In a devastating setback for global HIV research, the United States government has abruptly halted funding for a seminal mRNA-based HIV vaccine study, just days before its scheduled start in March 2025. The vaccine, developed under the BRILLIANT consortium, had secured all regulatory approvals and was on track to begin Phase 1 clinical trials in South Africa—a country with the highest number of people living with HIV.

Now, vials of the vaccine sit idle in lab refrigerators, their promise frozen alongside the hopes of researchers who have worked for years toward this breakthrough.

“It feels like the world has come to an end,” said Linda-Gail Bekker, director of the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre and the trial’s lead. “But we have to find a way forward.”

A Domino Effect in South Africa

South Africa, a critical hub in the global HIV research ecosystem, has been hit particularly hard. The cuts have disrupted care and prevention programs, forced clinics to shut down, and triggered mass layoffs of healthcare workers.

Thesla Palanee-Phillips, director of clinical trials at Johannesburg’s Wits RHI, described the situation as a “devastating domino effect,” with research programs unraveling and data becoming unusable. She was deputy director of MATRIX, a major HIV-prevention R&D initiative that lost its $125 million USAID grant. “There’s little chance of resurrection,” she said. “Our partners at USAID have been let go.”

This funding freeze erases not only years of work, but future dividends of innovation. Bekker warns that dismantling this “well-oiled ecosystem” of research and partnerships is a loss that goes beyond science—it’s bad economics.

Broader Cuts Undermine Health Progress

The vaccine halt is not an isolated event. It’s part of a broader trend of U.S. health aid reductions, particularly under the Trump administration. Between 2017 and 2021, the administration canceled at least 68 health-related grants awarded to 46 institutions, totaling around $40 million. These included vital studies on LGBTQ health, youth suicide, and HIV prevention.

Many researchers believe the cuts were politically motivated. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) defended the terminations by citing a commitment to “gold-standard, evidence-based science,” though critics argue they reflect an ideological rollback on gender and minority protections.

Under Trump, the definition of gender in healthcare was altered, undermining Obama-era protections for transgender individuals. In 2020, the administration reversed rules prohibiting healthcare discrimination based on gender identity—actions that severely limited access to gender-affirming care and other essential services.

Tariffs and the Heparin Crisis

The Trump-era focus on trade protectionism also had medical repercussions. Tariffs on pharmaceutical imports from China have raised alarms about the future of heparin, a life-saving anticoagulant. Made primarily from pig intestines sourced in China, heparin has no real substitute for patients requiring injectable blood thinners.

The threat of tariffs could disrupt this fragile supply chain, raise drug costs, and cause shortages in U.S. hospitals. Manufacturing domestically would require major investment, and alternative sources remain limited. The consequences of such disruption go beyond inconvenience—they could endanger lives.

Looking for New Pathways

Despite the bleak outlook, researchers in South Africa are exploring alternate funding sources. Bekker has reassigned some of her staff to shield them from layoffs, while the South African Medical Research Council is in talks with the government, private philanthropists, and pharmaceutical companies.

“It takes decades to build a research career,” said Palanee-Phillips. “Overnight decisions are destroying the work we’ve done.” Yet, she holds on to a sliver of hope: that African researchers will persevere and rebuild.

As global health leaders now warn of a potential immunization disaster—should the U.S. also pull support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance—the world is watching Washington’s next moves with urgency and concern. Because when America retreats from global health, the consequences reverberate far beyond its borders.

What if your body could feel decades younger—just by tweaking how you live every day? A London longevity doctor who has done exactly that, by "hacking" her lifestyle and habits. Successfully reversing her biological age by 30 years.

In a time when longevity and vigor of youth are the center of health discussions, the life of Dr. Alka Patel serves as an inspiring testament to lifestyle medicine and individualised health optimisation. At the age of 53, Dr. Patel disobeys traditional ageing — stating that her biological age is more like 23. That this incredible change is not a matter of making up wishes but a science-based process based on facts, order, and a complete lifestyle transformation.

