## Merck Receives FDA Green Light for Lipfendra, a Breakthrough Cholesterol-Lowering Pill

Pharmaceutical giant Merck has officially announced that its new cholesterol-lowering drug, Lipfendra, has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The once-daily oral pill belongs to a class of medications known as PCSK9 inhibitors and is designed to combat high levels of LDL cholesterol — commonly referred to as "bad" cholesterol — either alongside statins or as a standalone treatment in certain cases.

## A Long-Overdue Alternative to Statins

Statins have long dominated the cholesterol treatment landscape, holding the title of the most frequently prescribed medication in the United States. While effective for many patients, statins are not without their drawbacks. Some individuals experience side effects such as muscle pain, and in certain cases, statins fail to bring LDL levels down to the targets recommended by medical guidelines.

Dr. Puja Banka, a pediatric cardiologist and associate vice-president for global clinical development at Merck, emphasized the significance of this new approval. She noted that statins alone are often insufficient in achieving recommended LDL reductions for a considerable number of patients. Lipfendra, she explained, is primarily intended to be used in combination with statins, though it may also serve as an independent therapy where appropriate.

### Impressive Clinical Trial Results

Clinical trial data has painted a promising picture for Lipfendra. According to reports from the New York Times, the drug demonstrated the ability to reduce LDL cholesterol levels to as low as 50 to 60 mg/dL — or even lower in some cases. Perhaps equally encouraging is the drug's favorable safety profile. Dr. Banka stated that side effects observed during trials were minimal, with no reports of muscle aches, adding that the drug's tolerability was comparable to a placebo.

## From Injection to Pill: A Game-Changing Shift

PCSK9 inhibitors are not entirely new to medicine, but until now, they have only been available in injectable form — a barrier that has limited their widespread adoption among patients. The introduction of Lipfendra as an oral pill is expected to significantly broaden access and patient compliance, making it a potentially transformative step in cardiovascular care.

Merck has indicated that the drug should be available to patients within a matter of weeks following the approval announcement.

## Understanding the Cholesterol Targets

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and elevated LDL cholesterol is a well-established driver of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), a condition characterized by the buildup of plaque in the arteries.

In March, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association released updated guidelines outlining recommended LDL targets based on individual patient risk:

- **Below 100 mg/dL** for patients at borderline or intermediate risk of a first heart attack or stroke
- **Below 70 mg/dL** for high-risk patients
- **Below 55 mg/dL** for individuals already diagnosed with ASCVD who are at very high risk of further cardiovascular events

These benchmarks underscore the need for more powerful and accessible treatment options — a gap that Lipfendra is well-positioned to help address.

## Pricing and Patient Costs

Merck has set Lipfendra's list price at approximately $10.50 per day, which translates to just over $300 per month. However, the company has indicated that many patients can expect their out-of-pocket expenses to be considerably lower, depending on their insurance coverage and eligibility for cost-assistance programs.

As cardiovascular disease continues to place an enormous burden on public health, Lipfendra's arrival marks a notable milestone — offering patients and physicians a convenient, effective, and well-tolerated new tool in the ongoing fight against high cholesterol.

Merck's Lipfendra wins FDA approval as a daily pill to lower LDL cholesterol, offering a promising alternative or complement to statins with minimal side effect

Merck's Lipfendra FDA Approved as New Cholesterol-Fighting P

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Merck's New Cholesterol Pill Lipfendra Wins FDA Approval as a Statin Alternative

## Salad Restaurants Take a Hit as Cyclospora Fears Grip the Nation

A widespread cyclospora outbreak — potentially tied to contaminated lettuce — is sending shockwaves through the restaurant industry, with salad-forward chains bearing the brunt of consumer anxiety even before any official links have been established.

### Foot Traffic Drops Sharply at Lettuce-Heavy Chains

Data from location analytics firm Placer.ai reveals a notable dip in customer visits to salad-centric restaurants beginning around July 10, 2026. On Sunday, July 11 — the same day major news outlets ran headlines about the outbreak — foot traffic at Chopt dropped 7.1 percent below the chain's typical Sunday average. Panera Bread saw an even steeper decline of 7.4 percent, while Sweetgreen experienced a 3.1 percent decrease compared to its usual Sunday numbers.

Placer.ai acknowledged it had only a limited window of data to analyze, but the trend was clear: restaurants known for fresh, produce-heavy menus were losing customers fast.

By contrast, traditional fast-food giants appeared to benefit from the shift in consumer behavior. Chains like McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, and Wendy's collectively saw foot traffic rise 0.8 percent above their Sunday averages on the same day. Meanwhile, the broader fast-casual dining category — which typically features more fresh ingredients than its fast-food counterparts — recorded a combined 2.4 percent decline.

## No Official Links Established — Yet Consumer Confidence Wavers

Despite the widespread alarm, federal health authorities have not officially connected any of these restaurant chains to the cyclospora outbreak. As of the latest estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the illness may have affected close to 7,000 people across the country. Investigators have yet to identify a specific ingredient, grower, or supplier responsible for the contamination.

However, Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services — representing the state at the epicenter of the outbreak — identified lettuce and salad greens as a "potential source." This aligns with the history of cyclospora outbreaks, which have previously been traced to raw produce items such as fresh herbs, raspberries, and various leafy greens. Because the parasite is most effectively destroyed through heat, foods commonly eaten raw — like fresh salad greens and berries — pose a higher risk.

## Wall Street Reacts: Sweetgreen Stock Tumbles

Investors are also responding to the outbreak with caution. Sweetgreen's publicly traded shares fell 23.3 percent over a five-day period at the time of reporting. As privately held companies, neither Chopt nor Panera Bread have publicly visible stock performance. None of the affected chains responded to media requests for comment.

### Taco Bell Under Direct Scrutiny

While salad chains are suffering collateral damage, Taco Bell is the only restaurant chain with a suspected direct connection to the outbreak. Several locations in the Detroit metropolitan area posted notices informing customers they could not serve lettuce, cilantro, onion, pico de gallo, or guacamole due to a nationwide recall. Health officials are reportedly investigating whether the chain played a role in spreading the illness.

The financial fallout extended to Taco Bell's parent company, Yum Brands, whose shares declined 7.2 percent over five days. Placer.ai data showed that Taco Bell's foot traffic fell 5.8 percent on July 11 compared to its typical Sunday performance. In Michigan — where confirmed case counts have reached 4,312 — the drop was even more pronounced at 11.5 percent below the Sunday average. With online anxiety continuing to spread, the chain may see prolonged hesitation from customers.

