July 24, 17:46

Study shows chronic financial difficulties accelerate cognitive aging and brain atrophy

A lifelong study of a large group of British residents demonstrated that prolonged financial problems in life negatively affect cognitive functions after the age of fifty and contribute to brain volume reduction in old age.

Study Methodology

British scientists examined the life paths and medical data of nearly three thousand people. This research was motivated by the growing prevalence of dementia and cognitive impairment, which requires a better understanding of factors that can alter the process of brain aging. Previously, a link had been noted between socio-economic conditions in childhood and adulthood with cognitive performance, as well as a connection between financial difficulties and cognitive decline, but previous studies had temporal limitations.

Jack Wells from University College London and his team used data from 2,759 participants in the world's longest birth cohort—the British Cohort 1946 (NSHD). Of these, 468 individuals participated in the additional neuroimaging study Insight 46. Participants' financial status was recorded at ages 26, 43, and 53, compared to the average population figures of that period. Low income was defined as the bottom 20% of the sample, classified as non-low, periodically low, or constantly low.

Cognitive abilities, including information processing speed and verbal memory, were assessed using standard methods at ages 53, 63, and 69. In the subgroup that underwent brain MRI, examinations were conducted twice (at ages 69–71 and 71–74) to assess the total volume of white matter hyperintensity, the presence and amount of beta-amyloid, as well as the volumes of the brain, ventricles, and hippocampus.

Confounding Factors and Results

The analysis took into account variables such as sex, socio-economic status in childhood, cognitive abilities at age eight, symptoms of anxiety and depression in adolescence according to teacher assessments, education level at age 26, the presence of the APOE-ε4 gene (associated with Alzheimer's predisposition), and total intracranial volume.

Financial difficulties and low income were observed in 16% and 12% of participants, respectively. Most people who never experienced low income never faced financial hardship (73.6%), and vice versa (66.9%). It was found that an increase in the experience of financial problems correlates with a decrease in information processing speed (effect for low income was -0.13; for difficulties — -0.09) and verbal memory (-0.34; -0.24) by age 53. The rate of decline in verbal memory slowed down in the presence of financial problems due to a lower initial level.

Men showed a more pronounced impact of low income on cognitive function compared to women (p = 0.009). Neuroimaging revealed a link between low income and an increase in the average brain ventricle volume (an indicator of atrophy) at ages 69–71 (b = 4.67 milliliters), with this effect being stronger in men (p = 0.046). Participants with low socio-economic status in childhood and carriers of the APOE-ε4 gene were found to be more vulnerable to financial problems.

Conclusions and Recommendations

The authors concluded that persistent financial problems negatively affect cognitive abilities after age 50 and contribute to brain atrophy, with this effect being more noticeable in men, people from low-income families, and APOE-ε4 carriers. The researchers suggest that providing financial support to working-age individuals may serve as a preventive measure against dementia among the elderly population.

Previous analysis of British data showed that people with high or low cognitive abilities in childhood accumulated the fewest debts by age 46, while those whose scores were close to average held the largest debts. Furthermore, subjective feelings of financial well-being were higher in people with high cognitive abilities.

uzdaily.uzJuly 24, 19:05

Uzbekistan's Population Exceeds 38.5 Million Amid Declining Birth Rates

According to the National Statistical Committee, the permanent population of Uzbekistan reached 38.5195 million as of July 1, 2026. This figure demonstrates a growth of 1.7% compared to the previous year.

Population Structure and Density

The urban population accounted for 19.6089 million people, which is 50.9% of the total residents, while the rural population numbers 18.9106 million people, or 49.1%. Among the residents, women constitute 49.6% (19.1189 million people), and men account for 50.4% (19.4006 million people). The population density increased to 85.8 people per square kilometer, up from 84.3 a year earlier.

Regional Growth and Demographics

The largest population growth among regions was recorded in Surkhandarya region and the city of Tashkent, where growth was 2.1%. The smallest growth was shown by the Karakalpakstan Republic, with an increase of 1.0%. From January to June 2026, 373,400 children were born in Uzbekistan, which is less than 32,100 compared to the same period in 2025. The birth rate reached 19.6 per 1,000 population. The number of deaths increased by 2,800 to 86,900, with the mortality rate at 4.6 per 1,000 people.

