Melody Jacob

There is no doubt about it: hot coffee is better than cold. A new study has found that really hot coffee is associated with a three times increased chance of developing esophageal cancer. The findings were just published by University of Oxford experts in the International Journal of Cancer, the BBC said. It finds that it is consistent with a comparable study four years earlier; however, the sample size from this study is nearly twice as large. In a study of over 977,000 middle-aged people, researchers defined “very hot” drinks as those served at 65°C (149°F) or higher. They found that people who drank very hot coffee and tea were three times more likely to get esophageal cancer than those who drank warm liquids. And the risk was far higher if people drank 6 or more really hot drinks every day. So what is the real temperature of your coffee when you drink it? Brew with water at 205 degrees Fahrenheit, and your coffee will be 185 degrees Fahrenheit when you brew it but will dip down ...

Tech leaders Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman are joining forces with Anthropic chief Dario Amodei to advocate for a slowdown in artificial intelligence development. Writing in a recent essay, Amodei highlighted that AI progress has surged dramatically since the summer, warning that autonomous AI bot swarms could potentially take over the internet within six to twelve months. To counter this, he has introduced a three-step plan to pace the technology. But this cautious approach is not what US President Donald Trump wants, who insists on the need to retain America’s advantage over China in the global contest for AI dominance. Ria Chatterjee reports on the argument and considers the real scale of the threat Which brings us to the last question: How worried should we be?

When osteoarthritis reaches a severe stage, patients often describe the sensation as "bone-on-bone." While not a formal medical term, it accurately reflects advanced osteoarthritis, where the protective cartilage has significantly deteriorated. Cartilage serves as the essential shock absorber at the ends of bones; when it wears thin, the resulting friction leads to the deep, aching pain and stiffness that characterize the condition. While osteoarthritis can affect nearly any joint, it is most prevalent in the knees, hips, spine, and hands. Because cartilage lacks a direct blood supply, it cannot naturally regrow once it is gone. However, reaching a "bone-on-bone" state does not mean surgery is the only path forward. Effective management focuses on reducing symptoms and preserving mobility through several non-surgical strategies. Reducing Joint Strain Relieving the mechanical pressure on a compromised joint is a primary goal in pain management. Assistive Technolo...

A 27-year-old artificial intelligence researcher who just left AI firm Anthropic has spoken out, saying that many engineers and scientists developing the technology are extremely fearful of its rapid development and the existential threat it could pose to humanity. Jacob Coxon went viral with his resignation article on the perils of unregulated AI, making headlines. He told the BBC in an interview that without a conscious slowing down of development there was a major danger of cataclysmic events soon enough. The Drive to Slow Down Coxon’s old boss, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, recently called for a slowdown in AI research to give society and authorities time to catch up with the threats. That view is shared by competing tech luminaries such Sam Altman of OpenAI and Elon Musk of xAI, who are calling for industry-wide regulation and independent monitoring.

Big news for healthcare access in England: Pharmacy First is expanding! Fed up with the constant battle to get a regular appointment with a GP? Salvation is at hand. From this autumn people in England will be able to walk straight into their local high street chemist and get on-the-spot treatment for 12 common conditions—without having to see a GP first. The scheme adds 5 new conditions to the 7 conditions that chemists could already handle. What medical conditions can pharmacists treat now? The 5 NEW conditions are Adult migraine, low frequency Allergic rhinitis / hay fever in children Ear infections in adults Mild to moderate acne in adults and adolescents Skin infections, mild and scabies The 7 existing conditions are Sore throat Sinus infections Ear Pain Bites by insects Impetigo. Shingles Simple UTIs (urinary tract infections)