A baby boy in the United Kingdom was born twice—first in the womb and again at full term which was nothing short of an extraordinary medical feat that borders on the miraculous. Meet baby Rafferty Isaac, a symbol of survival, and his mother Lucy, whose determination and courage have moved the world.

For 32-year-old Lucy Isaac, a special needs teacher from Reading, her pregnancy journey took an unexpected turn during a routine ultrasound scan at 12 weeks. The scan revealed signs of ovarian cancer, a diagnosis that would terrify any expectant mother. Waiting to treat the cancer until after delivery was not an option, as the disease risked spreading rapidly. Yet performing conventional laparoscopic surgery during the second trimester was equally out of the question—her pregnancy had already advanced to the point where it complicated standard treatment approaches.

Time was running out. Lucy’s doctors at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford knew that urgent action was needed to save both mother and child. And so, they turned to an operation that had rarely been performed before—one that would test the limits of surgical precision and maternal strength.

What followed was a pioneering and high-risk five-hour surgery, led by consultant gynecological oncologist Dr. Hooman Soleymani Majd. The procedure involved temporarily removing Lucy’s womb—still carrying her unborn baby Rafferty—from her abdomen. This gave surgeons access to the cancerous tumors growing behind it. Wrapped in warm, sterile saline gauze to maintain body-like conditions, Lucy’s uterus remained connected to vital structures including the uterine artery, cervix, and umbilical cord, while two dedicated medics monitored Rafferty's heartbeat and temperature in real time.

For approximately two hours, Rafferty floated safely outside his mother’s body, held gently by doctors as his mother’s life hung in the balance. Her tumors, diagnosed as grade two, had already begun to invade surrounding tissues, complicating the delicate surgery even further. A surgical team of more than 15—consisting of surgeons, nurses, and anesthetists—worked in unison, navigating the tightrope between preserving life and preventing tragedy.

Despite the enormous risks, the surgery was a success. The tumors were removed, and the womb was carefully repositioned into Lucy’s body to allow the pregnancy to continue as naturally as possible.

Fast forward to January: after weeks of recovery and cautious monitoring, Lucy gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Rafferty Isaac, weighing 6 pounds 5 ounces. For Lucy and her husband Adam, who had undergone a kidney transplant just two years prior, the moment was deeply emotional.

“To finally hold Rafferty in our arms after everything we have been through was the most amazing moment,” said Adam, reflecting on the turbulent journey they had braved together.

Surgeon Dr. Majd, who had only performed the procedure a handful of times before, described the experience as one of the most emotional moments in his career. “It felt as if I had met him previously,” he said, referring to the rare encounter during surgery. Baby Rafferty’s safe arrival symbolized not just survival but a second chance at life.

What Is the Rare Surgery Doctors Performed?

The medical term for the procedure is extra-corporeal uterine surgery, an extremely rare and delicate operation that involves temporarily removing the uterus while preserving fetal life. Though rare, the surgery exemplifies the potential of maternal-fetal medicine when facing dual life-threatening conditions.

Throughout the procedure, maintaining the uterine temperature and blood supply was crucial to preventing fetal distress. The uterus was kept wrapped in warm sterile gauze, and medics ensured constant circulation through the uterine artery. Fetal heart monitoring continued throughout. The team used surgical planning strategies usually reserved for complex oncological operations, paired with advanced obstetric care.

This case also sheds light on how high-risk pregnancies can be managed innovatively through a multidisciplinary approach. It required not only gynecologic oncology but also obstetrics, neonatology, anesthesiology, and surgical nursing teams working seamlessly together.

Lucy considers herself incredibly lucky that her ovarian cancer was detected so early, even before symptoms appeared. Ovarian cancer often goes undetected until its later stages, making early diagnosis critical. According to statistics, approximately 7,000 women in the UK are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year, and survival rates improve significantly with early intervention.

Baby Rafferty, now eleven weeks old, is thriving—a joyful reminder of how hope, medical innovation, and human courage can intersect to create what some might call a miracle. His story also serves as a beacon of possibility for expectant mothers facing complex diagnoses.

As temperatures around the world rise because of climate change, the human body is increasingly confronting a little-understood and increasing hazard: excessive heat. From enduring heatwaves to sweltering heat waves with high humidity, what used to be a seasonal annoyance is now a worldwide health risk. But how hot is too hot for the human body? At what point does heat become deadly—and why?

In 2020, an article published in Science Advances identified a precise threshold by which the human body cannot survive: 95°F (35°C) wet-bulb temperature. Unlike regular temperature readings, wet-bulb temperature takes into consideration both heat and humidity. It is measured with a thermometer covered in a cloth soaked in water, replicating the way the human body dissipates heat—by evaporating sweat.