## Not Everyone Is Spooked by the Headlines

Despite the fear circulating online and in the media, some diners remain entirely unfazed. Two customers spotted outside a Sweetgreen location in Manhattan's Financial District told reporters they had not even heard of the cyclospora outbreak. New York State has recorded 510 cases in 2026, with more than 380 concentrated in New York City — a threefold increase compared to the same period last year, according to city health officials.

Just blocks away, outside a Chopt location, first-time visitor Victoria Atweh expressed nothing but enthusiasm about her meal — and complete indifference to the outbreak.

"I honestly didn't even think about it," she said.

For now, the restaurant industry watches closely as health investigations continue, knowing that consumer perception — not just official findings — can be enough to reshape dining habits on a massive scale.

A cyclospora outbreak tied to lettuce is driving customers away from salad chains like Sweetgreen and Chopt, with foot traffic down and stocks tumbling sharply.

Cyclospora Outbreak Hits Salad Chain Foot Traffic and Stocks

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Cyclospora Outbreak Drives Customers Away From Salad Chains as Foot Traffic and Stocks Plunge

## Hisense XR10 Smart Projector Review: A Bold RGB Contender for Home Cinema Enthusiasts

The Hisense XR10 is not a projector you can ignore. With its cutting-edge RGB backlighting technology, a color gamut that surpasses industry standards, and a price hovering near $6,000, this machine is gunning for the top tier of the home cinema market. After extensive real-world testing, here is what you need to know.

---

## Design and Build Quality

First things first — the XR10 is heavy. Tipping the scales at 23.4 pounds, moving this projector around is a genuine physical effort. Pulling it out of its included carrying case made that abundantly clear. By comparison, the Xgimi Titan Noir Max weighs in at 18 pounds, making it noticeably easier to handle.

That said, the XR10 looks the part. It presents itself as a sleek, dark metallic cube with an attractive bronze faceplate up front — understated yet premium in appearance. Four adjustable feet on the base allow for precise angle corrections, a small but genuinely useful feature. Many projectors only offer front foot adjustments, so having all four corners adjustable adds flexibility during setup. It is worth noting, however, that projectors like the Titan Noir Max — equipped with taller feet — allow for more dramatic side-angle positioning, giving them a slight edge in placement versatility.

---

## Remote Control Experience

The included remote is functional but somewhat overwhelming. It is packed with buttons, including three dedicated solely to settings navigation, which can create a confusing user experience — particularly for newcomers. On the positive side, dedicated brightness controls sit conveniently opposite the volume buttons, and the centrally placed Home button is easy to locate by feel. The backlit design is a welcome touch, ensuring you can operate the remote comfortably in a completely darkened room.

---

## Picture Quality and Color Performance

This is where the XR10 truly earns its keep. The projector covers an impressive 118 percent of the BT.2020 color gamut, outpacing even the well-regarded Xgimi Titan Noir Max, which reaches 110 percent of the same specification. For viewers who prioritize vivid, true-to-life color reproduction, that distinction matters.

### Real-World Movie Testing

To evaluate contrast and brightness, the Netflix film *Awake* — a deliberately dark production — served as an ideal test subject. In a controlled, windowless environment, the XR10 rendered a dimly lit cycling scene with impressive color depth and tonal accuracy. Budget projectors and lower-tier televisions typically reduce such scenes to flat gray — the XR10 had no such problem.

Two films specifically mastered to the BT.2020 standard — *Inside Out* and *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2* — looked exceptional. The opening sequence of *Guardians* flooded the screen with rich alien colors, while *Inside Out* reproduced a difficult deep rusty red with surprising accuracy. These are shades that commonly give displays trouble, making the XR10's handling of them all the more impressive.

Testing *The Creator* via the Fandango at Home app further reinforced the projector's strengths. Pre-dawn beach scenes that appear muddy and detail-less on mid-range projectors came through with visible texture on rocky cliffs, a natural blue sky tint, and readable shadow detail on soldiers' wetsuits.

### Technical Benchmark Results

Using Spears & Munsil calibration discs for more technical evaluation, the results were solid but not flawless. Skin tone reproduction showed good variation overall, though it fell slightly short of the benchmark set by the LG Micro RGB TV and the Titan Noir Max. A scene featuring white mist against a white mountain background appeared marginally softer compared to the LG Micro RGB Evo and the Leica Cine Play 1. Similarly, a yellow flower scene and dark trees against a dark backdrop did not achieve the same level of realism seen on competing flagship displays.

Nevertheless, green grass, sunset gradients, a red cactus, and steam rising from a hot spring all rendered with vivid, convincing color — impressive results for any projector at this price point.

---

## Iris Control and Light Management

A meaningful difference between the XR10 and the Titan Noir Max lies in iris behavior. The Titan dynamically adjusts its iris in real time as content plays, automatically optimizing light levels scene by scene. The XR10 does not offer this automatic adjustment — instead, it provides seven manual iris settings, allowing users to dial in their preferred light control level. For dark, atmospheric scenes in particular, exploring these settings makes a noticeable difference. The relevant controls are buried a few menus deep, but the payoff for finding them is worthwhile.

---

## Bright Room Performance

This is where the XR10 stumbles. Despite some marketing language suggesting usability with open blinds, real-world daytime viewing in a brightly lit room exposes a significant limitation. Content viewed under ambient light conditions can appear dim and washed out. Several episodes of *Blue Lights* on the Britbox app, for example, took on a pale, grayish quality with room lighting present. It is worth acknowledging that this is a common weakness across premium projectors — the Leica Cine Play 1 faces a similar challenge — but prospective buyers should plan for a dedicated, light-controlled viewing environment to get the most from the XR10.

---

## Gaming Performance

For gamers, the XR10 delivers a compelling experience. Playing *Senua's Saga: Hellblade II* on an Xbox Series X, the contrast rendering was exceptional — water on surfaces and rocks appeared convincingly real without any bloom or washout. In *Forza Horizon 6*, both on Xbox and PC, nighttime winter racing scenes were stunning, with falling snow and wet road surfaces rendered with impressive realism. A white BMW M4 appeared crisp and natural — bright without being artificially glaring.

The role-playing game *Crimson Desert* benefited not just from the XR10's vivid color output, but from its 240Hz refresh rate at 1080p resolution, which delivered immediate and precise controller response. The projector automatically activates a low-latency gaming mode, a seamless and appreciated feature for competitive or immersive gameplay.

---

## Sports and News Broadcasts

Sports content looked sharp and natural on the XR10. A World Cup match showcased a bright, clean green pitch without any distracting oversaturation. News broadcasts, interestingly, benefited from a slight mid-range iris adjustment — toning down color vibrancy produced a more grounded, realistic presentation. Anchors appeared natural rather than overly cinematic, which is precisely what broadcast content calls for.

