Tag: health and medicine

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine have developed the Health Octo Tool, a novel method to estimate an individual’s biological age and predict health outcomes. By analyzing eight clinical and bloodwork metrics, the tool assesses aging more comprehensively than traditional methods. It introduces concepts like “health entropy” and assigns a “body organ disease number” to evaluate the condition and aging rate of individual organs.

Read the article to know why the researchers aim to develop a digital application to help individuals track their aging metrics and the effects of lifestyle changes.

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/old-really-test-calculates-biological-123000895.html

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “a slew of something” mean? “A new way of calculating your biological age called the Health Octo Tool uses a slew of different metrics to figure out your biological age.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
2. What does “health entropy” mean? “The tool centers around an aging concept called health entropy.” Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
3. What does “susceptibility to something” mean? “Ultimately, the researchers say that the Health Octo tool is better than major tests used for assessing biological age, including the frailty index, a widely-used test that looks at a person’s susceptibility to age-related health issues.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on this tool?
2. Why is knowing a person’s aging process necessary?
3. What types of data does the Health Octo Tool use to determine a person’s biological age?
4. How does the tool evaluate the aging process of individual organs?
5. What is the reported accuracy of the tool in predicting age-related outcomes like mortality and functional decline?
6. Why do some experts advise caution despite the tool’s high accuracy and potential benefits?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

An alarming trend has emerged: a significant increase in cancer diagnoses among young adults. For instance, one in five new colorectal cancer patients in the U.S. is now under 55, nearly double the rate from 1995. Researchers attribute this rise to factors like increasing obesity rates, consumption of ultra-processed foods, higher alcohol intake, sleep disruptions, and exposure to environmental toxins such as microplastics.

Read the article to know why these lifestyle and environmental changes may be altering cancer risks for younger populations.

https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/early-onset-cancer-in-younger-people-on-the-rise

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “early-onset cancer” mean? “Because advancing age is the top risk factor for cancer in general, the recent rise in early-onset cancers is worrisome. “ Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “to warrant something” mean? “Others may not go to the doctor because they have limited or no health insurance—or they believe their health problems are not serious enough to warrant a visit.” Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “to be thrown by something” mean? “Health-conscious patients who ate well and exercised feel completely thrown by a cancer diagnosis and need to know it’s not their fault.”” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What types of cancer are increasingly being diagnosed in younger adults, particularly under age 55?
2. How has the rate of colorectal cancer in young adults changed since 1995?
3. What lifestyle factors are believed to contribute to the rising cancer rates among younger populations?
4. In what ways might environmental exposures like microplastics and pollutants influence cancer development?
5. Why is it important to address cancer risks early in life rather than waiting until later adulthood?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reveals that engaging in just 75 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week about 11 minutes daily can significantly reduce health risks. Activities like brisk walking, gardening, or yoga were associated with a 17% reduction in cardiovascular disease risk, a 7% decrease in cancer risk, and a 23% lower risk of early death.

Read the article to know why even short bursts of daily activity can yield meaningful health benefits.

https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/daily-11-minute-brisk-walk-enough-to-reduce-risk-of-early-death

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “study cohort” mean? “In total, they looked at results reported in 196 peer-reviewed articles, covering more than 30 million participants from 94 large study cohorts, to produce the largest analysis to date of the association between physical activity levels and risk of heart disease, cancer, and early death.
   ” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “brisk walk” mean? “In a study published today in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the researchers say that 11 minutes a day (75 minutes a week) of moderate-intensity physical activity – such as a brisk walk – would be sufficient to lower the risk of diseases such as heart disease, stroke and a number of cancers.
   ” Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “pooling” mean here, “To explore the amount of physical activity necessary to have a beneficial impact on several chronic diseases and premature death, researchers from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis, pooling and analysing cohort data from all of the published evidence.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What types of physical activities qualify as moderate-intensity exercise according to the study?
2. How does just 11 minutes of daily activity impact the risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and early death?
3. Why is this research significant for people with busy lifestyles or limited access to fitness resources?
4. What might be the long-term public health benefits if more people adopted this minimal exercise routine?
5. How could governments or workplaces encourage more people to incorporate short bursts of physical activity into their daily routines?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Microdosing medicinal psychedelics has ignited debate in recent years. Although there are a number of research supporting its potential benefits, the overall evidence remains in its early stages, leaving both healthcare professionals and prospective users uncertain about its true therapeutic impact.

