In an breakthrough scientific discovery, scientists have found that a common diabetes medication taken by millions globally—metformin, may provide unexpected protection against acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a fast-growing and frequently fatal type of blood cancer. This has been established by a new study by the University of Cambridge, which has been published in the highly-respected journal Nature. The study suggests metformin to be a low-cost, safe preventative therapy for individuals who are at high risk of developing AML.

This finding may represent a paradigm change in the approach to cancer prevention in medicine—particularly in hematological malignancies where early intervention is usually restrictive.

In contrast to solid cancers like breast or prostate cancer, which at times may be removed surgically, blood cancers are more difficult to localize and destroy. As Cambridge Stem Cell Institute Professor George Vassiliou describes it, "With blood cancers, we must first find people at risk and then apply medical treatments to halt cancer growth across the body." AML, which begins in the bone marrow and develops quickly, is an example of this difficulty.

Approximately 3,100 individuals in the UK are diagnosed with AML every year. It has a poor prognosis and few treatment options, especially in the elderly. Although the latest advances in blood testing are able to indicate individuals at risk years earlier than before, to date, there has not been a sure way to stop AML from forming.

How Diabetes Drug Interrupts Cancer Development at the Cellular Level?

Scientists targeted their research on DNMT3A, a gene commonly mutated in AML patients. This one mutation is thought to trigger as much as 15% of all AML. Metformin seems to break the energy metabolism of these pre-leukemic cells, targeting their aberrant growth pathways. By disabling the cells' capacity to produce energy, metformin stops them from developing into full-blown leukemia.

Additional analysis of health information from more than 412,000 UK Biobank participants reinforced the link. Metformin users had a significantly lower incidence of damaging mutations in the DNMT3A gene, whether or not they had diabetes. The results indicate a protective effect that is independent of the drug's initial purpose.

What is Metformi?

The origins of metformin trace back to medicinal plants used during medieval Europe. Isolated from Galega officinalis, a plant used in traditional medicine to cure urinary and metabolic problems, its active ingredient—guanidine—was discovered to lower blood sugar in the early 20th century. Although it was disfavored for a period, metformin was re-released and approved in Europe in the 1950s and subsequently by the FDA in 1995. It's now most commonly prescribed diabetes medication globally, especially in patients who have type 2 diabetes and are unable to regulate blood sugar levels by diet and exercise alone.

How Metformin Works?

Decreasing the level of glucose absorbed by the intestines through food.

Suppressing the liver's release of glucose.

Increasing insulin sensitivity, so that the body can utilize glucose more effectively.

These metabolic actions are not only helpful for controlling diabetes, but potentially for stopping or slowing other disease processes—such as cancer.

Benefits of Metformin

What's even more amazing is how metformin's benefits go beyond controlling blood sugar. According to Harvard Health and other medical centers, the medication has been linked with:

• Reduced cardiovascular mortality among diabetics
• Moderate weight loss
• Decreased risk for type 2 diabetes in persons with prediabetes
• Help with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Lower risk for cancers such as breast, colon, and prostate
• Possible diminishment of risk for dementia and stroke

Off-label prescriptions have also been used for some of these indications in metformin, highlighting the drug's versatile utility and solid safety profile.

One of the main advantages of metformin is its long history of safety. Taken by millions of people over many decades, it tends to have only minor side effects—e.g., nausea, bloating, or altered taste. Serious side effects, such as lactic acidosis, are infrequent and typically only occur in those with existing kidney disease.

As Blood Cancer UK's Director of Research Dr. Rubina Ahmed put it, "Repurposing existing, safe drugs such as metformin allows the possibility that new treatments might get to people earlier, without going through the extensive drug development pathways."

As bird flu progresses in US, parents along with other concerned citizens of the country are scrambling to get information about it. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that while the current risk is low, they are working towards bettering the situation with the help of state and monitoring people with animal exposure.

It's hard for parents to know what's really going on with bird flu. A recent survey done by University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health showed that many parents just can't find good, trustworthy information. Parents don't know who to believe or where to look which makes them feel worried and unsure about how to keep their families safe. It is important to know the real facts, but it's tough when they find varied reports everywhere. Some parents think the news is making it sound worse than it is, while others are concerned that not enough is being done.

