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Scientific American
8 hours ago
- Health
- Scientific American
Heatstroke and Extreme Heat can Hurt Health in the Long-Term, Too
A pleasant summer day spent hiking, playing beach volleyball or even running errands can turn nightmarish if heatstroke suddenly strikes. When the heat of the environment and a person's body temperature are too high for too long, the chances of heatstroke skyrocket. The condition's short-term effects are well known: heatstroke can lead to dizziness, nausea, elevated heart rate and even death. But scientists are just beginning to understand potential health issues seen further down the road, long after your body temperature gets back to baseline. 'Heat affects health more deeply than we often realize and not just during heat waves,' says Vivekanand Jha, a nephrologist and executive director of the George Institute for Global Health, India. 'Everyday heat exposure adds up, especially for people with chronic illnesses or those doing [outdoor] physical work.' Heat's Lasting Tolls on the Body On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. Heatstroke typically happens when internal body temperature rises above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) and the heart can no longer maintain a stable internal body temperature. Blood oxygen levels decrease, circulation begins to fail, and an inflammatory response kicks in. While most people who recover from heatstroke feel back to normal within two days, heat can have insidious effects that linger in many parts of the body, including the kidneys, heart, brain and perhaps even the immune system. Extreme or prolonged heat exposure over the course of days or weeks can be particularly dangerous for people with preexisting health conditions. For example, a 2024 study in the Lancet followed the health of people with chronic kidney disease living in the hottest countries—places with temperatures of 86 degree F (30 degrees C) or higher for more than 10.5 percent of the year. Those individuals experienced up to an 8 percent additional drop in kidney function each year compared with those living in temperate climates. 'Heat affects health more deeply than we often realize and not just during heat waves.' —Vivekanand Jha, nephrologist, George Institute for Global Health Even for healthy individuals without preexisting conditions, extreme heat exposure might wreak havoc on the brain. Heatstroke in particular has been associated with specific types of long-term cognitive impairment, including aphasia, and damage to neurons in the cerebellum, hippocampus and midbrain. Little is known about the lingering effects on the brain, but this neuron damage could be associated with headaches, motor speech disorders and lack of muscle coordination observed in some heatstroke survivors. Heat may have lasting negative effects on learning outcomes in young people, according to a review study published on Wednesday in PLOS Climate. Using a dataset of nearly 14.5 million students across 61 countries, researchers found that long-term heat exposure especially weakens students' learning of complex subjects, including mathematics. The good news is that air-conditioning and ventilation seem to mitigate this heat-associated learning loss. The heart also seems to undergo lingering stress after heatstroke. Studies have shown that previously healthy people have an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases —including ischemic heart disease, heart failure and atrial fibrillation—after experiencing heatstroke. Heart dysfunction appears to be a leading cause of heatstroke-induced deaths in the long term. How to Stay Safe in the Heat Despite the valid long-term concerns over heatstroke, research has shown that getting some exposure to heat can prove helpful for the average healthy person as long as it doesn't escalate, says Jennifer Vanos, a biometeorologist at Arizona State University. 'It actually can make us more resistant to heat,' she says. 'Physiologically, by safely exposing ourselves, we can become more acclimatized.' Some conditions, such as combined high heat and humidity, however, are often too extreme for people to safely adapt to. There are many tips and tricks to avoid overheating. 'I really try to get people to better notice how the heat makes them feel at different intensities and when doing different activities—essentially getting people to be more perceptive of their own thermal tolerance and comfort in the heat,' Vanos says. When you start feeling overheated, splashing water on your face or dipping just your feet in a cool bath can allow more heat to either evaporate into the air or transfer into the water. Saving physical activity for the early morning or late evening can help you avoid the strongest midday sun, and taking breaks to rest for five to 10 minutes will keep your body temperature from hitting a dangerous peak. Keeping your house cool by using blackout curtains or efficient combinations of fans and air-conditioning can also go a long way in preventing extreme heat exposure. On a broader scale, advocating for changes in urban planning, health care and worker protections could help combat extreme heat's long-term damage. 'Given that climate change is expected to worsen, it is increasingly important for everyone to be aware of this threat to human health and take appropriate steps to mitigate its impact now at the individual household and community levels,' Jha says.
