New Year’s Eve — that means looking back on the past year, exploring new possibilities for the coming one and, of course, for many, celebrating with champagne and fireworks.
The leading medical topics of 2024
Let’s start with a look back — at what has been particularly discussed in the medical world. Artificial intelligence (AI) currently tops the list of medical topics. According to ChatGPT itself, “the integration of AI and machine learning is revolutionising diagnostic procedures and treatment approaches” — so you can’t deny the technology a certain self-confidence. Here are the top three topics of the past year from an AI perspective:
- Artificial intelligence & digital medicine
- Gene and cell therapy
- Post-pandemic era & infectiology
Changing New Year’s resolutions
The New Year’s resolutions have also changed quite a bit: “Do more sport”, “Save more money” and “Eat healthier” are now at the top of the list for 2025. In comparison: last year, “Spend more time with friends and family” and “Reduce stress” were at the top of the list. Just one year ago, being frugal was still in second place.
Studying the hangover
While some people are eager to get started with their good intentions on 1 January, others are still struggling with the consequences of a boozy evening the night before. Little known: There is a whole team of researchers dedicated to alcohol-related hangovers. The Alcohol Hangover Research Group (AHRG) explains the causes, consequences and possible anti-hangover cures. If you want to delve deeper, you can click through the online proceedings of their 12th meeting in 2024. Unfortunately, the professionals don’t have a magic cure either
When celebrating has consequences
The rising alcohol levels on New Year’s Eve don’t just seem to increase the risk of a hangover. In the USA at least, sales of emergency contraceptives increase by around 10 per cent directly after New Year’s Eve. It remains to be seen how things will look in Germany in this respect. We can perhaps use the carnival as a comparison here, which at least in some areas is definitely competing with or even overtaking New Year’s Eve in terms of alcohol consumption. The health authorities in Cologne have been taking precautions for a long time: For 20 years, taxi drivers have been distributing a total of 5,000 condoms to revellers during carnival!
Between light spectacle and ligyrophobia
Last but not least, there are the fireworks on New Year’s Eve. After the lean coronavirus years, New Year’s Eve sales of fireworks have reached a new high since 2022: in both 2022 and 2023, 180 million euros were spent on the colourful fireworks in Germany. What was once intended to drive away evil spirits has now become a bone of contention. In addition to fine dust and rubbish, every year it brings us a lot of noise, injuries and disturbed animals — as well as some people who feel fear or even panic. In fact, there is a specialised term for this: ligyrophobia — the fear of loud noises and bangs.
Have a good start to and through the New Year!