Being a retired accountant, Mr. John Smith only had a history of high cholesterol and high blood pressure in this health history. Although he never smoked and only had alcohol occasionally, Mr. Smith didn’t know what the future held for his health. After being evaluated by a neurologist, Mr. Smith was faced with a Parkinson’s diagnosis. He first began experiencing symptoms of tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and co-ordination about five years before his diagnosis. He had been treated with a combination of medication however, he saw no improvement.

This 2023 case study is just one of many that shows the realities of dealing with Parkinson’s. Despite years of treatment, many times people see no improvement. Will this change? Study shows that it might. A new study shows that a customized treatment could help Parkinson’s patients improve their movement.

Parkinson's disease often makes it really hard for people to walk well. They might develop a shuffling walk, often called "Parkinson's gait," which makes them more likely to fall and harder to move around on their own. But new research points to an exciting solution: a treatment called deep brain stimulation (DBS) that's custom-made for each patient's brain and walking style.

Personalized Deep Brain Stimulation

The study found that by carefully changing the brain stimulation based on things like how long someone's steps are, how fast they walk, and even how much their arms swing, their overall movement got much better. Researchers reported these findings in the journal npj Parkinson’s Disease.

However, medical research shows that ‘one-size-fit-all’ solutions are not always helpful, especially when it comes to neurological issues. The reason why this is a big step is because this treament means doctors can tailor the treatment to fit each person perfectly. The scientists hope this personalized approach will lead to smarter and more effective treatments not just for Parkinson's, but for other brain conditions too. It's all about making the technology work just right for each individual.

How Deep Brain Stimulation Works

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) uses a small device placed inside the body. It sends gentle electrical signals directly to specific parts of the brain. These signals essentially give the brain a "jump start," helping it control movements better. DBS has been very good at easing common Parkinson's symptoms like shaking, stiffness, and slow movements. However, it hasn't always been as consistent in helping with walking problems, which is why this new research is so important.

Parkinson's disease is a condition that slowly gets worse over time, affecting how people move. It causes symptoms like shaking, stiff muscles, and trouble with balance and coordination. These issues happen because certain brain cells that make a chemical called dopamine either die or get damaged. Dopamine is essential for smooth and controlled movements.

Creating a "Walking Scorecard"

For this study, researchers worked closely with three Parkinson's patients to figure out how to make DBS better at helping with walking. During clinic visits, patients walked in a loop while scientists carefully changed their DBS settings. At the same time, they recorded the patients' brain activity and how they moved.

Using all this information, the researchers created something called a "walking performance index" (WPI). It is a detailed score that shows exactly how Parkinson's is affecting a person's movement. Using this the team also found specific patterns of brain activity, especially in a brain area called the globus pallidus, that were linked to better walking. This part of the brain is known to be involved when muscle control is lost in Parkinson's. The WPI proved to be a reliable way to measure and improve walking, helping them find the best personalized DBS settings for each patient.

Automated and Smarter DBS

Looking ahead, the researchers are working on creating automated systems. These systems would be able to capture details about how a person walks in real-time, even during their daily life. This information would then be sent directly to the software that controls the DBS device. By using the WPI, these smart systems could automatically make exact adjustments to the brain stimulation. This could lead to even better and more consistent improvements in walking for people with Parkinson's, making the technology even more responsive and personalized.

It’s déjà vu Braves fans didn’t ask for. Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta’s powerhouse baseball outfielder and reigning National League MVP, has hit the injured list again, this time with tightness in his right Achilles tendon. Just months after returning from a torn ACL in his left knee, Acuña pulled up sore after sprinting the bases and later chasing a fly ball, exiting Tuesday’s game against the Royals mid-inning.

But what does Achilles tendon tightness actually mean, and why does it freak out athletes and sports doctors alike?

The Achilles tendon, also known as the calcaneal tendon, is the thick band of tissue that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. It is the biggest and strongest tendon in the human body. But it can bring even the fittest athletes to their knees.

It helps you run, jump, pivot and push off the ground, basically every move an outfielder like Acuña makes in a single play. When it is tight, inflamed or partially torn, that springy propulsion becomes painful and unstable. Cue the limping, grimacing and, in some cases, weeks on the injured list.

Why Achilles Pain Is a Red Flag

In Acuña’s case, the discomfort reportedly began the night before while sprinting around the bases and got worse chasing fly balls. That is a classic setup: high-intensity bursts, sudden stops, and quick direction changes, all high-risk moves for the Achilles.

If ignored, tightness can escalate to tendonitis (inflammation), partial tears, or the dreaded rupture, which is basically the tendon snapping in two. That is a season-ending injury, often requiring surgery and months of rehab.

