Of the many firsts, Japan made world's first toilet paper from used diapers. These are now sold in seven retail locations in Kagoshima Prefecture and Miyazaki Prefecture, both in Japan's Kyushu. It is an environment friendly alternative.

How Was It Carried Out?

This was done in collaboration of a team of local governments and private firms in Japan. Spearheaded by the city of Shibushi and the town of Osaki the project began in last April, as the used diapers were separated from the routine waste streams.

The two cities collected around 98 tonnes of diapers and other used hygiene products and they were then sanitized, bleached, and shredded into a pulp to be mixed with already available recycled paper. This took place at the Poppy Paper Company's plant in the Fukuoka Prefecture.

In the first batch, 30,000 rolls were created and are now sold at $2.70 per dozen. As reported in Japan's oldest English-language newspaper, the Mainichi, Satoshi Yoshida from Poppy Paper's sales department said, "This initiative could help diversify the ways to secure raw materials, especially as used paper supplies are expected to decline with the rise of paperless systems and a shrinking population."

There are other use of a recycled diapers. It can be used as an additive for concrete in place of sand as it showed increased strength in the end product. It also offers a recycled material alternative to sand that is cheaper than other market options.

Are There Any Health Concerns?

As per a 2019 study published in Reprod Toxicol, diapers contain phthalate contents, which is a group of chemicals that are used to make plastics more flexible and durable. As per a Harvard TH Chan Q&A featuring Russ Hauser, Fredrick Lee Hisaw Professor of Reproductive Physiology notes that when phthalates were studied in animal models, it was found to be anti-androgenic, which means it decreases testosterone.

Hauser also notes that prenatal exposure can also effect children's neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral outcomes.

While recycling diapers can be beneficial, the process can be energy-intensive and require a significant water usage, as notes a 2014 study titled Treatment of the biodegradable fraction of used disposable diapers by codigestion with waste activated sludge, which could in return impact the environment.

What happens when diapers are recycled, is they undergo a special treatment that makes it possible to separate plastics and recovers the biodegradable fraction (BFD), which is made of cellulose.

The risk comes at the process of recycling, as the toxic contents like phthalates, dioxins, and fragrances that can leach out during processing and come into contact with the skin when using the recycled tissue paper, potentially causing allergic reactions, skin irritation, and endocrine disruption, especially for vulnerable populations like infants and people with sensitive skin.

There is a possibility that the superabsorbent polymer in diapers might not fully break down during the recycling process, leaving microplastics that can be inhaled or ingested when using the tissue paper.

However, with the strict quality control and ethical recycling can ensure that the process is with due diligence to ensure safety for everyone.

Quebec has reported a case of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a potentially deadly tick-borne disease. Reports suggest that the fever was likely acquired in Ontario or Quebec, as this disease was reported in Ontario earlier this year.

Here is what you need to know about the disease, how fatal it is, risk factors and symptoms you should look out for.

What Is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)?

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, RMSF is a serious illness caused by bacteria and spread through the bite of an infected tick. It can be deadly if not treated early.

How To Spot The First Symptom of RMSF?

The first signs of RMSF can be vague and feel like other illnesses, including fever, headache, and muscle pain. The illness can get worse very quickly. A rash is a common symptom, but it often appears 2 to 4 days after the fever starts, which can make it hard to diagnose early. The rash can look like red splotches or tiny dots.

If you get sick after being bitten by a tick or spending time in a wooded or brushy area, you should see a doctor right away.

What Are The Long-Term Effects of RMSF?

RMSF is a serious disease that does not become a long-term, chronic infection. However, a severe case can lead to permanent damage, such as hearing loss, mental disability, or even the loss of limbs due to blood vessel damage.

There is no vaccine for RMSF. The best way to protect yourself is to prevent tick bites on yourself, your pets, and in your yard. Ticks are most active from April to September, but you can be exposed to them year-round.

Because RMSF can be so dangerous, CDC explains that doctors often start treatment with an antibiotic called doxycycline as soon as they suspect the illness, even before lab test results are back. This is because test results can take weeks to return. Doxycycline is an approved treatment for people of all ages and is crucial for preventing severe illness and death. However, please make sure you get yourself checked out before you take any medication.

Morton manager Dougie Imrie announced the death of his baby daughter, who was born 14 weeks premature and weighed 1ib and 4 ounces. His daughter, Remi was 20 day old when she left the world. Remi was also put in neonatal intensive care unite at Wishaw Hospital and on Wednesday the announcement of her passing away was made.

He made the announcement on X, formerly Twitter, and wrote: "Our girl got tired in the early hours of Tuesday morning & decided it was time to rest 'If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever'.

He also wrote: "20 days of loving you, Remi, I hope you know how much you were loved, and we will cherish the short time we got to spend with you, a true wee fighter from the minute you were born."

The Greenrock Morton Football Club also paid tribute, calling it a "profound loss". The club wrote: "The Greenrock Morton Football Club family are devastated to learn of the tragic passing of Remi Imrie. The heartfelt condolences of all associated with the club go to Dougie Imrie, his partner Lauren and the full family at this extremely sad time. Greenock Morton at this time requests the privacy of the family as they try to come to terms with this profound loss, and we will continue to provide our full support."

Are Premature Babies Prone To Risks?

