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Medical News Today
20 minutes ago
- Health
- Medical News Today
Is Alzheimer's disease a type of prion disease?
Researchers do not consider Alzheimer's disease a type of prion disease. However, Alzheimer's shares some features with prion diseases. The table below outlines some key similarities and differences at a glance: Prion diseases are rare, transmissible neurodegenerative disorders, which means they involve the progressive death of cells in the central nervous system, including the brain. The most common prion disease in humans is sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD). Prion diseases have the following three features: They occur due to the buildup of misfolded proteins called prions. They are transmissible. They cause fatal neurodegenerative changes. Alzheimer's disease does not qualify as a prion disease because it does not meet the transmissible criteria. Various factors can contribute to a person's risk of Alzheimer's disease, including: Since prion diseases and Alzheimer's disease both involve progressive neurodegeneration, they may share symptoms, including: memory loss changes in movement changes in mood forgetting to eat or sleep Prion diseases can be asymptomatic for years . However, when symptoms occur, progression is typically quick. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests it can be months or years until a prion disease causes death after symptoms appear. In contrast, Alzheimer's disease progression can vary significantly from person to person. In many cases, symptoms progress slowly over several years. People may initially mistake mild symptoms for natural changes due to aging. There is no cure for prion diseases or Alzheimer's disease. However, healthcare professionals may be able to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease with medications such as: Unlike Alzheimer's disease, there are no treatments for the symptoms of prion disease. People should speak with a healthcare professional if they are concerned about Alzheimer's disease or if they have a diagnosis and experience changes in symptoms.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Killing the planet with kindness: the worst ChatGPT prompts
It is no secret that ChatGPT is taking over the life of the layman. Whether it's used for writing essays, job applications or emails, or, more concerningly, for providing reassurance to an anxiety riddled brain, its ubiquity is undeniable. Yet equally pervasive is the very fact that every search harms the environment. ChatGPT, which is based on the GPT-3 model, consumes a significant amount of energy during its training and operational phases. The energy consumed in the training of GPT-3 amounted to 1,287 megawatt-hours (MWh), resulting in more than 550 tonnes (t) of CO₂ emissions associated with this process. In addition to the training phase, the operational use of ChatGPT also contributes to energy consumption. A ChatGPT-like application, which is estimated to handle around 11 million requests per hour, produces approximately 12.8t of CO₂ per year. Furthermore, the energy requirements for running AI applications like ChatGPT are expected to increase significantly. Current rack power levels are around 15 kW or less, but as AI demands grow, this could rise to as much as 100 kW in the near future. In summation, the use of ChatGPT has enormous implications for the environment's CO₂ levels. Research has begun into exactly the kind of prompt that takes up the most energy with ChatGPT, and what the most harmful thing you can ask is. In Germany, researchers ran 14 open-source large language models (LLMS) through 1,000 benchmark questions. Measuring the CO₂ emissions from each response. Models which used internal reasoning to 'think' through answers could potentially produce 50 times more emissions that those which responded concisely. Questions related to philosophy or abstract algebra, which required deeper reasoning, produced far more emissions than topics like history, which pertain to more factual things. Models with more parameters given also produced more emissions. However, perhaps most intriguingly, the increase of politeness increases emissions. When users are friendly as say 'please' and 'thank you' to ChatGPT, more words are generated. This means that the model is executed for longer, requiring more power and emitting more emissions. More interestingly, the additional words actually have little impact on how useful or accurate an answer is. However, the impact on the environment is huge. These facts become concerning when we assess how younger generations are increasingly using ChatGPT as a kind of online confidante. Whether it's late-night overthinking, navigating the stresses or school, university and work, or even how to get over a situationship, Gen Z are turning to ChatGPT for reassurance. Yet as their relationship with the chatbot becomes more intimate and colloquial, so too does their language. Ultimately the concern arises as they thank ChatGPT for its service, or ask it to 'please' help them, given that research demonstrates this uses more energy and emits more Co₂. Gen Z may be environmentally conscious, yet their intimacy with the digital world is now proving to be harmful to the planet. As Gen Z increasingly lean on ChatGPT for emotional support and companionship, the environmental cost of constant AI usage often goes unnoticed. While digital conversations may feel weightless, every chat leaves a carbon footprint. Even virtual friendships have real-world consequences. "Killing the planet with kindness: the worst ChatGPT prompts" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Medscape
2 hours ago
- Health
- Medscape
Muscle Gains vs Heart Strain: A Deadly Trade-off?
