Summary:

A new study reveals that encapsulated heating methods, an often-used heat simulation method, significantly increase heart rates and cardiac strain compared to natural heat exposure like those experienced during hot weathers.

Understanding how extreme heat impacts heart function is crucial for developing effective strategies to protect vulnerable groups, especially as global temperatures continue to rise.

Hyperuricemia (HU) is a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated uric acid (UA) levels in the bloodstream, commonly diagnosed when UA levels exceed 420 µmol/L (7 mg/dL) in men and 350 µmol/L (6 mg/dL) in women. Unlike other mammals, humans lack uricase, an enzyme that breaks down UA into a more soluble form, making them more susceptible to HU. The condition is influenced by genetic, dietary, and environmental factors, with contributors including purine-rich foods, metabolic dysfunctions, obesity, and impaired kidney function. HU is a significant health concern due to its strong association with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), hypertension, gout, renal dysfunction, and metabolic disorders. Despite its prevalence, treatment guidelines vary, with some organizations advocating for pharmacological intervention, while others focus on lifestyle modifications. As research advances, new insights into the genetic and environmental determinants of HU are emerging, emphasizing the need for refined diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

For adolescents struggling with substance abuse, traditional in-person interventions such as counseling are not always effective, and rural areas often lack access to these services.

A researcher at the University of Missouri is thinking outside the box, aiming to help game designers develop fun, digital games that make ditching bad habits easier by meeting adolescents where they already are: online.