Day: November 26, 2025

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How Our Social Circle Shapes Body Perception

On By ModernMedia
© UNIVERSIDAD CARLOS III DE MADRID

A scientific study led by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) and partly funded by the European Research Council (ERC) has determined that the size and composition of our social support networks directly influence how we perceive our body image. The findings could help us in treating conditions such as body dysmorphic disorder, anorexia, and other eating disorders.

Published in iScience, the study involved over 100 participants and used the “Footsteps Illusion,” an experiment in which the sounds of a person’s footsteps are modified in real time to simulate those of a lighter or heavier body. These auditory changes shift people’s perception of their own weight and trigger behavioral, emotional, and physiological variations, demonstrating how malleable body image is to sensory input.

Participants were asked to walk while listening to three types of footstep sounds: one unmodified, one with footsteps that sounded as if they were produced by a lighter body, and one with footsteps that sounded as if they were produced by a heavier body. In addition, participants answered questionnaires about their body image, possible symptoms of eating disorders, and the breadth of their social support networks.

The results of this experiment showed that people with larger and more diverse social networks were generally less influenced by the sound illusion and tended to be more satisfied with their body image and have fewer symptoms of eating disorders. Conversely, the modified effects of the steps were more intense in people with smaller social networks, leading to the conclusion that body perception and its malleability not only depend on immediate sensory stimuli but are also influenced by the social structure in which the person is integrated. 

‘The implications of our study are that your circle of friends influences how you perceive your own body. If you have a wider circle of friends, you perceive your body in a more positive way,’ says Anxo Sánchez, a researcher in the Department of Mathematics at UC3M. ‘People would think that self-perception depends on oneself, but in reality it depends on the number of people who support you and surround you,’ explains another of the study’s authors, Amar D’Adamo, a researcher in the Department of Computer Science at UC3M.

These findings show that having broad and diverse social support reinforces the stability of body self-perception and protects against the influence of external signals that could distort it. This discovery, in turn, opens the door to new social interventions that serve to promote a more positive body image and mitigate the effects of weight-related stigma.

In addition, the team proposes the use of mobile applications to help people who may suffer from disorders associated with a negative self-perception of their own body: ‘At the i_mBODY Lab, we develop sensory technologies that allow us to change the perception of the body. We are also very focused on applications because we want to understand how we can use these technologies to support people,’ explains Ana Tajadura, head of the i_mBODY Lab, researcher at the Department of Computer Science at UC3M and ERC grantee.

Source: Carlos III University of Madrid

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Study Sheds Light on Why Tendons Are Prone to Injury

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Achilles tendon injury. Credit: Scientific Animations CC0

Scientists at the University of Portsmouth have created the first detailed 3D map of how a crucial piece of connective tissue in our bodies responds to the stresses of movement and exercise. This tissue, called calcified fibrocartilage (CFC), acts like a biological shock absorber where tendons attach to bone.

Damage to the CFC tissue – common in sport-related injuries – does not mend well. To improve healing treatments, scientists need to better understand the structure of this tissue and how it reacts to varying types of pressure.

Research by Atousa Moayedi, a PhD student at the University of Portsmouth’s School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, has been able to demonstrate that the centre of the CFC tissue changes shape more than the surrounding areas, when stressed at different angles. 

In areas where the microscopic cavities within the tissue (the lacunae) were more densely packed, the distortion was greater. This means that the way the tissue layers are arranged, and how thick they are, strongly influences how stretching (strain) is dispersed where the tendon meets the bone.

The study, published in the Nature journal Communications Materials, is the first to measure how differently tiny regions inside this tissue stretch or deform when forces are applied.

Until now, scientists couldn’t see exactly how this tissue behaves when put under pressure, making it nearly impossible to design effective treatments. The research team used high resolution 3D scanning and AI powered image reconstruction to map the way in which CFC tissue behaves under pressure in a mouse model, as well as how and where it might fail. Importantly, they were also able to identify the features that would be important for healing.

Better understanding of how these attachments fail under stress could help prevent common sports injuries. Tennis champion Andy Murray has battled hip tendon problems, England cricket captain Ben Stokes has dealt with recurring knee tendon issues, and footballer Harry Kane has faced ankle tendon injuries that kept him off the pitch.