Sudden cardiac deaths (SCDs) appear to be more frequent among men who practice bodybuilding, particularly those competing at high levels. A global study of more than 20,000 athletes is the first to report the incidence of sudden death in this population. As the author noted in the European Heart Journal , the aim was not to demonize bodybuilding but to promote safer practices. Bodybuilding focuses on increasing muscle mass and definition through physical exercise and a targeted diet. Unlike traditional sports, bodybuilding competitions evaluate the aesthetics of the body rather than athletic performance. Researchers identified 20,286 men who had competed in the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB) events between 2005 and 2020. Using web-based searches, they determined which athletes died. Over a mean follow-up period of 8.1 ± 3.8 years, there were 121 deaths. Among the 99 cases with documented causes, 73 were sudden. The mean age at the time of death was 45 years. Of the 55 nontraumatic sudden deaths — excluding those from car accidents, suicide, or homicide — 46 were classified as SCDs. The overall incidence of deaths (sudden and nonsudden) was 63.61 per 100,000 person-years. Among active competitors, those who died within 1 year of their last IFBB event, the rate rose to 80.58. The incidence of SCDs was 24.18 in the entire cohort and 32.83 among competing athletes, who had a mean age of just 35 years at death. Professional bodybuilders had a fivefold higher risk for SCD than recreational bodybuilders (hazard ratio, 5.23 [3.58-7.64]). Available autopsies showed the presence of cardiomegaly and severe ventricular hypertrophy in 4 out of 5 cases. Risk Factors The study pointed to a broader issue in addition to bodybuilders, which could also affect nonprofessional athletes who practice strength training. What are the possible causes? Univadis Italy , a Medscape Network platform, asked Marco Vecchiato, MD, a specialist and researcher in the Sports and Exercise Medicine Division at the University of Padua, Padua, Italy, and the coordinator of the study. 'Our study had epidemiological purposes and was not designed to identify, in a cause-effect manner, the mechanisms underlying these premature deaths. However, the literature in the field has advanced some plausible hypotheses, suggesting that a combination of factors could contribute significantly to the increased risk,' said Vecchiato. These include: Intense training regimens, such as high-intensity workouts, place major strain on the cardiovascular (CV) and muscular systems. Extreme dietary practices, such as high protein intake and repeated weight cycling between off-season and on-season periods, can place significant stress on metabolic and CV systems. Dehydration techniques, such as rapid fluid loss before events using hydro-saline protocols or diuretics, can be dangerous. The use of doping substances, especially anabolic steroids and similar agents, can severely harm the CV, kidneys, liver, and nervous system. Doping Impact 'It is important to underline that, to date, there are no studies that have exclusively investigated the risk for death and SCD in a population of bodybuilders with the guarantee of not taking doping substances. However, recent evidence published in first-time journals and with long-term monitoring suggested a clear difference in terms of cumulative mortality between athletes with and without a history of anabolic steroid abuse,' said Vecchiato. He noted that performance-enhancing drug use is likely to be widespread at the highest competitive levels. In the US, where bodybuilding is more structured and athletes face intense competitive and aesthetic pressure with serious psychophysical consequences, many athletes speak openly about the use of performance-enhancing drugs. However, in Italy, 'The issue remains mostly hidden and is often not perceived as a medical risk but as 'a necessary means' to obtain a certain physique,' he said. Uncertain Rules Athletes are generally required to undergo regular medical checkups, but does the same apply to bodybuilders? 'In Italy, there are numerous bodybuilding federations, each with its own rules and requirements for membership. Some of these clearly state the obligation to present a competitive sports medical certificate, while others do not mention any specific medical requirements, thus allowing membership even in the absence of a health assessment. In these cases, the activity is not formally classified as a sport but rather as an activity for aesthetic purposes, which allows you to bypass some obligations required for competitive sports, including medical certification,' Vecchiato explained. Although not formally required by regulations, a sports center or gym may still ask a bodybuilder to provide a noncompetitive medical certificate, often for insurance purposes. Under Italian law, such certification is not mandatory for individuals engaging in noncompetitive physical activity unless they are affiliated with a national sports federation or a sports promotion body recognized by the Italian National Olympic Committee, which oversees organized sports and fitness initiatives in the country. 