A novel study has revealed a link between extreme weather and the risk of cardiovascular disease among middle-aged and older adults in 157 Chinese cities. Based on a city’s climate and location, exposure to extreme heat, cold, and precipitation each increases the risk of heart disease. The findings of the study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, published by Elsevier, provide evidence for policymakers across different regions to develop targeted strategies protecting vulnerable populations during extreme climate events.

 

Researchers have created heart monitoring sensors that conform to the skin, are comfortable, and can be worn while people are moving. With performance comparable to sensors already on the market, the new technology can be made using existing manufacturing processes.

A University of Texas at Arlington researcher is leading a new study that investigates cardio-sarcopenia—the combined loss of heart and muscle health in aging adults.

Backed by approximately 9 million euros from the Helmholtz Initiative and Networking Fund, the campaign brings together nine Helmholtz centers in a collaborative effort that bridges research, industry, government, and civil society. At the heart of this initiative are three “Solution Labs” – real-world demonstration sites where innovative water management approaches are tested and refined. These labs operate across different scales, from entire river basins to urban infrastructures and even microscopic pollutant processes. The Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) contributes with two projects: the URBAN-LE Solution Lab in Leipzig and the SOLVE initiative in the Elbe River basin.

In a clinical trial, researchers studied how aerobic exercise shapes the biology of stress. The study showed that adults who engaged in the American Heart Association’s recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week for a year significantly reduced cortisol, which is a major stress hormone. Lowering cortisol may help protect against heart disease, as well as improve sleep and mood. Results from this clinical trial highlight the importance of physical activity for stress and health.

Acoustic metamaterials can shape sound well, but most rely on rigid structures that are hard to reconcile with transparency, broadband performance and flexibility. Researchers have now developed a hydrogel metapad that brings these properties together in one platform, improving ultrasound imaging of blood vessels and the heart while suggesting new opportunities for underwater acoustics.

According to new research, the US-Israel-Iran War is striking at the heart of global food production, pushing tens of millions of people into abject poverty. Although a fragile ceasefire has temporarily halted the intense hostilities that erupted on February 28, the core problem remains unresolved: Iran’s move to disrupt the passage of trade and oil through the Strait of Hormuz, followed by the United States’ blockade of Iranian ports.