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Category Archives: Wellness Live
Reports of OCD among under-25s triple in 10 years
More 16-24 year olds in England say they have symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder – BBC analysis finds.
‘Getting financial help through my GP has improved my health’
How linked are financial worries and health? GPs in London are trialling a financial support scheme.
“Lost” giant rat found alive in Papua mountains after 30 years
After spending six months exploring the rugged landscapes of New Guinea, a young Czech doctoral student from the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences and the University of South Bohemia has made an extraordinary find. František Vejmělka is the first researcher to observe and scientifically document Mallomys istapantap in its natural environment. This enormous nocturnal rodent, one of the largest in the world, lives high in the cool, mist-covered forests and grasslands around 3,700 meters above sea level. Until now, scientists knew the species only from a few preserved museum specimens. For the first time, photographs and video footage now reveal the animal alive in its native mountain habitat.
Bringing a Lost Species Back Into View
The Subalpine Woolly Rat (Mallomys istapantap) was first identified in 1989 from museum samples and had not been recorded in the wild for three decades. It had never been photographed until now. The new field data and imagery collected by Vejmělka provide crucial insight into this rarely seen species and shed new light on the extraordinary mammalian biodiversity of New Guinea’s remote highlands.
A Mysterious Giant of the Highlands
“It’s astonishing that such a large and striking animal has remained so poorly studied. How much more is there to discover about the biodiversity of tropical mountains?” says Vejmělka. Alongside the groundbreaking photos and videos, he obtained the first biometric measurements of male specimens and documented details about the animal’s diet, parasites, movements, and daily behavior.
New Guinean woolly rats, related to the giant cloud rats of the Philippines, rank among the largest murine rodents on Earth. They live only in the steep, rainforest-covered highlands of New Guinea. In the absence of other competing placental mammals, these rodents have diversified over roughly five million years into a surprising array of distinct forms and species.
Life of the Subalpine Woolly Rat
The thick-furred Mallomys istapantap leads a secretive life in isolated, high-altitude regions. Active at night, it climbs trees in search of food and takes shelter during the day in burrows or among tree branches. Feeding exclusively on plant material, it has sharp incisors, dense fur, 8 cm-long paws, and a total body length (including tail) of about 85 cm. Weighing up to 2 kg, it is both imposing and elusive. Its nocturnal behavior and inaccessible habitat have made direct observation extremely rare.
Science Meets Traditional Knowledge
“If it weren’t for the indigenous hunters who accompanied me in the mountains and helped me locate the animals, I would never have been able to collect this data,” says Vejmělka. During his six-month expedition, he worked closely with several local tribes while surveying the mammalian diversity of Mount Wilhelm (4,509 m), the highest peak in Papua New Guinea, from base to summit. He documented and genetically identified 61 species of non-flying mammals (rodents and marsupials) found along the mountain.
This fieldwork deepens scientific knowledge of the incredible but still underexplored wildlife of New Guinea’s tropical mountains. While similar habitats in regions such as the Americas, Africa, and Southeast Asia have been studied extensively, the Australasian highlands remain far less known. Collaboration with local communities is a vital part of this progress.
Through these shared research efforts, indigenous groups gain awareness of their region’s unique natural heritage and the importance of protecting it from increasing threats, including mining.
The findings have been published in the scientific journal Mammalia.
Scientists reversed brain aging and memory loss in mice
Scientists at Cedars-Sinai have developed “young” immune cells from human stem cells that reversed signs of aging and Alzheimer’s disease in the brains of laboratory mice, according to findings published in Advanced Science. The breakthrough suggests these cells could eventually lead to new treatments for age-related and neurodegenerative conditions in people.
Clive Svendsen, PhD, executive director of the Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute and senior author of the study, explained the team’s innovative approach. “Previous studies have shown that transfusions of blood or plasma from young mice improved cognitive decline in older mice, but that is difficult to translate into a therapy,” Svendsen said. “Our approach was to use young immune cells that we can manufacture in the lab — and we found that they have beneficial effects in both aging mice and mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease.”
