This digital era is all about catching up with trends, TikToks and reels, but at the cost of what? Many believe all of this happens at the cost of one's health and mental well-being. As a result, the grades of students, especially in high school, when they are exposed to social media the most, start to drop. However, a study based on the University of Birmingham's findings, peer-revied and published by the Lancet's journal for European health policy compared 1,277 students and the rules their 30 different secondary schools had for smartphone use at break and lunchtimes.` The study found something else, contrary to the popular belief.

What Did The Study Find?

The study found that banning phones in school is not linked to pupils getting higher grades or having a better mental wellbeing. The study found that a student's sleep, classroom behavior, exercise or how long they spend on their phones did not seem much different for schools with phone bans versus schools without it.

However, the study did find that spending longer time in social media or on smartphones in general may be linked to such measures. This was the first study in the world that looked at school phone rules along with the children's health and education.

In an interview to the BBC, Dr Victoria Goodyear, study's lead author said, that the findings are not against smartphone bans in school, but, a suggestion that bans in isolation are not enough to tackle the negative impacts.

The focus must be on reducing how much time the student spends on their phone, which cannot just be supervised in school.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The schools were chosen from a sample of 1,341 mainstream state schools in England. Among these the behavior of student form schools that banned the smartphones versus those who did not ban it were studied to find out that schools restricting smartphone use did not seem to see the intended improvements on health, wellbeing and focus of the student, as one would have wished to.

The study also used the internationally recognized Warwick-Edinburg Mental Well-Being Scale, a measure of mental well-being focusing entirely on positive aspects. It is a 14-item scale with 5 response categories. This method was used to determine the wellbeing of the children who participated in the research. It further looked at students' anxiety and depression levels.

It also asked from teachers about whether their students were on target, below target or above target in English and maths.

What Do The Students Feel?

When asked students, they said that the smartphone ban forces you to hang out and chat with your friends and some of them think in lower school, it has helped them spend less time scrolling social media and making lots of friends.

Experts point out that the important part is to help students learn to use their phone in a safe and controlled space. This way, phone-related issues, especially distraction, its impact on your mental health, will be much less. The answer is not ban, but the use of the smartphone in a controlled environment, so students learn to value the "freedom" they have been given to use them at break and lunch.

A GP has warned that people can catch Covid more than once in a short span, including while they are still unwell from a previous infection. In some cases, this may even involve picking up two strains of the virus at the same time, a situation doctors are calling “double Covid”.

Doctor Warns of ‘Double Covid’ as UK Cases Rise

New figures from the UK Health Security Agency show confirmed Covid cases have risen by 11 per cent. In the week leading up to January 9, 51 deaths were recorded and more than 500 people were in hospital with the virus.

Can You Catch Covid Twice at the Same Time?

Speaking to the BBC, GP Dr Nish Manek said it is possible to be infected again while still dealing with ongoing symptoms, including long Covid. She explained that having long Covid does not provide immunity against reinfection.

According to Dr Manek, protection from a previous infection or vaccination reduces over time. New variants are also better at evading the immune system, making repeat infections more likely.

Why Long Covid Does Not Protect You

As a result, someone managing long Covid symptoms may still catch Covid again. A fresh infection can trigger a relapse of symptoms or slow down recovery.

She added that a positive test may reflect either the same strain or a new variant. In both cases, it is still Covid and should be taken seriously.

Vaccines Still Reduce Severe Illness

Dr Manek stressed that vaccination remains important. While vaccines may not fully prevent infection, they significantly reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalisation.

She said Covid continues to change and remains present in the community. Simple protective steps still matter, including testing when unwell, wearing masks in crowded indoor settings, and staying up to date with vaccinations.

Which Covid Variants Are Circulating Now

Latest Covid Symptoms to Watch For

Doctors say symptoms linked to current variants often affect the upper respiratory tract and can feel similar to a bad cold or flu.

Commonly reported symptoms include a very painful sore throat described as feeling like razor blades, a hoarse voice with swollen glands, blocked or runny nose, sneezing, and extreme tiredness. Fever, a persistent cough, and body aches are still widely seen.

Loss of taste or smell is now reported far less often than during the early stages of the pandemic.

Who Is Eligible for a Covid Vaccine in the UK

The UK has moved to a targeted vaccination approach, focusing on those most at risk of serious illness.

The current winter vaccination programme is coming to an end. The final date to receive this dose is January 31, 2026. You are eligible if you are aged 75 or over, live in a care home for older adults, or are aged six months or older and immunosuppressed due to medical treatment or long-term conditions.

A spring booster programme has been confirmed for 2026. Appointments are expected to open in late March, with vaccinations starting from April 13. Eligibility criteria remain the same as the winter programme.

How To Book Your Covid Vaccine?

Doctors continue to urge those eligible to get vaccinated while doses are still available.

A lace-like pattern appearing on the skin may sometimes point to blocked arteries. Health experts warn that this netted discoloration can, in certain cases, be linked to damage in tissues and organs.