---

## Voice Control and Smart Features

The XR10 runs on Hisense's VIDAA operating system, and the voice control experience leaves room for improvement. Requesting a brightness adjustment produced movie recommendations instead of the intended result. Asking which platform was streaming the film *Carrie* returned only a text description of the movie. Compared to the polished implementations of Alexa+ or Google Gemini found on competing projectors, VIDAA's AI assistant feels underdeveloped and inconsistent.

---

## Final Verdict

The Hisense XR10 is a serious home cinema projector that earns its place among the best in its class. Its RGB-powered color performance is genuinely outstanding, its gaming capabilities are excellent, and its setup flexibility is better than average. It does not quite reach the overall benchmark performance of the Xgimi Titan Noir Max — particularly in dynamic iris behavior and technical color accuracy — but for the vast majority of movies, shows, and games tested, the two projectors compete in the same league.

If you have a dedicated, light-controlled viewing space and are willing to invest time in dialing in the settings, the XR10 is a rewarding and visually spectacular purchase. Just be prepared for its weight, its learning curve, and its limitations in bright environments.

**Price:** $5,998 at Amazon | $6,000 at B&H Photo

The Hisense XR10 projector delivers vivid RGB-powered color beyond the BT.2020 spec. Read our full review covering picture quality, gaming, and more.

Hisense XR10 Smart Projector Review: RGB Color Powerhouse

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Hisense XR10 Smart Projector Review: A Bold RGB Contender for Home Cinema Enthusiasts

## Herefordshire: The UK's Hidden Sanctuary for Mind, Body, and Spirit

A respected Buddhist monk from Sri Lanka has made a striking declaration about a quiet English county — calling Herefordshire the ideal place in the United Kingdom for anyone seeking spiritual growth, inner peace, and lasting happiness.

Venerable Dhammaloka, a senior figure within the Buddhist tradition, says he can physically sense a rare "state of balance" in the region — one that makes it uniquely suited to those on a journey of self-discovery and healing.

### The Right Environment for Human Flourishing

"For a person to be happy, they need the right environment," Dhammaloka explained. "The nature, the air — everything in Herefordshire allows for that."

His belief in the county's restorative qualities was so strong that he directed his mentee, Ishara De Silva, to establish her wellness centre there — even though neither of them had ever set foot in Herefordshire before making the decision.

De Silva, who originally founded Plantation Villa in Sri Lanka, followed her mentor's counsel and launched a UK outpost of the centre in Kings Caple, Herefordshire, in 2022.

"I had studied and worked in London for 19 years, but when we discussed helping people across the UK, he pointed to Hereford," De Silva recalled. "He told me it was the finest place in the country for developing the human mind."

She added that Dhammaloka also referenced the region's historical significance, noting that much of England's early work in physical health, mental wellbeing, and ancient medicinal practices centred around Herefordshire.

## Ayurveda Meets the English Countryside

At its core, Plantation Villa operates on the principles of Ayurveda — an ancient healing system rooted in South Asian tradition and refined over thousands of years. This holistic approach to health considers the full spectrum of human wellness, from diet and daily routine to mental clarity and emotional balance.

Visitors to the centre can immerse themselves in ayurvedic retreats, yoga sessions, and transformative sound healing workshops — all set against the serene backdrop of the Herefordshire countryside.

### Sound Healing: Science Meets Serenity

Laura Leverington, a yoga teacher and sound healing facilitator at the centre, discovered her passion for Ayurveda through personal experience and has since made it her professional calling.

"Sound healing is a practice designed for deep relaxation — for both the body and the mind," she explained. "Science has already proven, and continues to prove, that sound can serve as a powerful tool for stress relief and enhanced meditation."

Through her workshops, participants learn practical techniques to quiet mental chatter and achieve genuine stillness. "We explore how to slow the mind down and, ultimately, how to switch it off entirely through sound," she said.

### A Blueprint for a Balanced Life

For Leverington, Ayurveda extends far beyond the treatment room — it represents a comprehensive philosophy for everyday living.

"It really focuses on balancing the body in every sense," she said. "From choosing the right foods to something as simple as how you begin your morning — Ayurveda is essentially a guide to living a happy and fulfilling life."

## Why Herefordshire Matters

The story of Plantation Villa raises an intriguing question about place and purpose. That a monk from Sri Lanka — guided by intuition and ancient wisdom rather than travel guides or wellness rankings — would pinpoint a rural English county as a spiritual epicentre speaks volumes about Herefordshire's quiet, often overlooked power.

For those feeling overwhelmed by urban pressures or disconnected from their own wellbeing, Dhammaloka's message is a compelling invitation: sometimes, the most profound healing happens far from the spotlight — in rolling hills, clean air, and communities quietly committed to something deeper.

A Sri Lankan Buddhist monk guided his mentee to open a wellness centre in Herefordshire, calling it the UK's best place for spiritual and mental growth.

Why a Buddhist Monk Named Herefordshire a Spiritual Hub

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Why a Buddhist Monk Chose Herefordshire as the UK's Spiritual Hub

## When Love Becomes a Source of Dread: Understanding Relationship OCD

For most people, the occasional doubt about a romantic relationship is completely normal. But for those living with relationship OCD, these doubts transform into relentless, all-consuming intrusive thoughts that can make everyday life nearly impossible.

Sophia, a 24-year-old content creator and waitress from Leeds, has been in a committed relationship for over a year — yet she constantly questions everything about it. She doubts her compatibility with her boyfriend, her feelings for him, and even what she might do as a result of those thoughts.

"I couldn't leave the house because I was so worried I would cheat on my boyfriend," she recalls. "At my worst, I couldn't go to work. I'd be lying in bed all day, asking ChatGPT hundreds of questions trying to find some kind of reassurance."

## What Is Relationship OCD?

Relationship OCD — commonly referred to as ROCD — is a recognised form of obsessive compulsive disorder. Unlike the fleeting doubts most people experience in relationships, ROCD involves persistent, intrusive thoughts that generate significant distress and compulsive behaviours. These might include repeatedly testing a partner or seeking constant reassurance in an attempt to quiet the mental noise.

"It can take hours of mental energy and cause a lot of anxiety, whereas in a normal relationship these thoughts don't dominate your day," explains Professor David Veale, a consultant psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.

Sophia describes the experience as nothing short of "mental torture."

"Having a voice in your head constantly nitpicking at your relationship and generating horrible thoughts about your partner — it's truly heartbreaking," she says.