Creating Youthful Immune Cells From Stem Cells
The cells, known as mononuclear phagocytes, normally circulate through the body to clear harmful substances. However, their function diminishes as organisms age. To produce youthful versions, researchers used human induced pluripotent stem cells — adult cells reprogrammed to an early embryonic-like state — to generate new, young mononuclear phagocytes.
When these lab-grown immune cells were infused into aging mice and mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease, the scientists observed remarkable improvements in brain function and structure.
Improved Memory and Brain Cell Health
Mice that received the young immune cells outperformed untreated mice on memory tests. Their brains also contained more “mossy cells” within the hippocampus, a region essential for learning and memory.
“The numbers of mossy cells decline with aging and Alzheimer’s disease,” said Alexendra Moser, PhD, a project scientist in the Svendsen Lab and lead author of the study. “We did not see that decline in mice receiving young mononuclear phagocytes, and we believe this may be responsible for some of the memory improvements that we observed.”
In addition, the treated mice had healthier microglia — specialized immune cells in the brain responsible for detecting and clearing damaged tissue. Normally, microglia lose their long, thin branches as the brain ages or in Alzheimer’s disease, but in treated mice, these branches remained extended and active, suggesting preserved immune and cognitive function.
How the Treatment Might Work
The exact mechanism behind these benefits is not yet clear. Because the young mononuclear phagocytes did not appear to cross into the brain, researchers believe they may influence brain health indirectly.
The team proposes several possibilities: the cells could release antiaging proteins or tiny extracellular vesicles capable of entering the brain, or they might remove pro-aging factors from the bloodstream, protecting the brain from harmful effects. Ongoing studies aim to identify the precise mechanism and determine how best to translate these findings into human therapies.
Toward Personalized Anti-Aging Therapies
“Because these young immune cells are created from stem cells, they could be used as personalized therapy with unlimited availability,” said Jeffrey A. Golden, MD, executive vice dean for Education and Research. “These findings show that short-term treatment improved cognition and brain health, making them a promising candidate to address age- and Alzheimer’s disease-related cognitive decline.”
Additional authors include Luz Jovita Dimas-Harms, Rachel M. Lipman, Jake Inzalaco, Shaughn Bell, Michelle Alcantara, Erikha Valenzuela, George Lawless, Simion Kreimer, Sarah J. Parker,andHelen S. Goodridge.
Funding: This work was supported by the Universal Sunlight Foundation, the Cedars-Sinai Center for Translational Geroscience, and the Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute.
Midwife open to leading other maternity inquiries
However, Donna Ockenden’s offer to get involved in other inquiries is rejected by the health secretary.
Resident doctors announce five-day strike in November
Walkout will be the 13th of long-running dispute between government and British Medical Association.
Councils should not cut ‘vital’ physical activity – former Olympian
The Accounts Commission says the amount councils are spending on culture and leisure services is not keeping up with rising costs.
John Bishop Reveals How He Really Feels About Bradley Cooper’s New Film Inspired By His Life
John Bishop has admitted he’s finding it both “brilliant” and “bizarre” that Bradley Cooper has turned his life story into one of the year’s most-hyped films.
Earlier this year, it was announced that John’s story was being adapted into the comedy Is This Thing On?, helmed by the A Star Is Born and Maestro director with Arrested Development star Will Arnett in the lead role.
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The film centres around a man who turns to stand-up comedy when his marriage starts falling apart.
While the movie’s characters are fictional (Will plays aspiring comic Alex Novak while Oscar winner Laura Dern plays his wife, Tess), the story is based on events from John’s own life.
He told BBC Merseyside he found it “so weird” that “this is happening, but so brilliant at the same time”.
via Associated Press
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Recalling the first time he introduced his wife to the Oscar nominee, John said: “[Bradley Cooper] gave Melanie a hug and then Melanie had a minute with him, talking to him, but she was whispering in his ear.
