Are you an art lover and a cultural enthusiast? Do you feel great interacting with artists and cultural ambassadors, then there's a good news for you! A study, undertaken for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), in collaboration between Frontier and the World Health Organization's Collaborating Centre for Arts and Health, based in University College London found that participation in music, and engaging with art and heritage can have a healthy impact on physical and mental health.

If you believe the study, consuming culture is not just good for you, but also generates £8bn a year worth of improvements in people’s quality of life and higher productivity.

The study found that going to an arts event or just participating occasionally in cultural activity every few months leads to "significant" benefits that can include alleviating pain, frailty, depression and dependence on medication. Mathew Bell of Frontier Economics, and co-author of the research said, "Engagement with performance-based art such as plays, musicals and ballet, and particularly participation in music, is linked to reductions in depression and in pain and improved quality of life.” The study further notes that it can even help postpone the onset of dementia.

Professor Daisy Fancourt, the director of WHO center and co-author of the research said, "arts engagement has diverse and tangible effects on health, from supporting cognitive development and protecting against cognitive decline, to reducing symptoms of mental illness and enhancing wellbeing, reducing pain and stress, via the same neurological and physiological pathways activated by medication, reducing loneliness, and maintaining physical functioning, thereby reducing frailty and age-related physical decline."

It is because art engagement can help to reduce unnecessary pressure on health services, and enables individual to manage themselves and their own health more proactively.

How Was the Study Conducted?

The report which was also part of the government-commissioned review cited 13 different groups of people - from the young to the old- whose health and wellbeing improved when they attended or participated in artistic pursuits.

People who were over 65 took drawing classes every week for three months at their local museum created a financial dividend of an average £1,310 each from going to see their GP less and feeling better about their lives.

When studied 3,333 young adults between ages 18 and 28, it was found that those who took part in organized artistic, musical or theatrical activities felt happier and their lives had more meaning and value as a result.

Most benefits comes from people's improved quality of life, while the other benefit comes from their improved productivity at work, after they engage in arts. The finds also suggest that not only could further arts investment be valuable for individuals and health service as part of a preventative health agenda, but this study should be used as a proof to prevent any cut to arts funding.

"The research, commissioned by DCMS, shows how culture and heritage can directly impact our lives, improving our physical and mental wellbeing, and highlights the importance of preserving our rich heritage to ensure it can enrich the lives of many for years to come,” said Chris Bryant.

Has There Been Any Related Study Done?

Art therapy is not a new concept, however, it was formally established in 1940s, as it served as a means for clients to delve into their inner thoughts, feelings and experiences through creative expression. Michigan State University writes that Mollagolu and colleagues in their book Art Therapy with the Extent of Health Promotion proposed that art therapy should be integrated into health promotion efforts and the enhancement of recovery from illness.

As per a 2022 literature review published in Cureus on the Role of Art Therapy in the Promotion of Mental Health reveals that therapists frequently assign patient's freeform art expression to help with discussions about the image and encourage introspection.

Maxine Borowsky Junge's book The History of Art Therapy mentions that mental health professionals have utilized art therapy over the years, treating patients of all ages, including children, older adults, war veterans, prisoners, and those with diagnosed mental disorder. Cathy Malchiodi, the author of The Art Therapy Sourcebook also writes that art therapy may help people work through overpowering emotions, and trauma.

As soon as people became aware of AI videos and pictures, one of the first things people were concerned about was how this can fake videos of people and cause trouble. Concerns about manipulative videos that can tarnish a person’s identity, revenge porn and many other issues were raised. Although many people remained steadfast in their belief that they would be able to recognize AI videos or pictures, other pointed out how it won’t be long before we start to no longer distinguish between the two. That time is not far off, in fact we may have already hit another roadblock, misinformation.

Dr. Joel Bervell, a well-known physician on social media, recently discovered a deepfake video using his likeness to promote a product. The video featured his face but a different voice, and was posted on several platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

A CBS News investigation found more than 100 videos across social media featuring fake doctors. Some of these videos used the identities of real physicians to give medical advice or sell products, mostly related to beauty, wellness, and weight loss. Many of these videos were viewed millions of times. Cybersecurity company ESET also found over 20 similar accounts, noting that this type of content is reaching an increasingly wide audience.

What Are These Deepfake Videos On Social Media?

