While the health issues associated with climate change may seem far off, we may have to worry about a killer fungus that infects millions. A new study shows that Aspergillus species, which can cause severe infections in humans, livestock and plants will continue to grow because of the higher temperatures. The research is currently under peer review. The authors explain that invasive aspergillosis and its prevalence in a place correlates with the environmental suitability, meaning the warmer the temperature, the more severe the strain.

To understand this infection better, we spoke to Dr. Sabrinath Ravichandar, Pulmonologist and who is also a member of Doctube, from Chennai.

What Infection Does Aspergillus Species Cause?

The fungus in question can lead to invasive aspergillosis, a severe infection that typically starts in the lungs and has the potential to spread to the brain. While people with healthy immune systems can usually combat the fungal spores, those with a weak immune system are more at risk. According to a 2024 report in Lancet, annually more than 2 million people develop invasive aspergillosis with 34 thousand deaths.

Dr. Ravichandar explains that the early signs of this infection include coughing (sometimes with blood), shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, fatigue and wheezing. The symptoms may differ for people who have a weak immune system, he explains. “In immunocompromised individuals, symptoms may progress rapidly. Sinus infections, facial swelling, or vision changes can also occur if the fungus spreads. Prompt medical attention is crucial for effective treatment.”

Climate Change Fuels Fungal Spread

The study suggests that this fungus, called Aspergillus, could move from warmer parts of the world into Europe and the UK as climate change gets worse, and temperatures keep rising. Researchers say that climate change makes disease outbreaks more likely, and these fungal infections are becoming harder to treat and more common.

Why Is This Fungus A Cause Of Concern?

Experts say these fungi are "extremely difficult" to treat. There aren't many medicines that work against them, and the fungus is becoming resistant to the drugs we have. They are also very hard to diagnose. Dr. Ravichandar says, “Antifungal medications like voriconazole and amphotericin B are effective treatments. Early diagnosis and targeted antifungal therapy significantly improve outcomes in affected individuals.”

Challenges in Treatment and Diagnosis

Experts caution that these fungal infections are very difficult to treat. Researchers note that along with limited availability of effective treatments and medications, there is a concern regarding whether the infection becomes drug resistant. Now the question arises - how will the infection be effectively diagnosed and treated?

Dr. Ravichandran explains that the effectiveness for the treatment for aspergillosis depends on what kind of strain it is. While medication may help, sometimes there is need for other kinds of treatments. “In severe cases, surgery may be needed to remove infected tissues. Treatment effectiveness varies; it depends on the infection type and the patient’s immune status. Invasive aspergillosis is harder to treat and can be life-threatening despite therapy.”

How Is Infection Caused By Aspergillus Diagnosed?

Researchers emphasize the difficulty of diagnosing this infection, saying there are many challenges associated with accurate diagnosis. Dr. Ravichandar explains that diagnosis for aspergillosis involves chest X-rays or CT scans to detect lung damage. He continues, “Blood tests to detect antibodies or antigens, and sputum or tissue cultures to identify the fungus. A bronchoscopy may be performed to collect lung samples.”

Who Is At Risk And Are There Preventive Measures They Can Follow?

The expert says, “People most at risk include those with weakened immune systems, cancer, organ transplants, or lung diseases. To protect themselves, they should avoid dusty environments, wear masks when exposed to soil or mold, maintain good hygiene, and promptly treat infections. Regular medical follow-ups help detect and manage early signs effectively.”

A small blue pill called Molecule has become a major trend among young people in Russia, especially on TikTok, where it is hailed as a quick fix for weight loss. Marketed as a “natural supplement” made with dandelion root and fennel seed extract, it has drawn huge attention for its low price and bold promises.

But independent testing has uncovered a troubling truth — the tablets actually contain a banned substance linked to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, and is baned in the US, UK, EU, and China.

What Is Molecule?

Earlier this year, Molecule swept through Russian TikTok, promoted as a fast and easy way to lose weight. Feeds were filled with videos captioned “Take Molecule and forget food exists” or “Do you want to sit in the back of class wearing oversized clothes?” Fridges lined with the pill’s distinctive blue boxes, featuring holographic “Molecule Plus” labels, became a status symbol.

Orders began flooding in as teens proudly documented their “weight-loss journeys.” But soon, the excitement gave way to alarm. Users began reporting severe side effects. Maria, a 22-year-old, told the BBC that after just two weeks, she experienced extreme anxiety, dehydration, and a complete loss of appetite. Others complained of insomnia, shaking hands, and dilated pupils. Several school students were eventually hospitalized.

