public health

In a breakthrough that bridges the gap between physical and mental health, researchers at McMaster University have identified a novel link between body fat and anxiety. Published in Nature Metabolism, the study reveals how psychological stress activates fat cells in a way that directly impacts anxiety-related brain activity, offering new hope for future treatments.

For decades, planetary scientists have puzzled over a major Martian mystery: why are the strongest traces of Mars’ ancient magnetic field found almost exclusively in the planet’s southern hemisphere? A new study may finally have the answer—and it lies at the heart of the Red Planet.

Australia is facing an unusually early and potentially severe flu season, prompting strong recommendations from healthcare experts for early vaccination. Doctors across the country are warning that the influenza virus is already circulating rapidly, with cases surging significantly higher than this time last year. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian Medical Association are urging the public—especially vulnerable populations—to receive their flu shots now, before the virus reaches its expected peak in the coming winter months.

Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s controversial former president, was hospitalised on Friday after experiencing severe abdominal pain while on a regional political tour. The 70-year-old was stabilised and remains under observation at a hospital in Natal, the capital of Rio Grande do Norte state. According to his medical team, Bolsonaro is recovering well, with no signs of fever or the need for immediate surgery.

Health authorities have issued a warning after six people were hospitalised with Legionnaires’ disease following visits to Sydney’s Central Business District (CBD) over the past three weeks. NSW Health is urging anyone who has been in the area within the last 10 days to remain vigilant for symptoms of the potentially life-threatening infection.

Lyme disease continues to pose a growing public health concern, infecting an estimated 476,000 people each year in the United States alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The tick-borne illness, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, can lead to severe long-term complications, including debilitating fatigue, joint pain, and neurological issues, if left untreated. Despite decades of research and near breakthroughs, no human vaccine has yet proven commercially viable.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), or the ability of microbes to withstand medications previously effective against them, has emerged as one of the most significant global health threats. Recent studies predict that superbugs—microorganisms resistant to antibiotics—could cause up to 40 million deaths annually by 2050.

Comedian Katherine Ryan, 41, has provided her fans with a reassuring health update after undergoing a second surgery for melanoma. Just last week, Ryan revealed that doctors discovered a cancerous mole on her arm—the latest episode in her long battle with skin cancer. This marks her second experience with the potentially deadly condition, having previously had a melanoma removed when she was just 21.