Globe Magazine

25/05/2025

Spina bifida is a condition that starts in the womb, usually within the first month of pregnancy, when a baby's spine doesn’t close all the way. This leaves part of the spinal cord and nerves exposed or bulging out through the back. It’s a type of neural tube defect, and while it can range from mild to severe, the most serious form is called myelomeningocele—where both the spinal cord and its protective layers stick out through the gap in the spine.

Children born with this condition may have trouble walking, weakness or even paralysis in the legs, and issues controlling their bladder or bowels. In some cases, they also develop hydrocephalus, which is a buildup of fluid in the brain that can lead to learning problems or developmental delays. The severity depends on where and how big the spinal opening is. The exact cause isn’t completely known, but researchers believe it’s a mix of genetics and environmental risks.

One big factor is a lack of folic acid in the mother’s diet before and during early pregnancy. Other risks may include obesity, diabetes, or certain medications taken during pregnancy. Although spina bifida can’t be cured, early treatments like surgery, physical therapy, and assistive devices can help kids lead active, healthy lives.

25/05/2025

Have you ever noticed the quiet presence of a snake plant in a bedroom and wondered why it’s so beloved?

Beyond its beauty, the snake plant serves as a gentle reminder of the interconnectedness between all living things.

Its ability to purify the air and release oxygen during the night speaks to the healing power of nature, aligning with ancient wisdom that teaches us the importance of balance and harmony.

Incorporating this plant into your space is more than just an aesthetic choice—it’s a step toward creating a healthier, more conscious environment.

By welcoming the snake plant, we invite renewal, clarity, and a deeper connection with the Earth’s life force.

We encourage you to reflect on how nature’s gifts resonate with your own journey of self-discovery. Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences with us.

25/05/2025

Tension headaches

These are sometimes called “tension-type” headaches. They result from muscle tension in the shoulders, neck, scalp, or jaw.

Tension headaches are one of the most commonTrusted Source types of primary headaches. Globally, up to 78%Trusted Source of people experience one at some point. They often startTrusted Source during a person’s teenage years.

Symptoms and location

Tension headaches typically involveTrusted Source a pressing, dull pain. People sometimes refer to these as “hatband” headaches because the pain typically occurs around the back of the head, the temples, and the forehead, almost as if a tight hat is squeezing the head.

The pain is usually mild to moderate but not severe. It often comes on without warning and can last from 30 minutes to several days.

Tension-type headaches may trigger a migraine attack in people with a history of migraine.

Causes

ResearchersTrusted Source believe that tension headaches may occur in response to both genetic and environmental factors.

The most common cause is stress. Other possible causes include:

a lack of sleep
depression
anxiety

Migraine

Migraine affects approximately 1 billion people worldwide. It can cause a moderate to severeTrusted Source primary headache that typically occurs on one side of the head. The pain and other symptoms can keep a person from doing their daily activities.

Migraine is more common among females than males. According to a 2021 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, women were almost three times more likely than men to have been bothered by a headache or migraine in the past 3 months.

Symptoms and location

During a migraine episode, a person may have moderate to severe throbbing or pulsing pain on one side of the head. The pain may last 4–72 hoursTrusted Source and worsen with physical activity.

Some people experience migraine with aura. An aura is a set of sensory symptoms, which may includeTrusted Source:

seeing bright or flashing lights
seeing geometric patterns
having auditory hallucinations
having numbness or tingling sensations
Other symptoms of migraine can includeTrusted Source:

sensitivity to light, sounds, and smells
nausea and vomiting
weakness
unexplained mood changes
Causes

Migraine is thought to have a genetic cause since the condition tends toTrusted Source run in families.

Other factors that could trigger it include:

stress
anxiety
hormonal changes
bright or flashing lights
to***co use
sleeping too much or too little
strong smells
certain foods, such as:
chocolate
matured cheeses
processed meats

Cluster headache

Cluster headaches are a less common type of primary headache, affecting fewer than 1 in 1,000Trusted Source adults, as the WHO reports.

The organization also notes that these headaches are more common in men than women and typically develop in or after a person’s 20s.

Symptoms and location

Cluster headaches are recurring, brief headaches, typically focused in or around one eye. The pain tends to be severe and may last between 15 minutes and 3 hours. It usually occurs at night.

Cluster headaches can be episodic or chronic. Episodic cluster headaches occur repeatedly over 2 weeks to 3 months. A person may not have another for months or years.

Chronic cluster headaches persist for more than a year without a remission — or with a remission shorter than 3 months.

Other symptoms of cluster headaches include:

eye redness or watering
drooping or swelling of the eyelid
reduced pupil size in one eye
facial sweating
a runny or blocked nose
restlessness
Up to 33%Trusted Source of people with cluster headaches may also experience nerve pain.

Causes

The cause of cluster headaches is not yet clear. However, they may result from dysfunction in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which is involved in several physical functions.

Cluster headaches often develop in people who smoke.

