CVD, the global killer; microplastics in human and animal bones; kitchen science and the physics of pasta — Morning Medical Update

CVD around the globe

Cardiovascular disease the leading cause of disease burden on earth, causing one in three deaths worldwide, according to the latest analysis of 204 countries from 1990 to 2023. In that latter year, heart disease was responsible for 19.2 million deaths, up from 13.1 million in 1990. "This report is a wake-up call: Heart disease remains the world's leading cause of death, and the burden is rising fastest in places least equipped to bear it," said Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM, FACC, editor-in-chief of JACC. "The good news is we know the risks and how to address them; if countries act now with effective health policies and systems, millions of lives can be saved."

Bad to the bone

Microplastics are everywhere, including human bones, where the substances are doing harm, such as impairing the function of bone marrow stem cells. Researchers hope to find out if the tiny particles might contribute to broken bones, and especially broken hips, a problem that is growing worldwide as the population ages. Here’s a summary of a comprehensive review of research on microplastics and bone strength.

Saucy science (that may make you think)

The Nobel Prize recognizes some truly groundbreaking research that may alter the course of human thought or history. The Ig Nobel Prize honors “research that makes people laugh … then think.” In case you’ve ever wondered about the fluid physics of the perfect cacio e pepe pasta sauce — “Despite the short list of ingredients, preparing this dish requires extra care” — there’s a study for that. Here’s a news release (recipe included) about the Ig Nobel Prize awarded to Italian physicist Fabrizio Olmeda and his team, and more information about the Annals of Improbable Research. The 2025 awards also note developments in psychology, nutrition, pediatrics, biology and more.