Sudanese Paramilitary Attack Kills 50, Including 33 Children

A New Study Finds That Even Moderate Drinking Can Shrink the Brain

For years, health officials have warned about the dangers of heavy alcohol consumption. But a new study published in Nature Communications suggests that even moderate drinking can have a negative impact on the brain.Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that people who consume an average of around 14 units of alcohol per week – roughly equivalent to six to seven standard drinks – experienced significant reductions in gray matter volume compared to those who drank less.

Gray matter is crucial for processing facts, and its decline is associated wiht cognitive impairment and an increased risk of dementia. The study, which analyzed data from over 36,000 adults aged 50 to 79, found that the association between alcohol consumption and brain shrinkage was dose-dependent, meaning the more people drank, the greater the reduction in brain volume.

“We found that even moderate alcohol consumption was associated with a reduction in brain volume,” says Dr. Henry Kranzler, a professor of psychiatry and genetics at the University of Pennsylvania and lead author of the study. “This suggests that there may not be a safe level of alcohol consumption when it comes to brain health.”

The researchers controlled for factors like age,sex,race,education,and smoking status,strengthening the link between alcohol and brain structure. While the study doesn’t prove that alcohol causes brain shrinkage, it provides strong evidence of an association.

Experts emphasize that the findings don’t necessarily mean everyone who enjoys a glass of wine with dinner is destined for cognitive decline. However,the study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that the risks of alcohol consumption may be greater than previously thought,even at levels considered moderate.

“This study is a wake-up call,” says Dr. George Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, who was not involved in the research. “It reinforces the importance of being mindful of your alcohol consumption and understanding the potential impact it can have on your brain health.”

Sudan Kindergarten Attack Kills 50, Including 33 Children, Doctors Say

CAIRO – A drone attack by the Sudanese paramilitary forces hit a kindergarten in south-central Sudan, killing 50 people, including 33 children, a doctors’ group said.

Sudan School Attack Kills Dozens of Children, UNICEF Condemns ‘Horrific Violation’

Kalogi, South Kordofan – A recent attack on a school in the town of Kalogi, South Kordofan state, has resulted in the deaths of dozens of children, according to reports from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).Paramedics responding to the scene were also targeted in a subsequent attack.

The exact death toll remains unclear due to dialogue blackouts in the region, but is expected to be higher. This attack is the latest escalation in the ongoing conflict between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese military, which has been raging for over two years and is now concentrated in the oil-rich Kordofan states.

“Killing children in their school is a horrific violation of children’s rights,” stated UNICEF Representative for Sudan Sheldon Yett. “Children should never pay the price of conflict.” UNICEF is urging all parties to cease attacks promptly and allow unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to reach those in need.

The intensified fighting has shifted to the Kordofan states following the RSF’s takeover of el-Fasher in Darfur, resulting in hundreds of civilian deaths in recent weeks.

Sudan Conflict: Aerial Strikes Kill Dozens in South Kordofan as Fears of Further Atrocities Grow

Recent Sudanese military aerial strikes in Kauda, South Kordofan, have resulted in the deaths of at least 48 people, the majority of whom were civilians, according to reports. This incident comes amid growing concerns about escalating violence and potential atrocities mirroring those recently seen in el-Fasher, the capital of north Darfur.

The conflict in Sudan, which erupted in april 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has plunged the country into a humanitarian crisis. The fighting stems from a power struggle between General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the SAF, and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the RSF. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/sudans-army-says-it-killed-dozens-rsf-fighters-south-kordofan-2024-05-19/

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has warned that South Kordofan risks facing similar atrocities to those witnessed in el-Fasher, where the RSF recently seized control. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/sudan-un-rights-chief-warns-atrocities-may-be-repeated-south-kordofan The RSF’s takeover of el-Fasher was characterized by widespread violence, including the execution of civilians, sexual and gender-based violence, and other severe human rights abuses. Thousands of residents have been forced to flee, while many more remain trapped within the city, with the true number of casualties feared to be significantly higher than reported. https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/05/16/sudan-rsf-atrocities-el-fasher

The ongoing conflict has had a devastating impact on Sudan.The World Health Institution (WHO) estimates that over 40,000 people have been killed, and more than 12 million have been displaced from their homes. https://www.who.int/emergencies/situations/sudan though, aid organizations caution that the actual death toll is highly likely far greater due to limited access and ongoing violence. The displacement crisis is one of the largest in the world,placing immense strain on neighboring countries and humanitarian resources.

The situation in Sudan remains extremely volatile, with little prospect of a swift resolution. International efforts to mediate a ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian access have so far yielded limited results.