Latest news with #EurekAlert
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Is your child overweight? Study says it can be an early warning sign of heart disease
What we mistake for baby fat in children can be a sign of serious health problems. According to a study led by David Horner, University of Copenhagen, patterns of central obesity in children that are set in birth can trigger metabolic dysfunction in the early years of life. Also read | Obese kids could be prone to heart attacks: Warning signs every parent must know, simple steps to prevent it The report was presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Malaga, Spain. The release of the findings was shared by EurekAlert on their website on May 11, 2025. According to the study, around 700 children were tracked from their birth till the age of 10 to understand how their body fat can be early warning signs of severe illnesses. The researchers tracked the waist-to-height ratio of these children at the age of 14 and their frequency of health clinic visits. They observed a disturbing trend. Children whose bellies gradually expanded relative to their height, especially in the crucial early years, demonstrated elevated blood pressure, higher inflammation markers, and early signs of insulin resistance. Also read | Obesity in children: Make kids follow these healthy habits so they don't become overweight Central obesity goes beyond being overweight. This condition, manifested by excess fat in the midsection of the body, poses unique risks. For children, central obesity can have severe impact on health. Lead author Dr David Horner from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, in the release said, 'With rapidly rising rates of childhood obesity worldwide, it is important to understand how central obesity during childhood is already linked to early signs of metabolic deterioration, including elevated blood pressure and circulating biomarkers associated with future cardiometabolic disease.' Also read | Childhood obesity on rise: 6 effective ways to tackle junk food addiction in kids He further added how elevated waist-to-height ratio can be a key sign in understanding obesity's link to cardiovascular health. 'This reinforces the importance of monitoring central obesity in routine care, not only tracking weight, but specifically measures of central obesity as part of standard assessments,' added Dr David Horner. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists discover futuristic technique to produce food from an unusual source: 'A significant step'
Food-making tech invented in China isn't quite on the level of the protein resequencers in Star Trek. But it's getting closer, according to a report from EurekAlert. That's because a team from Xi'an Jiaotong University and the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, is creating a nutrient-rich, edible, single-cell protein, or SCP, from heat-trapping air pollution and electricity, per the report. "This breakthrough offers a promising solution to global food security and climate challenges by converting CO2 into valuable protein," the article, by the Eurasia Academic Publishing Group, stated. The setup has two interconnected reactors with futuristic-sounding jobs. One converts carbon dioxide into acetate using microbial electrosynthesis. The second one uses aerobic bacteria to "upgrade" the acetate to a SCP that's closer to something we'd eat, with a 74% protein content. "Surpassing traditional protein sources like fish and soybean meal," per the report. The experts described the process as being sustainable and efficient with reduced wastewater. The product could be used as an animal feed and is "a potential candidate for human nutrition," they wrote. In Star Trek, food security on Vulcan, Earth, and other worlds is basically an obsolete worry, along with money. But in the real world, both remain big challenges, making sustainable food projects worthwhile. Globally, one in 11 people, or between 713 million and 757 million folks, experience hunger. In Africa, one in five people faces food insecurity, according to the United Nations. Our overheating planet is playing a role, as well, through product disruptions, price increases, and interrupted transport, the United States Department of Agriculture reported. What's more, farm labor productivity could drop significantly by the end of the century in some parts of the planet due to rising temperatures, per a study published by Wiley. Which of these groups has the biggest role to play in reducing food waste? Grocery stores Restaurants Individuals The government Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Strange new technology could help fill the void, taking the air pollution, which is causing the planet to warm, and turning it into something useful. Elsewhere, Nestle is working to capture air pollution at its South African plant, turning it into harmless baking soda with impressive tech. University of Alberta experts are even working on improving plant-based foods with 3D printers and plasma, as another example of a science-fiction-sounding research project. The work highlights the benefits of plant-based meals, which can provide for healthier, less-polluting menus at home. Better yet, you don't need 3D printers, plasma, or reactors. If you grow your own food in a garden, for instance, you can save serious cash each year while enjoying some sunshine as you tend to your plants. The Mayo Clinic reported that gardeners often enjoy reduced stress and anxiety while pruning, weeding, and harvesting. Thanks to services like you can even share your bounty with others. In China, the team is optimistic about its ability to turn dirty fumes into healthy food. This "technology represents a significant step toward a circular carbon economy, turning greenhouse gases into nutritious food while reducing environmental impact," the team wrote, per EurekAlert. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Ancient city crumbles as looming threat begins to wreak havoc: 'Undoing in decades what took millennia of human ingenuity to create'