Medication overuse headache

This is also called a rebound headache, and it is the most commonTrusted Source type of secondary headache.

A medication overuse headache results from excessive use of pain relief medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and opiates. It typically develops in people who have been taking large doses of pain relievers for at least 3 months.

For someone with a medication overuse headache, the pain is typically dull and constant, occurring on most days. The location of the pain varies from person to person.

Other possible symptoms include:

nausea
vomiting
stomach pain
diarrhea
disturbed sleep
restlessness

Sinus headache

The sinuses are a network of air-filled cavities in the skull. The main sinuses sit inside the forehead, cheekbones, and nasal cavity. A sinus headache is a secondary headache, and the pain affects one or more of these areas.

Sinus headaches are usually a symptom of a sinus infection, and this type of infection is often bacterial.

Other possible symptoms of a sinus infection include:

a runny nose
green nasal discharge
tenderness in the area
painful teeth
bad breath
coughing
a fever
fatigue
Post-traumatic headache

This is a secondary headache that occurs in response to head trauma.

Post-traumatic headaches are the most commonTrusted Source acute symptom after a traumatic brain injury. Experts estimate that around 18–58%Trusted Source of people with this type of brain injury experience a post-traumatic headache within the next year. However, the headache usually develops within 7 daysTrusted Source of the injury.

A post-traumatic headache is often mild to moderate, and the pain may be pressing or dull. It frequently occurs in the following locations:

temples
forehead
neck
Less often, the headache may occur at the back and top of the head and around the eyes.

Other possible symptoms includeTrusted Source:

nausea
vomiting
sensitivity to light and sound
impaired cognitive function
anxiety
depression
urinary incontinence
Underlying health conditions

Less commonly, some headaches can be caused by a serious underlying health condition such asTrusted Source:

a brain tumor
meningitis
a brain aneurysm (unruptured or ruptured)
a spinal fluid leak
stroke
If a person has a sudden and severe headache that is accompanied by other symptoms such as a head injury, loss of vision, sudden memory problems, or a fever, they should seek urgent care.

Frequently asked questions

How can I identify my headache?

A person may beTrusted Source able to identify their headache by the following factors:

location of the pain
whether it’s a throbbing, stabbing, or dull pain
duration of the headache
accompanying symptoms
triggers
frequency
What kind of headaches should I worry about?

A person should seek immediate medical attention if their headache is sudden and severe and is accompanied by the following symptoms:

a head injury
loss of vision
drowsiness
sudden problems with speech or memory
a fever
What does a dehydration headache feel like?

A dehydration headache may be felt at the front, back, on one side, or throughout the entire head. Movement or walking often makes a dehydration headache worse or more painful.

25/05/2025

New research has shown that intermittent calorie restriction (IER), a fasting-style diet, can lead to significant changes in both the brain and gut, potentially offering a new approach to tackling obesity. A study in China involved 25 obese participants who followed an IER program for 62 days, which included alternating between calorie restriction and fasting days. On average, participants lost 7.6 kilograms (about 16.8 pounds) or 7.8% of their body weight. Beyond weight loss, researchers also observed shifts in brain activity and changes in the gut microbiome, which could hold the key to better understanding obesity.

The study, led by health researcher Qiang Zeng, revealed that IER influenced brain regions related to appetite regulation and addiction, such as the inferior frontal orbital gyrus. Using fMRI scans, they found that these brain areas became more active during and after weight loss. At the same time, changes in gut bacteria were linked to these brain activities. Specific bacteria, like Coprococcus comes and Eubacterium hallii, were associated with reduced brain activity in regions controlling executive functions like willpower and food control.

These findings suggest a complex relationship between the gut microbiome and the brain, where the gut could influence brain regions that regulate eating behavior, and vice versa. Understanding this interaction could lead to new ways of controlling food intake and improving weight management, offering hope for a more effective approach to treating obesity.

25/05/2025

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking cancer treatment using smart immune cells called EchoBack CAR T-cells, which are guided by ultrasound to fight solid tumors more effectively. Unlike traditional CAR T-cell therapy, which has been successful for blood cancers but struggles with solid tumors, this new version is designed to overcome key challenges like T-cell exhaustion and the risk of attacking healthy tissue.

EchoBack CAR T-cells work by being reprogrammed to target cancer cells specifically. After being altered in a lab, they are reintroduced into the patient’s body. The breakthrough comes from using focused ultrasound as an “on switch” for these cells. A brief ultrasound pulse activates the cells, allowing them to stay aggressive against tumors for up to five days, far longer than previous versions, which lasted only about 24 hours. This prolonged action makes treatments much less frequent, potentially requiring only biweekly treatments rather than daily ones.

The key to their success is a powerful feedback loop that allows the cells to recognize and kill cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. As the EchoBack CAR T-cells attack tumors, they naturally wind down once the job is done, reducing the risk of harm. This smarter, safer approach represents a major step forward in cancer treatment, especially for challenging solid tumors.

25/05/2025

25/05/2025

25/05/2025