“We come back to the hotel and I was saying ‘This has been a mad few days’. I said: ‘What are you going to remember most about it?’ She said: ‘Whispering in Bradley Cooper’s ear’. That kind of doesn’t make me feel great…”
During an appearance on the podcast RHLSTP earlier this year, comedian Chloe Radcliffe (who plays a supporting role in Is This Thing On), explained: “I think Will and John sat next to each other at a dinner 10 years ago, and Will heard his story, and was like, ‘That rules, I want to do that someday’.”
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Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock
John first pursued a career in 2000, following a brief break in his marriage to his wife Melanie (the pair eventually reunited and share three sons, Joe, Luke and Daniel).
He opened up about his first time performing during Graham Norton’s 2024 New Year’s Eve special, claiming he put his name down to appear at an open night mic on a whim.
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“It was four pounds. I was going through a divorce. I thought, ‘Well, that’s four pounds she’s not getting’,” he quipped.
John added: “I was meant to do seven minutes but because there was no one there, they let me carry on, and I did about 25 minutes. When I walked off I remember Mick, the compere, and the fella who ran the place, Dave Perkin, coming up to me and saying, ‘Where have you been doing your stand-up?’. I said ‘I’ve never done it in my life’. And he said, ’Well some of that was really good, some of that was fun. The bit where you started talking about getting divorced and started crying… don’t do that again. But come back’.”
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Elsewhere in his BBC Merseyside interview, John revealed that he was able to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his first stand-up performance at the same venue on his latest tour.
The next night, he attended the London Film Festival for a premiere screening of Is This Thing On?.
You couldn’t write it,” he enthused. “You couldn’t line things up like that as perfectly [as they have]. It’s been odd trying to get my head around it.”
Is This Thong On? hits US cinemas in December, with a UK release date yet to be confirmed.
How Much Matcha Does It Take To Cause Health Issues?
Mataha is having a bit of a moment – especially in the age group the BBC has dubbed “the matcha generation” (Gen Z).
The TikTok-viral drink, which is packed with antioxidants, is touted as both a luxurious treat and a health booster: it offers potentially anti-inflammatory ingredients, tastes great with strawberry, and looks grid-worthy in a see-through cup.
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But, a video by surgeon Dr Karan Rajan revealed, too much can sometimes cause health issues.
Very high consumption over a long period of time can inhibit iron absorption, and women “of reproductive age” (so a lot of the trendy drink’s fans) might be at a higher risk, he added.
Here, we spoke to Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor, about how much matcha is too much, and why it might affect your health.
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Some matcha may be good for you
Speaking to HuffPost UK, Dr Wylie said that there really may be some health advantages to the popular green drink.
“Matcha, a finely ground powdered green tea, is celebrated for its high antioxidant content, notably epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is linked to various health benefits, including improved focus and metabolism,” she explained.
“However, matcha also contains tannins and catechins, polyphenolic compounds that can bind to non-heme iron (the type found in plant-based foods) in the digestive tract, reducing its absorption.
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“This effect is more pronounced in matcha due to its concentrated form, which retains the whole tea leaf, unlike traditional steeped teas.”
Therefore, she explained, it’s important to drink it in moderation.
Wondering how much is too much? “For most individuals, moderate matcha consumption, typically one cup per day, is considered safe and unlikely to cause significant health issues,” she said.
“However, excessive intake, especially when consumed with iron-rich meals or supplements, can lead to decreased iron absorption over time.”
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How can I lower my risk of developing anaemia from matcha?
The first step is to drink less of it if you’re having loads, but Dr Wylie said those aren’t the only steps matcha lovers can take.
“It’s advisable to consume matcha between meals rather than with or immediately after meals rich in non-heme iron,” she said.
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“Additionally, pairing iron-rich foods with vitamin C can enhance iron absorption. If iron supplementation is necessary, it’s best to take it at least one to two hours apart from matcha consumption.”
Those who should pay particular attention to their intake include vegetarians, vegans, menstruating individuals, and those with known iron deficiencies.
“Symptoms of iron deficiency may include fatigue, weakness, and pale skin,” the GP ended.
If you think you might have iron deficiency anaemia, the NHS says you should see your doctor.