Deepfakes are duped videos or audios that are made with AI. This isn’t simple face swapping or editing, it is basically manipulating the media files to make it look like an individual is doing certain things or say something they never did. Reports of fake videos to TikTok, Meta (the parent company of Instagram), and YouTube. Both TikTok and Meta removed the flagged videos, stating they violated company policies. TikTok says it has proactively removed over 94% of content that violates its AI policies.

YouTube, however, said the videos did not violate its Community Guidelines and would remain on the platform. The company stated its policies prohibit content that spreads medical misinformation contradicting local health authority guidance, but did not find the flagged videos to be in violation. Meta also noted that scammers are always changing their tactics to get around platform rules.

How Can You Spot Deepfakes?

According to Illinois State University identifying deepfakes can be difficult. Here are some things that could reveal whether a media file is deepfake or not.

Skin

Look at the cheeks and forehead. Does the skin look too smooth or too wrinkled? Does it match the person's age? Sometimes, deepfakes don't get these details right.

Eyes and Eyebrows

Check for natural shadows. Deepfakes can fail to correctly show how light and shadows work, making things look unnatural.

Facial Hair

Does a beard, mustache, or sideburns look real? Deepfakes can add or remove facial hair, but it might not look completely natural.

Blinking and Lips

Watch how the person blinks. Do they blink too much or not enough? Also, look at their lips. Do they match the size and color of the rest of their face? Deepfakes can often mess up these small details.

Glasses

Look for glare on their glasses. Is there too much glare? Does the glare change in a realistic way when they move? Fake videos often get this wrong.

Moles

If the person has a mole or other facial marks, do they look real? Deepfakes might not recreate them accurately.

How Can You Identify Medical Misinformation?

Before you can fight misinformation, you need to be able to recognize it. Here are some key things to check when you're looking at information online:

Check the Source

Look for a "Contact Us" or "About Us" page on the website. Is the website from a trustworthy place, like a university (.edu) or government (.gov)? What are the author's qualifications, and have they written other things? Also, consider who shared the information with you—are they a reliable source, like a healthcare professional?

Read Past the Headline

Headlines are often written to grab your attention. Make sure the actual article backs up the headline's claims. Watch out for authors who only use certain facts or take information out of context.

Examine the Evidence

Credible articles will back up their claims with facts and sources. If a story has no sources, that's a red flag. If it does, check them to see if you come to the same conclusions.

Check the Date

Sometimes people share old information that is no longer correct. Make sure the information is recent and relevant.

Be Aware of Your Own Biases

Think about your own beliefs. Are you looking at the information objectively, or just looking for things that agree with what you already think?

Look for Satire

If something sounds too outrageous to be true, it might be a joke. Some websites create funny, fake news stories for entertainment. If you are unsure, ask a doctor, scientist, or even a librarian for help. You can also use reliable fact-checking websites to see if something is true.

Australian TV star Bindi Irwin, famous as the daughter of the "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, is speaking out about her long and painful battle with endometriosis. After a decade of suffering, she recently shared that she is "genuinely healing" after undergoing surgery to remove 51 lesions, a cyst, and her appendix. The 27-year-old said she is "slowly gaining my strength back" and "beginning to recognize myself again."

What Is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside of it, often in places like the ovaries and fallopian tubes. This can lead to severe pain during periods, sexual intercourse, and bowel movements, along with bloating, nausea, and extreme tiredness. About one in ten women have this condition, yet it is often misunderstood.

Irwin's story has brought a lot of attention to the issue. She shared that for years, she was told her pain was "just part of being a woman," which made her feel "ashamed" and "weak." Now, she is pushing for a change, writing on Instagram, "We need to take away the stigma of talking about women's health. It's time to have open discussions and make change on a global scale."

What Is Chocolate Cyst?

The Cleveland Clinic explains that when the endometriosis tissue attaches to an ovary, it can form a type of cyst called an endometrioma. These cysts are often filled with a thick, brownish fluid, which is why they are sometimes called "chocolate cysts." An endometrioma can be a sign that a person has a more severe form of endometriosis.

The most common symptom of endometrioma is pelvic pain, which can happen at any time, not just during a period. Other symptoms can include:

• Very painful periods.
• Pain during sex.
• Pain when using the bathroom.
• Feeling the need to pee more often.
• Back pain.
• Nausea, vomiting, and bloating.