The ancient Egyptian city of Alexandria is increasingly succumbing to rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion. As a result, researchers fear crucial historical information could be lost, and the impacts could be far-reaching. A team from the University of Southern California examined shoreline changes in Alexandria using a three-pronged approach, according to a news release published by EurekAlert. Using satellite imagery and historical maps from 1887, 1959, and 2001, the researchers created a detailed digital map of Alexandria's densely populated urban area. They also took samples to analyze whether the soil contained low levels of isotopes, which would indicate erosion. Alexandria soil radiation scientist Ibrahim H. Saleh, one of the study's co-authors, said that "buildings are collapsing from the bottom up, as seawater intrusion erodes foundations and weakens the soil." "For centuries, Alexandria's structures stood as marvels of resilient engineering, enduring earthquakes, storm surges, tsunamis, and more," added first author Sara Fouad, a landscape architect at the Technical University of Munich. "But now, rising seas and intensifying storms … are undoing in decades what took millennia of human ingenuity to create." Alexandria is among a growing number of coastal cities in peril. For instance, in Papua New Guinea, rising sea levels have displaced tens of thousands of people. As the researchers pointed out in EurekAlert, rising seas are impacting cities in California, where saltwater intrusion has degraded water supplies, contributed to a higher cost of living, and weakened infrastructure. "Our study demonstrates that coastal buildings are at risk of collapsing even without directly encroaching on the seawater as widely believed," said corresponding author Essam Heggy, a water scientist at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Situated on the Mediterranean, Alexandria was also a hub of learning, science, and cultural exchange. If things continue on the same trajectory, the knowledge it holds could be diminished or lost because of the effects of rising global temperatures, driven higher at an unnatural rate by human activities, particularly the burning of dirty fuels. "Historic cities like Alexandria, which represent the cradle of cultural exchange, innovation, and history, are crucial for safeguarding our shared human heritage," Heggy said in the news release. "As climate change accelerates sea level rise and coastal erosion, protecting them isn't just about saving buildings; it's about preserving who we are." Do you think we still have a lot to learn from ancient cultures? Definitely Only on certain topics I'm not sure No — not really Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The USC team is advocating for nature-based solutions to mitigate the situation in Alexandria, per the release. Potential actions include building sand dunes and cultivating vegetation barriers — techniques already proven to boost climate resilience in coastal communities. Furthermore, as explained by study co-author Steffen Nijhuis, a landscape-based urbanist from the Netherlands' Delft University of Technology, this approach is cost-effective. In the long term, bringing the planet's temperatures into balance can help slow down the melting of ice sheets — a key factor contributing to rising sea levels and subsequent saltwater intrusion. As countries around the world increase their mix of nonpolluting, renewable energy, you can support these efforts by upgrading to energy-efficient appliances and unplugging electronic devices when they aren't in use. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers overcome major obstacle in development of next-generation batteries: 'A significant achievement'
A battery design that can store eight times the power per pound of common lithium-ion packs is closer to commercialization thanks to carbon nanotubes, according to a report published by EurekAlert detailing the findings from South Korea. At issue is lithium-sulfur chemistry, a promising alternative that is cost-effective, uses abundant materials, and is environmentally friendly. Those perks have researchers from the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute excited about developing the tech. A hiccup is that polysulfides generated as the battery cycles cause unneeded chemical reactions that reduce the pack's lifespan. The experts said this problem is the "biggest obstacle to commercialization." Their solution — single-walled carbon nanotubes — sounds like something that could be featured in an episode of "Ancient Aliens." While not an out-of-this-world innovation, the tech is a "next-generation material with strength surpassing steel and electrical conductivity comparable to copper," according to the South Korean team. The nanotubes are combined with "oxygen functional groups," which help stabilize the electrode. Batteries have two electrodes: an anode and a cathode. Ions move between them while charging and discharging, according to a U.S. Department of Energy description. The nanomaterial reduces the sulfur loss and supports overall battery function, the researchers found, per EurekAlert. "Our technology has not only overcome the biggest challenge of the lithium–sulfur battery through the combination of [nanotubes] and oxygen functional groups, but also achieved the design and prototype development of large-area, high-capacity flexible electrodes. This is a comprehensive result," researcher Park Jun-woo said of the findings. Lithium-sulfur work is happening in labs around the world. In Australia, a team is using the popular antiseptic Betadine as part of the chemistry. A cadre of scientists in Germany is encapsulating sulfur in a microporous polymer to prevent degradation. The research represents important benchmarks on the path toward finding a game-changing power pack. While lithium-ion batteries are powerful, reliable energy storers for electric vehicles, grid storage, and other tech, improved science can lower costs and increase performance. Improved lithium-ion cells might play a role as well, as evidenced by research from China's Guangdong University of Technology that is garnering promising results. Switching to battery-powered rides is an important part of limiting heat-trapping air pollution production, linked by NASA to increased risks for a long list of severe weather events, including wildfires. Investing in an electric bike and riding to work during the week can save you hundreds of dollars annually in fuel costs and reduce planet-warming, lung-troubling exhaust. Tax breaks might even be available to help offset the costs, depending on where you live. For the South Korean team's part, Park said in the lab report that the "foundational framework" has been put in place for the application of the group's innovation, "marking a significant achievement that opens up the practical commercialization potential of next-generation lithium–sulfur batteries." Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