Daily Tribune
17 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Tribune
Liver cancer to double worldwide, most of it preventable: study
AFP | Paris The number of people with liver cancer will nearly double worldwide by 2050 unless more is done to address preventable causes such as obesity, alcohol consumption and hepatitis, a study warned Tuesday. New cases of liver cancer -- the sixth most common form of the disease -- will rise to 1.52 million a year from 870,000 if current trends continue, according to data from the Global Cancer Observatory published in the Lancet medical journal. It is also the third deadliest of all cancers, with the study predicting it would take 1.37 million lives by the middle of the century. However three out of five cases of liver cancer could be prevented, the international team of experts said. The risk factors are drinking alcohol, viral hepatitis and a build-up of fat in the liver linked to obesity called MASLD, which was previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The viruses that cause hepatitis B and C are expected to remain the leading causes of liver cancer in 2050, according to the study, published on World Hepatitis Day. Vaccination at birth is the best way to prevent hepatitis B, but vaccine coverage remains low in poorer countries including in sub-Saharan Africa, the study said. Unless vaccination rates are increased, hepatitis B is expected to kill 17 million people between 2015 and 2030, it added. Alcohol consumption is estimated to cause more than 21 percent of all cases of liver cancer by 2050, up more than two percentage points from 2022.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Liver cancer cases could double by 2050. A new study says 60% are preventable
Liver cancer is on the rise, but experts say it doesn't have to be this way. A new analysis published by an expert panel on liver cancer has shown that three out of five liver cancer cases worldwide are linked to preventable risk factors. These include viral hepatitis, alcohol consumption, and an increasingly common but often overlooked threat: obesity-related liver disease. Without urgent intervention, the number of liver cancer cases is expected to nearly double from 870,000 in 2022 to 1.52 million by 2050, with annual deaths rising from 760,000 to 1.37 million. But experts argue that millions of lives can be saved with targeted prevention and policy reforms. Liver cancer "is one of the most challenging cancers to treat, with five-year survival rates ranging from approximately 5 per cent to 30 per cent,' said Jian Zhou, a professor at Fudan University in China and chair of the Lancet commission. 'We risk seeing close to a doubling of cases and deaths from liver cancer over the next quarter of a century without urgent action to reverse this trend,' Zhou said in a statement. A shifting landscape of risk Traditionally associated with hepatitis infections and heavy alcohol use, liver cancer is now being increasingly driven by metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), once commonly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. MASLD is one of the most common liver conditions in Europe, affecting up to 25 per cent of the adult population, Beatrice Credi of the European Liver Patients' Association (ELPA) told Euronews Health. 'It is crucial to stress that while these risk factors are prevalent, they are often preventable or manageable with appropriate intervention,' she added, emphasising the importance of education as well as robust public health campaigns. This long-term liver condition is linked to obesity and poor metabolic health. Its more severe form, known as MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis), is the fastest-growing cause of liver cancer globally. Related Global obesity rates are surging as people gain weight younger and faster than in the past The Lancet commission projects that liver cancers linked to MASH will increase by 35 per cent, rising from 8 per cent of cases in 2022 to 11 per cent by 2050. Liver cancers related to alcohol are also expected to rise modestly. Meanwhile, cases caused by hepatitis B and C are predicted to decline slightly thanks to vaccination and improved treatment efforts. Numbers are particularly concerning in high-income countries, where obesity rates are soaring. In the United States, MASLD is expected to affect more than half of all adults by 2040, dramatically increasing liver cancer risk. According to Dr Hashem El-Serag, a professor at Baylor College of Medicine, the profile of the disease is evolving. 'Liver cancer was once thought to occur mainly in patients with viral hepatitis or alcohol-related liver disease,' he said. But with obesity on the rise, it is becoming an increasingly prominent risk factor, largely due to growing cases of excess liver fat. The prevention opportunity Despite the grim projections, the Lancet commission offers a glimmer of hope: the potential of prevention. If new liver cancer cases are reduced by 2 per cent to 5 per cent each year, it could prevent up to 17 million new cases and save as many as 15 million lives by 2050. Related EU can dodge millions of cancers by hitting tobacco, alcohol reduction targets, study claims Achieving that would require a multi-pronged global effort, including expanding hepatitis B vaccination and universal adult HBV screening, as well as tackling obesity and alcohol misuse through taxes, warning labels, and better food and beverage policies. The Lancet commission also suggests integrating liver screening into routine care for people with obesity, diabetes, and heart disease and investing in public education and early detection tools. 