## How Common Is Relationship OCD?

OCD as a whole affects approximately 1.2% of the UK population, but because ROCD is not tracked as a separate condition, precise figures on its prevalence remain elusive.

Professor Guy Doron, a clinical psychologist at Reichman University in Israel who has been studying ROCD for over a decade, notes that when he first began his research, very little information existed on the subject. Today, however, he is witnessing a clear uptick in referrals. Increased visibility through social media platforms and growing academic research appear to be encouraging more individuals to come forward and seek professional help.

As for whether ROCD affects one gender more than another, Professor Veale says the data is insufficient to draw firm conclusions, though his clinical experience suggests it may be "slightly more common in women."

## The Two Core Types of ROCD

Experts generally categorise relationship OCD into two distinct forms:

### Relationship-Centred ROCD
This type involves persistent doubts about one's own feelings — questioning whether you truly love your partner or whether the relationship is right for you.

### Partner-Focused ROCD
This form centres on perceived flaws in a partner, leading to obsessive scrutiny of their behaviour, appearance, or character.

While ROCD symptoms most commonly emerge in romantic relationships, Professor Doron notes they can also surface in other types of close relationships. Major life milestones — such as becoming exclusive, moving in together, or getting engaged — frequently serve as triggers.

## From Handwashing to Heartache: One Woman's Story

Sophia's OCD originally manifested as contamination fears. At its peak, she was washing her hands at least 30 times a day. When she met her boyfriend on Valentine's Day, she felt genuinely present and happy. But as the relationship grew more serious roughly a month later, her OCD found a new focus.

"My OCD latched onto the relationship and I completely shut down," she says. Even minor things — an outfit she wasn't keen on or a haircut she didn't prefer — would spiral into serious relationship doubts. "My brain would be shouting at me to break up with him, even though I knew that's not what I wanted."

## Why Some People Are More Vulnerable

While ROCD can affect anyone, certain factors may increase a person's susceptibility. According to Professor Doron, early relationship experiences, a tendency toward perfectionism, and a predisposition to overthinking can all influence how individuals process relationship uncertainty.

Social media adds yet another layer of complexity. The idealised portrayals of romance online can amplify self-doubt for those already struggling.

"Social media can definitely be triggering for people with ROCD because it romanticises love and can make them doubt their own relationship," Professor Doron warns.

Sophia echoes this sentiment: "Seeing perfect-looking couples online creates unrealistic expectations, when real relationships are anything but perfect."

## 'It Targets the Things That Matter Most'

Gracie, 24, a mental health charity worker from Bristol, has been navigating ROCD for seven years. For her, it isn't the glossy couple photos on social media that cause the most harm — it's the accompanying captions and relationship mantras.

Phrases like "when you know, you know" and the expectation of absolute romantic certainty can be particularly overwhelming.

"We can be having a really nice time together, but in my head I'll be completely freaking out wondering if he's the one — it's exhausting," she says.

Both Gracie and Sophia are clear on one important point: ROCD is not an indication that someone doesn't love their partner.

"It's actually the opposite," Gracie explains. "OCD often targets the things that matter the most to a person. It can make you feel hopeless and like a terrible person — but it doesn't mean you don't care."

## Seeking Help for Relationship OCD

Both women have explored medication and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help manage their symptoms. Much of their early understanding of the condition, however, came from independent research online and through YouTube videos — highlighting a clear gap in accessible professional guidance.

The charity OCD Action emphasises that getting the right support is crucial. The recommended first step is speaking openly with a GP about how intrusive thoughts are affecting daily life. From there, tailored treatment options — including specialist CBT — can make a meaningful difference.

Relationship OCD may still be under-recognised, but growing awareness is slowly changing that — and for those living with it, that recognition can be the first step toward relief.

Relationship OCD causes relentless doubts about love and partnership. Learn what ROCD is, who it affects, and how to find the right support.

Relationship OCD: Signs, Symptoms and How to Get Help

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When Love Becomes a Source of Dread: Understanding Relationship OCD

## Surviving Extreme Summer Heat Without Air Conditioning

As temperatures continue to shatter records across the globe, millions of people face a harsh reality: surviving brutal heat without access to air conditioning. But long before modern cooling systems existed, communities in some of the world's hottest regions developed remarkably effective strategies for staying cool.

Dr. Gulrez Shah Azhar, a heat health researcher and Aspen New Voices fellow based in Seattle, grew up in Uttar Pradesh, India — a region where May and June temperatures regularly climb past 120°F. With a regional per capita income of roughly $1,000 annually, air conditioning simply isn't an option for most residents there. Yet people endure and adapt.

Here are the most effective heat-management techniques drawn from generations of wisdom, combined with insights from modern heat research.

> **Important:** If you or someone nearby shows signs of heatstroke — including high fever, severe headache, nausea, confusion, or sudden weakness — call emergency services immediately. Apply ice packs while awaiting medical care. Heatstroke is life-threatening and requires urgent attention.

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## Hydration: Your First and Most Critical Defense

### Drink Constantly, Even Before You Feel Thirsty

One of the most fundamental lessons passed down through generations in hot climates is simple: never let yourself become dehydrated. Sip water consistently throughout the day, especially before, during, and after any physical activity. Carrying a water bottle isn't just practical — in extreme heat, it can be lifesaving.

### Replenish Electrolytes with Traditional Cooling Drinks

Plain water alone isn't always enough. Sweating causes the body to lose essential electrolytes, which must be replaced. In India, several traditional beverages have served this purpose for centuries:

- **Aam ka pana** – A tangy drink made from boiled raw mangoes, this refreshing beverage replenishes electrolytes effectively. Pre-made mixes are available at ethnic grocery stores and online retailers.
- **Coconut water** – Naturally rich in electrolytes and deeply hydrating.
- **Sugarcane juice** – A popular, energizing thirst-quencher across South Asia.
- **Lassi and buttermilk** – Milk-based, cooling beverages that are staples of Indian summers.

### Never Step Outside on an Empty Stomach

Eating something before heading out in the heat helps maintain your body's energy levels and stability. A few slices of cucumber — which contains natural dissolved electrolytes — or a serving of pineapple works well. In India, cucumber is commonly sprinkled with black salt to further boost its restorative properties.

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## Cool Your Body Down Directly

### Use Water Strategically

A cold shower provides immediate relief from rising body temperature. If a full shower isn't possible, splashing cool water on your face, neck, wrists, and the top of your head can produce a noticeable cooling effect quickly.

For families with children, turning cooling into play makes perfect sense. Water balloon fights, backyard splash sessions, and tubs filled with cool water are as effective as they are enjoyable — and children in hot countries around the world have relied on these methods for generations.

