Shingles vaccination may come with unexpected benefits.

Dementia is on the rise

Can shingles vaccination prevent dementia?

A study of more than 300,000 adults found that among those 70 and older, dementia was less common among those who had received shingles vaccination than among those who did not.

A study of more than 200,000 older adults compared rates of dementia between those receiving a newer (recombinant) shingles vaccine and those who had an older (live) vaccine that is no longer approved in the US. Researchers found that the risk of dementia was lower six years after receiving either vaccine. But the effect was larger for the newer vaccine: those given the recombinant vaccine spent more time living dementia-free (164 days longer) compared with those given the older vaccine.

What is a natural experiment?

Examples of exposures might be an illness (like the COVID pandemic), a policy (like a smoking ban in one state), or a vaccination (like the shingles vaccine).

Outcomes might include virtual versus in-person learning during the pandemic, smoking-related illnesses in a state with a smoking ban compared to a state without that ban, or dementia rates among people who did or didn't receive a vaccine.

What did this natural experiment study look at?

developed shingles less often

were 3.5% less likely to develop dementia over seven years (a 20% reduction)

were more likely to be protected from dementia if female.

Why might the shingles vaccine prevent dementia?

Reduced inflammation: Preventing shingles may prevent harmful inflammation in the body, especially in the nervous system.

Impact on immune function: Vaccination might alter immune function in a way that protects against dementia.

Reducing stroke risk: Some evidence shows that shingles may increase the risk of stroke. A stroke can contribute to or cause dementia, so perhaps vaccination leads to less dementia by reducing shingles-related strokes.

The bottom line

For more than three decades, Salman Khan has dominated Bollywood not only with his hit films but also with his title of being one of India’s most eligible bachelors. Even with his string of relationships, gossip, and public speculations, the actor remains single, to the fascination of fans and media personnel alike. But a recent Instagram update from the actor of Battle of Galwan has set the internet agog, fueling renewed rumors about whether the superstar is finally set to get married. On Wednesday, Salman Khan went to Instagram to wish his brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri a happy birthday. What was apparently a normal post soon generated headlines, not for the birthday per se, but for the emotional caption that Salman added with the snap. He wrote: “Happy birthday, Atul. “My bil” means “brother-in-law.” Thank you for taking care of my sister. I love you, man. Best husband and father, now can you please be the man I knew? One day I will be the man you are. Wake up, brother.” It was the line “1 day I vil be the man you are” that caught everyone’s attention. For years, Salman has been asked about his marriage plans, and this cryptic statement seemed like a soft admission that marriage could be on his mind. Social media exploded soon after the post went live. Fans rushed to the comment sections and fan pages, speculating whether Bhaijaan is finally planning to get married. Comments ranged from hopeful curiosity to full-blown excitement: • “So one day Salman will also be married?” • “Matlab bhai shaadi karna chahte hai?” • “Is this the hint we’ve been waiting for?” The fact that Salman mentioned wanting to become a man like his brother-in-law, a dedicated husband and father, was enough to make fans believe that marriage might not be off the table for the superstar anymore. This isn’t the first time Salman has addressed the topic. In an appearance on Aap Ki Adalat with Rajat Sharma, he had opened up about why he has remained unmarried. With his trademark honesty, he said, “Jab upar waala chahega, Sir (when God wills it). Two individuals are needed for marriage. In one case, the marriage didn’t happen. When I said yes, the other person said no. When the other person said yes, I said no. Now it’s a no from both sides. When both say yes, the marriage will happen.” He also added, “There’s still time. I’m 57. I want that this time, it should be the first and last. Matlab ek hi biwi honi chahiye.” This rare moment of vulnerability from Salman revealed that he’s not against marriage; he just hasn’t found the right time or person yet. Salman has had his share of romantic relationships over the years with many top actresses, such as Aishwarya Rai, Katrina Kaif, Iulia Vantur, and Zarine Khan. Perhaps the most serious relationship he had was that with Sangita Bijlani. Rumor had it that their marriage was imminent; wedding cards were even ordered. But the romance did not last after Salman reportedly cheated on her with Somy Ali. While the media have had a field day speculating about his romantic life, Salman has remained tight-lipped, never denying or confirming the various rumors. And yet another recurring motif in Salman’s interviews and public appearances is how much he loves children. He’s reputed to have wanted children even if it meant obtaining a father before a husband. He’s famously documented for having loved his nieces and nephews and frequently posts moments with them on social media. This latest caption expressing admiration for his brother-in-law as a father is yet another indication of how much Salman values the idea of family. While fans are busy speculating about his personal life, Salman remains focused on his professional commitments. He is prepping for his next film, Battle of Galwan, a patriotic drama inspired by the actual confrontation between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in June 2020. Familiar with playing high-impact, emotionally charged roles in the past few years, this movie will see the actor deliver a more intense and realistic performance. Whether Salman Khan is actually going to settle down anytime soon or not, it’s sure that his cryptic caption has re-piqued the public interest in his personal life. Being an individual who has closely kept his personal life under wraps for years, even a little hint from Salman seems monumental. Maybe this time, it’s not just another rumor. Maybe, just maybe, Bhaijaan is finally ready to become a husband and a father, the man he always admired in others. Until then, fans can only wait and hope. After all, in Salman’s own words, “When both say yes, the marriage will happen.”

