making it challenging to identify the need for intervention effectively.

Limited Effectiveness: Even at maximum take-up, the NHS Health Check programme is predicted to have fewer health impacts compared to a polypill initiative applied to the whole population.

Simplicity and Affordability of the Polypill Strategy

One of the big benefits of the polypill is that it is so easy. In contrast to the existing screening-based model, the polypill scheme would not involve complicated medical tests or lengthy risk assessments. Instead, people reaching 50 would just have to fill out a few questions to determine possible side effects before they were prescribed.

Professor Aroon Hingorani of the UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, one of the strongest proponents of this scheme, says:

"Finally, the time is now to do much better on prevention. A population approach would prevent a lot more heart attacks and strokes than is done today with a strategy of trying to target a smaller group only."

Aside from the possible health implications, the polypill is also an economic solution. The drugs used are off-patent, thus cheap to produce and distribute. With the vast economic cost of managing CVD-related illnesses, a preventive model could result in substantial cost-saving for the NHS in the future.

The polypill has been proven to be effective by numerous international trials. In 2019, a randomised trial in rural Iran discovered that participants who took the polypill for five years had a 34% reduced risk of having a heart attack or stroke compared to non-participants.

Likewise, modelling research has indicated that even if only 8% of people aged over 50 took up the polypill regimen, it would still be more beneficial to their health than the NHS Health Check programme.

Is This a Case of Over-Medicalisation?

One of the main objections to the polypill strategy is the suggestion that it might result in the unnecessary medicalisation of a significant proportion of the population. But, it is argued, it should be considered as a preventative measure, not as mass medication.

Professor Sir Nicholas Wald of UCL's Institute of Health Informatics explains:

"Instead of being a 'medicalisation' of a significant proportion of the population, a polypill programme is a prevention measure to prevent an individual from becoming a patient."

He compares it with public health measures like water fluoridation or compulsory seatbelts—interventions that have been shown to have a significant impact in reducing public health danger at low individual cost.

With the evidence in favour of the polypill's effectiveness and viability overwhelming, experts are calling on the NHS to act now. It is their belief that substituting the NHS Health Check with a polypill-based prevention program could be the UK government's flagship policy under its pledge to put disease prevention ahead of cure.

As Professor Hingorani points out, "The status quo is not a justifiable option." With CVD still a major cause of death globally, taking a population-wide polypill approach could be a turning point for preventative medicine, potentially saving thousands of lives annually. The question now is whether the NHS will take up this call and establish a policy with the potential to transform the prevention of cardiovascular disease on a national level.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro (tirzepatide), typically used to control Type 2 diabetes, to also reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke, the American drug maker said.

Mounjaro is already approved as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve blood sugar in adults and children aged 10 and older with Type 2 diabetes. It targets the GLP-1 protein and is also used for weight loss. In the US, the obesity version is sold under the brand name Zepbound.

Mounjaro: What Cardiovascular Risks Can It Reduce?

The FDA approved Mounjaro to lower the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including:

• Cardiovascular death
• Non-fatal heart attack
• Non-fatal stroke

Also read: UK Woman Dies After Sudden Abdominal Pain Following Increase In Her Mounjaro Dose

The approval applies to adults with Type 2 diabetes who are at high risk for these events.

“For people with Type 2 diabetes, heart disease is the leading cause of death, and Mounjaro – the number 1 most prescribed branded Type 2 diabetes medicine for adults in the US – now gives them a proven way to lower that risk, adding to the strong foundation it has already built in A1C and weight,” said Kenneth Custer, executive vice president and president, Lilly Cardiometabolic Health.

How Was Mounjaro Approved?

The FDA approval was based on results from a trial that showed Mounjaro outperformed Trulicity, Lilly’s older diabetes drug, in reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke in a large, head-to-head study.

The trial showed that Mounjaro reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events by 8% more than Trulicity.

It was the largest and longest tirzepatide study to date, enrolling more than 13,000 participants across 30 countries over more than four and a half years.

The most commonly reported adverse events in SURPASS-CVOT for Mounjaro were gastrointestinal-related, generally mild to moderate in severity, and occurred primarily during the dose-escalation period.

What About Novo Nordisk’s Drugs?

Read More: GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro Tied To Over 60 Reported Deaths In Australia

“Mounjaro is the first and only GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist proven to lower heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death risk in adults with Type 2 diabetes at high risk for these events – in addition to its established A1C and weight loss benefits,” according to Lilly.

However, Danish rival Novo Nordisk secured FDA approval for its weight-loss drug Wegovy to lower heart risks in 2024 in overweight or obese adults without diabetes.

In 2025, the FDA also approved its older diabetes drug, Rybelsus, to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in diabetic patients.

What Is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is a brand name for tirzepatide, an injectable weekly treatment first approved by the US FDA for the control of Type 2 diabetes.

Unlike older weight-loss drugs that act on metabolism or suppress appetite as their primary mechanism, Mounjaro acts on two key hormones: GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). These control the release of insulin and sensations of fullness.

By mimicking their action, Mounjaro decreases hunger and enhances blood sugar control — two key obstacles in successful weight maintenance.

How Does Mounjaro Work?

The key to Mounjaro’s success is tirzepatide, a dual-acting peptide that acts on receptors in the brain and stomach. When taken, it sets in motion a chain reaction of signals that tell the brain that you are full, helping reduce cravings and overeating.