What Are Parents Concerned About?

Many parents are feeling lost when trying to find information about bird flu. They see different stories online and on TV, and they don't know what's true. This makes them worry because they want to protect their kids. Parents mostly rely on news reports (78%) for information, while others use social media is also a common source (31%). The rest turn to the internet (19%), family and friends (15%), government agencies (11%) and health care providers (11%) .

Parents are worried about bird flu spreading to people. They're scared that animals could give it to humans, or that people could give it to each other. They're also not sure if the government can handle a big outbreak. They don't have much confidence that the government can get rid of infected animals or food. They're also worried that they won't get clear information about recalls or how to get rid of dangerous products. They just want to feel like someone is in control.

The survey also revealed that one-third of the parents took action to protect their family against the bird flu, while 22% were being more careful about the hygiene. Of them, 13% were cautious handling eggs, chicken and other meat products, 12% avoid contact with birds, and 10% avoided raw milk.

Flu viruses can infect chicken eggs by entering through the eggshell. The eggshells are smaller than the pores of eggshells, which means viruses can enter the eggs and the egg's surface will still be protected. However, it is still important to handle it safely.

As per the US Food and Drug Administration, cooking poultry, eggs and other animal products to the proper temperature and preventing cross-contamination between raw and cooked food.

Symptoms of Bird Flu to Watch for

• Pink eye
• fever
• fatigue
• cough
• muscle aches
• sore throat
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• study or runny nose
• shortness of breath

What Can Parents Do?

To feel safer, some parents are changing their habits. They're being extra careful about washing their hands and keeping things clean. Some are also being more careful when handling chicken and eggs, making sure they're cooked properly. Some parents are even avoiding contact with birds and wild animals, just to be safe. They're also being cautious about drinking raw milk and are eating less chicken and eggs. They are trying to be proactive.

The survey revealed that parents don't feel like they can trust the government's response to bird flu. This lack of trust makes them even more worried. When people don't know what's happening, they get scared. It's important for health officials to be open and honest about what they're doing to stop the spread of the virus. They need to give clear information about how to stay safe with food. This will help parents feel more calm and confident.

A snack shop in southeastern China has come under fire after allegedly advertising "placenta processing" services and selling capsules made from afterbirth. The incident, which surfaced on April 6, has triggered widespread criticism and prompted an official investigation.

The controversy began when a netizen posted online about Auntie Congee’s Snack Shop, located near the Changzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Jiangsu province. According to the post, the shop was involved in the processing of human placentas and selling them in capsule form, claiming health-boosting properties.

Images shared on social media revealed a signboard outside the store clearly stating “placenta processing.” The shop reportedly charged 800 yuan (US$110) if the customer did not provide their own placenta, and 300 yuan if they did. The business claimed that all placentas used were obtained from new mothers in hospitals.

The owner, who previously worked in post-partum recovery, told local media that she could also connect customers with maternity matrons. Alongside the physical snack shop, she also operated an online store named Zixuan Maternity Matron Centre.

The online platform offered various post-partum services, including maternity care, childcare, meal preparation for new mothers, placenta processing, and recovery services. Promotional materials showed the process of grinding placentas with ingredients such as ginseng powder and turning the mixture into capsules, which were labelled *ziheche*, the term used in traditional Chinese medicine for placenta.

A poster advertising the shop highlighted the supposed benefits of consuming placenta, noting it is rich in protein and nutrients. It also mentioned two processing techniques—patented freezing and traditional methods—offering customers the option to observe the process in person.

The Shop Has Been Shut Down For Rectification

On April 8, the Changzhou Municipal Health Commission informed Jimu News that the shop had been shut down for rectification. A commission staff member stated, “We are currently investigating the source of the placentas. Preliminary findings indicate that they did not come from any hospital.”

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the use of placenta has long been believed to help replenish energy and nourish the blood. It is sometimes recommended for individuals experiencing fatigue, chronic coughing, or infertility. However, citing ethical and safety concerns, the Chinese Pharmacopoeia delisted placenta as an approved medicinal ingredient in 2015.

