Latest news with #SAM
Newsweek
8 hours ago
- Health
- Newsweek
The Key to Better Sleep Is in Your Gut, Says Gastroenterologist
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Around 25 million U.S. adults suffer from insomnia. At the same time, more than 3.9 million Americans are taking probiotics, usually for gut health, according to the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). And gut health could be the key to better sleep. A study published in the journal Engineering examined a specific probiotic strain called Lactobacillus helveticus CCFM1320. This probiotic produces a compound known as SAM (S-adenosylmethionine), which helps regulate the body's internal clock and supports the production of melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep. The researchers found that this probiotic could significantly improve sleep quality. The Gut as a Second Brain Neuroscientist Dr. Chelsie Rohrscheib, the head of sleep at Wesper, a national home sleep disorder diagnostics company, told Newsweek: "The gut essentially acts as a secondary nervous system and creates and releases many crucial neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, which also help to regulate nervous system activity. "This allows for two-way communication between the gut and the brain, called the gut-brain axis. Healthy gut microbes are essential to keeping the gut healthy and functioning, and there is ample evidence that gut microbiota dysregulation can negatively impact the activity of the gut-brain axis. Because the brain is highly sensitive, this can lead to poor sleep quality." Stock image of a woman taking pills from her nightstand before bed. Stock image of a woman taking pills from her nightstand before bed. Liudmila Chernetska/iStock / Getty Images Plus Is CCFM1320 a Game-Changing Strain? To test the effectiveness of CCFM1320 in humans, scientists from Jiangnan University conducted a four-week study with 60 volunteers who experienced sleep difficulties. Participants were divided into two groups: one received the probiotic, while the other took a placebo. Results showed that those who consumed the probiotic had better sleep scores, lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and a healthier balance of gut bacteria. Additionally, the probiotic boosted the expression of genes involved in producing and utilizing SAM, a key factor in sleep and overall health. Strain-Specific Benefits Dr. Michel Bass, a board-certified gastroenterologist and the Founding Medical Director at Oshi Health in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, emphasized the importance of strain specificity: "Not all probiotics are created equal. This study identified CCFM1320 as uniquely beneficial for sleep quality. This isn't a generic 'take-any-probiotic' situation—it's about strain-level specificity," Bass told Newsweek. "That's where a lot of public messaging needs to evolve. Just like different medications target different conditions, different strains do different things. And this one appears to enhance melatonin synthesis via SAM methylation—a novel pathway." Probiotic Supplements vs. Fermented Foods Stock image of an assortment of fresh vegetables and meats. Stock image of an assortment of fresh vegetables and meats. esilzengin/iStock / Getty Images Plus While fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and kefir are beneficial for general gut health, Bass explained that they may not provide targeted probiotic strains at therapeutic levels. "If someone wants to improve things like sleep quality or reduce stress hormones like cortisol, a strong, well-researched supplement—especially one with proven strains like CCFM1320—is usually more effective," he said. "That said, eating fermented foods is still a great daily habit and can complement targeted probiotic supplements." Jason Eastty, owner of Healthspan Longevity in Westborough, Massachusetts, and a nutrition specialist, added that overall good nutrition can combat poor sleep. "Having a nutrient deficiency—like low iron, magnesium, or vitamin D—can throw off your gut microbial balance, leading to poor sleep. Clinical trials have shown that correcting these deficiencies helps microbial diversity and improves sleep efficiency," Eastty said. He also emphasized that a whole-foods diet rich in fiber—from fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains—is essential to feeding the "good" bacteria in your gut.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
AI in law: Students need to sharpen critical assessment skills to make best use of technology