Social Indicators

The natural population increase for the first half of the year was 286,500 people. Among newborns, 51.7% were boys and 48.3% were girls; 51% of children were born in rural areas. Men accounted for 55.6% of all deaths, and 54.4% of them died in urban areas. During January-June, 92,300 marriages were registered, which is 3,000 fewer than the previous year, while the number of divorces increased by 1,500 to 24,800. The marriage rate was 4.9 per 1,000 population, and the divorce rate was 1.3 per 1,000. Most marriages, namely 51.1%, were registered in cities, which also accounted for 60.1% of all divorces.

Migration Flows

The total number of arrivals in the first half of the year reached 185,600 people, including 183,921 internally displaced persons and 1,649 international arrivals. A total of 189,300 people left their place of residence, of whom 5,422 left the country. The largest influx of internal migrants was recorded in the city of Tashkent with 63,400 arrivals, followed by the Tashkent region with 26,900.

Data Sources

These statistical data were collected using integrated information from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Internal Affairs ahead of the publication of the final results of the national census, scheduled for July 1, 2027.

thebetterindia.comJuly 24, 18:36

Coach Barty Moody changes the lives of tribal girls through football in West Bengal

For 17 years, Barty Moody has been transforming people's lives, achieving this through every goal scored. Every day, after completing household chores, she goes to a football field in West Bengal to train tribal girls for free.

The path to opportunities through sports

What started as a mere passion has turned into a real chance for many of her students. Some of these athletes have been able to represent their districts and states, while others have even secured government jobs thanks to their sporting achievements.

Current needs of the team

Barty Moody's mission continues, but currently, 24 young female footballers need boots and footballs to continue pursuing their dreams. She emphasizes that the most significant victories sometimes happen not on the scoreboard, but when someone believes in a child before the rest of the world does.

How to provide support

For those who wish to support these young athletes, they can contact Barty Moody at +91 8641858639. Any contribution will help keep their dreams alive.

podrobno.uzJuly 24, 18:08

Minors in Uzbekistan Tortured Snakes and Filmed the Cruelty

A video has appeared on social media showing minors committing acts of cruelty to snakes while simultaneously recording the entire process on camera. One of the participants, an 11-year-old boy, uses his Instagram page to publish such materials, thus turning cruelty into content.

Animal Rights Activists' Demands

Representatives of the animal protection project Animal life in Uzbekistan are convinced that this behavior cannot be considered a mere random act or self-defense. In their opinion, the children's actions were deliberate, and posting such videos online requires intervention from parents and relevant state authorities.

Legal Aspects and Prevention

From a legal standpoint, holding minors accountable for animal cruelty is only possible after they reach the age established by law. In such cases, measures can be directed against parents for failing to fulfill parental duties properly.

Animal rights activists emphasize that measures limited to punishing parents are insufficient. They strongly urge the implementation of preventive measures, including conducting educational work in educational institutions, involving psychologists, and fostering a sense of responsibility towards animals in children.

Systemic Problems in Society

Such incidents are becoming increasingly frequent. More and more cases are recorded where children not only show cruelty to animals but also consciously document it on video, spreading the material on the internet. Such behavior may indicate deep problems in the field of upbringing, the social environment, and a low level of empathy among the younger generation.

Eco-activists appeal to the Ministry of Preschool and School Education and other relevant departments, urging them to stop viewing such incidents as minor 'childish pranks.' They insist on the need for systemic prevention, psychological work, and the development of programs that explain to children the value of life and the concept of compassion.

Warning of Danger

The authors of Animal life in Uzbekistan warn: 'Today, animals are the object of cruelty. But if aggression remains unaddressed and uncorrected, tomorrow it may go beyond the animal world.'

Aktivists demand an immediate response from the authorities, as ignoring this situation represents a serious warning signal for the state that requires a comprehensive response.

Furthermore, a video was previously circulated on social media where a young man threw a puppy into a raging canal while viewers laughed and filmed the event. After the animal survived, the video's creators threatened further harm to it.