Under Chinese law, placentas are considered the personal property of the post-partum mother, who alone can decide how they are disposed of. The sale of placentas by individuals or organisations remains illegal.

The case, initially reported by the Yangtze Evening News, has sparked outrage online. One user remarked, “I really cannot believe there are people who eat placenta as food. It is so disgusting.” Another added, “It is already the year 2025! Who even believes in such nonsense? And treating women as some kind of ‘superfood’—is that not objectifying women?” A third person said, “This is not surprising at all. In the past, hospitals would ask mothers whether they wanted to keep their placentas. If they did, it was usually consumed as food.”

People can have itchy eyes for various reasons. The reasons may include allergies, environmental pollutants, infection, and some conditions that can affect the eyes. The treatments could vary from home remedies to medical intervention.

Seasonal Allergies

If you have itchy eyes around the same time in the year, you may have seasonal allergies. You could be allergic to ragweed or something else that blooms during the season, releases pollen and gets into your eyes that time of the year.

You may also get reactions like sneezing and nasal congestion. Allergic symptoms are also triggered by histamine, which is a compound released by cells to defend against allergens. It causes an inflammatory response, and itchy eyes are one of the common signs of it.

So, what can you do?

• Pay attention to the local weather reports, look out for pollens.
• Keep your doors and windows locked.
• Take showers and wash clothes to keep pollen away.
• Wear a mask every time you stay outside.

To counter your allergies, you can also use over-the-counter astihismine medications, which can be helpful for controlling symptoms.

Perennial Allergies

They are not like seasonal allergies, they are the ones that stay year-long. Things like mold, dust, and pet dander could be the reason that can trigger perennial eye allergies.

You might be allergic to certain products around your home. Your contact lens solution could be bothering your eyes, or even your soap or shampoo might be the cause.

If you've already ruled out environmental allergens, try stopping the use of any product that comes into contact with your eyes. It may take some trial and error, but finding the source can make a big difference.

To know for sure if you have an allergy, an allergist can do a skin test. This involves putting small amounts of allergens—like ragweed or pet dander—just under your skin to check for a reaction. These tests are generally safe for both kids and adults.

Along with avoiding allergens, medications like antihistamines or corticosteroids can help reduce eye inflammation and discomfort.

Airborne Irritants

There could be people who are sensitive to smoke, diesel exhaust, or even certain perfumes. You could use soothing eye drops to cool the irritation.

Infection

Eye infections could come from viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. These all can make your eye itchy. One of the common infections is conjunctivitis, also known as pink eyes. It is very contagious and could be accompanied by drainage from the affected eye.

Other infections could be uveitis, which is an inflammation to the iris. Steroids may also help with this. The best way to deal with it is to see a doctor and get the right help.

Dry Eye

There could be a lot of reasons that can cause a dry eye. This happens when your tears dry out, which are made from combination of water, oil, and mucus to keep your eyes moist.

Diabetes could be the reason for dry eyes. Sometimes, a blocked tear duct or tear gland leads to dry and itchy eyes. Other reasons which may contribute to dry eyes are:

• antidepressants
• medications that lower blood pressure
• birth control pills
• decongestants

Eyestrain

If you look at your computer screens for a little too long, or try to read something in a poorly lit area, it can strain your eyes and they could feel very itchy and dry. In fact, driving for a long time, especially at night could also strain your eyes. It can also feel itchy, if it is too sunny.

Overusing Contact Lenses

Contact lenses also have to be used for a limited time period. If you have worn your contact lenses for too long, or have not replaced it, or washed them regularly, it can itch your eyes.

Blepharitis

Red and itchy eyes can sometimes be caused by blepharitis—an inflammation of the eyelids. This happens when the tiny oil glands near the base of your eyelashes get blocked. Keeping your eyelids clean can often help ease symptoms like swelling and watery eyes.

While blepharitis usually doesn’t affect your vision, it can become a long-term issue and may lead to conjunctivitis or other eye problems. In some cases, antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medicines may be needed to manage it and prevent complications.