विज्ञान

Beijing (dpa) – Binge-watching, like the binge-drinking from which it gets its name, has long had a bad reputation, carrying associations of idleness, lack of sleep and being antisocial. For this reason, many fans and streaming company PR departments prefer a different, more athletic term: the "marathon." But the negative health association is warranted, according to researchers at China's Huangshan University, who say binge-watchers are likely suffering from loneliness. "Binge-watching addicts might be engaging both in the avoidance of negative situations as well as seeking to boost positive emotions," the China-based team claimed. The researchers followed up on the isolating effects of Covid-19 lockdowns and found that for 60% of people they surveyed, binge-watching turned out to be a form of escapism and a coping mechanism. Meanwhile, people who did not show signs of addiction to TV shows did not report the same feelings of isolation and friendlessness, the team found. While the researchers determined they had found an association between binge-watching and loneliness, they said there was no proof of causation – whether or not loneliness leads to binge-watching. In apaper published in the science journal PLOS One, the team said they did not account for what they termed "other problematic video streaming behaviours" such as via Youtube or Tiktok, the "continuous consumption" of which could constitute a form of binge-watching. The research did not cover whether developing a binge-watching habit could in turn lead to loneliness or isolation. In August last year, a University of Georgia study suggested binge-watching could sharpen memory and enhance the ability to deal with stress. While many shows still release new episodes on a week-by-week basis, many streaming platforms have catered to binge-watching by releasing entire seasons at once, a choice famously made by Netflix in 2013 when launching its first original series, "House of Cards". The following information is not intended for publication dpa spr coh

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Geneva (dpa) – Zoos are facing ageing populations that threaten the conservation of endangered species, and targeted culls may be needed to make room for young animals, the team led by Marcus Clauss at the University of Zurich has warned. "If I could constantly build new enclosures, this measure would probably not be necessary," Clauss told dpa. "But if I keep all animals into old age in a world with limited enclosure space, I have no room for the next generation." The researchers examined 774 mammal populations, from hoofed animals to primates and carnivores, in European and North American zoos over 53 years. Across species, they found more populations with older than younger animals. They said the average age has steadily risen. The proportion of species with females still reproducing has fallen to 69% in Europe and 49% in North America. An ageing population is less resilient to, for example, animal diseases, the experts warned. Smaller groups with fewer than 150 animals and little reproduction could disappear entirely in the event of an outbreak. "The danger is not that all zoo animals will be gone in ten years," Clauss said. "But the trend is so striking that you need a new strategy." He said more must be done to make targeted culls socially acceptable for the sake of the next generation. In Germany there were protests in summer 2025 after 12 baboons were killed at Nuremberg Zoo due to lack of space. Zurich Zoo said the first option is always to place older animals elsewhere, but places are limited. "Culls are always carried out in accordance with the law, with animal welfare in mind and after thorough consideration of all options." The following information is not intended for publication dpa oe xxde coh

