Syria loses a lifeline as the United States and Europe slash global aid
The country's health care network lay in ruins. Nongovernmental organizations filled some of the gap in health services, often with funding from the United States or Europe, but now that lifeline, too, is disappearing,
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Google DeepMind has grand ambitions to ‘cure all diseases' with AI. Now, it's gearing up for its first human trials
Alphabet's Isomorphic Labs is preparing to launch human trials of AI-designed drugs, its president, Colin Murdoch, told Fortune. Born from DeepMind's AlphaFold breakthrough, the company is pairing cutting-edge AI with pharma veterans to design medicines faster, cheaper, and more accurately. Alphabet's secretive drug discovery arm, Isomorphic Labs, is getting ready to start testing its AI-designed drugs in humans, Colin Murdoch, Isomorphic Labs president and Google DeepMind's chief business officer, told Fortune. 'There are people sitting in our office in King's Cross, London, working, and collaborating with AI to design drugs for cancer,' Murdoch said during an interview in Paris. 'That's happening right now.' After years in development, Murdoch says human clinical trials for Isomorphic's AI-assisted drugs are finally in sight. 'The next big milestone is actually going out to clinical trials, starting to put these things into human beings,' he said. 'We're staffing up now. We're getting very close.' The company, which was spun out of DeepMind in 2021, was born from one of DeepMind's most celebrated breakthroughs, AlphaFold, an AI system capable of predicting protein structures with a high level of accuracy. Interactions of AlphaFold progressed from being able to accurately predict individual protein structures to modeling how proteins interact with other molecules like DNA and drugs. These leaps made it far more useful for drug discovery, helping researchers design medicines faster and more precisely, turning the tool into a launchpad for a much larger ambition. 'This was the inspiration for Isomorphic Labs,' Murdoch said of AlphaFold. 'It really demonstrates that we could do something very foundational in AI that could help unlock drug discovery.' In 2024, the same year it released AlphaFold 3, Isomorphic signed major research collaborations with pharma companies Novartis and Eli Lilly. A year later, in April 2025, Isomorphic Labs raised $600 million in its first-ever external funding round, led by Thrive Capital. The deals are part of Isomorphic's plan to build a 'world-class drug design engine,' a system that combines machine learning researchers with pharma veterans to design new medicines faster, more cheaply, and with a higher chance of success. As part of the deals with major pharma players, Isomorphic supports existing drug programs, but it also designs its own internal drug candidates in areas such as oncology and immunology, with the aim of eventually licensing them out after early-stage trials. 'We identify an unmet need, and we start our own drug design programs. We develop those, put them into human clinical trials… we haven't got that yet, but we're making good progress,' he said. Today, pharma companies often spend millions attempting to bring a single drug to market, sometimes with just a 10% chance of success once trials begin. Murdoch believes Isomorphic's tech could radically improve those odds. 'We're trying to do all these things: speed them up, reduce the cost, but also really improve the chance that we can be successful,' he says. He wants to harness AlphaFold's technology to get to a point where researchers have 100% conviction that the drugs they are developing are going to work in human trials. 'One day we hope to be able to say — well, here's a disease, and then click a button and out pops the design for a drug to address that disease,' Murdoch said. 'All powered by these amazing AI tools.' This story was originally featured on
Health Line
2 hours ago
- Health Line
How to Tell the Difference Between Migraine and Other Types of Headaches
Key Takeaways Migraine is a neurological disorder distinguished from typical headaches by its intensity, often affecting one side of the head and accompanied by symptoms like nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. While tension headaches typically last minutes to a few hours and can be relieved with over-the-counter treatments, migraine episodes can persist for days and may require specific medications like triptans. Lifestyle adjustments, such as maintaining consistent sleep patterns and identifying dietary triggers, play a crucial role in preventing migraine episodes and reducing their frequency. When there's pressure or pain in your head, it can be difficult to tell whether you're experiencing a typical headache or a migraine attack. Differentiating migraine from other headache disorders and vice versa is important. It can mean faster relief through more targeted treatments based on the type of headache. It can also help prevent