'As three in five cases of liver cancer are linked to preventable risk factors ... there is a huge opportunity for countries to target these risk factors, prevent cases of liver cancer, and save lives,' said Stephen Chan, lead author of the study and a professor ar the Chinese University of Hong Kong. A global call to action In Europe, recent policy shifts have increasingly emphasised prevention and early detection. The European Union's Beating Cancer Plan aims to achieve 95 per cent coverage for childhood hepatitis B vaccination and screening of pregnant women by 2030. It also encourages healthier lifestyle choices and aims to reduce exposure to known risk factors such as alcohol, tobacco, obesity, and diabetes. Related Weight-loss drugs like Wegovy could help serious liver condition that has no cure-all treatment A policy recommendation issued by the European Commission in January called for expanded uptake of preventive vaccines (specifically HPV and hepatitis B) and improved monitoring of vaccine coverage rates. But in the fight against liver cancer, the EU must also confront a less visible but equally powerful force: the commercial determinants of health, said ELPA's Beatrice Credi. 'Industries that profit from the sale of alcohol, unhealthy foods, and tobacco play a significant role in driving some of the liver cancer risk factors. Our policymakers must prioritise public health,' she told Euronews Health. She noted, however, that policies aimed at regulating these commercial influences remain weak or inconsistently enforced across the EU, with the only exception of taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages. Related Millions in Europe unknowingly living with hepatitis, health authorities warn Prevention alone is not enough. As more people are now living with liver cancer than ever before, the Lancet commission stressed the urgent need for improved care, earlier diagnosis, and better support for patients—especially in regions such as Africa and Asia, where the disease burden is highest and health care resources are limited. But Valérie Paradis, a professor at Beaujon Hospital in France, suggested effective prevention could also help ease that burden. 'Compared with other cancers, liver cancer is very hard to treat but has more distinct risk factors, which help define specific prevention strategies,' Paradis said.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Hydrogen versus battery: The cost of clean public transport
Nearly seven in 10 people in developing countries are expected to be living in cities by 2050 given rapid urbanisation. While urban growth provides greater access to jobs and essential services, it also brings challenges with it such as traffic congestion and air pollution, which significantly impact health. In India, a Lancet study reports that from 2008 to 2019, short-term exposure to PM2.5 particles accounted for nearly 30,000 deaths annually across 10 major cities, representing 7.2% of all deaths. This includes around 5,100 deaths per year in Mumbai, 4,678 in Kolkata, and 2,870 in Chennai. The chart shows the number of deaths attributable to PM2.5 exposure every year in the 2008-2019 period These alarming figures have prompted many cities, including Cairo (Egypt), Dakar (Senegal), Santiago (Chile), and Bogotá (Colombia), to explore cleaner public transport options. As a result, demand for electric vehicles (EVs) has risen globally. By 2023, there were 40 million electric cars on the world's roads — a 35% increase from the previous year. However, EVs still represent only a small share of total global vehicles. The chart shows electric car sales from 2012 to 2024. Over half of global sales took place in China, followed by Europe and the U.S., with other regions contributing a much smaller share. While battery electric vehicles (BEVs) dominate the market, Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) present an alternative with several advantages — they have a longer driving range due to higher energy density, can refuel in just 5-15 minutes, and are generally lighter than battery-powered vehicles. They are particularly suitable for long-distance travel, rugged terrain, and extreme cold. However, FCEVs remain rare, with only 93,000 units globally — equating to just one hydrogen vehicle for every 330 battery-powered ones. This is largely due to their high initial and operational costs. The chart shows the initial cost of various vehicles. As shown in the chart, fuel cell buses and trucks cost 20–30% more than their battery-electric counterparts. Nonetheless, prices for both are expected to converge by 2030 as technology improves. Operational costs, however, remain a concern. The chart highlights the cost per kilometre for various vehicle types. Diesel buses cost about $0.27 per km, while electric buses cost only $0.17, making them more economical despite their higher upfront cost. In contrast, hydrogen fuel cell buses are significantly more expensive to operate. Blue hydrogen, produced from natural gas, costs $0.84 per km, while green hydrogen, derived from renewable sources, costs $0.91 per km. Experts predict that the initial cost of hydrogen vehicles will match that of battery-electric vehicles within the next five years. However, their operational costs are expected to remain high, even beyond 2030. In India, the adoption of EVs is progressing at a steady pace. EVs accounted for approximately 5% of total vehicle sales in 2023. Electric car registrations rose by 70% year-on-year to 80,000 units compared to just a 10% growth in overall car sales. However, the most rapid growth was in the three-wheeler segment, where India accounted for nearly 60% of global electric three-wheeler sales. In fact, in 2023, India surpassed China to become the largest market for electric three-wheelers, with over 0.58 million units sold. India also ranks as the world's second-largest market for electric two-wheelers, with 0.88 million units sold in 2023. But this figure is significantly lower than China's 6 million units. Notably, China, India, and ASEAN countries dominate the global market for electric two- and three-wheelers, while all other regions combined contribute less than 5% to global sales in these categories. The data for the charts and story were sourced from World Bank Blogs, LANCET and lEA's Global EV Outlook 2024
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Liver cancer cases could double by 2050. A new study says 60% are preventable