What Does Molecule Contain?

Despite its packaging listing herbal ingredients such as dandelion root and fennel seed, a report by the Russian newspaper Izvestiya revealed that Molecule actually contains sibutramine, which is a prescription-only appetite suppressant known to raise the risk of heart attack and stroke. Sibutramine was banned in the United States in 2010 and is also illegal in the United Kingdom, the European Union, and China.

What Is Sibutramine?

Sibutramine is an appetite-suppressing drug once prescribed for obesity. It acts as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), increasing feelings of fullness and reducing hunger. Although it proved effective for weight loss, it was withdrawn from global markets after studies showed it could significantly increase the risk of serious cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks and strokes. The risks were deemed too high, especially since many people seeking weight-loss treatment already face heart-related health concerns.

Is Molecule Similar To Weight-Loss Drugs Like Ozempic or Wegovy?

While Ozempic and similar injections are medically approved and work by targeting gut hormones that regulate appetite and blood sugar, Molecule is an unregulated supplement containing a banned chemical. It has never undergone safety testing, and it is sold freely without medical oversight or prescription.

How is Molecule Still Being Sold in Russia?

Although sibutramine is legally available in Russia only through prescription for adults with obesity, Molecule is sold openly online, often in higher doses and without supervision. Even after e-commerce sites removed listings, it quickly resurfaced under new names like “Atom,” disguised as diet biscuits or even packaged to look like lightbulbs, as per the BBC report.

A 20-day supply costs only £6–7 (around ₹700), compared with the £40–160 (₹4,000–16,000) monthly price tag of Ozempic shots in Russia. Its affordability and strong presence on social media have made it particularly appealing to teens chasing unrealistic body ideals.

For now, Molecule remains popular across Russia’s online weight-loss market. It is cheap, accessible, and heavily promoted. Yet beneath the glossy marketing and viral videos lies a serious health threat. The so-called pill “to forget food exists” could well become another warning about the dangers of fast-track weight-loss solutions in a culture fixated on instant change.

The shape of your belly could reveal a lot about your health. Belly fat, while, we know could suggest an unhealthy lifestyle, the type and shape of the belly could also tell you about the kind of health risk you may be having.

There are two main types of belly fats:

Subcutaneous fat: The soft fat just under your skin, the kind you can pinch.

Visceral fat: The deeper, more dangerous fat stored around your internal organs such as the liver, pancreas, and kidneys.

Having some belly fat is completely normal as it is important for energy, insulation, and protection, however, the excess fat may increase risk of chronic disease.

Shape Of Your Belly Fat

Hormonal Belly: This happens when a person gains weight around the abdomen due to hormonal fluctuation. This could be due to changes in thyroid, adrenal, reproductive, or other hormone levels.

This is common in women with PCOS, who often have fat stored around their waist. As per the Office on Women's Health (OWH), PCOS is common and impacts 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. Due to the higher levels of male sex hormones and higher insulin levels, women with PCOS gain weight around their abdomen.

Alcohol Belly: This is also known as beer belly. This happens when you consume too many calories. As per experts, alcohol intake is often associated with bigger waists, because when you drink alcohol, the liver burns alcohol instead of fats.

The alcohol belly is a protruding abdomen, which usually gives your belly a full round shape. This happens due to the stored visceral fat, and could be linked with many diseases, including cardiovascular diseases.

Mommy Tummy: A mommy belly or a mommy tummy is usually the soft belly or the bulging belly that comes after child-birth. This happens due to diastasis recti, which is a separation of abdominal muscle. There could be other factors, including stretched skin, excess fat, and water retention. It can be addressed by focusing on exercises that strengthen your core muscles and help the abdominal muscles come back together.

Stressed Belly: While it is not a medical term, it can happen due to high levels of cortisol, and triggered by chronic stress. This can also lead to storage of visceral fat in the abdominal area, which is linked with increased health risks like inflammation and insulin resistance.

This is usually associated with someone having an apple-shaped body, however, the fat deposit may vary in people.

The Fat You Can See And Feel

Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) makes up nearly 90% of total body fat. This is the fat distributed around your abdomen, thighs, hips, and upper back. It’s soft, visible, and often what people refer to when they talk about “jiggly” fat.