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Hanover (dpa) – Shampoos and creams promise everything from shiny hair to lasting moisture and smooth, elastic skin. Not so fast. Not all products are equally suitable for everyone, because people have different skin and hair types, says Germany's Lower Saxony Chamber of Pharmacists. Also, some ingredients in lotions and shampoos can do more harm than good to the skin. If you have a chronic illness, are a pregnant woman or senior citizen, you in particular should avoid certain ingredients because your body may be less able to break down harmful substances, the specialists say. The lists of ingredients are often a jungle of technical terms for consumers. So firstly, choose products with short, clear lists of ingredients, according to pharmacists. Secondly, avoid risky additives as much as possible. Pharmacists provide an overview of the most common problematic substances. Sulphates What they are used for: Sulphates are surfactants. They are used in shampoos because they make the product foam and have a degreasing effect. The problem: They can dry out the scalp and cause itching. People with thin, brittle hair are generally more sensitive to surfactants than those with thick hair. People with dry scalps should also opt for milder, moisturising shampoos, such as those containing urea.Typical sulphates: Sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium lauryl ether sulphate. Silicones What they are used for: Silicones create a smooth, supple texture and are used in both skin and hair care products. The problem: the smoothing effect is often purely superficial and does not provide any real care. Instead, they seal the skin. Shampoos containing silicone are also unsuitable for people with oily scalps, as the product is too rich. If this is you, you may find a light shampoo containing zinc or salicylic acid is more suitable. Typical silicones: dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane and cyclohexasiloxane. Preservatives What they are for: As the name suggests, these chemicals preserve the product, ensuring that it has a longer shelf life. The problem: preservatives in skin care products can have a hormonal effect and cause allergies on contact. They are also associated with an allergy risk in hair care products and can irritate the scalp. Typical preservatives: parabens (such as propyl and butyl paraben), formaldehyde releasers (such as imidazolidinyl urea and DMDM hydantoin), methylisothiazolinones and benzyl alcohol. Fragrances What they are used for: Here, too, the name reveals the function. Fragrances make products smell appealing. The problem: Like preservatives, fragrances can trigger allergies. People with sensitive skin and scalps in particular should avoid fragrances and preservatives and look for labels such as "hypoallergenic." People with chronic illnesses are at particularly high risk of contact allergies. Typical fragrances: Limonene, linalool and citral. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn hik amc xxde arw

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Paris (dpa) – Artificial intelligence (AI) can help children to solve tasks and get better results in school, but ultimately may hinder learning and lead to laziness and disinterest, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Sophisticated AI chatbots such as Gemini, Claude and ChatGPT can improve pupils’ task performance but don't necessarily lead to learning progress, researchers with the collective of data-sharing countries said, citing new findings. When it comes to AI's ability to help children, there is also a discrepancy between task performance and genuine learning. "Offloading cognitive tasks to general-purpose chatbots creates risks of metacognitive laziness and disengagement that may deter skill acquisition in the long run," the researchers said. Pupils’ mental effort to turn answers into understanding could therefore decline. Research shows that pupils with access to AI chatbots achieve better results on tasks, the Paris-based organization said. However, that advantage disappeared and sometimes even reversed when access to the AI tool was withdrawn during exams. When students depend too much on AI, the mental processes and effort that turn answers into understanding declines, the researchers said.   By contrast, AI tools developed for educational purposes tended to deliver lasting learning improvements, the OECD said. It added that these specialized AI tools could help inexperienced teachers improve teaching quality and thus raise pupils’ learning outcomes. The organization advised deploying AI applications in schools selectively and purposefully to enrich learning, not to replace cognitive effort or weaken the human relationships at the heart of education. This suggests that one of the most effective uses is not to replace humans, but to scale expert pedagogy across a variable workforce, the OECD said. It said learning and teaching should primarily aim to develop valuable human knowledge and skills such as independent thinking and fundamental abilities across all subjects. A team of US-based researchers last year found that using AI instead of finding information using web search tools leads to no more than skin-deep knowledge, with any learnings soon turning "passive." "When individuals learn about a topic from (AI), they risk developing shallower knowledge than when they learn through standard web search, even when the core facts in the results are the same," the team said in November. The following information is not intended for publication dpa evs xxde rpm mew coh