future headaches from occurring in the first place. So, how can you tell the difference between a common headache and a migraine attack? What is a headache? Headaches are unpleasant pains in your head that can cause pressure and aching. They usually occur on both sides of your head. The pain can range from mild to severe. Some specific areas where headaches can occur include the: forehead temples back of the neck A typical headache usually lasts between 5 minutes and 4 hours. Some migraine episodes can last for days or even longer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the most common headache type is a tension headache. Triggers for this headache type include: stress anxiety muscle strain eyestrain Tension headaches aren't the only type of headache. Other headache types include: Cluster headaches Cluster headaches are severely painful headaches that occur on one side of the head and come in clusters. This means you experience cycles of headache attacks, followed by headache-free periods. They're most commonly experienced behind or above the eye or at the temple. Cluster headaches affect up to 0.1% of the population. They typically occur between ages 20 and 49 years. Males are more likely than females to experience them. By race and ethnicity, most of the large-scale epidemiological studies have been performed in white people, and less is therefore known across other races or ethnicities. Sinus headaches Often confused with migraine, sinus headaches co-occur with sinus infection symptoms like fever, stuffy nose, cough, congestion, and facial pressure. A 2018 survey found that sinus infections affect about 11.6% of adults. By race and ethnicity, here's a breakdown of adults who have received a diagnosis of sinus infection according to this survey: white people: 12.2% Black people: 11% American Indian or Alaska Native people: 10.4% Hispanic or Latino people: 8% Asian people: 6.5% Secondary causes of headaches Injuries and medical conditions can also lead to headaches. Before diagnosing a primary headache disorder, doctors work to rule out dangerous causes that could lead to serious complications. A Chiari headache is caused by a congenital Chiari malformation. This extremely rare condition causes the skull to push against parts of the brain, often causing pain in the back of the head. Increased intracranial pressure is a life threatening medical problem that can also lead to headaches. It can occur from conditions such as: aneurysm arteriovenous malformation brain tumor meningitis encephalitis idiopathic intracranial hypertension Thunderclap headaches A thunderclap headache is a very severe headache that develops in 60 seconds or less. It could be a symptom of a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a serious medical condition that requires immediate medical attention. An aneurysm, stroke, or other injury may also cause it. Thunderclap headaches are rare, but the true incidence is not clear due to poor quality data. The only population-based estimate so far is from a 2002 study from Sweden, where researchers report the incidence as 43 cases per 100,000 adults per year. Call 911 or local emergency services immediately if you experience a headache of this kind. What is migraine? Migraine attacks are intense or severe and often have other symptoms in addition to head pain. Symptoms associated with migraine without aura include: neck and shoulder pain nausea pain behind one eye or ear pain in the temples visual disturbances sensitivity to light, sound, or both vomiting muscle aches When compared with tension or other headache types, migraine pain can be moderate to severe. Some people may experience migraine attacks so severe that they seek care at an emergency room. Migraine episodes typically affect only one side of the head. However, it's possible to have a migraine episode that affects both sides of the head. Other differences include the pain's quality. A migraine attack causes intense pain that may be throbbing and will make performing daily tasks very difficult. A 2018 study found that more than 15% of U.S. adults had experienced a migraine episode or a severe headache within the last 3 months. In a 2015 analysis of nine studies, researchers looked at the average rate of severe headache or migraine by race and ethnicity from 2005 to 2012 in the United States. They found that the prevalence rates of episodes across all groups were similar: Native American people: 17.7% white people: 15.5% Hispanic people: 14.5% Black people: 14.45% Asian people: 9.2% Migraine episodes are typically divided into two categories: migraine with aura and migraine without aura. An aura refers to sensations a person experiences before a migraine episode. The sensations typically occur anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes before a migraine attack. These can include: feeling less mentally alert or having trouble thinking seeing flashing lights or unusual lines feeling tingling or numbness in the face or hands having an unusual sense of