Biological Age vs. Chronological Age

Chronological age—the years since birth—is only half the picture when it comes to ageing and health. Biological age, however, is the actual functional condition of our cells, tissues, and organs. A person's biological age may be younger or older than his or her chronological age based on lifestyle, genetics, environment, and overall health. For Dr. Patel, that was moving away from simply tallying years and thinking about how well her body was working at a cellular level. Her brain, heart, and skin now function as if she were three decades younger, rewriting the dictionary definition of 'ageing'.

Dr. Patel's quest to turn her biological clock around started under dire conditions. At 39, she hit a terrible health crisis brought on by burnout—an all-too-familiar yet too-often-neglected condition in stressful careers such as medicine. Worn down by round-the-clock work pressures and caregiving duties, her body started to give way, landing her with a fever of undetermined origin and the subsequent shutdown of critical organs.

Hospitalized and with the uncertainty of her survival, Dr. Patel was operated on, resulting in both physical wounds and a deep wake-up call. Faced with mortality, it altered her outlook, triggering a resolve to regain her health and longevity not only for herself but also for others who were going through similar battles.

Throwing off reactive, symptom-focused medicine, Dr. Patel implemented an in-depth 'Foundational, Functional, Focal' health optimisation plan that combined her medical training with a twenty-first-century, data-informed approach. She started by creating a strong foundation—optimising nutrition, sleep, movement, and stress management. Next, she progressed to functional diagnostics, gauging hormone levels, nutrient inadequacies, inflammation, and toxin burden through exhaustive testing. Lastly, she embraced a focal methodology, leveraging these points of data to establish specific health objectives, such as enhanced cognitive acuity and cardiovascular wellness.

This tiered, holistic approach not only changed the way Dr. Patel lived but also the way she perceived her body. Wearable technology such as Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and sleep trackers became essential utilities in her arsenal for health, empowering her to make intelligent, real-time choices—translating data into functional strategies.

Prior to her health change, Dr. Patel's life was a revolving cycle of chaos. Juggling a high-powered medical career, mother of three, and personal mission to 'do it all,' she consistently gave up sleep and balanced diet, burning through convenience foods and reactive coping strategies. The ongoing stress and inconsistent habits kept her in an ongoing state of 'firefighting' instead of 'fireproofing' her health.

Secrets Of A Longer, Healthier Life

Now, her day-to-day life reflects intentional decisions and micro-movements—tiny but potent interventions like walking outside into sunshine for a minute and gratitude practice, focusing on protein and fiber meals, and incorporating movement even in the most ordinary moments such as brushing her teeth. This rigorous routine has rewired her physiology and mindset, making her more resilient and vibrant.

Biohacking with a Doctor's Precision

Dr. Patel's longevity strategy goes beyond typical recommendations and gets into biohacking, but from a scientific perspective. Her regimen involves activities such as intermittent fasting—occasionally water-only fasts tracked by glucose sensors for safety, occasionally 'fasting mimicking diets' that still stimulate cellular regeneration pathways. Regular saunas help detoxification and cellular function, and marathon running and intermittent silence retreats push body and mind in ways that build resilience through calibrated discomfort.

In spite of peer skepticism on occasion based in conventional medical paradigms oriented toward disease treatment instead of proactive health optimisation, Dr. Patel is assured of the value of 'doctor-guided biohacking.' She is convinced that the complexity of the body requires expert guidance to safely and effectively set biological boundaries.

Role of Personalisation in Longevity

One of the key messages that Dr. Patel communicates is the paramount need for personalised approaches to health. A one-size-fits-all model does not exist for ageing or longevity. Rather, learning about one's individualised metabolic profile—via in-depth testing of more than 150 biomarkers—is what makes it possible to precision-target interventions. A case in point is fixing sleep problems by examining body temperature and lifestyle habits, as shown by a client who fixed sleep by modifying evening exercise habits and fasting windows.