Mounjaro also makes the body more responsive to insulin. In people with obesity, insulin resistance is frequent and can make weight loss more difficult. By enhancing insulin action, Mounjaro helps the body better control blood sugar and store less fat. In a sense, Mounjaro doesn’t simply allow you to eat less — it allows your body to use what you eat more efficiently.

A team of Australian scientists has developed cyborg cockroaches for medical missions. Researchers from the University of Queensland fitted Giant Burrowing Cockroaches with a removable navigation system that enables them to be remotely piloted through complex terrain and rubble.

The cockroaches are equipped with cameras and miniature medical injectors to deliver supervised emergency care to people trapped in collapsed buildings or caves.

What's The Purpose?

Called ‘Paraborgs’, the cyborg insects go beyond searching for survivors to actively assisting them. In the paper, published in Advanced Science, the researchers said the long-term vision is to deploy swarms of specialized cyborg insects at disaster sites, with each performing a complementary role.

“The vision is not to replace first responders, but to give them another way to see, reach and potentially help people when direct access is impossible,” said Dr Vo-Doan from the UQ Biorobotics Lab.

Director of the UNSW Medical Robotics Lab Associate Professor Thanh Nho Do said the Paraborg technology could extend the reach of emergency medicine.

“From a biomedical perspective, the opportunity is to bring treatment to a patient when the patient cannot yet be brought to treatment,” Associate Professor Do said.

“The long-term goal is targeted, human-supervised intervention in places conventional medical technologies cannot access.”

Why Cockroaches?

Dr Vo-Doan said the research demonstrates how cyborg technology can be adapted across different insect platforms.

“Rather than building one robot to do everything, we can harness the natural strengths of different insects and equip them for different missions,” Dr Vo-Doan said.

The larger cockroaches provide greater capacity to carry specialized rescue and medical equipment.

The cockroaches, like the team’s previous cyborg insect models, are anaesthetized during electrode and microchip fitting. They live for as long as other cockroaches once the harnesses are removed.

What About Cyborg Beetles?

The team has previously demonstrated cyborg beetles capable of controlled climbing. They have shown they can remotely guide the movement of common darkling beetles using a video game controller.

The beetles are fitted with removable microchip backpacks that use electrodes to stimulate the insect's antenna or hardened forewings.

The programmable controls allow for precise directional guidance without affecting the lifespan of the beetle.

How Can The Cyborg Cockroaches Aid In Rescue?

Superintendent Tim Hassiotis, Manager Natural Disaster and Humanitarian at Fire and Rescue NSW, said the technology could extend the reach of rescue teams.

“If cyborg insects can safely enter spaces we can’t, locate casualties and ultimately help deliver emergency care, they could become another valuable tool in the future of urban search and rescue,” Superintendent Hassiotis said.

What Could The Future Hold?

Dr Vo-Doan said the longer-term vision was to deploy swarms of specialized cyborg insects, with individuals performing complementary roles.

“Some could carry cameras and environmental sensors, while others could carry specialized emergency or medical equipment,” he said.

“Hopefully, within the next 5 to 10 years, we could see cyborg insect rescue teams deployed to help people in real emergencies, provided we have the resources to accelerate the research and field testing.”

A North Carolina teen is reportedly critically ill after being infected with a rare “brain-eating” amoeba called Naegleria fowleri, according to health officials.

The case comes barely a week after an 8-year-old Louisiana girl died after contracting the infection.

North Carolina Teen Critically Ill

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced on August 27 that a teen resident had been infected with the rare amoeba, which is commonly found in freshwater. The teen is critically ill and receiving medical care.

The department said it is not releasing further information to protect the family’s privacy. The source of the infection is under investigation.

“While these infections are very rare, this is an important reminder that this amoeba is present in our state and across the US,” North Carolina State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore said in a statement.

What Happened To The Louisiana Girl?

Eight-year-old Lillian Smart of Ruston died on August 22, just one day after her eighth birthday. She had been hospitalised since August 15 after developing the infection, which was believed to have been acquired while swimming in Lake Claiborne.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed the case on August 19 but did not publicly identify the child.

One of the biggest challenges is the speed at which the infection progresses. According to recent CDC data cited in coverage of the Louisiana case, 173 Naegleria fowleri infections were documented in the US between 1937 and 2025, with only four known survivors. This puts the fatality rate at roughly 97%.

What Is Naegleria fowleri?

Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba naturally present in warm freshwater such as ponds, lakes and rivers. It is not found in salt water or properly maintained and chlorinated pools.

The amoeba does not cause illness if swallowed. However, it can be fatal if water containing the amoeba is forced up the nose and reaches the brain. This can happen during activities such as jumping into water, diving and water-skiing.

Symptoms Of Naegleria fowleri Infection

The infection caused by N. fowleri, also called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), starts with symptoms including:

• Severe headache
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting

The infection can then progress to:

• Stiff neck
• Seizures
• Coma

These rare infections usually occur when it is hot for prolonged periods, leading to higher water temperatures and lower water levels. Naegleria fowleri grows best at higher temperatures, up to 115°F.

How To Stay Safe?

While there is no way to eliminate the amoeba from the environment, some safety measures can reduce the risk:

• Prevent water from going up your nose by holding your nose shut, using nose clips or keeping your head above water during warm freshwater activities.
• Avoid putting your head underwater in hot springs and thermal waters.
• Avoid jumping or diving into warm freshwater during periods of high water temperatures and low water levels.
• Avoid digging in or stirring up sediment while taking part in water-related activities in shallow.