smell, taste, or touch Some people who have migraine may experience symptoms a day or two before the actual migraine episode occurs. Known as the prodrome phase, these subtler symptoms can include: constipation depression frequent yawning irritability food cravings Migraine triggers People who experience migraine episodes report various factors that are associated with them. These are called migraine triggers and may include: emotional anxiety lack of sleep skipping meals contraceptives alcohol hormonal changes changes in altitude changes in barometric pressure caffeine overuse Hormonal changes can trigger a menstrual migraine headache, which can occur a few days before a period and during the first 1 to 2 days. Where is migraine pain located? Migraine pain is usually, but not always, on one side of the head. Depending on the type of migraine attack, the pain may be felt: in the temples in the forehead behind one or both eyes in the neck How does sleep affect headaches or migraine? Migraine According to a 2018 study, participants with sleep disorders were more likely to have a migraine disorder. It's believed that a lack of sleep can trigger migraine attacks or make them worse. While the research is still ongoing, it appears that sleep may play a role in migraine prevention. A 2018 review of studies found that people who experience migraine attacks often report sleep as an effective therapy for migraine. One hypothesis is that the glymphatic system, a newly discovered waste clearance system in the brain that's similar to the lymphatic system in the rest of the body, may be more active during sleep. The glymphatic system helps remove toxins from the brain that build up during wakefulness. While there's minimal evidence to support this claim, it's possible that getting enough sleep helps cleanse the brain and prevent migraine attacks. Headache Poor sleep may contribute to headaches or make them worse. In one 2019 review, those who underwent behavioral sleep treatments for tension headaches reported a significant reduction in headache frequency and intensity. Sleep quality and time spent asleep also improved during treatment. Since headaches and lack of sleep may be linked, it's important to practice good sleep habits if you have a headache. To help improve sleep quality: limit screen time before bed establish a relaxing bedtime routine create a quiet sleep environment get regular physical activity avoid napping throughout the day avoid caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime Treatment of headaches and migraine Headache treatments Most tension headaches go away with over-the-counter treatments. These include: acetaminophen aspirin ibuprofen Because some headaches are stress-induced, taking steps to reduce stress can help relieve headache pain and reduce the risk of future headaches. These include: heat therapy, such as applying warm compresses or taking a warm shower massage meditation neck stretching relaxation exercises Migraine treatments People who have migraine less frequently may benefit from taking medications known to reduce migraine quickly. Examples of these medications include: anti-nausea medications, such as: promethazine (Phenergan) chlorpromazine (Thorazine) prochlorperazine (Compazine) mild to moderate pain relievers, such as acetaminophen nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as: aspirin naproxen sodium ibuprofen triptans, such as: almotriptan (Axert) rizatriptan (Maxalt) sumatriptan (Alsuma, Imitrex, and Zecuity) If a person takes as-needed migraine medications more than 10 days a month, this could cause medication overuse headache, also known as medication adaptation headache. This practice will worsen their headaches instead of helping them feel better. Frequently asked questions Below are some frequently asked questions about migraine attacks and other headaches. Can dehydration cause a headache? Dehydration from insufficient water intake or losing too much fluid from the body can cause headaches for some people. To avoid dehydration-related headaches, make sure to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, especially when it's hot or you're sweating a lot. Can a headache turn into a migraine attack? Migraine episodes and headaches share some risk factors and causes, so it's possible for a headache to turn into a migraine episode. Migraine episodes aren't always severe and could start off mild. If left untreated, they can progress and become more severe. For example, stress may bring on both migraine episodes and tension headaches. If a person with a tension headache experiences severe stress or trauma, this may cause them to develop migraine features, such as a visual aura. What type of doctor treats migraine? Migraine attacks are usually treated by a neurologist, a doctor specializing in brain and nervous system disorders. A headache specialist may also treat migraine. If you experience frequent or severe migraine attacks, talk with a healthcare professional about available treatment options.