If the air surrounding the body is too moist, sweat does not evaporate. When this system breaks down, so does the body's control over internal temperature. The result? A speedy and potentially dangerous increase in core temperature.

In perspective, 115°F (46.1°C) air temperature with 30% humidity yields a wet-bulb temperature of approximately 87°F (30.5°C)—still survivable. However, a seemingly "cooler" 102°F (38.9°C) day with 77% humidity brings the wet-bulb temperature to the lethal 95°F (35°C) mark.

Once wet-bulb temperatures reach this tipping point, sweat can no longer evaporate fast enough to cool the body. Even if the skin is wet, the internal temperature continues to climb. At this stage, hyperthermia sets in—defined by a body temperature above 104°F (40°C)—leading to symptoms like confusion, rapid heart rate, organ failure, and even death.

Who’s Most at Risk?

Although no human can live above a wet-bulb temperature of 95°F, not all people are equally at risk in lower heat exposures.

• Older people, because of impaired thermoregulation.
• Obese or chronically ill people, such as those with cardiovascular disease.
• Those on certain medications, e.g., antipsychotics or beta-blockers.
• Workers outdoors and athletes, whose exertion increases body heat.

Even healthy individuals can succumb to lower wet-bulb temperatures if they are exerting themselves in direct sun or in poorly ventilated environments.

What Happens Inside the Body During Heat Exposure?

The human body contains approximately 60% water, and fluid balance is inextricably linked with temperature regulation. In hot temperatures, the body loses water quickly through sweat and respiration. If it is not replaced, dehydration occurs, causing blood volume to decrease. This affects anything from organ function to delivery of oxygen at the cellular level.

Meanwhile, the thermoregulatory system, which depends on blood flow to shuttle heat from internal organs out to the skin, starts to fail. If this cooling circuit fails, internal organs become overheated, cells start dying, and a chain of failure results in heat stroke or cardiovascular collapse.

How Hot Is Too Hot, Really?

Whereas wet-bulb temperature gives us one measurement, research indicates the ambient air temperature limit of human survival is probably between 104°F and 122°F (40°C–50°C). 122°F is at the limits of what the body can withstand while keeping its core temperature stable, says a 2021 Physiology Report.

A different approach to research implies that the temperature at which the body begins to sweat is 89.6°F (32°C)—the beginning of heat strain. Thus, danger doesn't begin at extreme temperatures only; it accumulates with time, particularly due to long exposure and high humidity.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has documented that heat directly caused 11,000 fatalities in the United States between 1979 and 2018, although the actual number is probably much greater because underreporting is likely to have occurred. While hurricanes or flooding may be dramatic, they kill openly, but heat waves are deadly killers that silently take victims in poor communities, older people, and those not having air conditioning.

Moreover, heat exacerbates existing conditions, increasing the possibility of strokes, heart attacks, and breathing difficulties during heat waves.

How to Survive Extreme Heat?

We may not be able to manipulate the weather, but we can manage our environment and lifestyle. Experts advise:

• Rehydrate with electrolytes, not plain water. Sweating excessively loses salt and minerals necessary for cellular processes.
• Lower internal body temperature by bathing or showering with cool water.
• Avoid sun exposure, particularly between 10 AM and 4 PM.
• Dress in light, loose clothing and have lighter, more frequent meals.

Use extra caution with electric fans during high heat; they can accelerate evaporation and boost dehydration.

In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends visiting during heatwaves susceptible populations—i.e., people who are frail or have disability and ensuring air conditioning, shades, or available cooling resources like fans or air conditioning are at their disposal.

The highest temperature that a human can tolerate is not one number—it's a function of heat, humidity, and time. Wet-bulb temperatures over 95°F are universally lethal within a few hours, but even lower temperatures can be severely dangerous under the right conditions. As climate change accelerates, our knowledge of and readiness for extreme heat must keep pace. This isn't merely a meteorological issue—it's a public health emergency in the making.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three natural food dyes in an attempt to phase out synthetic dyes from foods across America. The list includes galdiera extract blue, butterfly tea flower extract and calcium phosphate. "FDA staff have been moving quickly to expedite the publication of these decisions, underscoring our serious intent to transition away from petroleum-based dyes in the food supply and provide new colours from natural sources," FDA commissioner Dr Martin Makary said in a statement.

Several high-profile brands, including Pepsico and Tyson Foods, have announced synthetic dye removal plans from their products in recent weeks.

