Engaging in brain teasers is not only fun but also great for sharpening cognitive skills. Whether it's family game night or just a break from your routine, these puzzles will entertain and challenge everyone. Below are four brain teasers designed to stump and surprise you, each testing different aspects of logic and creativity. Good luck! These riddles aren't just for fun; they help keep our brains active and boost critical thinking. Test these out with family and see who can solve them first!

1) In a family, there are three children. The product of their ages is 36. The sum of their ages is the same as the house number across the street. A neighbor says she can't figure it out until she learns that the oldest one likes chocolate cake. What are their ages?

2) A father and two sons need a family portrait. The father is 44 years old, and the sons are both half his age. In how many years will the combined ages of the sons equal their father's age?

3) There is a family of six: two parents, two sons, and two daughters. However, if you count every person, there are only five. How is this possible?

4) You invite 7 family members for dinner. They each bring one guest, but one guest brings an extra person with them. How many people do you need to set the table for?

ANSWERS

1) 6, 6, and 1

2) In 22 years

3) One of the parents is both a father and a son (making one of the parents also a son)

4)16 people (7 family members, 7 guests, and 2 more from the extra guest)

Vitamin D is well-known for supporting strong bones, but new research suggests it may also play a surprising role in slowing down the aging process itself. A new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, reveals that daily vitamin D supplementation could help preserve telomeres—the protective caps at the ends of DNA strands—which naturally shorten as we age. Conducted by researchers at Mass General Brigham and the Medical College of Georgia, the reinforces anti-age studies indicating that the "sunshine vitamin" may slow biological aging at the cellular level.

Study Followed 1,000 People

The study, followed over 1,000 older adults in the US-men over 50 and women over 55. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or a daily dose of vitamin D3 (2,000 IU) along with omega-3 fatty acids (1 gram). Telomere length in white blood cells was measured at the start, mid-point, and end of the study.

The results were striking. Compared to the placebo group, those taking vitamin D experienced significantly less telomere shortening—the cellular equivalent of aging three years more slowly. In contrast, omega-3 supplements did not have a significant effect on telomere length.

"Telomeres act like the plastic tips at the ends of shoelaces" explained study co-author Dr. JoAnn Manson, Professor of Women’s Health at Harvard Medical School. "They help protect our chromosomes from deterioration or fusion. As telomeres shorten with age, the risk of chronic diseases increases." This makes telomere length a powerful indicator of “biological age,” which may better reflect a person’s health status than chronological age alone.

Earlier results from the VITAL trial had already shown that vitamin D supplementation could reduce inflammation and lower the risk of advanced cancers and autoimmune diseases. Now, this new finding adds another layer of evidence in favor of vitamin D’s broader benefits for healthy aging.

“Our findings suggest that targeted vitamin D supplementation may be a promising strategy to counter the biological aging process,” said lead author Dr. Haidong Zhu, a molecular geneticist at the Medical College of Georgia. However, he emphasized that more research is needed to confirm whether these benefits apply across different populations and timeframes.

What Is Vitamin D Supplementation?

Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults. Government advice is that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter.

People at high risk of not getting enough vitamin D, all children aged 1 to 4, and all babies (unless they're having more than 500ml of infant formula a day) should take a daily supplement throughout the year.

The best source of Vitamin D is sunlight. However, there are many food items through which you can get this essential nutrient. These include:

• oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, trout, herring or mackerel
• red meat
• egg yolks
• fortified foods – such as some fat spreads and breakfast cereals
• liver (avoid if you are pregnant)

Did you know your cervix moves and changes during your menstrual cycle? If you're trying to get pregnant or just want to understand your body better, learning about your cervix can be really helpful. Here’s how you can check it yourself, what those changes mean, and how to keep it healthy.

What and Where Is the Cervix?

The cervix is the lower part of your uterus, connecting it to your vagina. It’s about an inch wide and looks a bit like a small donut with a tiny hole in the center. The word "cervix" comes from Latin, meaning the “neck” of the womb. You’ll find it deep inside your vagina, and its position changes depending on where you are in your cycle.

Why Is the Cervix Important?

The cervix does a lot for your body:

• Lets blood flow out during your period
• Helps sperm enter your uterus during ovulation
• Keeps out bacteria with a protective mucus barrier
• Seals shut during pregnancy to protect the baby
• Opens up during birth to allow the baby to pass

How the Cervix Changes During Your Cycle

Your cervix moves and feels different at various times in your cycle:

• During ovulation (when you're most fertile), it moves higher up, feels soft (like lips), and opens slightly to let sperm in.
• After ovulation, it lowers again, feels firmer (like the tip of your nose), and the opening closes.
• Right before your period, it drops even lower and stays firm.
• During your period, it stays low and slightly open so blood can flow out.

How to Check Your Cervix?

You can check your cervix at home using clean hands and a gentle touch. Here's how:

• Wash your hands well – this helps avoid infections.
• Get into a comfortable position – like sitting on the toilet, squatting, or standing with one leg raised.
• Gently insert a finger into your vagina and reach upward.
• Feel for the cervix – it’s round and firmer than the rest of your vaginal walls.

Take note of what you feel:

Is it soft or firm?

Is it high or low?

Is it open or closed?

Your cervix may feel softer and higher during ovulation and lower and firmer before your period. If you've given birth before, your cervix might always feel slightly open.