Heart and circulatory diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming close to 18 million lives every year. This group includes serious conditions such as stroke, coronary artery disease, and heart failure.

An Unusual Skin Pattern That Could Signal Artery Blockage

In the UK, cardiovascular disease is responsible for around one quarter of all deaths. Because of its scale and severity, recognising warning signs early can save lives.

Most people are familiar with common symptoms like chest pain. What is less widely known is that heart-related problems do not always announce themselves clearly. Some signs are subtle and can appear in unexpected places, including the skin.

What Is Livedo Reticularis?

The American Academy of Dermatology highlights one particular skin pattern that may be linked to heart and blood vessel problems. A blue or purple, net-like discoloration on the skin can sometimes indicate reduced blood flow or a blocked artery.

This condition is known as livedo reticularis. It is believed to occur when small blood vessels near the skin tighten suddenly or when circulation close to the skin becomes uneven.

When the Pattern Is Usually Harmless

In many cases, livedo reticularis is not a cause for concern. Cold temperatures are a common trigger, and the pattern often fades once the skin warms up. Certain medications can also produce this effect without posing a serious health risk.

According to the dermatology body, some people notice the pattern when they feel cold, only for it to disappear as their skin warms. When medication is responsible, it is generally considered harmless.

When It May Point to a Serious Condition

In some situations, the same skin pattern can be linked to a condition known as cholesterol embolisation syndrome. This happens when tiny arteries become blocked by cholesterol particles.

Such blockages can interfere with blood supply and lead to damage in tissues and organs. For this reason, experts stress the importance of medical evaluation to rule out any underlying or undiagnosed disease.

When to See a Doctor

The Mayo Clinic advises seeking medical advice if the mottled skin does not fade with warmth or if it appears alongside other worrying symptoms. You should also consult a doctor if painful lumps or sores develop in the affected area, if you already have a condition that affects blood flow to your limbs, or if you have a connective tissue disorder and notice new skin changes.

Doctors also caution that a similar-looking condition, called livedo racemosa, is more often linked to serious underlying illnesses.

Other Warning Signs of Heart Disease

Skin changes are only one possible clue. Other symptoms linked to heart disease include chest discomfort, pain or weakness in the arms or legs, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, dizziness, unusual tiredness, and swelling in the limbs.

If any of these symptoms feel concerning or persistent, it is important to speak to your GP for further advice.

A diagnostic report from Madhya Pradesh’s Satna district has sparked shock and concern after it incorrectly stated that a 47-year-old man had a uterus. The incident has raised serious questions about negligence and accuracy in medical testing.

The report was issued to Niranjan Prajapati, chairman of the Uchehra Nagar Panchayat, who had gone for a sonography after experiencing abdominal pain and swelling. Instead of clarity about his condition, he received a report that appeared to describe female reproductive organs, including an inverted uterus.

How the Error Came to Light

Prajapati underwent the ultrasound at a diagnostic center on Station Road in Satna on January 13. Initially, he did not closely examine the report and followed the prescribed treatment. However, when his condition did not improve, he sought further medical advice.

“I was sick and had stomach pain. I first got treatment in Unchahara and then went for sonography in Satna,” Prajapati said. “I did not pay much attention to the report at first and took medicines, but there was no relief.”

He later visited a doctor in Jabalpur, where the mistake was clearly identified. “The doctor told me straight that this report cannot belong to me,” Prajapati recalled. “I said the report has my name on it, but it mentioned a uterus. That is when I realized something was seriously wrong.”

Questions Over Diagnostic Negligence

The report not only listed a uterus but also described its position, despite the patient being male. Medical experts say such an error goes far beyond a minor clerical mistake.

A senior doctor, speaking on condition of anonymity, said incorrect diagnostic reports can have serious consequences. “A wrong sonography report can mislead treatment, cause unnecessary stress to the patient, and in some cases become life-threatening if doctors act on false findings,” the expert said.

Attempts to seek clarification from the diagnostic center did not yield answers. Dr Arvind Saraf, associated with the facility, declined to comment on the incident, adding to concerns about accountability and quality checks.

Complaint Filed, Health Department Responds

Following the incident, Prajapati filed a formal complaint at the local police station. The matter has also been taken up by the Health Department.

Chief Medical and Health Officer of Satna, Dr Manoj Shukla, confirmed that an investigation is underway. “This complaint has come to my notice. We are examining the report thoroughly. If any irregularity or negligence is found during the investigation, appropriate action will be taken,” he said.

Officials are expected to review how the report was generated and whether standard diagnostic protocols were followed.

What Is Sonography?

Sonography, also known as ultrasound, is a commonly used imaging test that uses sound waves to create images of internal organs. It does not involve radiation and is generally considered safe. However, experts stress that accuracy and proper verification are crucial, as reports directly guide diagnosis and treatment.

The incident has once again highlighted the need for stricter checks and accountability in diagnostic services, especially when errors can directly affect patient health and trust in the medical system.