global health

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Is there a global loneliness epidemic? Research paints a complex picture
12 days ago
- Loneliness is a universal experience linked to poorer wellbeing, worse health, and higher risk of early death.
- Global survey data shows about 1 in 5 people feel lonely daily, with higher rates in low-income countries (31.3%) than high-income countries (15.7%).
- Social capital (trust and reliable support networks) is a key factor reducing loneliness worldwide.
- Individual circumstances and socio-economic environment both contribute to loneliness; no clear global trend of worsening epidemic was found.
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Electric cars are taking off quickly in Latin America
19 days ago
- Electric car sales are now significant and growing in Latin America, with Colombia reaching 10% of new car sales and Mexico jumping from 2% to 7% in a year, largely due to tax incentives.
- U.S.-based companies dominate the most-used AI models, but China's presence in the top 50 has grown rapidly from 5 to 20 models between early 2025 and May 2026, while few other countries are represented.
- Obesity rates have surged in low- and middle-income countries; in Pakistan, overweight adults have more than doubled and obese adults more than tripled in 20 years, raising risks of diseases like diabetes and cancer.
- Europe's per capita milk supply is over 2.5 times the global average, far exceeding levels in Africa and Asia, based on data including dairy products like yogurt and cheese but not butter.
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What will define Elon Musk's legacy? DOGE cuts to USAID Ebola programs
23 days ago
- Elon Musk's cuts to USAID, via the Doge department, have disrupted global health programs, including Ebola detection.
- Critics argue that these cuts have led to preventable deaths, with estimates suggesting millions could die over the next several years.
- Musk has faced backlash for his claims about USAID funding and has threatened lawsuits against critics citing studies on the impacts.
- Experts highlight that the dismantling of USAID has weakened pandemic preparedness, following the COVID-19 pandemic's toll.
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US and Chinese companies train almost all of the most-used AI models
a month ago
- Analysis of OpenRouter data shows US-based AI models dominate the top 50 most used, but their presence has declined while China-based models grew from 5 to 20 from early 2025 to May 2026.
- Obesity rates in Pakistan have surged, with overweight adults more than doubling and obese adults more than tripling in 20 years; nearly 60% are now overweight and a quarter obese.
- Europe's per capita milk supply is over 2.5 times the global average, far exceeding levels in Africa and Asia, based on FAO data that includes dairy products like yogurt and cheese.
- In Chad, Central African Republic, and Nigeria, an estimated 4% lifetime risk means about 1 in 15-year-old girls would die from pregnancy-related causes, driven by high maternal mortality and fertility rates.
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global health

Is there a global loneliness epidemic? Research paints a complex picture

Electric cars are taking off quickly in Latin America

What will define Elon Musk's legacy? DOGE cuts to USAID Ebola programs

US and Chinese companies train almost all of the most-used AI models