Atousa said: “Once you know which parts experience the most stress and why, you can design better treatments and implants that actually replicate how the natural attachment works.”

Overseeing the study, was Professor Gordon Blunn from the University of Portsmouth’s School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences. Professor Blunn said: “The weak link in the way that load is transferred from muscle to the skeleton is where the tendon joins with the bone. After injury this region is slow to heal and difficult to repair. Importantly, Atousa’s work identifies the way that load is naturally transferred in this region and serves as a model for the repair and regeneration of tissues at this site.”

Source: University of Portsmouth

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Men at Greater Risk of Major Health Effects of Diabetes than Women

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Cases of cardiovascular, leg/foot, kidney complications, and eye disease all higher in men
Sex differences in complication rates persist regardless of disease duration

Photo by Photomix Company on Pexels

Men are at greater risk than women of the major health effects of diabetes (types 1 and 2), suggests a long term study published online in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.

Rates of cardiovascular disease, leg, foot, and kidney complications, and the sight-threatening eye disease diabetic retinopathy are all higher in men, regardless of whether they had diabetes for more or less than 10 years, the findings show.

The global prevalence of diabetes is similar in men and women, and is projected to rise to 783 million by 2045, note the researchers.

But while cardiovascular disease is more common in men, overall, it’s not clear if this sex difference is apparent in the incidence of the complications associated with diabetes, say the researchers. Nor is it clear whether the length of time lived with diabetes might be influential, they add.

To explore this further, the researchers drew on survey responses from the 45 and Up Study, Australia, a large prospective study of 267 357 people over the age of 45 living in New South Wales (NSW).

These responses were linked to medical records for a total of 25 713 people, all of whom had either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, to monitor the development of any of the major health issues associated with diabetes

These include cardiovascular disease – ischaemic heart disease, mini stroke or TIA, stroke, heart failure, diabetic cardiomyopathy; eye problems – cataract, diabetic retinopathy; leg/foot problems – peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage), ulcers, cellulitis, osteomyelitis (bone inflammation), peripheral vascular disease (poor circulation), and minor or major amputation; and kidney problems – acute kidney failure, chronic kidney disease, chronic kidney failure, dialysis, and kidney transplant.

Almost half of the group were aged 60 to 74, and over half (57%; 14,697) were men, a higher proportion of whom were overweight (39% vs 29% of women) and had a history of heart disease.

Although a similar proportion of men and women were current smokers, a higher proportion of men were ex-smokers: 51% vs  29% of the women.

Of the 19 277 (75%) people with diabetes whose age was recorded at their diagnosis, 58% had been living with the disease for less than a decade and 42% had lived with it for 10 or more years.

Men had higher rates, and were at greater risk, of the complications associated with diabetes.

Over an average monitoring period of 10 years, and after factoring in age, 44% of the men experienced a cardiovascular disease complication while 57% had eye complications. Similarly, 25% of the men had leg/foot complications, and 35% kidney complications. The equivalent figures for women were, respectively, 31%, 61%, 18% and 25%.

Overall, men were 51% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than women, 47% more likely to have leg and foot complications, and 55% more likely to have kidney complications.

Although there was little difference in the overall risk of eye complications between the sexes, men were at slightly higher risk (14%) of diabetic retinopathy.

While complication rates rose in tandem with the number of years lived with diabetes for both men and women, the sex difference in complication rates persisted.

By way of an explanation, the researchers point out that the men in the study were more likely to have well known risk factors. Men may also be less likely to make lifestyle changes, take preventive meds, or get health checks to lower their risks, they suggest.

This is an observational study, and as such, no firm conclusions can be drawn about causal factors, added to which people with a history of complications were excluded from the study. And information on potentially influential factors, such as diabetes medications, and glucose, blood fat, and blood pressure control wasn’t available.

But based on their findings, the researchers suggest: “For every 1000 people with diabetes, our findings suggest that an average of 37, 52, 21, and 32 people will develop cardiovascular disease, eye, lower limb, and kidney complications every year.”

While the risks of complications are lower in women with diabetes, they are still high, emphasise the researchers.