These personalized strategies surpass blanket advice or blind supplementation. Though supplements such as magnesium or vitamin C can be beneficial to one's health, they are only beneficial when prescribed according to individual weaknesses or imbalance.

Adopting Hormetic Stress for Healthspan Extension

Dr. Patel promotes the principle of hormetic stress—safely exposing oneself to gentle stressors that stimulate the body's survival responses, boosting resilience and regeneration. Intermittent fasting, breathing exercises, cryotherapy (cold exposure) and heat therapy, in addition to creating physical resilience, also boost cognitive function and emotional equilibrium. This way of thinking redirects pain rather than a liability but as an accelerator for growth and longevity.

Redefining the Meaning of Ageing

For Dr. Patel, it isn't just a matter of living longer but healthier for longer—of maximizing healthspan, that phase of life spent in good health and autonomy, rather than merely lifespan. The dread is not ageing, then, but losing energy and autonomy. Her contention that ageing is a choice encapsulates an empowering ethos: time may move inexorably, but how our bodies react and adapt is under our command to a large extent.

This philosophy is evident in her own vigor—daylong consistent energy, clearer thinking, and an appreciation for renewed strength and beauty. The tests, such as long marathons and fasting discomfort, are accepted as part of a journey of self-discovery and mastery that unfolds throughout an entire lifetime.

Dr. Patel accompanies these developments with reservations, highlighting the necessity of medical supervision and individualized safety. The enthusiasm over such breakthroughs promises a world in which reversal of biological age is possible, but she reminds us that fundamental lifestyle changes constitute the cornerstone of long-term health.

Dr. Alka Patel's tale is more than an individual health victory; it is a harbinger for anyone hoping to restore youthful vitality through evidence-based, tailored lifestyle medicine. Her journey from the brink of lethal burnout to thriving with a biological age three decades younger is a testament that ageing is not a resigned destiny but an engaged, dynamic process that can be shaped dramatically by wise decisions.

Effective as of June 1, the UK has banned disposable vapes. This decision was made to protect children’s health as well as the environment. As vapes or E-cigarettes became more and more popular, the number of kids who used vapes has also been increasing and the easy availability of these vapes also made things a lot more difficult to control. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2024 1.63 million students used e-cigarettes, of whom 410,000 are middle school students and 1.21 million are high school students.

Among students 55.6% used disposable e-cigarettes and15.6% used prefilled or refillable pods. However, the UK ban on single use vape means you can no longer buy them in physical stores or online. So, how will this ban affect regular vape users? What are some things they should expect?

What Are Some Factors That Affect Vaping In Youth

Most people who use tobacco, including vapes, begin when they are teenagers. Several things can lead young people to start using these products:

Ads aimed at youth: Tobacco companies often create ads that appeal directly to young people.

Easy to get: These products are often readily available to young people.

Flavored products: Vapes and other tobacco products come in many appealing flavors that attract younger users.

Friends and social groups: What friends and popular people do can also influence young people to try tobacco products.

Vaping Withdrawals And What To Expect

While selling disposable vapes is now against the law, it's important to note that simply owning one for personal use is still legal. However, for those who are now considering quitting vaping due to the ban, the NHS has issued a warning about common withdrawal symptoms. The NHS advises: "You may experience withdrawal symptoms when you quit nicotine vapes. This might make you want to reach for a cigarette. You should only quit vaping if you are confident, you can do it without smoking cigarettes."