What Do We Know About The Approved Natural Dyes?

Galdiera Extract Blue

Galdiera extract blue, derived from the cyanobacteria Galdieria sulphuraria, is primarily used in the food and beverage industry as a natural blue colouring agent. It is a plant-based, nutrient-rich pigment that is considered a safer and more sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes. Additionally, it is utilised in nutraceuticals and cosmetics for its antioxidant properties and vivid hue, making it a versatile ingredient in health-focused and eco-friendly products.

Butterfly Pea Flower Extract

Butterfly pea flower extract, obtained from the petals of the Clitoria ternatea plant, is widely used as a natural colourant in foods, beverages, and herbal teas. Known for its vibrant blue hue that changes to purple when acidic substances are added, it is also rich in antioxidants and has gained popularity in skincare products for its purported anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory benefits. Additionally, it is used in traditional medicine to enhance cognitive function and reduce stress.

Calcium Phosphate

Calcium phosphate is a common mineral compound extensively used in the food, pharmaceutical, and dental care industries. In foods, it functions as a nutritional supplement, stabiliser, and leavening agent, while in pharmaceuticals, it is used in calcium supplements and antacids. In dental care, it is a key component in toothpaste and dental fillings to help remineralize enamel and prevent tooth decay.

Calls For Complete Elimination Of Synthetic Dyes

Public health advocates have called for the complete elimination of certain synthetic dyes in foods, citing scientific research linking consumption of dyes to diseases and neurological issues like hyperactivity and behavioural problems. Moreover, there is a social reason also behind this boycott, with advocates stating that bright colours make unhealthy food look attractive to children. FDA Commissioner Dr Marty Makary stated that American children have long been "living in a toxic soup of synthetic chemicals" and stressed the importance of cleaner food labels.

Here is a list of food dyes that are banned by US health authorities

The health authorities in the US are banning at least six food dyes by the end of this year. The list incorporates FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2, according to a press release by the FDA.

A new wave of cognitive enhancers known as nootropics is gaining popularity, with products like Thesis being marketed as 'Nature’s Adderall.' The word itself is derived from ancient Greek, combining noos ( mind) and tropen ( turning, bending or tending towards). So how exactly does it boost cognition, and how does it impact a person's overall functioning?

'Smart Drugs'

Nootropics, also referred to as smart drugs, are substances that are said to enhance cognitive functions such as memory, learning, and concentration. Unlike stimulants that act directly on neurotransmitters, nootropics improve the brain's supply of glucose and oxygen, protect neural tissues from neurotoxicity, and promote blood flow to the brain.

The term 'nootropic' was first coined in the early 1970s by Cornelius E. Giurgea to describe substances that activate cognitive functions, particularly memory and learning, especially in cases where these functions are compromised. Instead of acting as receptor ligands or neurotransmitter releasers, nootropics work by influencing neuronal metabolism in the central nervous system.

A review published in the National Library of Medicine classifies nootropics into four subgroups: classical nootropic compounds, substances that increase brain metabolism, cholinergics, and plant-based extracts with nootropic effects. These groups highlight the varied ways in which nootropics can impact brain health.

Natural Nootropic

One such natural nootropic gaining attention is Kanna, a South African plant said to produce empathogenic effects — substances that create warm, euphoric feelings similar to those induced by ecstasy. "There are over 35 known alkaloids in Kanna, which have various physiological effects on the body," says Stephanie Wang, founder and CEO of KA! Empathogenics. "These alkaloids not only elevate mood and promote feelings of well-being but also enhance cognitive abilities and support brain health."

Medicinal Use Of Nootropics

In addition to natural supplements like Kanna, nootropics are also being studied for their potential use in treating acute psychoorganic syndrome (POS), a condition associated with early brain damage that manifests as memory loss, mental retardation, and changes in consciousness. POS can be triggered by brain trauma, infections, stroke, or toxic exposure to substances like alcohol or drugs.

While POS is generally considered reversible, it can sometimes progress to dementia, particularly in severe cases. Nootropics are also used for chronic cognitive impairments such as memory loss, age-related mental decline, and attention deficits caused by fatigue or exhaustion. Children with minimal brain dysfunction syndrome and patients with encephalopathy have also been prescribed nootropics in some cases.

Despite their rising popularity, experts remain cautious about the effectiveness of nootropics in treating severe cognitive impairments. While they show promise in mild cases, their impact on advanced dementia remains unclear. Furthermore, the long-term effects of these cognitive enhancers are still under investigation, raising questions about their safety and efficacy as a widespread solution for brain health.

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