Tip: Don’t check your cervix right after sexual activity—it can move due to arousal. Try checking it at the same time every day to track changes more easily.

What Cervix Changes Can Tell You

Noticing how your cervix feels and where it is can give clues about your fertile window, especially if you're trying to get pregnant. During ovulation, you may also see more clear, slippery cervical mucus, which helps sperm travel easily.

Learning how your cervix changes is a simple, natural way to understand your cycle better. Whether you're planning for pregnancy or just curious about your body, this self-check is a helpful tool. Be patient—it may take a few tries to get familiar with how your cervix feels, but it’s a great step toward body awareness and better reproductive health.

Sexual health remains one of the most vital yet overlooked aspects of public health across the world. Despite increasing awareness, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) continue to be surrounded by stigma, misinformation, and delayed intervention.

The terms STI and STD are often used interchangeably, but the medical nuances between them are critical. STIs (sexually transmitted infections) refer to the presence of an infection—caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites—that is transmitted through sexual contact. This stage may not always result in symptoms.

According to Dr. Shelly (Mittal) Mahajan, Lab Director & Clinical Lead at Mahajan Imaging Labs in India, “There’s a fundamental need to educate individuals on the difference between STIs and STDs—not just for medical accuracy, but also for proactive health behavior.”

“An infection occurs when a pathogen enters the body and begins to multiply,” explains Dr. Mahajan. “But not all infections cause symptoms or result in disease immediately. This is the stage when someone is most likely to be unaware they’re even infected.”

In contrast, STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) represent the point where the infection leads to recognizable symptoms or causes damage to the body. Think of STIs as the initial silent stage and STDs as the symptomatic or advanced phase.

Take chlamydia, for example. “Initially, it can be entirely asymptomatic and go unnoticed,” Dr. Mahajan notes. “But left untreated, it can progress to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is an STD. PID can lead to complications like chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy.”

This difference between infection and disease progression is crucial because it highlights the role of early testing and intervention. Many individuals may carry and transmit infections unknowingly, which reinforces the need for routine screening—even in the absence of symptoms.

Why Routine Testing Is Important When You Are Sexually Active?

One of the most concerning aspects of STIs is how quietly they can progress. Asymptomatic carriers often delay testing, inadvertently spreading infections and risking long-term health effects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) both emphasize regular STI screening for anyone who is sexually active, especially individuals with multiple partners or those engaging in unprotected sex.

“Many people wait until symptoms appear, but by then, damage could already be done,” says Dr. Mahajan. “Regular testing is a form of self-care and a responsibility to your partners.”

If left untreated, STIs can result in:

• Chronic pelvic pain
• Infertility in both men and women
• Ectopic pregnancies
• Increased vulnerability to HIV and other infections
• Neurological and organ damage in severe cases like late-stage syphilis

Common STIs

Chlamydia

A bacterial infection that is often symptom-free, especially in women. When symptoms appear, they may include unusual discharge, painful urination, or pain during intercourse. If not treated promptly, it can cause PID in women and epididymitis in men—both affecting fertility.

Gonorrhea

Also known as “the clap,” gonorrhea can cause genital pain, discharge, and inflammation. If untreated, it may lead to systemic infection known as Disseminated Gonococcal Infection (DGI), which includes joint pain, fever, and skin sores.

Syphilis

An infection that evolves in stages. “The early stages involve painless sores, which are often ignored,” Dr. Mahajan warns. As it advances, it causes rashes, flu-like symptoms, and eventually can lead to brain and organ damage. Syphilis remains curable with early antibiotic treatment.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

HIV weakens the immune system and can remain asymptomatic for years before progressing to AIDS. “Early detection and treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART) can dramatically change the trajectory of the condition,” says Dr. Mahajan. “It transforms HIV into a manageable chronic condition.”

Ways To Prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases

When it comes to preventing STIs, knowledge and consistency are key.

1. Use Protection Consistently

“Condoms are still one of the most effective barriers against many STIs,” affirms Dr. Mahajan. Used correctly, they can significantly reduce transmission risks.

2. Get Tested Regularly

Even if you're in a monogamous relationship or show no symptoms, routine testing should be a part of your health checklist. Testing intervals may vary depending on your risk profile, but annual screenings are a good starting point.

3. Have Open Conversations with Partners

Sexual health should never be a taboo topic in relationships. “Discussing STI history and protection methods isn’t just responsible—it builds trust,” says Dr. Mahajan.

4. Vaccination Matters

Vaccines are available for some STIs like HPV and Hepatitis B. Check with your healthcare provider about vaccination schedules and eligibility.

STIs are not a moral failing. They are medical conditions that require attention, not judgment. Unfortunately, stigma remains a barrier, often preventing individuals from seeking timely care.

“People are often embarrassed or fearful to even talk about STIs,” says Dr. Mahajan. “This silence is dangerous. We need to normalize these conversations to promote better health outcomes.”

From cultural taboos to misinformation, stigma around STIs can perpetuate cycles of neglect and misinformation. Public health campaigns, inclusive sexual education, and non-judgmental medical care are essential steps in changing this narrative.

Understanding the distinction between STIs and STDs is more than academic—it’s empowering. As Dr. Mahajan emphasizes, “With awareness, testing, treatment, and open dialogue, most STIs are manageable, many are curable, and all are preventable.”