Why are we about to have one of the shortest days ever?
The shortest day on record occurred on 5 July 2024, measuring 1.66 milliseconds shorter than the average 24-hour rotation.
While the Moon's gravity typically slows Earth's rotation, there is no conclusive reason for the current acceleration, though melting polar ice caps are a suggested factor.
Scientists have proposed introducing a 'negative leap second' to compensate for the lost time, which would require adjusting all global clocks.
This would be the first time a second has been subtracted, raising concerns among experts about potential unprecedented problems for current computing infrastructure.
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The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Decade-long study finds link between this deficiency and dementia
A decade-long study by Harvard Medical School scientists suggests that a deficiency of naturally occurring lithium in the brain could be a key factor in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Published in Nature, the research found that lithium loss is one of the earliest changes leading to Alzheimer's, with reduced levels observed in patients and accelerating memory decline in mice. Scientists discovered that a new compound, lithium orotate, can bypass amyloid plaques and effectively restore memory in mice at a significantly lower dose than traditional lithium treatments. The study utilised advanced mass spectroscopy to analyse metal levels in human brain and blood samples, revealing lithium as the only metal with markedly different levels across healthy individuals and those with varying stages of dementia. These findings offer a revised understanding of Alzheimer's, proposing a new strategy for early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment, though human clinical trials are still required to confirm the results.
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Ozempic-style pill can help people lose two stone
A daily pill that works like Ozempic can help slimmers lose an average of two stone, trials have found. The study of overweight and obese adults given the drug, which targets appetite receptors, found they lost significant amounts of weight and saw improvements in heart health. Orforglipron is part of a class of medications which has shown promise turning the tide on a host of conditions, including heart disease and strokes. The medicine works by targeting the same GLP-1 receptors as the drugs Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, which are given as injections. Orforglipron is the first pill of its kind to complete phase III trials, with previous oral medications having resulted in less weight loss and requiring complex food and water restrictions. The drug is expected to be available in the UK as soon as next year at a much lower cost than weight-loss injections. Manufacturer Eli Lilly has said it is confident they would be able to launch it globally without any supply constraints. Experts have said it could prove 'game-changing' with millions more people likely to opt for pills. The results announced by Eli Lilly come from a trial of 3,127 adults who were overweight or obese, and also had a weight-related medical problem, such as high blood pressure or heart disease. The drug has already shown good results in patients with type 2 diabetes. At 72 weeks, there was average weight loss of 27. 3lbs (12.4 kilos). And six in 10 participants lost at least 10 per cent of their body weight. Separate trials have shown other injections have caused greater weight loss - with average loss of almost three and half stone (22 kilos) for those on the highest dose of Mounjaro. But the convenience of a daily pill, and a lower cost, is likely to appeal to an even greater market than those taking injections. The trial also found that orforglipron was associated with reductions in known markers of cardiovascular risk, including non-HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and systolic blood pressure in pooled analyses across all doses. Detailed results will be presented next month at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting 2025 in Vienna. Obesity affects 1 billion people worldwide Kenneth Custer, president of Eli Lilly Cardiometabolic Health, said: ' Obesity is one of the most pressing global health challenges of our time, driving global chronic disease burden and impacting more than 1 billion people worldwide.' 'With orforglipron, we're working to transform obesity care by introducing a potential once-daily oral therapy that could support early intervention and long-term disease management, while offering a convenient alternative to injectable treatments. 'With these positive data in hand, we are now planning to submit orforglipron for regulatory review by year-end and are prepared for a global launch to address this urgent public health need.' Dr Simon Cork, a senior lecturer in physiology at Anglia Ruskin University, said: 'These preliminary results on the effectiveness of orforglipron in promoting clinically significant weight loss are a positive step forward in the development of these class of drugs. 'It should be noted that their effects on weight loss are not as profound as that seen in injectable GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Wegovy, with a lower percentage weight loss and fewer people achieving 10 per cent weight loss at the highest dose. 'Nevertheless, that this medication is an oral form, rather than injectable, will likely be seen as more tolerable for many patients. The manufacturing costs are also anticipated to be significantly lower than injectable drugs, meaning these medications may be more equitable in their availability. 'It should be noted that these are preliminary, non-peer reviewed results and we will need to see the full trial methodology and data before a more comprehensive analysis can be undertaken.'