Let’s read the article and gain a deeper understanding of the current research and perspectives on microdosing medicinal psychedelics.

https://apnews.com/article/microdosing-lsd-mushrooms-psychedelic-psilocybin-390c99ba54ef9d75727f39e2ec78fb34

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “acid trip” mean? “This isn’t a full-blown acid trip — or even close. If you see visions, it’s not a microdose.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What is the meaning of “to open the door to something“? “Further opening the door to microdosing, a handful of cities have officially directed police to make psychedelics a low priority for enforcement.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
3. Define the term “altered (state of) consciousness“. “It seems I was able to generate a powerful ‘altered consciousness’ experience based only (on) the expectation around the possibility of a microdose.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does microdosing psychedelics mean? Share your own opinion about microdosing psychedelics.
2. Do you see psychedelic therapy gaining mainstream acceptance down the line? Why or why not?
3. How widespread do you think microdosing is in your country? Why do you think this is the case?
4. What are the laws surrounding psychedelics in your country?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

For a long time, scientists believed that fasting altered the immune system simply because the body was deprived of nutrients. However, new research in Science Immunology is rewriting that story. It turns out that neurons in the brain ,and not the gut, play the key role in regulating immune cells. AgRP neurons in the hypothalamus, which trigger feelings of hunger, can influence immune cell levels purely by creating the perception of hunger, rather than actual food deprivation.

Let’s read the article and know more details about the connection between perception of hunger and the immune system.

https://www.sciencealert.com/the-mere-thought-of-being-hungry-could-alter-your-immune-system

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “first line of defense” mean? “These cells are part of the immune system’s first line of defence and play a critical role in regulating inflammation.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “to dial down” mean? “When the hunger neurons were turned on, they dialled down nutrient-sensing in the liver by reducing sympathetic activity.” Use it in your own sentence and give a synonym.
3. What does “wasting syndrome” mean? “If these findings are confirmed in humans, this new data could, in future, have real-world implications for diseases where the immune system becomes overactive – such as cardiovascular diseases, multiple sclerosis, and wasting syndrome in cancer patients.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on the findings of this research?
2. How does hunger affect how you feel or how much energy you have?
3. What comfort foods help you when you’re unwell?
4. What aspect of the human brain do you find the most remarkable?
5. If you were a medical researcher, what field would you specialize in? Why?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The study calculated 308 genes associated with a higher risk of depression and explored the impact of over 1,600 medications, identifying existing drugs like Pregabalin and Modafinil that could potentially treat depression. The findings aim to enhance the accuracy of predicting depression risks and diversify treatment options.

Read the article to know how experts welcomed the study’s diverse representation and emphasized addressing broader societal factors, such as poverty and racism, for depression prevention.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jan/14/scientists-find-hundreds-more-genetic-risk-factors-for-depression

Vocabulary Questions:

1. Explain the term “genetic risk factor”. ” A global study has identified 300 previously unknown genetic risk factors for depression because it included a much wider population sample.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “gene pool” mean? “Responding to the findings, Dr David Crepaz-Keay, the head of research and applied learning at the Mental Health Foundation, said that the study’s diverse gene pool was “a significant step forward” but that genetic risk factors should not be used as a definitive guide to treatment.
   “ Use it in a sentence.
3. What does the word “cumulative” mean? “While each genetic risk factor for depression is very small, the cumulative impact for individuals with multiple DNA variants, can increase their risk, the study found.” Use it in a sentence and give 2 synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you feel about the idea that genetics play a significant role in depression?
2. Does it change how you view mental health conditions?Now that researchers have identified hundreds of genetic risk factors for depression, do you think this will lead to more effective treatments in the near future?
3. Would you consider taking a genetic test to assess your risk for depression if it could help with early intervention? Why or why not?
4. Since genetics is only one factor in depression, what other influences—like environment, lifestyle, or stress—do you think play an equally important role?
5. Share your thoughts on this, “Previous research into depression has primarily involved white, richer populations.“.