Younger people, especially Generation Z (born 1997–2012), are choosing to drink less or no alcohol at all, creating a major shift in Australian culture. Researchers believe this trend could be a huge win for public health if it continues.

A new study from Flinders University looked at over 20 years of data from more than 23,000 Australians and found that more people are completely avoiding alcohol, and those who do drink are consuming less each week. This change is most noticeable among the younger groups, suggesting a long-term cultural change has been taking place.

How Have Drinking Habits Changed Through Generations?

Researchers from Flinders University, confirm that the findings point to a clear generational shift. He emphasizes that this isn't just a brief trend. "Our research shows that throughout their lives, Gen Z is almost 20 times more likely to choose not to drink alcohol compared to Baby Boomers, even after accounting for other social factors," they explained.

Although people are typically less likely to avoid alcohol when they are young adults, Generation Z is showing a much higher rate of choosing to abstain compared to young adults in past generations. This group is not only more likely to completely avoid alcohol but also drinks much less alcohol weekly than older groups.

Do Gen Zs Drink Less Or More Than Millennials?

The trend of drinking less isn't limited to just Gen Z; Millennials (born 1981–1996) are also consuming less alcohol than Baby Boomers, suggesting that the broader culture is turning away from heavy drinking.

Interestingly, while Millennials and Generation X (born 1965–1980) reported drinking more alcohol during a single occasion (like a party) than Baby Boomers, their total weekly consumption was lower. This indicates that while binge drinking is still a concern for these middle groups, they are generally not drinking heavily on a regular basis.

Why Is Gen Z Changing Their Drinking Habits?

Researchers suggest that the findings challenge the long-held assumption that heavy drinking is inherently "Australian." She points to a changing social landscape as the likely driver:

• Abstaining from alcohol is becoming increasingly normalized among young people.
• Digital socializing is replacing in-person, alcohol-centric gatherings.
• Rising living costs and greater health awareness are reshaping how younger people spend their time and money.

Which Generation Had The Highest Alcohol Consumption?

The study also revealed that the Silent Generation (those born before 1946) actually had the highest weekly alcohol consumption of all groups, even more than Baby Boomers. This is a crucial finding because it shows that while younger people are cutting back, the oldest Australians may still be at the greatest risk of alcohol-related health problems.

How Does Gen Z’s Drinking Habit Affect Public Health?

Researchers believe these trends can help create better public health strategies. The experts say that if they can figure out why young people are drinking less, whether it's about money, social pressure, or new rules, that information can be used to help people of all ages make healthier choices.

The authors suggest that actions like setting minimum prices for alcohol, limiting alcohol advertising, and running specific health campaigns could help keep these positive trends going. They also say it’s important to keep focusing on high-risk groups like binge-drinking teens and heavy-drinking middle-aged adults.

Dr. Thompson ended on a hopeful note, saying the research proves that cultural change is possible. She stated, "Generation Z is changing what it means to go out and celebrate, and they’re doing it with less alcohol." She believes this shift is something everyone in Australia should pay attention to.

The Union Health Ministry has confirmed that a batch of Coldrif cough syrup made at a Tamil Nadu facility contained diethylene glycol (DEG) beyond safe limits. Earlier samples collected in Madhya Pradesh tested negative, but contamination was detected when Tamil Nadu authorities examined the products directly at Sresan Pharma in Kanchipuram.

Several states have now banned the syrup, and the Centre has ordered inspections at 19 pharmaceutical units across six states, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said in an official statement on October 5. But what exactly is diethylene glycol, and should you be concerned?

Diethylene Glycol Found In ‘Coldrif’ Cough Syrup

Some children with routine cold symptoms such as cough, fever, and mild discomfort were prescribed the locally available Coldrif syrup. Instead of getting better, within a few days, some developed dark urine, extreme fatigue, and signs of kidney failure, as per BBC.

Death reports are also surfacing, with the toll rising. The Tamil Nadu government has issued a notice to Sresan Pharma, asking why its drug license should not be revoked after 14 children in Madhya Pradesh reportedly died from consuming this toxic syrup. The governments of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu have banned Coldrif sales after tests revealed it contained a highly poisonous chemical. The health ministry confirmed that the syrup contained diethylene glycol (DEG), an industrial solvent, which can be fatal even in small doses.

What Is Diethylene Glycol?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG) are industrial chemicals used in antifreeze, paints, brake fluids, and plastics. They are not intended for medicinal use but can enter drugs if contaminated or if industrial-grade raw materials are used instead of pharmaceutical grade ingredients such as glycerine or propylene glycol.

Once consumed, DEG and EG break down into toxic compounds that can harm the kidneys, liver, and nervous system. Tamil Nadu drug officials found that Coldrif contained 48.6% DEG, which is far above safe limits. The Centre has initiated inspections at 19 pharmaceutical units in six states, filed FIRs, and taken regulatory action in multiple regions.