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## Optimize Your Living Space for Coolness

### Find and Use the Coolest Zones in Your Home

Heat naturally rises, which means lower floors of any multi-story building will be significantly cooler than upper levels. Identify the coolest rooms in your home and prioritize spending time there, especially during the hottest part of the day.

Other effective indoor strategies include:

- **Heavy curtains** – Block direct sunlight during daylight hours to prevent indoor temperatures from rising.
- **Strategic fan placement** – Fans don't lower air temperature but dramatically improve how cool your body feels through evaporation.
- **Window positioning** – Move furniture, including beds, closer to windows to take advantage of natural night breezes.
- **Verandas and shaded outdoor areas** – Shaded, open-air spaces often feel cooler than enclosed indoor rooms.

### Take Inspiration from Ancient Architectural Cooling

Traditional architecture across South Asia developed ingenious passive cooling solutions long before electricity existed:

- **Jaali screens** – A latticed stone or wood design featuring geometric cutouts, similar to those found on the Taj Mahal. These screens block direct sunlight while simultaneously accelerating airflow through the small openings, producing a natural cooling effect.
- **Water features** – Structures like the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) in Jaipur used courtyard water bodies strategically. Wind passing over these water sources picked up moisture before flowing through thousands of latticed windows, cooling interior spaces naturally.

### Use Wet Curtains and Evaporative Cooling

A highly effective low-tech trick involves hanging a curtain woven from grass — traditionally made from a fragrant grass called **khus** in India — over doorways and spraying it with water. Hot outside air passing through the wet curtain is converted into a cool, humid breeze indoors. Fine bamboo curtains with a damp inner cloth layer work similarly.

For a modern equivalent, **swamp coolers** (also called evaporative coolers) operate on the same principle. These electrical devices draw room air across water-saturated pads and return cooled air to the space. They are significantly cheaper to purchase and operate than traditional air conditioners, and they work best in low-humidity environments. DIY versions can even be assembled at home.

---

## Dress Smarter in the Heat

### Choose the Right Fabrics

Cotton and linen are the ideal materials for hot weather clothing. Both fabrics feature loosely woven fibers with larger pores that allow air to circulate freely against the skin, promoting cooling through evaporation.

### Understand the Science of Color

The relationship between clothing color and body temperature is more nuanced than most people realize. While white reflects sunlight and heats up slowly, black absorbs heat faster but also releases it faster once you move into shade.

Nomadic Rabari communities in western India apply this knowledge practically: women who move frequently between indoors and outdoors wear darker colors that cool down quickly in shade, while men who spend prolonged periods outdoors wear lighter colors that heat up more slowly under direct sun.

### Protect Your Head

Covering the head is one of the oldest and most universal heat-protection practices. Options include:

- **Dampened cloth wraps** – A wet gamcha (a light traditional cotton cloth) worn around the head or neck provides significant cooling through evaporation and is used widely across rural India.
- **Turbans** – Historically worn by both royalty and common people across South Asia, turbans offer excellent insulation from solar heat.
- **Lightweight hats** – Even a simple damp towel draped over the head offers meaningful protection from direct sun exposure.

---

## Adjust Your Schedule Around the Heat

One of the most practical and underutilized strategies is simply rescheduling physical activity away from peak heat hours. In Uttar Pradesh, farmers work in the early morning and late evening, avoiding the intense midday sun entirely. Local markets often close during the hottest afternoon hours and reopen into the cooler evenings.

If your schedule allows any flexibility, shift outdoor tasks, exercise, and errands to early morning or after sunset. During peak heat hours, rest indoors — an afternoon siesta isn't laziness; it's physiologically sound heat management.

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## Use Natural Shade — and Plant More Trees

Whether commuting, working, or simply walking outside, consistently seek shade beneath trees. While the ambient air temperature under a tree is technically the same as in direct sunlight, your skin avoids absorbing solar radiation, which significantly reduces how much your body heats up.

Planting trees is also a long-term investment in community cooling. The shade trees provide today was planted by previous generations. Continuing that tradition — even knowing the full benefit may not be felt in our own lifetimes — is one of the most meaningful contributions any community can make in the face of rising global temperatures.

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## Final Thoughts

Extreme heat doesn't have to mean suffering, even without air conditioning. The strategies outlined above — drawn from centuries of lived experience in some of the world's hottest places — demonstrate that the human body can be protected, cooled, and sustained through thoughtful hydration, smart dressing, architectural awareness, and behavioral adjustments.

Applied together, these methods provide meaningful relief. The key is awareness, preparation, and respecting the serious power of heat before it becomes dangerous.

No air conditioning? Learn proven, expert-backed strategies to survive extreme summer heat using hydration, clothing, home cooling tricks, and more.

Stay Cool Without AC: Heat Survival Tips That Work

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Beat the Extreme Heat Without Air Conditioning: Proven Tips from the World's Hottest Regions

## A Groundbreaking Find Beneath Ancient Wrappings

Archaeologists working in Egypt have made a discovery that is rewriting what we know about ancient burial practices and the cultural reach of Greek literature. Hidden inside a 1,600-year-old Roman-era mummy, researchers found a fragment of papyrus containing verses from Homer's *Iliad* — marking the very first time a Greek literary text has been deliberately incorporated into the mummification process.

The find emerged from excavations at Al Bahnasa, the modern Egyptian town built atop the ruins of ancient Oxyrhynchus, one of the most archaeologically rich cities of the Greco-Roman world. Located roughly 190 kilometers south of Cairo along the Bahr Yussef branch of the Nile, Oxyrhynchus has long been celebrated for yielding vast quantities of ancient papyri.

## The Discovery at Tomb 65

During a field season conducted between November and December 2025, a team led by researcher Núria Castellano uncovered a mummy inside Tomb 65 of Sector 22. What made this burial immediately stand out was a papyrus scroll resting deliberately on the mummy's abdomen — placed there as an intentional part of the embalming ritual.

The excavation falls under the broader Oxyrhynchus Archaeological Mission, directed by Maite Mascort and Esther Pons through the Institute of Ancient Near East Studies (IPOA) at the University of Barcelona — a project that has been operating continuously since 1992.

### From Ritual Magic to Literary Epic

Previous excavations at the same site had turned up Greek papyri bundled and sealed within mummies in a similar fashion. However, those earlier texts were exclusively magical or ritual in content. The discovery of a passage from Homer's *Iliad* placed in an identical funerary context is entirely without precedent in the archaeological record.