'This heterogeneous regulatory situation means that some athletes are subjected to in-depth sports medical check-ups annually, including a baseline electrocardiogram, stress test, spirometry, urine test, and any further investigations of a higher order, while others receive an evaluation with only an electrocardiogram in resting conditions. Finally, a nonnegligible portion of subjects may never be subjected to any structured medical evaluation, not even when starting or continuing the activity practiced,' he said. 'The first contact with a doctor can therefore only occur after the onset of advanced signs or symptoms, sometimes linked to already structured CV or metabolic damage, making any form of secondary prevention potentially late,' he said. These signs warrant cardiologic or psychological evaluation. 'The general practitioner can play a key role in recognizing warning signs (excessive muscle hypertrophy, extreme weight fluctuations, suspected use of illicit substances, marked and sudden mood changes in the absence of diagnosed mental illnesses, gynecomastia, extensive acne in adults not present during puberty, etc.) and directing them towards cardiological or psychological investigations,' warned Vecchiato. He also noted that 15% of SCDs in this population were traumatic. Obsessive body transformation goals, extreme practices, and substance misuse increase the risk for impulsive or self-harming behavior. This reinforces the need to prioritize the mental health of athletes. Vecchiato concluded that 'in addition to an intensified antidoping practice, the introduction of targeted CV screening and educational campaigns could significantly reduce the associated risks.' Raising awareness can encourage athletes to adopt safer training and nutrition programs and diets, to be supervised by a physician, and to refuse doping.
Medical News Today
3 hours ago
- Health
- Medical News Today
Cold weather and joint pain: What is the connection?
Effects Who it affects Managing pain Contacting a doctor FAQ Summary Cold weather may worsen joint pain in some people, such as those with arthritis or orthopedic implants. Keeping warm by dressing appropriately for the weather and using draft excluders at home may help. Many people with health conditions such as arthritis report worsening joint pain when temperatures drop. Some research supports this, but more studies may be necessary for scientists to understand exactly why this happens and how common it is. Taking steps to stay warm may help reduce joint pain during cold weather. However, if someone experiences severe or persistent pain that interferes with their daily life, it is a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional. CatherineHistorically, most evidence of a link between cold weather and joint pain was anecdotal. However, in recent years, more researchers are investigating a cause-and-effect link. A 2025 review suggests that low temperatures may affect: compliance of the periarticular structures, which are tissues around a joint viscosity (resistance to flow) of synovial fluid, which is in joint cavities the ability of substances to pass through blood vessels, which may affect inflammation blood vessel constriction These effects may lead to increased joint pain and stiffness during cold weather. A 2023 systematic review of 14 studies suggests a correlation between increased osteoarthritis joint pain and lower temperatures, as well as increased atmospheric pressure and relative humidity. A potential cause for this is an overexpression of thermosensitive transient receptor potential channels (thermo-TRPs) in cold weather. Thermo-TRPs are a type of protein structure in cells involved in functions such as body temperature regulation and pain perception. However, the researchers conclude that more research is necessary to fully understand the links between osteoarthritis pain and weather conditions, including temperature. According to the 2025 review, cold weather may affect how people use care resources for health conditions such as arthritis. For example, lower temperatures may make people less likely to use physical therapy, which could contribute to increases in their symptoms. The Arthritis Foundation also suggests that cold weather may contribute to lower moods, which may cause people to focus more on their pain. More research is necessary to understand exactly how cold weather affects joint pain and other factors that may contribute. Not everyone will experience joint pain