When the Body Says No

But ignoring Achilles issues can backfire in the worst way. What starts as tightness today could be crutches tomorrow. The tendon does not heal fast, and re-injury is a very real risk if recovery is rushed.

The Game Plan for Recovery

Recovery is not just about waiting for the pain to stop; it is about rebuilding strength, restoring flexibility, and ensuring both legs are balanced and strong.

Why This Matters for Everyone Who Plays

Stretch regularly, warm up before activity, avoid sudden ramp-ups in intensity, and listen to your body. And if the pain lingers or worsens, see a specialist. Ronald Acuña Jr.’s Achilles flare-up might just be tightness, but it is the kind of tightness that turns trainers serious and fans anxious. It’s also a timely reminder that this tendon is small but mighty, and when it acts up, rest is not optional. Whether you are chasing fly balls or your morning run goal, treat your heels with the caution they deserve.

A recent tragic shooting in Midtown Manhattan has pulled an obscure but alarming brain disease back into the headlines. The shooter reportedly left behind a suicide note claiming he suffered from CTE, short for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a condition linked to repeated head trauma. As shocking as the incident was, it has opened up a floodgate of questions: What exactly is CTE? Can it really make someone act out violently? And how can we even know if someone had it?

What Exactly Is CTE?

The Symptoms

It is the sort of change that can feel like a personality transplant. Loved ones often report seeing someone “become a different person” over time.

Not Just a Pro Athlete Problem

Back to the Manhattan case. While the shooter’s note mentioned CTE, we still do not know whether he actually had it, let alone whether it influenced his behaviour. This brings up messy territory: should possible brain disease be considered in criminal responsibility? Can CTE be a mitigating factor in violent crime?

It is a grey zone. And until we develop reliable tools to diagnose CTE in the living, we are mostly left guessing.

What Can We Do?

• Rethinking how we approach youth and professional sports
• Reducing repeated head trauma wherever possible
• Keeping an eye out for changes in behaviour following head injuries

Hepatitis is not nicknamed the “silent killer” for nothing. What makes it so dangerous is how symptomless it often is for years. It can quietly chip away at your liver without so much as a warning sign. By the time symptoms like fatigue, jaundice, or abdominal pain appear, significant harm may already have occurred. This eerie silence allows hepatitis to go undetected until it has done some serious damage.

Just Because You Cannot Hear It Does Not Mean It Is Not There

Dr Vikram Vora says that hepatitis is a major global health threat, killing over a million people each year. What is even more tragic? These deaths are, in his words, “largely preventable”. The villains in this tale, cirrhosis and liver cancer, often stem from untreated or undiagnosed hepatitis infections.

Prevention Helps

“The cornerstone of hepatitis control is prevention,” Dr Vora says. And the good news is that you have got some powerful tools at your disposal. “Vaccination, especially against Hepatitis B, is one of the most effective tools available,” he says, adding that infants, healthcare workers, and at-risk adults should be prioritised. Other prevention measures include safe injection practices, steering clear of needle-sharing, and ensuring blood transfusions are properly screened.

But danger often hides in plain sight. Dr Vora warns that something as seemingly harmless as getting a tattoo or piercing can carry lifelong consequences if done in an unregulated facility. His advice? “Choosing safe, licensed establishments is non-negotiable.”

Why You Should Not Wait for Symptoms

If there is one thing hepatitis is good at, it is staying undetected. That is why Dr Vora champions regular screening, especially if you have had medical procedures, blood transfusions, or close contact with someone infected. “Early diagnosis is a game-changer,” he says. Caught in time, hepatitis can be treated effectively, helping patients avoid severe liver disease or even make a full recovery.

A Diagnosis Is Not a Death Sentence

Dr Vora offers hope to those living with hepatitis. “With proper medical care and lifestyle adjustments, a healthy life is achievable,” he insists. That means ditching alcohol, sticking to a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and closely following medical advice. He also points out the mental and emotional toll a diagnosis can take. “Support from family, community, and healthcare providers can make a significant difference in outcomes.”

The Stigma That Silences

Perhaps just as damaging as the virus itself is the social stigma surrounding it. Dr Vora identifies this as a major hurdle in tackling hepatitis. “Fear of social exclusion keeps many from seeking help,” he explains. And that delay can cost lives. According to him, building a culture of empathy and understanding is critical. He encourages public health campaigns, education, and open dialogue as essential tools to dismantle this stigma.

Make Noise Against the Silence

In Dr Vora’s words, “Hepatitis may be silent, but it is not invincible.” Every little step, whether it is getting vaccinated, getting screened, or just talking about it, can chip away at the power hepatitis holds. Silence has cost too many lives already. Awareness can save them.