And they conclude: “Although men with diabetes are at greater risk of developing complications, in particular [cardiovascular disease], kidney and lower-limb complications, the rates of complications are high in both sexes.

“The similar sex difference for those with shorter compared with longer diabetes duration highlights the need for targeted complication screening and prevention strategies from the time of diabetes diagnosis.

“Further investigation into the underlying mechanisms for the observed sex differences in diabetes complications are needed to inform targeted interventions.”

Source: BMJ Group

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Sanofi South Africa Confronts Challenge of Transformation in Healthcare

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Sanofi South Africa is proud to announce it has reached Level 1 B-BBEE status, the top rating in South Africa’s transformation framework and a rare achievement for a global healthcare company. The achievement underscores the role of global companies in driving local empowerment and healthcare access and demonstrates the potential support that multinational pharmaceuticals companies can provide in strengthening South Africa’s healthcare system.

Level 1 status recognises performance in all five B-BBEE pillars: ownership, management control, skills, supplier growth, and socio-economic development. For partners, it brings concrete benefits, including 135% procurement recognition to boost their own scorecards.

Developing people and skills
Sanofi places people at the centre of its transformation efforts. The company runs programmes for graduates, persons with disabilities, and young people through the Youth Employment Service, while also investing in management development to support career growth.

“We encourage employees to join leadership programmes that build a pipeline of diverse future leaders,” says Prudence Selani, Head of External Affairs, Sanofi South Africa. “Outside the company, Sanofi has provided interest-free loans and grants to help small businesses expand and create jobs.”

Sanofi goes beyond the B-BBEE compliance, working towards meaningful and lasting results. By the end of 2025, all Sanofi workplaces and digital platforms will be fully accessible, ensuring all employees, including those who are differently abled, can thrive. This includes new accessibility standards, assistive technology, and barrier-free workplace design through the WorkX 2.0 and Digital Accessibility standards, which guarantee full access for people with disabilities, including assistive software where needed.

Gender balance and leadership
Globally, Sanofi is ranked among the Top 25 companies for gender equality and has set clear targets for female leadership. Women already make up 50 % of the workforce, 45 % of senior leaders, and 42 % of executives. By 2025, the goal is for women to hold half of senior leadership roles and at least 40 % of executive positions.

In South Africa, this aligns with the national transformation agenda, where advancing black women into leadership is a key priority. Through targeted development and succession planning, Sanofi is increasing representation of black women in senior decision-making roles. The company also supports families through a global gender-neutral parental leave policy that gives all new parents 14 weeks of paid leave, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

Supplier development
Expanding opportunities for black-owned and diverse suppliers is one of the biggest challenges in South Africa’s healthcare industry. Sanofi is addressing this by growing local partnerships and strengthening supply chains that support both healthcare resilience and inclusive growth.

Globally, the company has pledged to spend more than €1.5 billion with small and diverse suppliers by 2025. South Africa is already the third largest contributor to that target, showing how local progress can influence global impact.

A key example is Sanofi’s partnership with Biovac, which has expanded local vaccine manufacturing capacity and demonstrated how supplier development can drive industrial capability as well as positive public health outcomes.

“Supplier diversity is not about meeting quotas; it’s about building sustainable capability within the local economy,” says Selani. “When we strengthen local suppliers, we build a stronger healthcare system that serves South Africans for generations to come.”

Community programmes
Inequitable access to healthcare is another of South Africa’s most persistent challenges. Investing in initiatives that improve access to treatment, raise awareness of rare diseases, and support vulnerable groups across the country are key to closing these gaps.

One of the Sanofi’s largest global efforts, the €50 million A Million Conversations initiative, gives marginalised communities a platform to voice concerns and rebuild trust in healthcare. In South Africa, this commitment translates into community projects that extend treatment to more people, strengthen diagnosis and screening, and expand opportunities for healthcare education and awareness.

“You can’t transform healthcare without trust,” says Selani. “That means listening to communities, understanding their realities, and working alongside health professionals and patient groups to make care accessible where it’s needed most.”