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Strong calf muscles linked to better chances of living a healthy life
If you want a leg up in the longevity stakes, start working on those calf muscles. Scientists say they can be a predictor of cardiovascular risk factors, nutritional status - and even mortality. Experts say muscular calves are a strong indicator of physical performance, especially among the elderly. Muscle decline, known as sarcopenia, generally accelerates after the age of 60 and it can lead to various health problems, including decreased mobility, increased risk of falls and fractures and reduced physical function. Sarcopenia is estimated to affect 10 to 16 per cent of the elderly worldwide and is linked to a higher likelihood of developing multiple other health issues. It is also associated with a significantly increased risk of death, with some studies reporting a 364 per cent higher risk for centenarians with sarcopenia compared to those with normal muscle mass. However, health experts say calf circumference can indicate overall health and disease risk, including sarcopenia, because it is correlated with muscle mass and fat distribution in the body. Some studies suggest looking at calf circumference compared to the circumference of a person's waist. This is because it takes into account both obesity (excess abdominal fat) and muscle mass, making it potentially a better indicator of overall health risks than BMI or waist circumference alone. To calculate your own waist-to-calf ratio (WCR), divide your waist circumference by your calf circumference. Both measurements should be taken in the same units (eg, centimeters or inches). Experts say a healthy WCR is generally around 2.4 or less, in whichever unit you are measuring in. A WCR within this range suggests a healthy balance between middle and lower body fat distribution. Ratios above 2.4 are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and circulatory diseases, while those below this range are considered healthy. One study by scientists at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Fuwai Hospital in Beijing looked at data from 37 studies involving 62,736 participants over the age of 18. From their analysis, they found that for each 1 cm (0.4 inches) increase in calf circumference, the risk of death was reduced by five per cent. In another study, led by researchers at the Catholic University of Sacred Heart in Italy, scientists discovered that calf circumference was directly linked to strength elsewhere in the body. They evaluated the relationship between calf circumference and frailty, physical performance, muscle strength, and functional status in people 80 and older. The calf circumference was measured independently at the point of greatest circumference as opposed to in ratio with a person's waist. They found physical performance and muscle strength 'significantly improved' as the calf circumference increased. They also measured the frailty of participants by grading them based on their walking speed, strength, weight, energy levels and levels of exhaustion. When the frailty grades were matched with calf circumference, they found the 'frailty index score was significantly lower among subjects with higher calf circumference'. The experts concluded that their findings support the notion that calf circumference can be an indicator of muscle mass, and potentially strength and overall fitness. They did not state if participants were overweight. Obesity can lead to larger calf circumference measurements simply due to the accumulation of fat, even if the underlying muscle mass is low. This can result in false-normal calf circumference values, potentially masking sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss) or a decline in muscle strength that would otherwise be indicated by a smaller circumference. Last year, another study out of Italy investigated the link between calf circumference and diabetes. The researchers found after analyzing data from 8,900 participants that the WCR values were higher among those with diabetes than in those without diabetes, which affects more than 37 million Americans. Further analyses were conducted to compare the average WCR among subjects with diabetes, pre-diabetes, and no diabetes. The results showed 'significant differences' in the mean values of WCR across the groups, with an average WCR of 2.4 in individuals without diabetes, 2.6 in individuals with pre-diabetes, and 2.7 in diabetic individuals. The researchers concluded: 'Muscle mass plays a crucial role in glucose metabolism and overall metabolic health. 'Indeed, sarcopenia has been linked to insulin resistance and an increased risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular complications.' Additionally, one 2022 study out of China suggests that WCR could also be used as an indicator for cognitive impairment in older adults, which is often considered a precursor to dementia. Researchers recruited 3,312 participants who were free of cognitive impairment and then in a follow-up test more than three years later, they found that 565 of these recruits had developed a decline in mental abilities that affected thinking, memory, and decision-making. From looking at their WCR they found a 'relatively stronger association with cognitive impairment compared with each circumference, suggesting maintaining both higher lean mass and lower central fat in older adults for the prevention of cognitive impairment.' Experts say that strong calf muscles, particularly the soleus muscles, play a role in pumping blood back up to the heart. This contributes to healthy blood pressure and blood flow to the brain, which are crucial for optimal cognitive function.