Several children remain hospitalized across states after consuming the syrup. Doctors are providing treatments including dialysis, but they warn that affected children may continue to experience long-term kidney and nerve problems.

How To Know If You Have Been Contaminated With Diethylene Glycol?

Cases of DEG contamination are emerging daily, mostly in children who developed acute kidney issues after taking cough syrup. Common warning signs include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Drowsiness
• Reduced urination

In children, poisoning can escalate quickly to acute kidney failure, seizures, and even death.

Is It Safe To Consume Cough Syrup?

Interestingly, the batch of Coldrif syrup made by Sresan Pharma (Tamil Nadu) tested positive for high DEG levels (48.6%) at the manufacturing site, triggering bans in Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and possibly other states. At the same time, samples collected from other locations, such as in MP and Rajasthan, did not always show contamination, suggesting limited batch issues or testing differences. However, to minimize the risk:

• Always follow your doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions regarding dose and duration.
• Prefer single-ingredient formulations over combinations to reduce the chance of overexposure.
• Avoid expired syrups or those from unreliable sources.
• Seek medical help if symptoms persist instead of increasing the dose yourself.
• Store medicines correctly according to label instructions (temperature, humidity, etc.).

India is the world’s largest producer of generic medicines, often called the “pharmacy of the world.” Incidents like this raise serious public health concerns and could impact India’s global pharmaceutical reputation.

One thing we know for sure about SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is that it keeps changing. Since the start of the pandemic, we have seen several notable variants, including Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron. New variants are a normal part of how viruses evolve, but keeping an eye on each emerging one is crucial to make sure people, both in the U.S. and around the world are prepared.

This is particularly important if a variant spreads faster, causes more severe illness, resists vaccines, or combines all these factors compared with the original virus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) uses letters from the Greek alphabet to name new coronavirus variants, beginning with Alpha, which first appeared in 2020. While COVID no longer sparks the same widespread fear, the virus continues to evolve.

Since 2020, countless variants have appeared, each carrying different levels of risk in different countries. Below, we take a chronological look at these variants, how dangerous they have been, and how they have been mutating across regions.

Covid Variant VS Covid Strain

Variants and strains are not the same. A variant occurs when the virus changes slightly (mutates) from the original version, often due to an error in its genetic code during replication. A variant is like a new version of the virus. A strain, however, is when the virus accumulates enough variants that it behaves differently, for example, becoming far more transmissible than the original. All strains are variants, but not every variant counts as a strain, as noted by NHS.

Alpha Variant (B.1.1.7)

By the end of 2020, the original L strain of COVID had undergone several mutations, including the S, V, and G strains. The first widely reported variant, B.1.1.7, known as Alpha, appeared in the U.K. in September 2020. Alpha triggered a global surge of infections before vaccines were available and was deadlier than the original virus. Common symptoms included loss of taste or smell, fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, headache, sore throat, congestion, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines remained effective against Alpha.

Beta Variant (B.1.351)

Soon after Alpha, the Beta variant (B.1.351) emerged in South Africa and spread to other countries. According to CDC estimates, Beta was roughly 50% more transmissible than the original virus, though it only accounted for a small share of U.S. cases. Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J vaccines were still effective against Beta.

Gamma Variant (P.1)

The Gamma variant, P.1, appeared in Brazil in November 2020. It caused relatively few cases in the U.S., though CDC data in fall 2021 suggested it could sometimes cause breakthrough infections among fully vaccinated people. Gamma did not seem as contagious as Alpha or Delta.

Delta Variant (B.1.617.2)

Delta (B.1.617.2) surged in spring 2021, first dominating in India and spreading to over 130 countries, resulting in severe waves worldwide. It caused more serious illness and hospitalizations among the unvaccinated than previous variants.

Even as U.S. vaccination efforts were underway, Delta could evade some vaccine-induced immunity, leading to breakthrough infections, as per CDC. More than 70% of cases were reported in fully vaccinated individuals, prompting booster campaigns. Headache, sore throat, runny nose, and fever were the most common symptoms.

Delta Plus Variant

Delta AY.4.2, known as Delta Plus, was an offshoot of Delta rather than a standalone variant. It had two spike protein mutations that helped it infect cells more efficiently, making it about 10–20% more transmissible. Delta Plus caused a surge in the U.K. but did not take hold in the U.S.

Omicron And Its Subvariants

Omicron and its subvariants have been the dominant strains in the U.S. for nearly two years. The original Omicron (BA.1) no longer circulates widely, but its subvariants now drive most infections. Omicron was first detected in Botswana and South Africa in November 2021 and quickly spread globally. By December, it caused U.S. daily cases to exceed a million.

In 2022, several subvariants emerged, and in 2023, EG.5 (nicknamed “Eris”) became dominant, with BA.2.86 (“Pirola”) also under observation. Omicron subvariants spread very efficiently, partly due to over 30 mutations on the spike protein that increase their ability to infect human cells. Early data suggested the original Omicron caused less severe illness than earlier variants, but high case numbers could still strain hospitals.