## Identifying the 'Catalogue of Ships'

Following the initial discovery, a dedicated research campaign conducted between January and February 2026 brought together a team of specialists to analyze the fragile document. Conservator Margalida Munar carefully preserved the papyrus, while papyrologist Leah Mascia carried out a detailed reading of the text.

Using Mascia's transcription, Professor Ignasi-Xavier Adiego — a classical philologist and director of the Oxyrhynchus project within the Department of Classical, Romance and Semitic Languages at the University of Barcelona — confirmed that the fragment belongs to the famous **"Catalogue of Ships"** found in Book II of the *Iliad*. This celebrated section enumerates the Greek forces assembled before the walls of Troy and is widely regarded as one of the most iconic passages in all of Western literature.

As Professor Adiego noted: *"This is not the first time we have found Greek papyri bundled, sealed, and incorporated into the mummification process, but until now, their content was mainly magical. The real novelty is finding a literary papyrus in a funerary context."*

## A Window Into Greco-Roman Funerary Culture

The broader excavation revealed a funerary complex built from limestone, housing several burial chambers that contained Roman-era mummies alongside decorated wooden sarcophagi. Unfortunately, many of the tombs showed evidence of historical looting, leaving a number of artifacts in degraded condition.

Despite this, the site continues to yield discoveries of remarkable historical significance. The mission's most recent season produced findings that researchers describe as pivotal to understanding the intersection of Greek literary culture and Egyptian burial traditions during the Roman period.

## Decades of Research Behind the Discovery

The University of Barcelona's Oxyrhynchus Archaeological Mission has operated for over three decades, making it one of Spain's longest-running archaeological endeavors in Egypt. The project receives funding and support from Spain's Ministry of Culture, the University of Barcelona, the Palarq Foundation, the Catalan Egyptology Society, and AIXA Serveis Arqueològics. It operates in formal cooperation with Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities and Cairo University.

The team recently presented their latest findings during a public lecture series hosted at the University of Barcelona's Faculty of Philology and Communication, featuring presentations covering archaeology, physical anthropology, and conservation work.

## Why This Discovery Matters

For historians and classicists alike, this find opens new questions about how Homer's works were perceived and used in everyday life — and in death — during the Roman era in Egypt. That a passage from the *Iliad* would be chosen as a funerary offering suggests the text carried not just literary prestige but perhaps a deeper spiritual or protective significance for those who placed it there.

As researchers continue to analyze the mummy and its contents, this remarkable papyrus stands as a testament to the enduring power of Homer's words — words that, even in death, someone chose to keep close.

Archaeologists discovered a Homer's Iliad papyrus inside a Roman-era Egyptian mummy — the first Greek literary text ever found used in mummification.

Homer's Iliad Found Inside 1,600-Year-Old Egyptian Mummy

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Homer's Iliad Fragment Discovered Inside a 1,600-Year-Old Egyptian Mummy

## Weekend Cooldown Arrives, But Southern Heat Persists

A notable shift in weather patterns is on the way for parts of the United Kingdom, as fresher northerly winds are expected to drag temperatures down by several degrees across northern regions. While this brings some respite from the relentless heat, much of the country will continue to experience warmer-than-average conditions well into next week.

Southern England remains deep in heatwave territory, having now met or surpassed the official heatwave threshold for 12 consecutive days — with no sign of that streak ending anytime soon.

## How Much Will Temperatures Drop?

The most dramatic cooling will be felt in northern Scotland, where maximum temperatures on Saturday could be as much as seven degrees Celsius lower than those recorded on Thursday. This sharp decline will effectively bring the heatwave to a close for those areas.

North-west England is also in line for a significant drop, with temperatures falling by five to six degrees Celsius from Thursday's peak — bringing Saturday's highs down to the low 20s.

The Midlands, Wales, and southern England will experience a degree of relief as well, though many locations in these regions will still hover above the heatwave threshold. Daytime highs are expected to range broadly between 25°C and 27°C, but residents can look forward to noticeably cooler overnight temperatures returning.

## High Pressure Keeps Rain at Bay

Despite the cooler air moving in from the north, there is little to no chance of meaningful rainfall for most of the UK. High pressure will maintain a firm grip on the region at least through the start of next week, extending what has already been an exceptionally dry and sunny month.

Several locations in south-east England — including Wisley in Surrey and Herstmonceux in East Sussex — are approaching 30 consecutive days without any recorded rainfall. Numerous other areas across eastern England and the West Midlands have gone more than 20 days without rain.

This prolonged dry spell, combined with soaring water demand, has prompted hosepipe bans affecting more than eight million households across England. Wales and Northern Ireland are also reporting significantly below-average rainfall levels.

## Heat Expected to Bounce Back Quickly

Any cooling relief will be short-lived for many. Following the cooler weekend, temperatures are forecast to climb back up rapidly across most of the UK, with continued dry and sunny conditions dominating the outlook.

As northerly winds ease, Scotland and Northern Ireland could see temperatures returning to around 23°C, while parts of southern England may once again reach 30°C. For much of England and Wales, the heatwave looks set to extend into a third consecutive week.

## Met Office Warns of a 'New Climate Normal'

The prolonged heat comes alongside the release of the Met Office's State of the Climate Report for 2025, which delivers a stark warning: climate extremes are increasingly becoming the baseline for UK weather.

The report highlights that the hottest day of the year in southern England is now typically 4.5°C warmer than it was during the 1961–1990 baseline period. Perhaps most strikingly, northern parts of Britain are now routinely experiencing temperatures that were once exclusive to the south.

The UK's climate is, in the words of the Met Office, firmly "on the move" — and the patterns playing out this summer serve as a vivid illustration of that accelerating shift.

Northerly winds will bring a sharp temperature drop to northern UK regions this weekend, while southern England remains gripped by a prolonged heatwave with no 

UK Weekend Cooldown: Heatwave Relief for Northern Regions

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Weekend Temperature Drop Signals Heatwave Relief for Northern UK Regions

## Neko Health Lands $700 Million in Fresh Funding

Neko Health, the innovative health assessment startup co-founded by Spotify CEO Daniel Ek and entrepreneur Hjalmar Nilsonne, has successfully closed a $700 million Series C funding round. The investment was spearheaded by Lightspeed Venture Partners and O.G. Venture Partners, marking another significant milestone for a company that had already raised $260 million in a Series B round just months earlier in January 2025.

## What Neko Health Actually Does

At its core, Neko Health combines proprietary full-body scanning technology with comprehensive bloodwork analysis to deliver detailed health assessments to its clients. The platform has recently expanded its capabilities to include body composition metrics — a welcome addition for fitness enthusiasts tracking their physical progress.