Generative AI is reshaping the legal industry. AI deployment has changed workflows by streamlining research, drafting, and due diligence while raising important questions around ethics, bias, and the future of legal education. 'Students need to be trained to take up jobs at firms that are keeping up with technological advancements. They need to be taught practical use of AI Tools, like training in legal research, drafting, and knowledge management using AI platforms. They need to sharpen their critical assessment skills to verify AI-generated content, check legal citations, and ensure jurisdictional relevance', says Naval Satarawala Chopra, Partner, SAM. Mr. Chopra says that AI will provide space to lawyers to focus on complex, analytical, and strategic aspects of their work. 'Some routine roles may evolve or diminish, but new opportunities will emerge for those who can harness technology responsibly and creatively. The future legal professional will need to be both technologically adept and deeply grounded in the principles of law and ethics', he says. AI in curriculum For the introduction of AI in law curriculum, institutes need to provide students with practical, hands-on exposure to AI tools. 'Students should be taught not only how to use such technology but also how to critically assess its outputs, verify legal references, and understand the limitations and risks associated with AI-generated content. Embedding these skills early will ensure that graduates are well-prepared for the evolving demands of modern legal practice', says Mr. Chopra. Mr. Chopra also highlights some other important components to be inculcated in law schools, such as data security and privacy. He says students should be taught the ethical and legal obligations around client data and confidentiality when using AI. They also need to explore AI ethics and bias, including algorithmic bias, fairness, and the responsible use of technology. Students adapting to technology while preserving the core principles of legal education requires a balanced approach. It will help to use real-world scenarios to help students understand both the potential and the limitations of AI in legal practice. 'Students must be encouraged to embrace innovation, but also to maintain the analytical rigour, ethical standards, and critical thinking that define the legal profession. Students should understand that technology is taught as a tool to enhance, not replace, foundational legal skills', says Mr. Chopra. AI deployment at law firms Talking about the benefits of the deployment of AI, Mr. Chopra says it can help streamline routine tasks such as contract drafting, document review, and legal research, allowing lawyers to focus on higher-value, strategic work. AI assists in maintaining consistency across documents and helps reduce human error in repetitive tasks. Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. (SAM) recently announced a firmwide partnership with Harvey, a generative AI platform designed specifically for legal professionals. SAM has implemented Harvey's full suite of AI functionalities across all seven of its offices after a pilot project. Harvey is a Generative AI platform valued at over USD 3 billion, and its shareholders include OpenAI, Sequoia, and Lexis Nexis. It is already being used in the legal industry globally by many, including A&O Shearman, Cravath, Mori Hamada, Gleiss Lutz, and Clifford Chance, as well as other companies, such as KKR and PwC. At SAM, this integration of Harvey's large language model technology into daily practice aims to accelerate contract drafting and review, streamlining due diligence processes, enhancing legal research and predictive analysis, and delivering sharper, data-driven insights for both contentious and advisory matters. To ensure the responsible and effective use of Harvey, SAM implemented a training Program for all the employees. The training covered practical aspects such as prompt engineering, best practices for legal research and drafting with AI, and the importance of data security and confidentiality. The program also emphasised the critical role of human oversight as every AI-generated output is to be subjected to thorough review by qualified lawyers before being incorporated into client work. Mr. Chopra says the firm has implemented some governance protocols to ensure the responsible and secure use of AI. These protocols include: Mandatory human review, which means all AI-generated drafts, research, and summaries must be reviewed and verified by lawyers before being used in client work. The protocols also stress data security and confidentiality. Only firm-approved and licensed AI platforms are used, and sensitive client data is never input into AI tools unless strict security standards are met (such as ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type 2 certification). The use of personal or unlicensed AI accounts for client work is strictly prohibited. The protocols also mandate that all AI usage is logged and monitored to ensure compliance with internal policies, data privacy laws, and client-specific requirements. For bias and accuracy checks, lawyers are trained to identify and mitigate potential biases or inaccuracies in AI outputs, including the risk of 'hallucinated' legal citations.