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Dr Ian K Smith explains how to keep yourself looking and feeling youthful from your 30s to your 60s and beyond. London (PA Media/dpa) – We all know ageing is inevitable – but that doesn’t stop most of us wanting to look and feeling younger. But while there’s no mythical fountain of youth to bathe in, there are ways to slow down how ageing makes us look and feel, promises Dr Ian K Smith. In the Harvard-educated doctor’s new book, "Eat Your Age," he says: “There’s so much you can do to keep yourself looking and feeling youthful, and it doesn’t depend on how much money you have or how many times you visit the plastic surgeon. “It’s about how well you plan, how aware you are of your body and health, and the simple steps you can take to forge a path of vigour and vitality that has nothing to do with the number of candles on your birthday cake.” Smith says his book is built on the idea that the body’s nutritional, metabolic and medical needs evolve with age, and our eating habits need to evolve with them. But rather than offering a one-size-fits-all diet, he explains how to align food choices, physical activity, and preventive care with the specific demands of each decade of life. “The goal is to help slow metabolic decline, preserve muscle, reduce chronic disease risk, and extend health span – not just lifespan,” he says. “Ultimately, it empowers people to take control of ageing through practical, science-based strategies that make longevity an intentional, achievable process.” Here, Smith outlines what dietary, movement and health measures people need to take in specific decades of life to help them look and feel younger… Your 30s: Choices that shape future health The choices you make in your 30s quietly begin to shape how you age, says Smith. “While the body is still resilient, early metabolic shifts are already underway, making prevention far more powerful than correction,” he explains. “This is the time to build strong nutritional habits, consistent movement patterns, and medical awareness that will pay dividends for decades to come.” Eating for prevention Smith advises people in their 30s to shift from "calories only" thinking to nutrient density, prioritising lean protein at every meal, fibre-rich vegetables, and healthy fats, while minimising ultra-processed foods. “This decade is about preventing insulin resistance before it starts,” he says. Your metabolism is still relatively resilient, but subtle changes are occurring. Blood sugar regulation, cholesterol patterns and inflammatory markers can begin drifting in the wrong direction without obvious symptoms. “This is why there should be an emphasis on eating for prevention, not correction,” he says. “Balanced meals that combine protein, fibre and healthy fats slow digestion, reduce blood sugar spikes, and support sustained energy throughout the day.” And he warns that while skipping meals or relying heavily on refined carbohydrates may not cause immediate weight gain, it sets the stage for metabolic dysfunction later. Set consistent exercise goals Establish a consistent resistance-training routine (at least two to three days per week). “Muscle mass gained in your 30s becomes metabolic insurance later in life,” Smith explains. “Strength training improves insulin sensitivity, protects joints, and raises resting metabolic rate.” Strength training should be paired with moderate cardiovascular activity – brisk walking, cycling, or swimming – to support heart health without excessive stress, he says. Medical screening Get baseline lab tests: fasting glucose, lipid panel, blood pressure, plus waist circumference. “These markers create a personal health starting line and help identify silent risks early,” he explains. Your 40s: Strategic maintenance and metabolic protection The 40s mark a transition from building health to actively protecting it, says Smith. Hormonal changes and a gradual metabolic slowdown mean the body no longer responds the way it once did, even when habits remain unchanged. “This decade calls for smarter nutrition, more intentional exercise, and proactive screening to stay ahead of silent risks,” he says. Nutrition to support hormonal shifts As metabolic rate begins to slow, protein becomes essential for preserving lean mass and managing appetite. Hormonal shifts, particularly in estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol, start to influence how the body stores fat and responds to stress. “It’s important to spread protein evenly across meals rather than concentrating it at dinner,” stresses Smith. “This supports muscle repair, stabilises blood sugar, and reduces late-night overeating.” In addition, paying attention to portion sizes and reducing liquid calories becomes increasingly important, as caloric needs decline even when hunger doesn’t. Maintain cardiovascular fitness Incorporate higher-intensity workouts alongside strength training, Smith advises. Short bursts of interval training help maintain cardiovascular fitness and counter age-related metabolic slowdown. “Recovery matters more now,” he says. “Adequate sleep, mobility work, and rest days are essential to avoid burnout and injury.” Medical screening Begin routine bowel cancer screening discussions, and regular blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes monitoring – especially if there’s family history. Your 50s: Preserving strength, reducing inflammation In your 50s, health becomes less about weight and more about resilience, Smith says. “Muscle loss, inflammation and chronic disease risk accelerate unless directly addressed through diet and movement. “The goal of this decade is to preserve strength, protect joints and bones, and maintain metabolic stability,” he explains. Focus on good fats, eat the rainbow Adopt a more anti-inflammatory eating pattern emphasising omega-3 fats, colourful vegetables, whole grains and reduced added sugars, advises Smith. Digestive efficiency and insulin sensitivity often decline in the 50s, making food quality more important than quantity. “Inflammation – not ageing itself – is a major driver of chronic disease,” he warns. Foods rich in antioxidants help protect blood vessels, joints and the brain. Adequate protein remains critical, but so does hydration, as thirst signals weaken with age. Mindful eating and slower meal pacing also improve digestion and nutrient absorption, he points out. Mobility work and strength training Make strength training non-negotiable, while adding balance, mobility work, and exercises that challenge stability, such as single-leg movements. “Muscle loss accelerates during this decade if not actively resisted,” he warns. Medical screening Schedule bone density testing, and have screenings for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. “Early detection dramatically improves outcomes,” he stresses. Your 60s and beyond: Sustaining independence and quality of life The focus in your 60s and beyond shifts from optimisation to preservation and targeted growth, says Smith. “Daily habits now determine mobility, cognitive health and independence more than numbers on a scale. “Eating well, moving consistently, and staying medically vigilant become the foundation for a longer, more vibrant life.” Specific nutrient needs Smith recommends focusing on adequate protein, calcium, vitamin D and hydration, while moderating total calories. “Appetite may decline, but nutrient needs remain high,” he says, pointing out that under-eating protein is a common and dangerous mistake in older adults. “Protein supports muscle strength, immune function, and recovery from illness. Meals should be simple, nutrient-dense, and easy to digest,” he explains. Stay mobile to reduce risk of falls Prioritise functional movement – strength, balance, flexibility, and walking. “The goal isn’t intensity, but consistency and safety,” says Smith. “Regular movement preserves m…