The company has also integrated Apple Health data into its assessment process, allowing its medical clinicians to draw on real-world patient data when making health evaluations. According to co-founder Nilsonne, this integration provides a richer, more complete picture of each patient's overall health profile.

## From Europe to New York: A Major U.S. Expansion

Currently operating clinics across the United Kingdom and Sweden, Neko Health is gearing up for its highly anticipated debut in the United States, with New York set to host the company's first American location. The demand appears overwhelming — more than 100,000 individuals have already undergone scans, while an additional 350,000 people have either joined the waitlist or scheduled appointments.

## A Potentially Life-Saving Discovery

Perhaps one of the most compelling endorsements for Neko Health's technology came from Alex Tew, the entrepreneur behind the mindfulness app Calm. Tew shared publicly on X that a Neko Health scan had detected a malignant mole on his back — one that was swiftly removed following the discovery.

"I'm grateful to Neko for helping me discover this — I'm not sure how I would have otherwise," Tew wrote, highlighting the potentially life-saving impact of routine preventive scanning.

## A Growing Wave of Health Tech Innovation

Neko Health is not alone in pursuing the body-scanning space from a tech industry angle. AI powerhouse Midjourney, widely recognized for its AI-driven image and video generation platform, has also announced plans to develop its own body scanner. The company intends to incorporate the technology into a wellness-focused spa environment featuring hot tubs and saunas, with a planned launch in San Francisco around 2027.

## Who Backed the Round

Beyond the lead investors, Neko Health's latest funding round attracted a strong roster of venture partners including Atomico, General Catalyst, Lakestar, Liberty City Ventures, Positive Sum, and BDT & MSD — a lineup that underscores growing institutional confidence in the preventive health technology sector.

Neko Health, co-founded by Spotify's Daniel Ek, secures $700M Series C to expand its advanced body-scanning health clinics into the United States.

Neko Health Raises $700M to Expand Body-Scanning Clinics

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Neko Health Secures $700M Series C to Expand Revolutionary Body-Scanning Technology

OK, so babies might not be able to write computer programs, solve advanced math problems, or debate philosophical ideas. But unlike today’s AI models, which consume an ocean’s worth of training data and as much energy as a small country, babies learn to make sense of the world with amazing efficiency. They identify new objects after seeing them once or twice, and they learn through fleeting observation and physical interaction.
When it comes to improving AI, babies—and the architecture of their brains—might hold crucial insights. Building a more baby-like version of AI could make frontier models less costly and less energy intensive, and it might also be valuable if AI-powered robots are to learn about their environments in a more natural way.
To explore this bold new frontier, researchers at Meta, Stanford University, the University of Tokyo, and France’s École Normale Supérieure developed a new test that highlights the learning skills of babies and pushes AI researchers to design algorithms that match them.
The EgoBabyVLM Challenge judges how well vision language models, or VLMs, which learn from both text and imagery, can make sense of the world as a baby sees it. It requires a model to describe the world after ingesting about a thousand hours of video collected from cameras strapped to the heads of infants and toddlers. (Yes, really.)
It turns out that the cutting-edge models fail miserably when fed this realistic and messy footage, which suggests there may be something different about the design of the baby brain that enables it to learn so rapidly from so little information.
Instead of curated datasets, babies learn from a kaleidoscopic view of things: parents talking about objects that are no longer visible, indicating things using their gaze or a gesture, or discussing events from the past or in the future rather than whatever’s happening right then. Babies learn not just from language but also from a rich multimodal and tactile experience, says Michael Frank, a cognitive scientist at Stanford University who specializes in language learning and was involved with EgoBabyVLM’s development.
The test shows that when it comes to AI, “it’s clear that there’s more [than just language] that’s needed,” Frank says.
Language Learning
EgoBabyVLM is just the latest example of how scientists are using AI to explore human intelligence. A challenge called BabyLM, introduced in 2023, tasked AI models with learning the syntax of language using about the same amount of data a 10-year-old takes in—tens of millions of words, compared to trillions for AI models. Remarkably, it turns out that transformer-based AI models—which process language by paying attention to the relationship between words across different sentences—can do this quite well, a finding that challenges Noam Chomsky’s ideas concerning how syntax may be hardwired into the human brain.
Ryan Cotterell, a linguist at ETH Zurich who first developed BabyLM, says the situation is different when it comes to understanding the physical world. “There isn't going to be a large corpus of human interactions—there's no internet of human interactions,” he says.
Joshua Tenenbaum, a cognitive scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, notes that BabyLM showed models do not acquire “common sense” about the physical world, social dynamics, or theory of mind.
“Transformers are very good at finding patterns in data,” says Tenenbaum. “But it does seem that just pure pattern learning systems are not able to take the kind of data that a baby or a child receives and learn all the things that they do.”
An enduring question is whether evolution found a way to optimize certain learning skills in humans and other animals, or if simple learning algorithms can do everything we do. “There is a lot of debate in cognitive science and neuroscience about how much is built into the brain evolutionarily,” Tenenbaum says. “The brain is incredibly complex, and there's a lot of built-in structure and architecture.”
In 2024, researchers showed that a basic VLM can learn simple things, like what a ball is, purely by consuming data recorded from the head of a single infant. But this is a ways away from reasoning about the world in sophisticated ways. “The mystery is how children get to the full capabilities that they have even at the age of 2,” says Brendan Lake, a cognitive scientist at Princeton University who was involved with the project.
The authors of the EgoBabyVLM paper suggest that borrowing different ideas from cognitive science and neuroscience could enable progress toward more humanlike learning algorithms. This includes designing models that can pay attention over longer periods and can interpret social cues.
Stanford’s Frank has already shown that novel approaches can get us closer to baby-like AI. Earlier this year, he and colleagues tested a new kind of model that’s adept at learning causality and visual and temporal relationships—or how objects affect one another over time—using the same baby-head video data. They found the new model was able to learn about the dynamics of different objects, a foundation for physical reasoning, much more effectively.
It’s a tantalizing possibility: Perhaps models that are biased to learn more rapidly about things like physics and social relationships could be more efficient learners overall.
“EgoBabyVLM is a wonderful challenge,” says Lake. “I'm excited to see what kinds of new architectures, approaches, and ingredients researchers come up with.”

This is an edition of Will Knight’s AI Lab newsletter. Read previous newsletters here.

Babies are tremendous learning machines, and key advances for AI may soon be found in the architecture of their little brains.