Unlike visceral fat, subcutaneous fat is not wrapped around your internal organs, which makes it less strongly linked to serious diseases. However, this doesn’t make it harmless. A 2017 review found that higher levels of upper-body subcutaneous fat were associated with:

• Increased blood pressure
• Higher LDL (“bad”) cholesterol
• Higher triglycerides and blood glucose
• Lower HDL (“good”) cholesterol

While visceral body tissue is a fat stored deeper inside your abdominal cavity, a fat you cannot pinch or feel. This is stored around the organs and could lead to type 2 diabetes, increased inflammation, higher blood fats, and elevated blood pressure. Men are more likely to accumulate visceral fat, conditions like hormone belly, or an apple-shaped body could be an example of that.

After a short spell of clearer skies, Delhi’s air quality worsened again on Thursday, with the city’s overall AQI climbing to 264, squarely in the “poor” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Unfortunately, forecasts suggest that the situation will deteriorate further to the “very poor” zone in the coming days.

A dense layer of smog has settled over much of the capital, and pollution-related illnesses are being reported every day. Many residents have also complained of migraine attacks over the past week, prompting the question: can pollution trigger migraines?

To understand this better, we spoke to Dr. Khusboo Hatekar, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, DPU Super Specialty Hospital, Pimpri Pune.

What’s Behind Delhi’s Rising Air Pollution?

Meteorologists attribute the worsening pollution to a western disturbance that has slowed wind speed and created atmospheric stagnation, ideal conditions for pollutants to accumulate.

This stagnant air has intensified health risks, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, senior citizens, and people with chronic respiratory conditions. Doctors have urged Delhiites to reduce outdoor exposure, particularly during early morning and late evening hours when pollution levels are at their peak.

What Is a Migraine?

A migraine is a neurological condition marked by severe, throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head. It often comes with nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light or sound. Attacks can last anywhere from a few hours to several days, often disrupting daily routines.

In some individuals, warning signs known as auras appear before or during a migraine episode. These may include visual disturbances like flashes of light or blind spots, as well as tingling sensations on one side of the face or body and even temporary difficulty speaking, as described by the Cleveland Clinic.

Can Air Pollution Trigger Migraines?

Air pollution is now increasingly recognised as a powerful environmental trigger for migraine — a complex neurological disorder that causes recurring, often debilitating headaches. The connection lies in how pollutants interact with the brain’s blood vessels and nerves, setting off inflammatory reactions that heighten pain sensitivity.

The Neurological Link

Under normal circumstances, this system remains stable. But when it becomes overactive, it releases neuropeptides such as substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). These chemicals cause inflammation and dilation of blood vessels, leading to the throbbing pain typical of migraines.

How Polluted Air Affects the Brain?

Common air pollutants like fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), carbon monoxide (CO), and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) can activate this same system. When inhaled, these pollutants enter the body through the lungs or nasal passages and create oxidative stress and inflammation in the nervous system.

Dr Hatekar said, “This process triggers immune cells in the brain known as microglia, which then release pro-inflammatory molecules that heighten nerve sensitivity and increase the likelihood of migraine attacks.”

Beyond the Brain: Blood Flow and Hormones

Air pollution can also disturb normal cerebral blood flow and alter levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin, a key regulator of mood and pain. At the same time, exposure to polluted air stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, the body’s stress response network, which further interacts with the trigeminal system to intensify symptoms.

Research has shown a clear association between spikes in air pollution and higher numbers of migraine-related emergency room visits, underlining how environmental conditions can influence neurological health.

The Role of Weather and Genetic Sensitivity

Weather changes often accompany high pollution days, and together, they can worsen the risk of migraines. Fluctuations in barometric pressure, temperature, and humidity, combined with exposure to pollutants, can make certain individuals more prone to attacks.

Some people may also be genetically predisposed to this heightened sensitivity, which explains why not everyone responds to pollution in the same way.

The Broader Health Impact

Dr Hatekar suggested, for people who frequently suffer from migraines, exposure to polluted air can lead to more frequent and intense episodes. This not only reduces their quality of life but also increases the burden on healthcare systems due to repeated consultations and treatments.

Experts believe that improving air quality through strong public health measures could significantly reduce migraine cases in heavily polluted urban regions.

Air pollution appears to trigger migraines through a mix of neuroinflammatory, vascular, and autonomic mechanisms. It activates the trigemino-vascular system, increases oxidative stress, and disrupts the body’s natural balance.

This growing understanding reveals how deeply environmental factors influence neurological conditions and why controlling pollution is not only a matter of clean air but also of reducing the hidden toll it takes on our brains.