Unchecked negative self-talk, psychologists note, can quietly undermine focus and problem-solving. That harsh inner monologue many people experience under pressure does more than affect mood, it diverts attention and makes challenges harder to resolve. Experts say meaningful change rarely happens overnight. However, simply becoming aware of the tone of one's inner voice is already a critical first step toward regaining control and improving performance.

Asia has stepped up health surveillance after India confirmed new cases of the deadly Nipah virus, prompting neighbouring countries to tighten border screening and issue public advisories despite having no reported infections of their own. Vietnam's Ministry of Health has urged citizens returning from outbreak-affected regions to monitor their health for 14 days, stressing that the country remains free of Nipah cases but is adopting heightened vigilance due to the virus's high fatality rate and potential for human-to-human transmission.

A major international genetics study has shed new light on the rapid rise of type 2 diabetes across Africa, revealing why the disease is increasing so sharply and how future treatments could be better adapted to African populations. Published in Nature Genetics, the research analysed blood samples from adults in Uganda to examine how genes influence proteins associated with type 2 diabetes. The scientists linked genetic data with protein levels in the blood, offering a detailed picture of disease biology that has been largely missing from global research.

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), sitting in Abuja, has barred the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and its members from embarking on the strike scheduled to begin on 12 January 2026. Justice Emmanuel Subilim issued the restraining order on Friday while ruling on a motion ex parte filed by the Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation in suit number NICN/ABJ/06/2026.

Southwest Florida Proton has administered its first therapy treatment, becoming the first cancer center on Florida's west coast to offer the highly precise form of radiation therapy. The inaugural treatment, delivered on Dec. 30, represents a significant milestone for cancer care in the region, providing patients with access to advanced technology that previously required hours of travel to Florida's east coast or out of state. Proton therapy uses charged proton particles to target and destroy cancer cells with exceptional accuracy, often minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue and reducing side effects.