Lithuania and Estonia, two small Baltic countries, have decided to significantly up their defense spending. They've pledged to allocate five percent of their GDP to defense, starting from 2026. This makes them the highest defense spenders in NATO, passing Poland's current four percent. Why are they
They say time changes everything, but not always for the better. Two powerful plays, "Jordan" from 1992 and "Iphigenia in Splott" from 2015, bring to light the never-ending struggle of mothers living in poverty. Both plays tell the grim tales of babies who didn't make it due to insufficient help fro
The Internet has opened up a world of connection for people who have often been left out of conversations. One group that has really benefited from this with their own spaces online is women. These spaces can be as varied as night and day. Researchers dug deep into over 6 million Reddit comments and
Ever heard about the tiny microbes living inside fruit flies that could turn the tables in our fight against these irritating pests? Scientists are uncovering how these gut microbes can boost the flies' immune system and even block diseases. This breakthrough could transform how we handle fruit fly
President Trump's recent threats to slash funding and tighten regulations for universities have set off a wave of preparation among top higher education institutions. Even before Trump's return to office, these schools have been strategizing their responses. Instead of marching into a public confro
When faced with tricky colon operations, doctors have a choice: hand-assisted laparoscopic colectomy (HALS) or starting with keyhole surgery and possibly switching to open (LCOS). Each method has its pros and cons. HALS uses a small incision for a hand, aiding the laparoscope's cameras. LCOS begins
In Brazil, doctors are using a cool procedure called catheter ablation to fix a heart condition called atrial fibrillation (AF). This method has come a long way, but there isn't much information on how well it works in the long term, especially in places where money isn't easy to come by. The Southe
Scabies is a pesky skin infection that bugs over 200 million people worldwide. It's caused by tiny mites called Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis, and they spread through direct contact. You might not notice anything for a few weeks, but after three to six weeks, intense itching sets in. The mites love
Young kids in rural areas are facing obesity, and a new study is trying to figure out if telehealth programs can help. This trial, focused on the body mass index (BMI), aims to see how much tele-behavioral health sessions can make a difference. Families are getting involved, and it's all part of a b
In Indonesia, the number of older adults with diabetes is on the rise, and family members are stepping up to manage their care. These caregivers are vital, but the job isn't easy. It can take a toll on their quality of life. A recent study looked into this. Researchers wanted to understand how care
