The study conducted by researchers at Duke University’s Pontzer Lab has shed new light on the complex relationship between economic development, daily energy expenditure, and rising obesity rates worldwide. Contrary to the long-held notion that reduced physical activity is the primary driver behind the global obesity crisis, the findings suggest that higher caloric intake is actually the main culprit.

Researchers analyzed data from over 4,200 adults across 34 populations spanning six continents, including hunter-gatherer, pastoralist, farming, and industrialized communities. They found that while daily energy expenditure did decrease marginally with economic development, this factor only explained a small fraction of the increase in body fat accompanying development.

“Diet rather than idleness plays the bigger role in the global obesity crisis,” says Herman Pontzer, principal investigator with the Pontzer Lab and professor in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology. “Despite decades of trying to understand the root causes of the obesity crisis in economically developed countries, public health guidance remains stuck with uncertainty as to the relative importance of diet and physical activity.”

The study’s results support an emerging consensus that both diet and exercise should be prioritized to tackle the obesity crisis. As Amanda McGrosky, a Duke postdoctoral alumna and lead investigator for the study, notes, “Diet and physical activity should be viewed as essential and complementary, rather than interchangeable.”

The article reveals groundbreaking research on the effectiveness of vaccinating pregnant women against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The study found that babies born to vaccinated mothers had a 72% reduction in hospitalizations due to RSV, making it a crucial tool for reducing infant hospital admissions and pressures on healthcare systems.

Research conducted by universities across England and Scotland involved 537 babies who were admitted to hospital with severe respiratory disease during the winter of 2024-2025. The findings showed that mothers of babies without RSV were more likely to have received the vaccine before delivery, highlighting the importance of timely vaccination for maximum protection.

The study highlights the significance of raising awareness about the availability and effectiveness of the new RSV vaccine, which can be given as early as 28 weeks of pregnancy, allowing for optimal antibody transfer to the baby. However, it is recommended that pregnant women get vaccinated as soon as possible, ideally before delivery, to maximize protection.

The research collaboration also included experts from various institutions and emphasized the value of vaccination in preventing RSV-related illnesses. The study’s findings were published in the journal The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health.

Key Takeaways:

* Vaccinating pregnant women can reduce RSV hospitalizations by 72% among newborns.
* Timely vaccination during pregnancy is crucial for maximum protection against RSV.
* The new RSV vaccine offers a significant opportunity to protect babies from severe respiratory disease.
* Awareness about the availability and effectiveness of the vaccine should be raised among healthcare providers, pregnant women, and their families.

The article highlights a groundbreaking study that utilized music therapy as an alternative treatment approach on dementia wards, demonstrating remarkable improvements in patient quality-of-life scores and a reduction in distress symptoms. The MELODIC program, developed through co-design with clinicians, researchers, and individuals with lived experience, offers a low-cost and scalable model for improving care.

Researchers at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust conducted a pilot study on two dementia wards, embedding music therapists in the hospital environment. The program included clinical music sessions and individualized musical care plans for each patient.

Patient data revealed a slight improvement in quality-of-life scores among patients and a reduction in the severity of distress symptoms and disruptiveness, although agitation scores increased slightly. Notably, there were no adverse events related to music therapy interventions reported, which is significant considering limited research has been conducted on mental health dementia wards.

Lead author Naomi Thompson emphasized that people with dementia often experience high levels of distress, placing immense pressure on staff to manage this in safe and compassionate ways. The study’s promising results demonstrate the potential for music-based interventions as an alternative option to psychotropic medication.

The MELODIC tool was shaped by interviews with healthcare professionals, patients, and their families about managing distress on dementia wards and using music in everyday care and life. This co-designed approach ensures that the intervention is tailored to meet the unique needs of vulnerable patients.

Importantly, the program’s cost-effectiveness, estimated at £2,025 per month for a therapist and £400 initial outlay for equipment, makes it a feasible option for implementation across healthcare settings.

Dr Ben Underwood expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of improving care on dementia wards using music therapy. He looks forward to collaborating with ARU to develop this further, emphasizing the potential benefits for patients, families, and staff.

This rewritten article maintains the core ideas and improvements from the original piece while making it more accessible and engaging for a general audience. The prompt for image generation provides a clear visual representation of the article’s content, highlighting the harmonious approach to dementia care and the benefits of music-based interventions in this context.