Through collaboration with health care professionals, patients, and advocacy organisations, Sanofi aims to help build a healthcare system that is more inclusive, responsive, and trusted by all who depend on it.

“Our Level 1 B-BBEE rating is a springboard for deeper change. We plan to expand clinical research in South Africa, bring more diverse patient groups into trials, and to step up support for black-owned suppliers so they can play a bigger role in the healthcare value chain. We also want to widen access to treatments for rare diseases and immunology, areas where many patients still struggle to get the care they need,” says Selani.

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Fame Itself May Be Critical Factor in Shortening Singers’ Lives

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Effects of fame comparable to certain other health risks, suggest the researchers

Freddie Mercury performing with Queen in 1977. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Fame itself may be a critical factor in shortening singers’ lives beyond the hazards of the job—at least those in the UK/Europe and North America – suggests research published online in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.

These stars seem to die around four years earlier, on average, than their peers who haven’t achieved celebrity status, and the effects of fame are on a par with certain other health risks, suggest the researchers.

Previously published research indicates that famous singers tend to die earlier than the general public. But it’s far from clear whether it’s fame itself, the demands of the music industry, or the lifestyle associated with being a musician, which contribute to this heightened risk, explain the researchers.

To shed more light on this conundrum, they retrospectively compared the risk of death in 648 singers, half of whom had achieved celebrity status and half of whom hadn’t.

Each of the 324 stars was matched for birth year, gender, nationality, ethnicity, music genre and solo/lead singer in a band status with their lesser known peers.

Most (83.5%) were male, and the average year of birth was 1949, but ranged from 1910 to 1975. Over half (61%) the singers were from North America, with the remainder from Europe/the UK. And most were White (77%), with only 19% being of Black and 4% of other or mixed ethnicities.

Most singers were in the Rock genre (65%), followed by R&B (14%), Pop (9%), New-Wave (6%), Rap (4%), and Electronica (2%). Over half (59%) the singers were in a band; 29% were solo artists; and 12% performed both solo and in a band.

The sample of famous singers was drawn from the Top 2000 Artists of All Time on acclaimedmusic.net, a database that aggregates global rankings based on published lists from music critics, journalists, and industry professionals, but not audience polls or sales data.

Only artists active after 1950 and before 1990 were included to gather sufficient tracking information on the risk of death by the end of December 2023.

Analysis of the data showed that, on average, famous singers survived until they were 75; less famous singers survived until they were 79.

While band membership was associated with a 26% lower risk of death compared with going it alone, the inclusion of this variable didn’t influence the overall effect of fame, as famous singers were still 33% more likely to die earlier than their less well known counterparts.

Only two (0.6%) of the stars achieved fame posthumously, and the heightened risk of death started only once fame had been achieved and remained significantly associated throughout the period of fame.

This suggests that the heightened risk of death isn’t attributable to baseline differences or to reverse causation, whereby earlier death contributes to fame, but that this risk emerges specifically after the attainment of fame, say the researchers.

“Together, the analyses indicate that an elevated risk emerges specifically after achieving fame, which highlights fame as a potential temporal turning point for health risks including mortality. Beyond occupational explanations, our findings suggest that fame adds further vulnerability within an already at-risk group,” they explain.

The heightened risk associated with fame is comparable to other known health risks, such as occasional smoking, which confers a heightened risk of death of 34%, they add.

This is an observational study, and as such, no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect. And the researchers acknowledge that their study sample wasn’t global and was confined to singers, meaning that their observations might not apply to other regions of the world or to other domains of fame, such as acting or sport.

But a possible explanation for the findings may lie in “the unique psychosocial stress that accompanies fame, such as intense public scrutiny, performance pressure, and loss of privacy,” they suggest.

“These stressors may fuel psychological distress and harmful coping behaviours, making fame a chronic burden that amplifies existing occupational risk,” they add.

Fame brings with it significant financial security, a factor that is frequently associated with healthy ageing, while wealth is usually associated with a lower risk of premature death, they point out.

But they conclude: “Being famous appears so detrimental that it overrides any potential benefits associated with high socioeconomic status. Again, this highlights the increased vulnerability of famous individuals, suggesting a need for targeted protection and support for this population.”

Source: BMJ Group