Researchers are exploring novel ways to treat, even prevent, the brain disease C.T.E. One of the most surprising: near-infrared light.

© Kim Raff for The New York Times

Research looked at prevalence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy in 2,362 players who died in 2008-2023

A new study published on Wednesday estimates that about 75% of former NFL players who died over a 15-year period had evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

The research, published in Jama Network Open and conducted by a Boston-based team, examined the estimated prevalence of the degenerative brain disease among NFL players who died from 2008 through 2023. Researchers found that the estimated rate of CTE among these players was substantially higher than the rates observed in brain samples collected from the general population.

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© Photograph: Stan Grossfeld/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

© Photograph: Stan Grossfeld/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

© Photograph: Stan Grossfeld/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Jean Kaseya, of the Africa CDC, warns of the illness spreading like Covid unless more funding is secured to increase preparedness and possible treatment

The “unprecedented” spread of the Ebola outbreak means it could reach the UK and other countries, according to one of Africa’s top health officials.

As the current outbreak reached 10,000 cases, with almost 5,000 deaths, Dr Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), compared the outbreak to the Covid pandemic, which first took hold in China before spreading to countries across the world, claiming millions of lives, and ravaging health systems and economies.

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© Photograph: Sodiq Adelakun/Reuters

© Photograph: Sodiq Adelakun/Reuters

© Photograph: Sodiq Adelakun/Reuters

Experts say symptoms such as dark circles under the eyes, grey skin, cracked lips and hair loss can be a warning sign – but there are other factors too

TikTok is rife with influencers warning of “ferritin face”, a term they use to describe the pallor, dark circles, dry skin, and hair loss claimed to indicate low iron stores. But is this based on fact or fiction, and when is it time to head to the GP?

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© Photograph: Alamy/PA

© Photograph: Alamy/PA

© Photograph: Alamy/PA

Experts say symptoms such as dark circles under the eyes, grey skin, cracked lips and hair loss can be a warning sign – but there are other factors too

TikTok is rife with influencers warning of “ferritin face”, a term they use to describe the pallor, dark circles, dry skin, and hair loss claimed to indicate low iron stores. But is this based on fact or fiction, and when is it time to head to the GP?

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© Photograph: AegeanBlue/Getty Images

© Photograph: AegeanBlue/Getty Images

© Photograph: AegeanBlue/Getty Images

Indonesia is battling its worst wildfires in more than a decade, made worse by El Niño. Many were deliberately set to clear land for farming, including palm oil plantations. More than 12,000 schools across Indonesia have closed because of the toxic haze. Natanael Undas, a school principal and photographer, has been documenting the fires on social media.

A prominent researcher claims to have a revolutionary approach to “interpretability,” or the science of why A.I. models do what they do. Other experts aren’t so sure.

It’s not impossible to spot the characteristics of a brewing financial crisis. We can look to 2008 for clues.

© Illustration by Andrei Cojocaru; photos by Getty Images

Study reveals at least 2.3 million new cancer cases in 2024 were caused by common infections, almost all of which could have been prevented

A new study suggests elephants prepare their own treatments from plants known to have medicinal properties

It is hoped the factory-bred mosquitoes will be a long-term solution to the rapid spread of the disease-carrying insects