AS the global community celebrates World Water Day 2025 on Saturday, with the theme: ‘Water and Climate Change: Preserving Glaciers’, it is critical to examine the significance of glaciers to life because they serve as veritable sources of freshwater. The anniversary aims to raise awareness about the 2.2 billion people in the world without access to safe water. “(A) glacier is a large, perennial accumulation of crystalline ice, snow, rock, sediment, and often liquid water that originates on land and moves downslope under the influence of its own weight and gravity,” usgs.gov says. While glaciers are said to store 75 per cent of the freshwater in the world, they have also helped in releasing their stored value through rivers and lakes. It is, therefore, essential for humanity to ensure the sustainable supply of freshwater. This will ensure sustainable livelihoods and supply of freshwater for agriculture, industry, and human consumption. Glaciers are large, slow-moving bodies of ice formed from accumulated snow, and they are crucial for freshwater storage, climate regulation, and as indicators of climate change. The Antarctic and Greenland Ice Sheets are said to be the largest on Earth, while other glaciers are in mountain regions and near the poles. The world’s largest (individual) glaciers are found in the Antarctic. Also, worldwildlife.org states that sea ice forms and melts strictly in the ocean whereas glaciers are formed on land. Icebergs are chunks of glacial ice that break off glaciers and fall into the ocean. The glaciers reflect sunlight and help to regulate global temperatures. Glaciers back unique and fragile ecosystems, with a wide range of plant and animal species. However, rising temperatures accentuated by global warming have placed these glaciers under intense pressure, resulting in the rise of sea levels. The result has been a steady threat to various habitations, ecosystems and economies lying along coastal areas. Backflows of water from oceans and seas into lesser water bodies have inundated these coastal communities and left them vulnerable to reducing the supply of fresh water. The impact of global warming has led to a phenomenon known as ‘glacier retreat’, at an unprecedented rate since the ’70s. It is even more alarming to note that some of them have disappeared entirely. Google says, “Several glaciers have disappeared entirely due to climate change, including the Okjökull Glacier in Iceland, which was officially declared dead in 2019, and the Chacaltayà Glacier in the Andes.” Nigeria needs to take serious action on this year’s theme. Though there are no glaciers in Nigeria, it needs huge supplies of fresh water daily for its over 230 million population. Also, the ecosystems, agriculture, and human consumption dependent on freshwater around Nigeria are under serious threat. Nigeria must develop sustainable systems for preserving freshwater. It is not enough for the government to be drifting between whether water should be a public utility or a private business. The lack of potable public water supply gave rise to sachet water popularly known as ‘pure water’. The sachet water and its bottled equivalent are sold at prohibitive costs. Due to global warming, the Nigerian coastline has continued to experience intense flooding. Flash floods are a regular occurrence, leaving various communities flooded. Nigeria has failed to provide reliable drainage for floodwater, resulting in erosion and other threats to the environment. Innovative agricultural practices such as aquaponics are in high demand across the world.  The river basins set up many years ago are not performing at optimum levels. As such, food items are usually expensive at certain times of the year. The perennial herdsmen-farmer crisis is largely blamed on the scarcity of water during the dry season. The country should embrace year-round agricultural practices and irrigation to ensure the adequate provision of water.

Past fellows of the MTN Media Innovation Program will mentor aspiring applicants in an upcoming webinar, where they will share insights on the fellowship’s impact and guide participants through the application process. MTN Nigeria, in partnership with the School of Media and Communication at Pan-Atlantic University, announced the event in a statement on Thursday. The session, scheduled for Friday, March 28, 2025, at 11:00 am, will provide an overview of the program’s structure, curriculum, and career opportunities for journalists, broadcasters, content creators, and digital storytellers. “The webinar will be an opportunity for journalists, broadcasters, content creators, and digital storytellers to understand how the MIP fellowship equips media professionals with the skills needed to thrive in an evolving industry,” the statement read. Speakers at the session include Reporter Sakina Ahmad of FRCN, Fombina FM Yola, and Senior Reporter Frank Eleanya of TechCabal, known for his extensive coverage of the Nigerian and West African tech ecosystems. Also on the panel are award-winning TV Presenter and Brand Strategist Ebunoluwa Dosumu of WorldPR Media and Deputy Head of Presentation Nifemi Oguntoye of TVC Communications. Past fellows will discuss their experiences during the six-month training at PAU, which includes hands-on learning, mentorship from industry leaders, and an international study visit to South Africa. They will also share how the program has influenced their careers, from expanding professional networks to opening new job opportunities. MTN Nigeria launched the MIP fellowship to foster innovation in the media industry by equipping professionals with digital skills, business acumen, and an understanding of media sustainability. Applications for the 2025 cohort are open, with interested media practitioners encouraged to participate in the webinar to gain deeper insights into the application process and program expectations. Dean of the School of Media and Communication at PAU, Dr Ikechukwu Obiaya, emphasised the program’s commitment to nurturing media professionals. “Given the challenges of today’s fast-changing media space, there is an ever-greater urgency to cultivate a new generation of media professionals who will drive innovation and excellence to meet today’s media needs. “SMC will leverage its extensive experience in training media professionals to equip this next cohort. And we will do this with our usual emphasis on creativity and ethics.” With thousands of applications expected, the webinar will also walk participants through the step-by-step application process, offering tips on how to craft a compelling application, what the selection committee looks for, and how to stand out as a candidate. Faculty members from PAU’s School of Media and Communication, who play a key role in the program’s curriculum, will also shed light on the learning modules, workshops, and hands-on training that MIP fellows receive. The MIP webinar is free and open to all media professionals, offering a rare chance to engage with alumni, faculty, and MTN executives in an interactive session.