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Washington (dpa) –  "Breathe, please just breathe! It's not your time yet, Marjorie! I can't lose you like this, not here, not now!"  Such hinge moments in films and soap operas can be overwrought, but more worryingly, when TV heroes administer life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), they are probably doing so all wrong and setting a bad example for real-life lifesavers. Or at least they're using "outdated" methods, according to University of Pittsburgh medics, who worry that TV depictions of CPR could lead people astray should they need to give CPR in a life-or-death situation. TV viewers are still given the impression they should do pulse checks and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, despite the American Heart Association’s (AHA) 2008 endorsement of "hands-only" CPR, a two-step intervention: Call the emergency services Start chest compressions According to the researchers, less than 30% of 169 TV portrayals of CPR aired since 2008 showed the proper technique, with almost half depicting pulse checks and the drama-adding mouth-to-mouth trope. "Scripted television often shows outdated CPR techniques for lay people, potentially fuelling misconceptions that could delay bystanders’ lifesaving interventions in the crucial moments after a cardiac arrest," the university said. "In my volunteer work training Pittsburgh youth in CPR, there’s a lot of confusion. We ask students, 'What’s the first thing you do?' and they say, 'Check for a pulse.' But we don’t do that in bystander CPR anymore," said Beth Hoffman of the University of Pittsburgh. Bystanders who know how to carry out CPR “can double or triple the chance of survival” for heart attack victims, the team said in a paper published in Circulation: Population Health and Outcomes, an AHA journal. The following information is not intended for publication dpa spr coh