when it gets colder. However, certain health conditions may increase a person's chance. Pain is subjective and varies from person to person, even among people with the same health conditions. Mild pain for one person may feel severe for another. So, there is no guarantee everyone with arthritis will have painful joints when it gets colder. A 2020 study also suggests a link between cold weather and increased pain in people with orthopedic implants, such as joint replacements. If someone tends to experience worsening joint pain in colder temperatures, it can help to monitor weather forecasts to anticipate weather changes before they happen and take steps to prepare. Keeping warm may help reduce joint pain due to cold weather. People can try the following steps: wear warm clothes, such as gloves and multiple layers choose clothes made from insulating materials, such as wool use hot water bottles or portable hand warmers use heat pads or heated blankets at home place draft excluders or door sweeps on doors at home eat a hot meal or drink a warm drink move around to boost circulation If someone has a health condition that affects their joints, sticking to their treatment plan even during cold weather can help prevent worsening joint pain. A person's symptoms may differ depending on factors such as underlying health conditions, current treatments, and more. If someone does not have a diagnosed health condition but starts experiencing persistent or frequent joint pain, a doctor can diagnose the underlying cause. People with a health condition, such as arthritis, may benefit from speaking with a healthcare professional if they experience a severe flare-up or worsening symptoms. Their healthcare team may wish to change their current treatment plan to help them manage their symptoms. Although warmer temperatures may improve joint pain for some people, other weather factors, such as humidity and barometric pressure, can also affect joint pain. Treatment compliance and other factors may also contribute. The Arthritis Foundation suggests there is no guarantee a warmer climate will help. However, people can visit a new climate at different times throughout the year before committing to moving to see if their symptoms improve. No scientific studies support an 'ideal' temperature to reduce joint pain. The most comfortable temperature to relieve joint pain may vary from person to person. People can use a symptom journal to help work out what temperatures seem to relieve their joint pain and what temperatures worsen it. No scientific research supports using copper or magnetic bracelets to relieve joint pain during cold weather. However, the Arthritis Foundation suggests there is no harm in trying this remedy alongside a doctor-approved treatment plan. Some people may find that their symptoms improve due to the placebo effect. Cold weather may trigger or worsen joint pain in certain people, such as those with arthritis or joint replacements. Low temperatures may affect the fluid and tissues in and around joints, causing pain and stiffness. People may also focus on symptoms more and be less likely to follow treatment plans in cold weather. Taking steps to keep warm may help relieve joint pain that worsens in cold weather. This may include wearing multiple layers, using hand warmers or heat pads, and fitting draft excluders at home. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
South China Morning Post
4 hours ago
- Science
- South China Morning Post
Chinese scientists create edible fruit coating that ‘more than doubles' shelf life
Chinese scientists have developed an edible, washable protein-based coating that can extend the shelf life of fruits by 2½ times, by reducing moisture loss and microbial growth. Advertisement The low-cost coating was tested across 17 varieties of whole and cut fruits, including strawberry, tomato, kiwi and mango. It was shown to effectively delay rot by almost a week or more, at a cost of just 9 US cents per kilogram of fruit, according to a recent paper in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications. The new strategy is as effective as existing preservation methods but reduces carbon dioxide emissions and the potential for toxicity, offering a promising solution to a major factor in global food waste 'Addressing critical challenges in perishable fruit preservation…we present an eco-friendly amyloid-like protein coating strategy developed through computer-aided molecular simulation,' the team led by researchers at Shaanxi Normal University said in their paper published on May 31. 'With edible properties, easy washability, and low cost, the coating demonstrates universal applicability for post-harvest and fresh-cut fruits.' Advertisement Around a third of all food produced globally is wasted, most of it perishable items like fruits and vegetables.
