02/20/24 - #70

Author

Health Horizon. Herald Staff
February 20, 2024

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Global Food Production at Risk as Rising Temperatures Threaten Farmers’ Physical Ability to Work – New Study

  • Study: Males Born to Obese Women Are More Likely to Be Overweight at Birth and Develop Metabolic Complications in Later Life, Including Liver Disease and Diabetes

  • Study Says Reducing Homelessness by 25% Could Save Thousands of Lives From Dying by Overdose

  • Exciting Evidence That Resistance Exercise Training May Be an Accessible Alternative Therapy to Improve Anxiety and Depression Like More Established Therapies, While Also Improving Other Important Aspects of Health

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Global Food Production at Risk as Rising Temperatures Threaten Farmers’ Physical Ability to Work – New Study

A new study shows that as the world gets warmer, it's going to be harder for farmers to grow food. Scientists from universities in the US, the UK, and Australia found that by the year 2100, farmers in hot places like Pakistan and India might only be able to do about 40% of the work they do now because of the heat.

In other parts of the world that are important for growing food, like in Asia, Africa, and South America, farmers might only be able to do 70% of their work. This means they can't work as much, and there might be less food grown.

The heat doesn't just make it hard for plants and animals; it also makes it tough for farmers to work outside. The study looked at how heat affects how much work people can do. When it's cooler, people can work a lot better than when it's really hot.

Already, many farmers are not able to work as much because of the heat. The study suggests that maybe farmers could work at night or in the shade to help a little. Another idea is to use more machines to help with farming, especially in places where a lot of work is still done by hand.

This study is trying to show how important it is to find ways to help farmers as the world gets warmer, so everyone can have enough food.

WEIGHT LOSS

Study: Males Born to Obese Women Are More Likely to Be Overweight at Birth and Develop Metabolic Complications in Later Life, Including Liver Disease and Diabetes

A study shows that boys whose moms are very overweight when pregnant might be born heavier than usual. Later, they could get serious health issues like liver disease and diabetes. The University of South Australia found that this happens partly because of male hormones.

When a mom is very overweight, her unborn baby boy's body might react to male hormones in a way that makes him grow too big. This could cause problems when he's born and when he gets older.

Dr. Ashley Meakin says male hormones help boys develop male traits and grow. But too much can make a baby boy too big, which is not good for his health.

The study also found that baby girls react differently. Their bodies can turn off this hormone effect, which helps them not grow too big and lowers their risk of health problems when they grow up.

It's important for moms-to-be to stay healthy. Being very overweight can cause problems for their babies, not just when they're born but also later in life.

Professor Janna Morrison, who led the study, says eating right during pregnancy is very important. It helps babies grow just the right amount, not too small or too big.

The study tells us we need to fight obesity and teach kids to eat healthily. This can make future generations healthier, starting even before they are born. Taking extra vitamins during pregnancy might also help babies develop well.

HEALTH

Study Says Reducing Homelessness by 25% Could Save Thousands of Lives From Dying by Overdose

A new study found that if we help more people have homes, we could save almost 2,000 people from dying because of taking too much medicine or drinking too much alcohol. Researchers from the University of Georgia found that when more people are homeless, more people die from overdoses.

After the rule that stopped landlords from kicking people out ended in 2021, more people lost their homes. This made the problem worse. The study says that if we can reduce homelessness by 25%, we can save people from opioid overdoses. We can also save them from alcohol and cocaine overdoses.

David Bradford, who helped with the study, says this problem makes the drug crisis bigger. He thinks if we make sure more people have homes and help them, we can stop many of these deaths.

The study looked at information from the government about homeless people and deaths from overdoses. It showed that even a little bit of help could save many lives.

Bradford and his team say that making sure people stay in their homes is a good first step. They suggest changing some rules to make it harder for people to be kicked out of their homes. They believe with the right help and changes, we can make a big difference and save lives.

Exciting Evidence That Resistance Exercise Training May Be an Accessible Alternative Therapy to Improve Anxiety and Depression Like More Established Therapies, While Also Improving Other Important Aspects of Health

Scientists at the University of Limerick found something exciting. They learned that lifting weights, also known as resistance training, can help people feel less anxious and depressed. This kind of exercise makes you stronger, but it might also make your mind healthier.

Dr. Matthew Herring and his team worked with Professor Jacob D. Meyer. They studied how lifting weights can change the way we feel inside. They found out that this exercise could be as good as other ways people try to feel better, like talking to a therapist or taking medicine.

Even though they only looked at a few studies with not many people, the results were promising. They think that by lifting weights, our brains and bodies might change in ways that help us feel happier and less worried.

This is great news because it means there's a new, easy way for people to tackle anxiety and depression. Plus, it's good for your body too. The scientists are excited and want to learn more about how exactly this works. They hope this discovery can lead to better advice on how to use exercise to improve mental health.

In short, lifting weights might not just make you stronger—it could also be a new way to help your mind stay healthy. This could be a big deal for people looking for new ways to feel better.

✢ A Note From Hem Hero

The information in this health newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. The publishers are not responsible for any actions taken by the reader based on the information provided.