Health Line
2 hours ago
- Health Line
Signs and Symptoms of a Migraine and How to Manage
Key Takeaways Migraine episodes can manifest differently, with symptoms varying based on the type, duration, and frequency of headaches. Recognizing these individual patterns is crucial for effective management. Episodes evolve through four distinct stages—prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome—though not everyone experiences all stages. Understanding these phases can help in anticipating and managing the progression of a migraine. While over-the-counter and prescription medications can alleviate migraine pain, lifestyle adjustments like yoga, dietary changes, and acupuncture may also aid in prevention. A migraine journal can further assist in identifying triggers and patterns for better management. Symptoms of migraine may depend on several factors, such as the type, duration, and frequency of headaches. Migraine episodes may last up to 3 days if left untreated, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. They're usually caused by the activation of nerve fibers in the blood vessels of the brain. A migraine usually evolves in four separate stages, which each have different symptoms. These stages include: prodrome (premonitory) stage aura (visual symptoms or tingling) stage headache (main attack) stage postdrome (recovery) stage Not all people who get migraine headaches experience all of the stages. Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms of migraine headaches. Prodrome stage The prodrome stage of a migraine may start up to 2 days before your migraine headaches begin, according to the International Headache Society (IHS). Symptoms that indicate a migraine may be coming include: fatigue mood changes, such as anxiety or depression neck stiffness nausea tight or sore neck frequent yawning Learn more about pre-migraine symptoms. Aura stage The migraine aura stage happens right before or during a migraine headache. It's estimated that 1 in 4 people with migraine experience aura symptoms. The most common aura symptoms are visual disturbances, which may include: seeing bright spots, flashes, or zigzag lines seeing dark spots experiencing vision loss, tunnel vision, or foggy vision Other symptoms of aura may include: tingling sensations in an arm or leg described as 'pins and needles' muscle weakness hearing loss difficulty speaking ringing in the ears (tinnitus) Migraine auras may last up to 1 hour, but the symptoms are completely reversible. Learn more about migraine aura. Main headache stage The migraine headache stage includes the headache and other symptoms. If left untreated, it may last up to 3 days. During an attack, you might experience the following symptoms: pulsating or throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head extreme sensitivity to light, sounds, or smells worsening pain during physical activity nausea and vomiting abdominal pain or heartburn loss of appetite lightheadedness blurred vision fainting If you have a migraine headache, you may feel the need to lie down in a dark, quiet room to escape from light, sounds, and movement. You may find that sleeping can help relieve a migraine headache. Postdrome stage During the postdrome (recovery) stage, you may feel tired and drained for up to 2 days as the migraine episode fades slowly. Other symptoms may include neck stiffness and trouble concentrating. Learn more about migraine postdrone stage. Migraine headaches in children and teens Around 10% of children and teens experience migraine headaches. Symptoms are usually similar to migraine headaches in adults, but children are more likely to also experience gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting. Migraine headaches vs. other types of headaches There are many different types of headaches, which makes it possible to confuse a migraine headache with others. However, there are key differences between them: Tension headaches: These cause mild to moderate pain and feel like a tight band around your head. They often disappear within a few hours. You may also experience sensitivity to light. Cluster headaches: These also cause severe pain, but they occur in short, episodic attacks that last days, weeks, or months. A cluster headache may last between 15 minutes to 3 hours and may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as eye redness, watery eyes, and runny nose. Sinus headaches: Approximately 90% of self-diagnosed sinus headaches are, in fact, migraine headaches. Although rare, a sinus headache is caused by infection and causes thick nasal discharge that may be green or yellow. If you experience recurring headaches, speak with a healthcare professional. They could provide a proper diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for you. Emergency symptoms to look out for If you experience any of the following symptoms, get immediate medical attention. These may be a sign of a life threatening complication: you experience a sudden, extremely painful headache difficulty speaking difficulty remembering vision loss or blurry vision fatigue, faintness, or dizziness seizure fever weakness or drooping on one side of your face or body Management Treatment for migraine headaches will depend on the severity, frequency, and type of migraine you experience. If you're experiencing a migraine headache, treatments to help relieve pain may include: over-the-counter pain relievers, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen (Tylenol) prescription medications, such as triptans, CGRP antagonists, and ergotamines If you experience frequent migraine headaches, a healthcare professional may prescribe prevention medications, such as: CGRP monoclonal antibodies beta-blockers calcium channel blockers some antidepressants some antiseizure medications Some natural remedies, such as yoga, dietary changes, and acupuncture, may also help with migraine prevention. However, more research is needed to fully support their benefits. Keeping a migraine journal can also help you track when you experience headaches, and identify any patterns or triggers. At an appointment, you can show this to a doctor so they can better understand your condition better. Frequently asked questions What is the fastest way to get rid of a migraine? There's no single trick to get rid of a migraine quickly. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription acute migraine medications as soon as you experience symptoms may help relieve a migraine. Natural remedies, such as applying a cold compress to your forehead and lying down in a dark, quiet room, may also help. Can migraine headaches be something more serious? In rare cases, migraine headaches with aura may indicate complications like stroke. Get immediate medical attention if you experience a sudden, severe headache (thunderclap headache) or a migraine headache with aura symptoms that last longer than 1 hour.
