17 h. ago Owning dog or cat could preserve some brain functions as we age, study says

Fish or bird ownership showed no significant link to slower cognitive decline in study with implications for ageing societiesAs Britain’s population ages and dementia rates climb, scientists may have found an unexpected ally in the fight against cognitive decline.Cats and dogs may be exercising more than just your patience: they could be keeping parts of your brain ticking over too. In a potential breakthrough for preventive health, researchers have found that owning a four-pawed friend is linked to slower cognitive decline by potentially preserving specific brain functions as we grow older. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Study shows sharp drop in team sports among women by age of 21

New research shows that only seven per cent of women in the UK take part in team sports, with most hanging up their boots by the age of 21, as they juggle work and family life

Politics

4 d. ago Think you’re cool? Here are the six boxes you’ll have to tick

Are you extroverted, hedonistic, powerful? Then you’re halfway there, according to a study of 6,000 people in six continentsName: Cool.Age: The Fonz was the embodiment of cool, and Happy Days started in 1974. But the concept of cool began earlier, among rebellious subcultures, including jazz musicians in the 1940s and beatniks in the 1950s. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Pet owners rush to claim free flea treatment as UK heatwave sees pests rise

Itch offers a monthly subscription service to ensure pet owners remember to give their cat or dog regular flea treatment, with the first month free for new customers

Politics

9 d. ago One in four young people in England have mental health condition, NHS survey finds

Rates are three times as high in young women as in young men and mental ill health up across age groups, study showsSharp rises in rates of anxiety, depression and other disorders have led to one in four young people in England having a common mental health condition, an NHS survey shows, with young women nearly three times more likely to report them than young men.The study found that rates of such conditions in 16- to 24-year-olds have risen by more than a third in a decade, from 18.9% in 2014 to 25.8% in 2024.More than a fifth (22.6%) of adults aged 16 to 64 have a common mental health condition, up from 18.9% in 2014.More than one in four adults (25.2%) reported having had suicidal thoughts during their lifetime, including about a third of 16- 24-year-olds (31.5%) and 25- to 34-year-olds (32.9%).Self-harm rates have quadrupled since 2000 and risen from 6.4% in 2014 to 10.3% in 2024, with the highest rates among 16- to 24-year-olds at 24.6%, especially young women at 31.7%. Conti...

Politics

9 d. ago UK study shows 8% of children aged eight to 14 have viewed online pornography

Ofcom says research shows need for stricter age checks being introduced in July, which most major sites have signed up toNearly one in 10 children aged eight to 14 have watched online pornography, according to the UK’s communications watchdog, as most adult content providers gear up to adopt stronger age checks ahead of a 25 July deadline.Ofcom published research showing that 8% of children aged eight to 14 in the UK had visited an online pornography site or app over a month-long period. Boys aged 13 to 14 were the most likely viewers, with two out of 10 visiting adult sites. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Study casts doubt over theory that Stone Age Ireland was ruled by incestuous ‘god

Previous research suggested elites lived like other royal dynasties found in ancient Egypt or the Andes

Politics

1 week ago Warning to cat and dog owners over deadly toxins in 'medicine'

The alert comes after pets have been left fighting for their lives

Events

2 w. ago High blood sugar and pressure can be lowered by eating these carbohydrate

Women who eat a higher-quality carb diet are up to 37% more likely to age healthily, according to a new study

Events

4 w. ago Brits more likely to say 'yes' to new opportunities at age 27, study finds

The average adult typically declines something up to twice a week, but research shows that at age 27, they are most likely to say "yes" to new opportunities.

Politics

4 w. ago Brits are most likely to say ‘yes’ to new opportunities at the age of 27

Brits are most likely to say ‘yes’ to new opportunities at the age of 27, a study has found.

Politics

4 w. ago Poorer children more likely to age faster than affluent counterparts, study finds

Biological disadvantages may be shaped in first decade of a child’s life depending on family affluenceChildren from poorer backgrounds are more likely to experience biological disadvantages such as ageing faster than their more affluent counterparts, according to a study.Academics at Imperial College London looked at data from 1,160 children aged between six and 11 from across Europe, for the study published in the Lancet. The children were scored using an international scale of family affluence, which is based on a number of factors including whether a child had their own room and the number of vehicles per household. Continue reading...

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last month Weight loss drugs linked to higher risk of eye damage in diabetic patients

Study finds medicines such as Ozempic associated with greater risk of developing age-related macular degenerationWeight loss drugs could at least double the risk of diabetic patients developing age-related macular degeneration, a large-scale study has found.Originally developed for diabetes patients, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) medicines have transformed how obesity is treated and there is growing evidence of wider health benefits. They help reduce blood sugar levels, slow digestion and reduce appetite. Continue reading...

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