Endometriomas can be very small or grow quite large, affecting one or both ovaries. It's not clear what exactly causes them, but one popular theory is retrograde menstruation. This is when some of the tissue shed during a period flows backward through the fallopian tubes and attaches to the ovaries. This tissue then thickens and bleeds with each menstrual cycle, causing inflammation and forming the cyst. About 10% of people who get periods have endometriosis, and a significant portion of them—between 17% and 44%—will develop endometriomas.

If an endometrioma is causing pain, is large, or is affecting a person's ability to get pregnant, there are treatments available to help.

Why Do Endometriosis Diagnosis Take Years?

In March of 2023, Bindi shared her decade-long struggle with endometriosis, a painful condition that left her with constant fatigue, pain, and nausea. She decided to go public with her story to help other women who might be suffering in silence.

However, this is not an isolated incident, many women go through years of pain. According to 2024 British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology study reviewed 17 different publications. It found that the time it takes to get a diagnosis for endometriosis can range from just a few months to 12 years. This long wait depends on where a person lives and their specific health issues.

The main conclusion is that a long wait for a diagnosis is still a major problem. The study suggests this delay is mostly due to doctors and a lack of clear understanding of the disease.

Bindi ended her post saying women and girls should not feel ashamed of their pain, “We need to take away the stigma of talking about women’s health. It’s time to have open discussions and make change on a global scale.”

A new study from the University of Edinburgh found that the brains of cats with dementia show changes very similar to those seen in humans with Alzheimer's disease. These findings are a big step forward and could lead to new treatments for both people and pets. For the first time, researchers can see how the brains of cats naturally change as they get older and develop dementia, which provides a much more realistic picture of the disease than previous research has been able to. This discovery is a huge breakthrough because it offers a new way to study the disease and find better treatments.

How Can Cats Help Us Treat Dementia?

In the past, scientists have relied on genetically modified rodents to study Alzheimer's. However, rodents do not naturally get dementia. Cats, on the other hand, do. They also show similar symptoms to humans, such as confusion and changes in sleep patterns. Because of these similarities, cats provide a more accurate and natural model for studying the disease.

Dr. Robert McGeachan, the study's lead researcher, said that because cats naturally develop these brain changes, they may help scientists explore whether promising new treatments for human Alzheimer’s could also help our aging pets. This research benefits both species and their caregivers.

What Does Cat Dementia Reveal About Humans?

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh examined the brains of 25 cats after they passed away. They found that older cats and those with dementia had a build-up of a toxic protein called amyloid-beta. This protein is a key sign of Alzheimer’s disease.

The research showed that this protein was found in the synapses—the connections between brain cells. These connections are essential for healthy brain function. When they are lost, a person's memory and thinking skills decline.

The research also discovered that some support cells in the cats' brains were "eating" these damaged synapses. This process, known as synaptic pruning, is a normal part of brain development but can contribute to the loss of synapses in dementia.

Why Is Dementia On The Rise?

Dementia is a very common disease among older people, and since the elderly population is growing quickly worldwide, the number of people living with dementia is expected to increase. A study published in the Journal of the Neurological Sciences journal, based in Wales, UK, looked at medical records from 1999 to 2018 to understand this trend. The study included over 161,000 dementia diagnoses from nearly 117,000 people. The study found a few important things:

Older Age at Diagnosis

The average age for a dementia diagnosis has been going up. This means fewer younger people are being diagnosed with the disease.

More Cases and Longer Lives

The number of new dementia cases has risen and so has the total number of people living with the disease. The study also found that people with dementia are living longer than they used to, even with their diagnosis.

This is not just limited to the UK, dementia cases in the US are also estimated to double by 2060. Published in the journal Nature Medicine, followed nearly 16,000 Americans since 1987, found that the overall lifetime risk for developing dementia for a middle-aged American is 42 percent.

This risk is higher for women (48 percent) than for men (35 percent), mainly because women tend to live longer. The risk also increases with age, rising to over 50 percent for people who live to be 75. The study's authors believe that previous estimates were too low because of poor record-keeping and a lack of data on early-stage cases and racial minorities.

According to the study, preventing heart diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes can also help slow cognitive decline and prevent dementia. Other factors linked to a higher risk include obesity, unhealthy diets, lack of exercise, and poor mental health.