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

London (PA Media/dpa) – Stroke patients have been given their voice back thanks to a new washable device worn around the neck. University of Cambridge experts have created Revoice, a technology which could cut out the need for invasive brain implants and enables patients to communicate naturally. Revoice combines sensors and artificial intelligence to decode speech signals and emotional cues in patients to deliver words and complete sentences. The team behind it hope it could also be used by people with other conditions, such as Parkinson’s and motor neurone disease (MND). Revoice is worn as a soft and flexible choker around the neck, picking up the patient’s heart rate and tiny vibrations from throat muscles. These signals are translated speedily by the device into words. The technology can then predict which sentence the patient is trying to say and can deliver that as well. Patients can silently mouth speech, while another part of the AI can interpret emotional state and contextual information, such as the time of day or weather conditions. In a small trial with five patients with dysarthria, which is difficulty speaking that can happen after stroke, the device got everything right except 4.2% of words and 2.9% of sentences. Current technology to aid speech can be more time-consuming, requiring the patient to input letters one by one or relying on eye tracking or brain implants. Patients in speech therapy also regain words by repeating them over time. Professor Luigi Occhipinti from Cambridge’s Department of Engineering, who led the research, told the Press Association: “The device helps both the patient and the therapist to establish a more effective therapy for recovering speech, or fluency in speech.” While therapy helps people with stroke regain words through repeating them, Prof Occhipinti said “when they are asked to speak freely, they can struggle and sometimes they can feel frustrated”. He added: “We have created a device which, from the point of view of the patient, helps them communicate more effectively. “It does this in two ways – one is by capturing the signals that are associated with words, and then translating the words in a given language in a way that this can be elaborated and heard by another person through a synthesizer. “The device also captures the signals associated with a patient’s emotional status, alongside other signals associated with the environment such as time of day, temperature and so on. “This is a wearable device which is designed to be comfortable. It can be used outside a hospital setting too so that when patients are back home, they can gradually recover and restore their language function. “This is about giving people their independence back. Communication is fundamental to dignity and recovery.” People can also control the device by nodding twice to tell it if they want it to expand their words into sentences. The study, which will be built on in further research, was published in the journal Nature Communications. Participants in the study reported a 55% increase in satisfaction. "Many (stroke survivors) experience communication difficulties such as dysarthria, which affects the muscles used for speech. This can have a major impact on confidence, relationships and independence after stroke," said Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association. "We welcome early-stage research exploring new ways to support stroke survivors with communication difficulties. Technologies like Revoice are at a very early stage and have so far been tested with only a small number of people, so the findings should be seen as preliminary." Bouverie called for more research to understand how effective this approach is and whom it might benefit. "Specialist stroke rehabilitation will always be essential, but as the number of stroke survivors grows, carefully tested innovations may help to complement existing support and enable more people to regain their independence." The following information is not intended for publication pa dpa coh

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Munich (dpa) – In recent decades, around 50 countries have permitted the use of cannabis for medical reasons, following claims of its apparent effectiveness against pain, depression and inflammatory bowel conditions, despite concerns about the drug's much-discussed links to psychological disorders such as psychosis. But according to researchers led by Winfried Häuser of Germany's Technical University of Munich, the jury is still out when it comes to whether cannabis helps ease chronic nerve pain. In a paper published by the Cochrane Review, a medical journal, the team said there is little to no "high-quality evidence that cannabis-based medicines reduce neuropathic pain more than placebo across the three types of medicines." "While some small improvements were reported by patients," the researchers said, such differences "were not large enough to be considered clinically meaningful." "Due to a lack of robust evidence, the benefits and harms of cannabis-based medicines are unclear," the researchers asserted in their paper. "We need larger, well-designed studies with a treatment duration of at least 12 weeks that include people with comorbid physical illnesses and mental health conditions to fully understand the benefits and harms of cannabis-based medicines," said Häuser. Cannabis has been touted as a potential difference-maker for sufferers of such nerve pain as conventional treatments often do not work either. However, people taking cannabis to treat nerve pain instead saw "increases in symptoms such as dizziness and drowsiness," the team reported, citing what recreational smokers of cannabis will recognize as among the typical effects of the drug. The researchers are the latest to question the medical efficacy of cannabis. In December 2025, a University of California Los Angeles team said that "evidence remains either inconclusive or lacking." Another group of scientists led by the University of Oregon's Roger Chou said they found no more than "limited short-term benefit for chronic pain" but "increased risk of adverse effects" from using cannabis as a medicine. The following information is not intended for publication dpa spr coh

