The Daily News – January 10, 2025

Today we’ll discuss a deeper understanding of children with autism spectrum disorder. Next, by 2040, Ontario could be facing a major health crisis. And lastly, ten second micro walks may lead to better health. Welcome to the Daily News For our first story, a new study from the University of Rochester Medical Center and published in autism. Research shows that the structure and density of neurons in children with autism are distinctly different. It offers new insights into autism spectrum disorder. The lead author of this study explains people with autism often experience additional challenges like anxiety, depression or A DHD, but these findings give us a new set of measurements that hold promise in better understanding. Individuals with autism, the research involved over 11,000 children ages nine to 11, and used advanced brain imaging to examine neuron structures. It found that children with autism tend to have lower neuron density in the part of the brain responsible for memory learning and problem solving. Interestingly, they showed increased neuron density in the region linked to emotional processing. The study highlighted that these differences were specific to autism regardless of other psychiatric conditions like anxiety or A DHD. The implications of this research are significant. According to the lead author, these findings could open the door to better ways of identifying autism and even developing more targeted treatments. This is made possible thanks to advancements in neuroimaging technology, which allowed researchers to explore brain structures in living children in unprecedented detail, a senior author of the study noted that these findings are just the beginning. As data from the long-term adolescent brain cognitive development study continues to shape our understanding of brain development in children, this breakthrough could have far reaching impacts on how autism is diagnosed and treated, offering new hope for more personalized interventions. For our next story, a new report warns that Ontario could face a major health crisis by 2040. Ontario has a population of just over 16 million. The study predicts that by 2040, over 3 million people in the province will be living with chronic illnesses. Currently, the figure stands at 1.8 million. The globe and male reports that this could overwhelm an already stretched healthcare system. The research comes from the University of Toronto’s Dal, Lana School of Public Health. It shows that Ontario’s aging population is a key factor. It shows that Ontario’s aging population is a key factor. More baby boomers will be in their seventies and eighties by 2040, but younger Ontarians are also getting sicker. Chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer, and osteoarthritis are becoming more common. More than 53% of people over 65 could have a major illness by 2040. Even working age adults aren’t spared. Over 10% of people age 30 to 64 will have a serious illness by then. Experts say that the healthcare system is already struggling to keep up. The president of the Ontario Hospital Association said we’re looking at a reality where the public system simply won’t be able to cope, which are pretty strong words to use, but it’s the truth. Ontario’s hospitals have added beds and staff since 2019, but it’s not enough to meet future demand. The report’s co-authors said that this trend is not unique to Ontario and it could affect the entire country. She also pointed to rising obesity and inactivity as factors making people sicker even at younger ages. The authors say that using more innovation and technology in healthcare will be key. The Ontario Hospital Association agrees that big changes are needed to keep the system from breaking. Experts recommend putting a greater emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention. Now for our last story, did you know that taking just a few extra steps throughout your day can lead to better health? Well, new research reported in the Times of London suggests that very short micro walks lasting as little as 10 to 30 seconds can burn significantly more calories than you might expect. The study from the University of Milan found that breaking up a walk into these short bursts with pauses in between can use up to 60% more energy than walking the same distance continuously. It’s like how a car uses more fuel when starting and stopping according to the report. Even brief movements like standing up to make a cup of tea can help boost the number of calories you burn and improve your health according to the doctor who led the study. Breaking up sedentary time with brief strolls can greatly increase energy expended daily and improve health. While the National Health Service recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, this growing body of research shows that every little bit counts, even if it’s just a few seconds at a time. So next time you’re sitting for a long time, consider taking regular breaks for a micro stroll. Those were our top stories for today. Thank you so much for joining us on the Daily News.