When a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, it is called preterm or a premature birth. The earlier the birth, the more serious the health risks to the baby. In most cases, preterm babies require special care in a NICU.

Some of the most common health conditions that can affect a premature baby are:

• Anemia, or not having enough healthy red blood cells
• Apnea of prematurity or temporary pauses in breathing
• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, respiratory distress syndrome or underdeveloped lungs
• Intraventricular hemorrhage, or bleeding in their brains
• Newborn jaundice or hyperbilirubinemia, which means there are high levels of bilirubin in their blood.
• Necrotizing enterocolitis, or inflammation of their intestines
• Neonatal sepsis, or blood infection
• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), or abnormal blood flow in their hearts
• Retinopathy of prematurity, or underdeveloped blood vessels in their eyes

ALSO READ: Your Baby’s First 28 Days Are Critical, 5 Neonatal Health Problems Parents Can’t Afford To Miss

Premature babies are also at a higher risk of developmental challenges during childhood, which includes:

• Cerebral palsy
• Hearing and vision problems
• Learning disabilities
• Poor growth
• Problems with communication or social development

Some other risks that lure upon the mother who delivers a preterm baby are:

• Anxiety
• Postpartum depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Problems bonding with their baby

"Premature babies are born with most of their organs, but their organs are not mature enough to function," notes Dr Avneet Kaur, neonatologist and Pediatrician at the Apollo Cradle Hospital. "So we have to give them that much maturity till they reach that level of maturity themselves and maintain all those organ functions," she explains.

While the premature babies are in NICU, they are kept in incubators, explains the doctor. The babies are also given infusion drips so enough nutrition also reaches their bodies. The infusion drip is used to allow essential nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, etc., which a baby who is not born preterm would not need. "Preterm babies are functionally fragile, so we have to support them in every manner," she says.

Just a day after "the nicest judge in the world", Judge Frank Caprio, 88, asked his followers from a hospital bed for their prayers, his relatives confirmed his death on Wednesday. His popular social media pages had already announced his death after a cancer diagnosis.

He earned his nickname "the nicest judge in the world" for his years on the Emmy-nominated show "Caught in Providence", and also for his social media presence. He had millions of followers. He crossed 3.3 million followers on Instagram and 1.6 million on TikTok.

The post that announced his death read: "He will be remembered not only as a respectable judge, but as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. His legacy lives on in the countless acts of kindness he inspired. In his honor, may we strive to bring a little more compassion into the world - just as he did every day."

The Cancer Journey Of "The Nicest Judge In The World"

It was in 2023, that Caprio announced that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, one of the most aggressive types. He finished his radiation treatments in 2024 and published a new book. He soon returned to social media, and announced that his cancer has come back.

He said, "Last year I asked you to pray for me, and it's very obvious that you did, because I came through a very difficult period. Unfortunately I've had a setback and I'm back at the hospital." He also added: "I believe the almighty above is watching over us. So please remember me."

Read: TV’s ‘Nicest Judge’ Frank Caprio Shares Heartbreaking Cancer Update: ‘Keep Me In Your Prayers’

For almost 40 years, Caprio presided over hearing in Providence, Rhode Island. He was appointed in 1985 to the Providence Municipal Court and served as a chief judge until his retirement in January 2023. He had been hearing everyday from individuals who were saddled by parking tickets, small infractions and personal dilemmas. He had waived off fines for the low-income groups, is known for his sharp humor to calm the worried defendants. One of the things he would say was: justice can be more than just punishment, it can also be compassion. His motto was to find a human behind every case. This is what has earned him the nick of "the nicest judge in the world".

Pancreatic Cancer Recurrence

According to Florida's Moffitt Cancer Center pancreatic cancer recurrence can develop after a patient completes an initial course of treatment and experiences a period of time during which there is no evidence of cancer being present.

However, there is always a chance that some cancer cells will survive treatment. Over time, residual cells begin to grow and form recurrent cancer.

Where Can It Reappear?

The cancer can reappear locally within the pancreas, or regionally within nearby lymph nodes or distantly in other parts of the body. This is why it is important for a pancreatic cancer patient to have regular medical checkups to ensure that any health changes are identified, evaluated and treated.

As per a 2023 study published in the World Journal of Surgical Oncology, Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), one of the most common forms of pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers, with surgical resection offering the only potential chance of cure.

Yet, notes the study, recurrence remains a major concern, often occurring early and drastically reducing survival prospects.

The study analyzed 403 patients who underwent surgery for PDAC shed light on how and why recurrence happens. Over a median follow-up of about 26 months, nearly 70% of patients experienced recurrence, with timing proving to be a crucial factor. Roughly 15% saw the cancer return within the first six months, 23% between six and twelve months, while the rest either recurred later or did not experience recurrence at all.

What Are The Risk Factors For Early Recurrence

The study identified several clinical features strongly linked to early recurrence. Elevated levels of the tumor marker CA19-9 before surgery, a higher modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) reflecting systemic inflammation and poor nutritional status, and positive peritoneal cytology were all associated with recurrence within the first 6 months.

For recurrence within 12 months, positive peritoneal cytology remained an important risk factor. In addition, lymph node metastasis and the absence of adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery were also significant contributors. Patients who received chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy before surgery showed the same pattern of risk, suggesting these factors are consistent across treatment strategies.