
Magnitude-6.6 earthquake hits South Pacific near Samoa
The quake occurred 440 kilometres (273 miles) southwest of the capital Apia at a depth of 314 kilometres (195 miles), the US Geological Survey said.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Honolulu also assessed that there was no tsunami threat.
Samoa sits on the "Ring of Fire," an arc of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes and volcanoes are common. (ANI/WAM)

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First Post
8 hours ago
- First Post
Ditch that soda and noodles. The lung cancer link to ultra-processed foods
A study in the Thorax journal reveals that those consuming ultra-processed foods like fast food and sugary drinks have a 41 per cent higher risk of developing lung cancer compared to those who ate the least. The study analysed data of over 100,000 Americans aged 55 to 74, who were tracked for more than a decade read more We've known for a while that our go-to ultra-processed foods, like fast food, sugary drinks, and instant meals, aren't exactly the best for our health. They're often linked to heart problems and metabolic issues. But now, a new study points to another worrying connection. These foods might also raise the risk of lung cancer. Published in the journal Thorax, the research found that people who ate the most ultra-processed foods had a 41 per cent higher risk of developing lung cancer compared to those who ate the least. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD So, what counts as ultra-processed food? And how could it be linked to cancer? Here's what we know about the new study. But first, what are ultra-processed foods? Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrially manufactured products made from a combination of refined ingredients and additives. They are designed to be hyper-palatable, convenient, and have a long shelf life. Unlike minimally processed foods, UPFs are made mostly from substances extracted from foods, such as fats, starches, added sugars, and unhealthy fats, rather than the whole food itself. They undergo extensive alterations and typically contain artificial substances like emulsifiers, preservatives, colourants, and sweeteners. As a result, UPFs tend to be calorie-dense but low in essential nutrients and fibre, making them nutritionally poor despite their appealing taste. Rows of ultraprocessed potato chips are placed at a convenience store in Boston. File image/AP In the UK and US, more than half of the average diet consists of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), which include frozen meals, soft drinks, hot dogs and cold cuts, fast food, packaged cookies, cakes, and salty snacks. What does the new study reveal? The study draws data from the US Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial, which followed over 100,000 Americans aged 55 to 74. Participants enrolled between 1993 and 2001, and their health was tracked for more than a decade. Out of 101,732 people who filled out food questionnaires at the start, researchers categorised their diets based on how processed the foods were, with a special focus on ultra-processed foods (UPFs) like lunch meats, soft drinks, ice cream, baked goods, instant noodles, and fast food. Researchers believe rising global consumption of UPFs could be contributing to the growing burden of diseases, such as cancer. Image for Representation. Reuters On average, people consumed nearly three servings of UPFs a day, with some having up to six. Over 12 years, 1,706 lung cancer cases were diagnosed, including both non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Even after accounting for factors like smoking and diet quality, those who ate the most UPFs had a 37 per cent higher risk of NSCLC and a 44 per cent higher risk of SCLC. The researchers believe rising global consumption of UPFs could be contributing to the growing burden of diseases, such as cancer and stressed the need for more research to confirm these findings across diverse populations. 'Over the past two decades, consumption of ultra-processed foods has significantly increased worldwide, regardless of development or economic status,' the authors wrote. This rise may be driving global increases in obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, they added. How might heavily processed foods increase cancer risk? Researchers believe one reason is that ultra-processed foods often replace healthier options, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, that may help protect against cancer. When diets become dominated by UPFs, there's simply less room for the good stuff. There's also growing concern about the additives and chemicals found in these products. Ingredients like emulsifiers, preservatives, artificial colours, and acrolein (a toxic compound also found in tobacco smoke) may lead to inflammation, disrupt hormones, damage DNA, and upset the gut microbiome. The packaging materials used for many of these foods can also be a source of risk. Chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, commonly found in food containers and wrappers, may leach into the food and have been linked to health issues, the study noted. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD So, what can you do? Nutritionist Rob Hobson, author of Unprocess Your Family Life, told The Independent that it's less about blaming specific foods and more about c 'That might mean cooking more from scratch where possible, adding in more whole foods like vegetables, beans and grains, or just becoming more aware of how often UPFs show up in your day,' he said Also read: What is fibremaxxing, the new diet trend taking over social media? How safe is it? Making small, sustainable changes will help you gradually replace junk food with more nutritious, whole foods Image for Representation. Pixabay 'It's not about being perfect, it's about balance and understanding how your food choices could be supporting or undermining your long-term health.' In short, cutting back on ultra-processed foods doesn't require a complete lifestyle overhaul. But being mindful of how often these foods appear on your plate, and gradually replacing them with more nutritious, whole foods, can go a long way in supporting better health. With input from agencies


NDTV
12 hours ago
- NDTV
Here's Why Disease-Causing Bacteria Sent To International Space Station
SpaceX launched its Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on August 1, carrying four astronauts and an experiment with disease-causing bacteria. The scientists at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel collaborated with US-based space tech company SpaceTango to develop a study that aims to examine how microgravity affects the growth of bacterial species. The groundbreaking experiment includes E. coli, Salmonella bongori, and Salmonella typhimurium to study how microgravity affects bacterial growth and gene expression. Scientists will study how space conditions impact bacterial behaviour, including antibiotic resistance and virulence, to better protect astronauts' health on long-duration missions. "We know that space conditions affect bacterial behaviour, including how they grow, express genes, and acquire traits like antibiotic resistance or virulence," Prof Ohad Gal-Mor, Head of the Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory at Sheba Medical Center, said in a statement. "This experiment will allow us, for the first time, to systematically and molecularly map how the genetic expression profile of several pathogenic bacteria changes in space." The fact that bacteria behave differently in space is well-documented. They often grow faster and display altered characteristics. The bacteria might harm astronauts, especially during long-duration missions, as they are more prone to infections, because of a combination of microgravity, radiation, stress and changes in the human microbiome. Hence, microbiology and immunology become vital components of modern and future space medicine. Professor Gal-Mor said that the fresh insights will help our understanding of infectious disease risks in space travel, and also expand our knowledge of gene regulation and bacterial physiology in general. The statement mentioned that the bacteria will be stabilised, frozen at -80 degrees C and returned to Earth after growth under microgravity. The molecular and transcriptional analysis and direct comparison to bacteria grown simultaneously in an identical lab setup on Earth.


Hindustan Times
21 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Earthquake of 4.2 magnitude strikes Myanmar
An Earthquake with a magnitude 4.2 on the Richter scale hits Myanmar. According to the NCS, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres at 02:42 AM Indian Standard Time (IST). Myanmar is wedged between four tectonic plates (the Indian, Eurasian, Sunda, and Burma plates) that interact in active geological processes. (Pic used for representation)(REUTERS) NCS wrote on X, 'EQ of M: 4.2, On: 04/08/2025 02:42:47 IST, Lat: 20.88 N, Long: 95.82 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Myanmar.' Myanmar is vulnerable to hazards from moderate and large magnitude earthquakes, including tsunami hazards along its long coastline. Myanmar is wedged between four tectonic plates (the Indian, Eurasian, Sunda, and Burma plates) that interact in active geological processes. A 1,400-kilometre transform fault runs through Myanmar and connects the Andaman spreading center to a collision zone in the north called the Sagaing Fault. The Sagaing Fault elevates the seismic hazard for Sagaing, Mandalay, Bago, and Yangon, which together represent 46 per cent of the population of Myanmar. Although Yangon is relatively far from the fault trace, it still suffers from significant risk due to its dense population. For instance, in 1903, an intense earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 that occurred in Bago also struck Yangon.