The South African
4 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
Donald Trump claims authority over Iran's sky
US President Trump posted on Truth Social, 'We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran.' He stressed that the superior military hardware produced by the United States was the reason for this dominance. Additionally, Trump expressed that his patience was reaching its limit. This followed his demand at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, for Iran's 'unconditional surrender'. STRIKE HITS IRAN COMMAND POST On 17 June 2025, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) bombed Iran's main emergency military command centre in western Iran, destroying radar installations and air defence systems. The latest Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) report claims that the IDF destroyed missile infrastructure, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and dozens of surface-to-surface missile launchers. These attacks represent a step up in Operation Rising Lion, which aims to weaken Iran's drone and missile capabilities. The IDF confirmed the death of Major General Ali Shadmani, Iran's top battlefield commander and head of Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters. Moreover, the strike demonstrates Israel's intention to target high-ranking officials. The cybergroup 'Predatory Sparrow', linked to earlier Israeli cyber operations, claimed responsibility for the Bank Sepah hack. Authorities also accused the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of using the bank to finance military activities. Since Operation Rising Lion began, Israeli forces have reportedly neutralised more than 200 Iranian ballistic missile launchers. Based on IDF estimates, this amounts to more than half of Iran's known launcher inventory. Prime Minister Netanyahu said that Israel had destroyed about 1 000 Iranian drones, about half of the regime's stockpile. On 16 June 2025, the IDF attacked the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) studio during a live broadcast in Tehran. Coordinated attacks destroyed two Iranian F-14 fighter jets before takeoff, key missile infrastructure, and a truck carrying a surface-to-air missile (SAM) between Tehran and Qom. These actions were confirmed by JINSA's 17 June 2025 report. Iran targeted Israel with several waves of ballistic missiles and drones on June 17. Shortly before impact, Israel's Home Front Command sent out alerts. A direct missile strike forced the Bazan refinery in Haifa to close temporarily. Civilians in Tel Aviv were injured by falling shrapnel from missile interceptions. These incidents marked a sharp increase in regional violence, prompting emergency responses and increased security measures across Israeli cities and vital infrastructure. Amid rising Israel-Iran tensions, the United States increased its military presence in the Middle East on 17 June 2025. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the deployment, including the USS Nimitz, USS Carl Vinson, refuelling tankers, F-16s, F-22s, and F-35 fighter jets. Officials told Reuters that the move aims to protect American forces, deter Iran, stabilise the area, and expand President Trump's military options if the conflict worsens. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Nutrition rehab centre opens for malnourished kids
Lucknow: A new facility aimed at improving the care and recovery of malnourished children was inaugurated at Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS). The Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), set up at RPG Mother and Child Hospital, Shaheed Path campus, is designed to provide treatment, family education and research-based interventions for children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) . The centre includes specialised clinical wards, a therapeutic kitchen, counselling rooms and a play area for children. It is intended to serve both as a treatment facility and a training and research platform for health professionals working in the field of child nutrition. NRC nodal officer Dr Sheetanshu Srivastava said that the centre is meant to go beyond medical treatment. "The objective is not only to manage malnutrition but to support families through education and evidence-based care strategies," she said during a guided tour of the facility. The inauguration ceremony was attended by officials from the health department, development partners and institutional representatives. Dr Deepti Agrawal welcomed the guests and spoke about the importance of establishing such a centre. Speakers including programme manager at UNICEF , Dr Amit Mehrotra and director general of family welfare, Dr Sushma Singh highlighted the need for coordinated efforts to address malnutrition among children under the age of five. RMLIMS director Prof CM Singh described NRC as a step to strengthen institutional capacity for public health. He said that the centre reflects a commitment to clinical quality and community support. Chief guest , mission director of National Health Mission, UP, Dr Pinky Jowel said the centre haf the potential to address long-standing gaps in the care of infants under six months of age. As a centre of excellence, the NRC is expected to support training and research in malnutrition management , with particular attention to newborns and high-risk infants who may not respond well to conventional treatment.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Nutrition rehab centre opens for malnourished kids
Lucknow: A new facility aimed at improving the care and recovery of malnourished children was inaugurated at Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS). The Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), set up at RPG Mother and Child Hospital, Shaheed Path campus, is designed to provide treatment, family education and research-based interventions for children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). The centre includes specialised clinical wards, a therapeutic kitchen, counselling rooms and a play area for children. It is intended to serve both as a treatment facility and a training and research platform for health professionals working in the field of child nutrition. NRC nodal officer Dr Sheetanshu Srivastava said that the centre is meant to go beyond medical treatment. "The objective is not only to manage malnutrition but to support families through education and evidence-based care strategies," she said during a guided tour of the facility. The inauguration ceremony was attended by officials from the health department, development partners and institutional representatives. Dr Deepti Agrawal welcomed the guests and spoke about the importance of establishing such a centre. Speakers including programme manager at UNICEF, Dr Amit Mehrotra and director general of family welfare, Dr Sushma Singh highlighted the need for coordinated efforts to address malnutrition among children under the age of five. RMLIMS director Prof CM Singh described NRC as a step to strengthen institutional capacity for public health. He said that the centre reflects a commitment to clinical quality and community support. Chief guest , mission director of National Health Mission, UP, Dr Pinky Jowel said the centre haf the potential to address long-standing gaps in the care of infants under six months of age. As a centre of excellence, the NRC is expected to support training and research in malnutrition management, with particular attention to newborns and high-risk infants who may not respond well to conventional treatment.