When you stop using nicotine vapes, your body will naturally react as it gets used to not having nicotine. Everyone's experience is different, but there are some common signs you might notice. These typically include:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Strong urges to smoke or vape
• Feeling down or low in mood
• Feeling irritable or easily annoyed
• Having trouble concentrating
• Feeling hungrier than usual

Tips On Avoiding Vapes

If you're having trouble cutting down or stopping vaping altogether, know that you're not alone; it's a very common struggle. The NHS advises people to quit for their own personal reasons, not because they feel pressured by others. They recommend taking it slow. You can check the nicotine level in your e-liquid and slowly lower it over time, paying attention to how your body reacts. If you notice yourself vaping more, it might mean you've reduced your nicotine too quickly. Only make further cuts when you feel truly ready.

Another useful tip is to change how frequently you vape. For instance, if you usually vape every 20 minutes, try to stretch that time out and only vape every 40 minutes instead. Doing this consistently will help reduce your cravings over time. The NHS emphasizes that quitting vaping can be hard, and taking it one step at a time is a good way to reach your goal. You can find more details and support options to help you stop vaping through the NHS.

Bryan Johnson is no news for his experiments and he is absolutely not ready to let go his 'immortal' dream and quest to 'live forever'.

This American entrepreneur is on his journey to become the man who can defy aging. For that, he does quite a lot of things and in his new regime is added a 90-day long experiment of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). For this, he has also earned the name of biohacker. He claimed that this oxygen therapy reverses biological age and is capable of giving him the "biology of a 10-year-old".

This has become part of his broader quest to halt or even reverse aging. The experiment involved daily sessions in a pressurized chamber, breathing 95 to 100% pure oxygen, which aims to enhance tissue repair and rejuvenation.

What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

John Hopkins Medicine notes that HBOT is a type of treatment which is used to speed up healing of carbon monoxide poisoning, gangrene, and wounds that won't heal. It is also used for infections in which tissues are starved for oxygen.

In this therapy, you enter a special chamber to breathe in pure oxygen in air pressure levels 1.5 to 3 times higher than average. The goal is to fill the blood with enough oxygen to repair tissues and restore normal body function.

It was first used in the US in the early 20th century and was tried again in 1940s when the US Navy used it to treat deep-sea divers who had decompression sickness. The therapy was also used to treat carbon monoxide poisoning by the 1960s.

The therapy is today still used to treat sick scuba divers and people with carbon monoxide poisoning, including firefighters and miners. This therapy is also approved for conditions which can range from urns to bone diseases. Some of these include:

• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Cyanide poisoning
• Crush injuries
• Gas gangrene (a form of gangrene in which gas collects in tissues)
• Decompression sickness
• Acute or traumatic reduced blood flow in the arteries
• Compromised skin grafts and flaps
• Infection in a bone (osteomyelitis) that doesn't respond to other treatment
• Delayed radiation injury
• Flesh-eating disease (necrotizing soft tissue infection)
• Air or gas bubble trapped in a blood vessel (air or gas embolism)
• Chronic infection called actinomycosis
• Diabetic wounds that are not healing correctly

How Does It Really Work?

HBOT helps wounds heal by sending oxygen-rich blood to areas that are low on oxygen. When we get injured, our blood vessels can get damaged. This causes fluid to leak into the tissues, which leads to swelling. Swelling blocks oxygen from reaching the cells, and if that continues, the tissue can start to die.

HBOT reduces swelling and fills the tissues with more oxygen. Being in the high-pressure chamber allows your blood to carry more oxygen than normal. This breaks the cycle of swelling, low oxygen, and tissue damage.

HBOT also protects against something called reperfusion injury. This happens when blood returns to damaged tissue after a break in blood flow—like from a crush injury. The sudden return of blood can cause harmful molecules called oxygen radicals to form. These can damage tissues even more and block blood flow again. HBOT helps the body remove these harmful molecules so healing can continue.

The therapy also fights infection. It can weaken certain harmful bacteria and boost the immune system. More oxygen in the tissues helps white blood cells work better and attack germs more effectively.

Finally, HBOT helps the body build new skin and repair itself. It encourages the growth of new blood vessels and helps certain healing substances form. These support the growth of cells that repair the skin and tissues.