Liver cancer is on the rise, but experts say it doesn't have to be this way. A new analysis published by an expert panel on liver cancer has shown that three out of five liver cancer cases worldwide are linked to preventable risk factors. These include viral hepatitis, alcohol consumption, and an increasingly common but often overlooked threat: obesity-related liver disease. Without urgent intervention, the number of liver cancer cases is expected to nearly double from 870,000 in 2022 to 1.52 million by 2050, with annual deaths rising from 760,000 to 1.37 million. But experts argue that millions of lives can be saved with targeted prevention and policy reforms. Liver cancer "is one of the most challenging cancers to treat, with five-year survival rates ranging from approximately 5 per cent to 30 per cent,' said Jian Zhou, a professor at Fudan University in China and chair of the Lancet commission. 'We risk seeing close to a doubling of cases and deaths from liver cancer over the next quarter of a century without urgent action to reverse this trend,' Zhou said in a statement. A shifting landscape of risk Traditionally associated with hepatitis infections and heavy alcohol use, liver cancer is now being increasingly driven by metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), once commonly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. MASLD is one of the most common liver conditions in Europe, affecting up to 25 per cent of the adult population, Beatrice Credi of the European Liver Patients' Association (ELPA) told Euronews Health. 'It is crucial to stress that while these risk factors are prevalent, they are often preventable or manageable with appropriate intervention,' she added, emphasising the importance of education as well as robust public health campaigns. This long-term liver condition is linked to obesity and poor metabolic health. Its more severe form, known as MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis), is the fastest-growing cause of liver cancer globally. Related Global obesity rates are surging as people gain weight younger and faster than in the past The Lancet commission projects that liver cancers linked to MASH will increase by 35 per cent, rising from 8 per cent of cases in 2022 to 11 per cent by 2050. Liver cancers related to alcohol are also expected to rise modestly. Meanwhile, cases caused by hepatitis B and C are predicted to decline slightly thanks to vaccination and improved treatment efforts. Numbers are particularly concerning in high-income countries, where obesity rates are soaring. In the United States, MASLD is expected to affect more than half of all adults by 2040, dramatically increasing liver cancer risk. According to Dr Hashem El-Serag, a professor at Baylor College of Medicine, the profile of the disease is evolving. 'Liver cancer was once thought to occur mainly in patients with viral hepatitis or alcohol-related liver disease,' he said. But with obesity on the rise, it is becoming an increasingly prominent risk factor, largely due to growing cases of excess liver fat. The prevention opportunity Despite the grim projections, the Lancet commission offers a glimmer of hope: the potential of prevention. If new liver cancer cases are reduced by 2 per cent to 5 per cent each year, it could prevent up to 17 million new cases and save as many as 15 million lives by 2050. Related EU can dodge millions of cancers by hitting tobacco, alcohol reduction targets, study claims Achieving that would require a multi-pronged global effort, including expanding hepatitis B vaccination and universal adult HBV screening, as well as tackling obesity and alcohol misuse through taxes, warning labels, and better food and beverage policies. The Lancet commission also suggests integrating liver screening into routine care for people with obesity, diabetes, and heart disease and investing in public education and early detection tools. 'As three in five cases of liver cancer are linked to preventable risk factors ... there is a huge opportunity for countries to target these risk factors, prevent cases of liver cancer, and save lives,' said Stephen Chan, lead author of the study and a professor ar the Chinese University of Hong Kong. A global call to action In Europe, recent policy shifts have increasingly emphasised prevention and early detection. The European Union's Beating Cancer Plan aims to achieve 95 per cent coverage for childhood hepatitis B vaccination and screening of pregnant women by 2030. It also encourages healthier lifestyle choices and aims to reduce exposure to known risk factors such as alcohol, tobacco, obesity, and diabetes. Related Weight-loss drugs like Wegovy could help serious liver condition that has no cure-all treatment A policy recommendation issued by the European Commission in January called for expanded uptake of preventive vaccines (specifically HPV and hepatitis B) and improved monitoring of vaccine coverage rates. But in the fight against liver cancer, the EU must also confront a less visible but equally powerful force: the commercial determinants of health, said ELPA's Beatrice Credi. 'Industries that profit from the sale of alcohol, unhealthy foods, and tobacco play a significant role in driving some of the liver cancer risk factors. Our policymakers must prioritise public health,' she told Euronews Health. She noted, however, that policies aimed at regulating these commercial influences remain weak or inconsistently enforced across the EU, with the only exception of taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages. Related Millions in Europe unknowingly living with hepatitis, health authorities warn Prevention alone is not enough. As more people are now living with liver cancer than ever before, the Lancet commission stressed the urgent need for improved care, earlier diagnosis, and better support for patients—especially in regions such as Africa and Asia, where the disease burden is highest and health care resources are limited. But Valérie Paradis, a professor at Beaujon Hospital in France, suggested effective prevention could also help ease that burden. 'Compared with other cancers, liver cancer is very hard to treat but has more distinct risk factors, which help define specific prevention strategies,' Paradis said.