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Lung cancer remains the most common cause of cancer deaths in EU countries, and yet in almost all age groups there are falling mortality rates. Is an anti-tobacco policy paying off? Rome (dpa) – The mortality rate for lung cancer continues to decline in the European Union (EU) among both women and men, with quitting smoking still seen as a key factor in improving survival rates, scientists say. "Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in both sexes in the EU," says Carlo La Vecchia, who heads a Milan University research group. While the mortality rate among men has been falling since around 1990, it continued to rise among women until the 2010s, albeit at a significantly lower level than among men. Among lung cancer sufferers, there will be 23 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants for men and 12 for women in the year ahead, according to an age-adjusted forecast by the research team. But senior citizens are an exception There is one exception to the decline in mortality rates: for women aged 75 and over. For this group, the mortality rate rises to 151, an increase of 19% compared to 2015 to 2019. The trend is similar in other EU countries. That is due to people's smoking habits, says the research team. While men start smoking earlier than women, they also quit earlier. Smoking is a key factor in cancer mortality, the findings show, says La Vecchia in a statement from the European Society for Medical Oncology, which publishes the journal. "Reducing tobacco consumption remains the cornerstone of lung cancer prevention and also plays a role in the prevention of other cancers, such as pancreatic cancer." Healthier diets and medical advances are also boosting survival rates. Outlook best for the young The largest decline compared to the reference period for the 25 to 44 age group, namely more than 40% with low overall case numbers, the scientists say in the journal Annals of Oncology, where the study can be found. "Our previous cancer mortality forecasts for Europe have proven to be reliable," say the authors. This is their 16th prediction of cancer mortality rates in the current year for numerous European countries. They forecast the rates based on data from the World Health Organization and the United Nations from 1970 to 2022 to determine values for 2026, using computer models. Positive developments for other types of cancer too With a few exceptions, the declining figures also apply to other types of cancer. Taking all types of cancer together, the researchers predict a mortality rate of 114 per 100,000 men in the EU in 2026, which would be a decline of just under 8% compared to the period from 2020 to 2022. For women, the mortality rate in 2026 will be 75 per 100,000, a decline of 6%. One exception is pancreatic cancer in women, where the mortality rate has risen by 1% compared to 2020 to 2022; the rate is now 6 per 100,000. While mortality rates are falling, the absolute number of cases has risen due to the ageing population. When to see a doctor If you have concerns about your lung health, Britain's National Health Service has this advice for when to see a doctor, namely if you have: A cough that lasts for more than three weeks. A cough that changes or a cough you've had for a long time that gets worse. Chest pains that persist. Shortness of breath. Coughing up blood. Ongoing chest infections. Unexplained weight loss or tiredness. Apps may help you kick the habit Smokers trying to quit may find apps beneficial, according to a recent study. Researchers say apps designed to help smoking cessation are particularly effective when used alongside medicines to help you stop. But even when used as a single tool they can be effective as a quit aid, say Chinese researchers who pooled the information from 31 studies involving 12,800 people. They found that smartphone apps used alone may improve the odds of a person quitting for six months compared with no or minimal support. The rates were even better when people used apps and traditional interventions and medicines. What governments can do "Increasing tobacco taxes, implementing advertising bans, creating smoke-free environments and providing support for smoking cessation," will further slash cancer mortality rates, say the authors of the latest study. These will help reduce "regional and socioeconomic disparities and achieve a sustainable reduction in cancer mortality across Europe." Combating obesity, improving dietary habits, controlling alcohol consumption and expanding and improving the population screening for early detection of cervical, breast and colorectal cancer are still key strategies in cancer prevention, they say. The following information is not intended for publication dpa fm zlw swe xxde arw coh

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Geneva (dpa) – Sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages are too cheap because they are not taxed enough, leading to higher rates of obesity, diabetes and other diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO) says. Children and young adults are especially affected, the WHO says in a statement after releasing two global reports. There should be taxes on such drinks or higher taxes if they are already in place, says the WHO. This would make them more expensive and therefore less likely to be consumed, while also generating more money for health care. Worldwide, 116 countries now tax soft drinks and other sugary beverages, according to WHO figures, many other high-sugar drinks remain untaxed, such as 100% fruit juices, sweetened milk drinks and ready-made coffees or teas. "Health taxes are one of the strongest tools we have for promoting health and preventing disease," says WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The WHO also noted out that at least 25 countries, mainly in Europe, including Germany, do not have excise taxes on wine. Unlike wine, spirits such as fruit brandy, cognac, vodka, whisky or Korn are subject to alcohol tax, and beer is subject to a beer tax. Alcohol consumption can lead to violence, injuries and illness, says WHO director Etienne Krug. “While industry profits, the public often carries the health consequences and society the economic costs,” Krug says. The following information is not intended for publication dpa oe xxde mew mlm arw

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)