Concern over byproduct of disinfectants found in U.S. drinking water

Concern over byproduct of disinfectants found in U.S. drinking water

Researchers have identified a new chemical in U.S. drinking water, which is thought to be a by-product of the disinfectants used for decades to clean water of bacteria and water-borne illnesses. Scientists have recommended more research into the previously unknown compound to work out if it poses a threat to public health. Caroline Malone reports.

November 25, 2024 16

Health / Medical

S.A. Health Authority Warns of Dangerous Counterfeit Diabetes Medication

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has sounded the alarm over counterfeit diabetes medication. There is a rise in particularly GLP-1 products like Ozempic, being sold through unauthorised channels. SAHPRA's Madimetja Mashishi says these fake medications pose serious health risks as they lack quality checks. He urges the public to buy only registered products:

November 14, 2024 17

World

Delhi’s pollution levels rise to “severe” category

Residents of India's capital New Delhi have woken up to a thick layer of toxic smog blanketing their city. With winter approaching, the air quality there has dipped to what officials call severe levels. Correspondent Ishan Garg tells us more.

November 13, 2024 48

Health / Medical

No-sleep challenge: the dangers of sleep deprivation

Antonio Guillem/Shutterstock By Adam Taylor, Lancaster University Most of us will be all too familiar with that dopey, groggy feeling of being tired after a restless night. Some social media users have taken tiredness to the extreme, however, by taking part in what they call a “no-sleep challenge.” One 19-year-old Youtuber, Norme, live streamed his attempt to break a world record for consecutive days without sleep. At the […]

September 10, 2024 23

Africa

Mpox in the DRC: children are at high risk – health expert explains why

By Nadia Adjoa Sam-Agudu, University of Minnesota The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that children, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems are at higher risk from the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Reports confirm that children under five account for 39% of all cases in the country, and babies as young as two weeks are being diagnosed with this viral illness. Nadia […]

September 2, 2024 40

Health / Medical

Heat risk isn’t just about the highs: Large daily temperature swings can harm human health – maps show who is affected most

Low-income neighborhoods with lots of concrete and few trees can heat up faster than surrounding areas. AP Photo/Richard Vogel By Shengjie Liu, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and Emily Smith-Greenaway, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences This summer has shown how quickly high temperatures can pose serious health risks, with record-breaking heat waves claiming thousands of lives around the world. However, it’s not just high […]

August 7, 2024 26

Africa

Bacteria and plants could help clean up toxic waste from gold mines – South African study

By Alseno Kagiso Mosai, University of Pretoria and Hlanganani Tutu, University of the Witwatersrand Highly toxic metals are leaking out of nine abandoned mines in Krugersdorp, 32km west of Johannesburg, South Africa. The metals include uranium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium and mercury. This acid mine drainage – when water mixes with heavy metals in mines and then flows out into the environment – poses grave […]

August 1, 2024 20

Environment

Heat waves can be deadly for older adults: An aging global population and rising temperatures mean millions are at risk

Older adults face health risks from high heat for many reasons, including medications. AP Photo/Manu Fernandez By Deborah Carr, Boston University; Enrica De Cian, Ca' Foscari University of Venice; Giacomo Falchetta, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, and Ian Sue Wing, Boston University A deadly heat wave gripped large regions of Asia for weeks in April and May 2024. As temperatures climbed past 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius) […]

May 23, 2024 38

Africa

Diet and nutrition: how well Tanzanians eat depends largely on where they live

By Hannah Ameye, University of Bonn Cities are growing faster in sub-Saharan Africa than elsewhere, with an annual urban population growth rate of around 4% compared to the world average of 1.5%. Across the continent the urban share of the total population is projected to increase to 50% by 2030 and 60% by 2050. Urbanisation is associated with lifestyle changes such as less physical activity and less […]

April 9, 2024 32