Alphawave agrees £1.8bn takeover by America's Qualcomm
Outrage as boy, 8, turned away from treatment at London NHS clinic 'because he attends private school'
Outrage as boy, 8, refused NHS treatment 'for going to private school'
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Cambrian News
21 minutes ago
- Cambrian News
'Serious concern' over downgrade of Llanidloes hospital
The changes, which came in in December 2024, were initially slated to last for a six month temporary period and the Health Board promised a 'full and proper consultation' with the local community during the trial period of the hospital being used as a 'ready-to-go-home-unit'.
Daily Mail
21 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Health snacks loved by young people shockingly linked to risk of sudden strokes, heart attacks
A popular sweetener used in protein bars and sugar-free energy drinks could raise your risk of suffering from a stroke, a study suggests. Researchers at the University of Colorado, Boulder, exposed human cells found in the brain to erythritol in amounts they claimed mirrored a diet soda. The cells showed worrying changes within hours, including a decrease in the amount of clot-busting proteins they released, which is key for preventing strokes. Auburn Berry, a graduate student who led the research, said: 'While erythritol is widely used in sugar-free products marketed as healthier alternatives, more research is needed to fully understand its impact on vascular health. 'In general, people should be conscious of the amount of erythritol they are consuming on a daily basis.' It comes amid a mystery rise in strokes in young people, which have surged almost 15 percent among under-45s since 2011 — according to CDC data. Erythritol is a wildly popular sweetener, used in drinks including Vitaminwater Zero sugar, Monster Zero and Arizona Iced Tea, and in Quest protein bars. It is also found in the sweetener truvia, which is often added to coffee as a sugar replacement. Although the new study was small and used isolated cells, it adds to the growing body of evidence raising concern about the sweetener. A 2023 Cleveland Clinic study tracked 4,000 people found those who consume erythritol were more likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke or early death. The new study was published in the Journal of Applied Physiology. Researchers isolated human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells — cells that line blood vessels in the brain. After exposing them to erythritol for three hours in a lab, the researchers identified several damaging changes. These included the cells producing 75 percent more compounds that can damage them and surrounding tissue. And they also produced about 20 percent less of a compound used to help blood vessels relax, allowing more blood to flow through and minimizing the risk of a clot. Researchers also noted that erythritol decreased the production of a clot-busting protein called t-PA, which can dissolve clots and help prevent strokes. In their conclusion, they said the sweetener 'potentially contributes to [an] increased risk of ischemic stroke'. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching brain tissue. This can cause brain cells to die within minutes. Limitations of the study include that it was carried out in a lab outside the human body, which may not mirror internal conditions. For example, it was not clear how much of the sweetener is typically absorbed by these cells in people. The study also exposed the cells to the equivalent of 30 grams of erythritol. The researchers claimed this was 'equivalent to the typical amount... in an artificially sweetened beverage.' But the stated amount of sweetener in the beverages typically falls below this threshold. For example, Monster Energy Zero contains about two grams of erythritol — according to consumer website Open Food Facts. Meanwhile Vitaminwater says less than one percent of its 500 milliliter (ml) bottles contain erythritol, or less than five grams. Quest protein bars also contain up to five grams of erythritol each, according to the company's website. Erythritol is about 70 percent as sweet as sugar but contains six percent of the calories. It can be found in small amounts naturally in some foods, but in diet sodas is often made from processing corn. It also isn't easily processed by the body, meaning it is often passed out through urine. Some may, however, be stored in the body — where its effects can build-up overtime. It was approved by the FDA as safe for foods in 2001 The study comes amid a concerning rise in strokes among young Americans, with previous work blaming this on increased stress, a more sedentary lifestyle and higher drug use than past generations. Obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes also play a role — all three are more prevalent in young people today than historically. In previous research from last year, scientists also found that when people are given the sweetener erythritol, cells in their blood that cause clotting become more active. Specifically, they found the sweetener caused platelets in the blood to become activated and stick together, forming clots.
South Wales Argus
21 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Younger women could have cervical screening every five years instead of three
The changes mean that, from next month, women aged 25 to 49 in England who are negative for human papillomavirus (HPV) will receive screening invites every five years. The move has been recommended by the UK National Screening Committee and is based on analysis from King's College London showing five-yearly screening is just as safe as three-yearly, with the same number of cancers found. HPV is a sexually-transmitted group of viruses which cause no symptoms. Around 13 high-risk types of HPV are known to cause 99.7% of all cervical cancers. As at present, any woman who has HPV or has a recent history of HPV will continue to be invited to more frequent screenings to check the virus has cleared and, if not, to check for cell changes in the cervix. In a written statement to Parliament, health minister Ashley Dalton said the new change 'increases the opportunities to test and recall women and people with a cervix who have HPV, while extending the cervical screening intervals from three to five years in England for individuals who have a negative HPV test. 'This will bring England's cervical screening intervals in line with those of Wales and Scotland.' She said the NHS screening programme in England provides all women between the ages of 25 and 64 'with the opportunity to be screened routinely to detect HPV infection or cervical abnormalities at an early, more treatable stage'. She added: 'The aim of the programme is to reduce the number of women who develop invasive cervical cancer and reduce the number who die from it.' Ms Dalton said testing negative for HPV means the chances of developing cancer within five years are very small, as it can take around 10 years or more from the time HPV is detected to developing cervical cancer. She added: 'Those who test positive for HPV are already being followed up with yearly testing. 'This is important to ensure that individuals are monitored for any early signs of cervical abnormalities and provided the necessary treatment.' Experts have been concerned about falling numbers of women under 50 attending cervical screening, with around a third in England not taking up their invitations. Dr Sue Mann, NHS national clinical director for women's health, said: 'Taking a more personalised approach to cervical screening will help ensure everyone eligible can make the most of these life-saving services, while sparing women appointments that they don't need. 'The NHS is following robust evidence on how often women need to be safely screened, and by putting invitations and reminders straight in women's pockets on their phones, we're making it easier than ever to take up screening appointments. 'Make sure you come forward for your screening when you're invited, even if it was weeks, months or years ago. If you think you are due but have not yet had an invitation, speak to your GP practice.' Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: 'We welcome this change to cervical screening in England, which is the result of years of vital research to make screening more effective and has shown it is safe to extend the time between tests. 'Screening, alongside the roll out of the HPV vaccine – which Cancer Research UK scientists helped develop – have seen cervical cancer rates drop by around a quarter since the early 1990s, and we look forward to even more progress. 'If you notice any unusual changes for you, do not wait for a screening invitation – speak to your doctor.' Athena Lamnisos, chief executive of the Eve Appeal, said: 'We want every eligible person to feel empowered to attend a vaccination and cervical screening appointment when they are invited so we can achieve the brilliant ambition of eliminating cervical cancer.'