AI Isn’t Smarter Than a Baby—Yet

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## How a Single Drink Nearly Cost a Man His Life

For most people, enjoying a drink at a social gathering is a routine, carefree experience. For Calum, it became the beginning of a life-altering nightmare. After unknowingly consuming a beverage contaminated with methanol — a toxic industrial alcohol — he found himself fighting for survival.

### What Is Methanol and Why Is It So Dangerous?

Methanol, often referred to as wood alcohol, is a highly toxic chemical compound that can be found in illegally produced or poorly regulated alcoholic beverages. Unlike ethanol, the type of alcohol found in legitimate drinks, methanol is poisonous even in small quantities. The body metabolizes it into formic acid and formaldehyde, both of which can cause severe organ damage, blindness, and death.

The particularly alarming aspect of methanol poisoning is how deceptive it can be. Symptoms may not appear immediately, and early signs — such as headache, nausea, and dizziness — can be easily mistaken for ordinary intoxication. By the time serious complications emerge, critical damage may already be done.

### Calum's Story: From a Social Setting to a Medical Emergency

Calum's ordeal began with what seemed like an ordinary drink. What followed was a devastating medical crisis that reshaped his life entirely. After being poisoned by methanol, he endured a painful and uncertain recovery process that left lasting physical and emotional effects.

Rather than retreating from the experience in silence, Calum made the courageous decision to speak out. He has since joined a dedicated awareness campaign aimed at educating the public about the very real and often underestimated dangers of methanol poisoning.

### Raising Awareness: A Mission Born From Tragedy

Calum's involvement in the campaign reflects a growing need for public education around alcohol safety. Methanol poisoning incidents are not isolated to developing countries or war zones — they can and do occur in everyday settings, often linked to counterfeit spirits, unregulated home brews, or drinks purchased from unverified sources.

Health authorities and advocacy groups continue to stress the importance of knowing where your drink comes from. Purchasing alcohol from reputable, licensed vendors significantly reduces the risk of exposure to dangerous substances like methanol.

### Warning Signs to Watch For

If you or someone around you has consumed alcohol and begins showing the following symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately:

- Sudden vision changes or blurred eyesight
- Severe headache or dizziness
- Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Confusion or loss of consciousness

Early medical intervention is critical in methanol poisoning cases. Treatment often involves the administration of ethanol or fomepizole to counteract methanol's toxic effects, alongside supportive hospital care.

### The Broader Message

Calum's story is a stark reminder that alcohol-related dangers extend far beyond well-known risks. Methanol poisoning is a preventable tragedy, and awareness is the first line of defense. By sharing his experience, Calum hopes to ensure that no one else has to endure what he went through — all because of a single drink.

Calum survived methanol poisoning and is now raising awareness. Learn the dangers, symptoms, and how to protect yourself from toxic alcohol.

Methanol Poisoning: One Drink That Changed His Life

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One Drink Changed Everything: A Survivor's Battle With Methanol Poisoning

## TB Outbreak Strikes Colorado ICE Detention Facility

At least a dozen people held at a federal immigration detention center in Aurora, Colorado, have tested positive for tuberculosis in recent days, according to firsthand accounts from inside the facility. Dozens of additional detainees have reportedly been placed under quarantine as health concerns continue to mount at the troubled institution.

### Conditions Inside: No AC, No Separation of Sick and Healthy

A detained Mexican man in his 30s — whose name is being withheld due to fears of retaliation — shared details of the situation through his partner via telephone. He has been held at the Aurora ICE Processing Center since December and described conditions as deeply troubling.

According to his account, all 88 individuals within his housing pod underwent tuberculosis testing on Saturday. Twelve came back positive — a sharp rise from just one confirmed case three days prior. Rather than isolating those who tested positive from healthy detainees, guards reportedly kept the entire group together and imposed a quarantine of at least one week on everyone in the pod.

Compounding the health crisis, the pod's air conditioning system reportedly failed on Sunday. Staff handed out electric fans as a temporary fix, but on Monday afternoon, Aurora was under an active heat advisory with outdoor temperatures reaching 96°F (36°C). The detainee described the environment as "uncomfortable," though he noted that some individuals appeared to be receiving medication during morning and afternoon rounds.

## Federal Agencies and Private Operator Remain Silent

Neither the Department of Homeland Security nor the GEO Group — the Florida-based private corporation contracted to operate the facility on behalf of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — responded to requests for comment or confirmation of the outbreak.

The Aurora ICE Processing Center has a published capacity of 1,532 detainees and housed 1,249 individuals as recently as March. It remains unclear whether other housing pods at the facility have been tested or whether additional positive cases have been identified beyond the 12 already reported.

## Family Members Express Fear Over Severity of TB

The long-term partner of the infected detainee — a U.S. citizen living in south Florida — expressed serious concern about the unfolding situation. Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that, in its active form, spreads through the air and can be life-threatening if left untreated.

"I don't know if they understand the severity of what TB is," the partner said. "He has some underlying health conditions, which makes this even more worrying. The first day, he was very scared."

The partner also questioned why the air conditioning had not been repaired more quickly. "I manage restaurants — if we lose AC, we get it fixed within 24 to 48 hours. I don't understand why a multimillion-dollar corporation can't send out a technician."

## A Pattern of Health Failures at Aurora

This latest outbreak is not an isolated incident. Court documents from a lawsuit filed by Democratic lawmakers seeking greater transparency from the Trump administration over deaths and illnesses in federal detention facilities reveal that a similar TB outbreak apparently occurred at the same Aurora facility in April of last year.

Congressman Jason Crow, a Democrat who represents Aurora and is a plaintiff in that lawsuit, has been tracking conditions at the facility for years. His office reports that he or his staff have conducted more than 90 oversight visits since 2019 — though there have been multiple documented instances in which he was denied entry.

"For-profit prisons have perpetuated ICE's lawlessness and endangered our communities," Crow said in a statement. "I've led the charge to end this broken and inhumane system. Until we do, I'll continue to conduct oversight to hold ICE accountable."

## GEO Group Faces Scrutiny Nationally

The GEO Group, which has documented ties to members of the Trump administration, has faced legal challenges at multiple facilities it operates across the country. Last month, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport filed suit against the company in an attempt to compel access for state health officials to the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark.

Detainees at that facility launched a hunger strike over visitation restrictions, deteriorating conditions, and inadequate medical care. Violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement erupted outside the center.

On its website, GEO Group maintains that it provides "around-the-clock access to medical care" at its Aurora facility and claims its healthcare staffing levels exceed those of many state correctional systems. Critics and lawmakers, however, continue to question whether those standards are being met in practice.

At least 12 detainees at Aurora's ICE detention center have tested positive for tuberculosis amid quarantine and reports of broken air conditioning in extreme h

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