Vaccines remain protective against severe disease, though breakthrough infections can occur. The CDC recommends staying up to date with boosters, including the updated 2023 fall shot designed to target EG.5 and BA.2.86.

Nimbus, Stratus And Frankenstein Variants

Nimbus and Stratus are informal names for Omicron subvariants being monitored in 2025. Nimbus (NB.1.8.1) appeared in China early in 2025. Highly transmissible, it spread across Asia, Europe, and the U.S., causing symptoms like a razor-like sore throat, fatigue, mild cough, and congestion.

Stratus (XFG) first appeared in Canada and became dominant in Europe and the U.K. It shows enhanced immune evasion and causes a hoarse or raspy voice in some patients.

Frankenstein Variant

“Frankenstein” is a nickname for hybrid variants formed when someone is infected with two COVID strains simultaneously. Stratus itself is a Frankenstein-type variant. These combination of viruses circulate like any other, but their mixed genetics can make them more transmissible or better at evading immune defenses.

How Many Covid Cases Are Being Reported Now Worldwide?

In India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reports 30,440 cases from January to September 2025, though many go unreported due to self-treatment at home. Meanwhile, cases have been rising in the U.S. and U.K.

For the week ending September 27, 6.7% of Americans tested positive, slightly down from 7.9% the previous week. COVID accounted for 0.8% of U.S. deaths and 0.7% of ER visits during the same period.

SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve. Healthy, vaccinated adults face lower risk of severe disease than during the Delta wave, but older adults and immunocompromised people should remain cautious. Public-health authorities in India and worldwide are actively monitoring variants and will highlight any that significantly change risk.

Weight loss jabs have become increasingly popular, with many people opting for it. However, something that has been highlighted is the unexpected side-effects of the medication. New research shows that a popular group of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists might cause problems when doctors read certain cancer scans, known as FDG PET-CT scans. These drugs are widely prescribed to people with Type 2 diabetes and those trying to lose weight.

This is a big deal because the use of these weight-loss and diabetes drugs has grown extremely fast, for example, use in the U.S. jumped by a huge 700% between 2019 and 2023. This important new finding was recently announced at a major medical meeting, the 38th Annual Congress of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine.

How Do Weight Loss Jabs Affect Scan Results?

GLP-1 receptor agonists change a few things inside the body: they affect how the body uses sugar, how quickly the stomach moves food, and even activity in the nervous system. Because of these changes, the medications can create unusual patterns on the PET-CT scan.

This scan works by tracking a sugar-like substance called FDG. Doctors had previously noticed that this FDG tracker was gathering more than usual in places like body muscles, the heart muscle, and a type of fat called brown fat. When doctors see a bright spot like this on a scan, they might mistakenly think it is a sign of cancer or a serious swelling or infection.

How Did The Researchers Identify The Problem?

A team of doctors from Alliance Medical Ltd. looked back at the FDG PET-CT scans of cancer patients who were taking GLP-1 agonists. They confirmed that they were seeing many abnormal spots where the tracer gathered. This means that if the doctor reading the scan doesn't know the patient is taking a GLP-1 drug, they could easily misread the picture as a sign of disease.

Dr. Peter Strouhal, the lead researcher, explained that the problem became so noticeable in their hospitals that it led them to start a formal study. He said, "We found that these altered patterns are increasingly common, yet there is currently no official set of rules in the UK or internationally addressing this emerging issue."

Danger of Wrong Interpretations

When doctors misread these scan patterns, it can lead to very serious problems for the patient. A wrong interpretation could result in:

• Extra, unnecessary tests and procedures that the patient doesn't need.
• Incorrectly determining how far the cancer has spread (called staging the cancer).
• Delays in starting the correct cancer treatment the patient needs.

Dr. Strouhal stressed that it's crucial to recognize the specific patterns caused by GLP-1 agonists. By knowing these patterns, doctors can avoid causing patients needless worry and extra medical procedures, making sure people receive the right care, at the right time, without unnecessary delays.

What Doctors Should Do Now

For now, the researchers are not advising patients to stop taking their GLP-1 agonists before having a PET-CT scan. Instead, their most important advice is for the medical teams to record the patient’s complete list of medications very carefully. This information is critical and must be shared with the doctors who examine and analyze the scan. While official rules in the UK are still being developed, guidelines in Australia suggest the following steps:

• Patients should keep taking the GLP-1 drug.
• They should fast (not eat) starting at midnight before the scan.
• Scans should be done in the morning.
• Their blood sugar levels must be well-controlled.

The research group plans to gather information from many more imaging centers to create a stronger base of evidence. They also want to work with other countries to establish shared, international rules so that patients everywhere receive reliable and accurate PET-CT scan results.