Health Sense

Japanese comedian Asoyama Daifunka has revealed he was diagnosed with a nationally designated intractable disease. He said that while there is no established treatment, having a confirmed name for his condition brought him a sense of relief. The announcement, reported by Oricon News, is drawing attention and well-wishes from fans in Japan.

Researchers have developed a spider web-inspired listening device capable of detecting heartbeats. The technology reportedly draws on the physics of spider webs, which are highly sensitive to vibrations, to pick up faint sounds such as a person's pulse. The innovation is being discussed as an example of biomimicry yielding new sensing tools, with potential uses in health monitoring.

A CBC News report examines the difficulties facing young men in Canada, including mental health challenges and a sense of being left behind economically and socially. The segment asks what levels of government and society can do to address the problem, and it is drawing wide attention from viewers debating the causes and possible solutions.

Researchers are reporting that what people eat may influence their sense of smell more than previously believed, according to coverage by News-Medical. The finding suggests nutrition could affect olfactory function, adding to growing interest in how diet shapes sensory perception and health.

Australian medtech company WearOptimo says it will unveil a new AI-native wearable sensing technology at the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit. The company, which develops wearable devices for health monitoring, is presenting the technology as part of the summit's showcase of emerging digital health innovations. The announcement was issued via PR Newswire, and details of the device's capabilities and availability have not yet been fully disclosed.

A growing question around electric vehicles is whether their driving characteristics make passengers more prone to motion sickness than traditional petrol or diesel cars. EVs accelerate and brake more smoothly and quickly, with no gear changes or engine noise, which some experts say can confuse the body's balance senses and trigger nausea, particularly for rear-seat passengers.

A debate is circulating over whether WordPress remains a sensible choice for new websites in 2026. One widely shared article argues that of the internet's more than 1.1 billion websites, roughly 80% have not been updated in the past year, describing them as 'digital ghosts' frozen in time. The discussion weighs whether building on WordPress still makes sense given this large stock of abandoned sites.

Planet Detroit examines how being an athlete shapes students' lives beyond sports, looking at how athletic identity influences behaviour, wellbeing and personal development in school and everyday life. The piece highlights the role sports play in forming young people's sense of self, and how that identity carries over into classrooms, relationships and future opportunities.

Diabetes care company Ascensia Diabetes Care has announced a strategic partnership with Sava to develop innovative microsensor technology. The collaboration is expected to support new sensing products, though the companies' announcement gives few details on timelines or financial terms. The news was carried by regional outlets, drawing attention in the medical device and health technology sector.

Cigna is highlighting its Health Sense offering, which focuses on preventive healthcare. The insurer is stressing the value of early detection and proactive health management, positioning prevention as a way to improve patient outcomes and reduce long-term medical costs. The initiative underscores a broader industry shift toward preventive care models.

Warriors center Kristaps Porziņģis is out indefinitely as the team deals with an unclear health issue, reportedly connected to a POTS-related illness. Players and coaches say they have no good sense of when he might return, leaving Golden State's frontcourt plans uncertain as the new season gets underway.

Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) is presenting new technologies at CEATEC, including deformation measurement using moire images, a fall-risk assessment that works while seated, and VR that produces odors. Researchers explained the projects in interviews as part of efforts to move the technologies into real-world social implementation, with hands-on demonstrations available for visitors.

A doctor at West Virginia University's Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute is highlighting the role of purpose and social connection in mental health. The comments point to relationships and a sense of meaning as important factors in psychological wellbeing, alongside clinical treatment. The remarks come as communities and health providers across the region continue to confront elevated rates of loneliness, depression and substance misuse.

Cigna Healthcare has announced Health Sense, a tool it says combines artificial intelligence with clinical support, and has published details on how it works and where it will be available. The announcement outlines the insurer's approach to using AI alongside clinical oversight in its health services. Details on rollout regions and safeguards were included in the company's release.