Health

US drugmakers Merck and Moderna said Wednesday a personalised cancer treatment had shown success in reducing the recurrence of melanoma tumours in a late-stage trial hailed by experts as a "breakthrough". The news sent shares in Moderna soaring 145 percent to USD 154 while Merck's stock was up more than 12 percent to USD 152. The drug, called "intismeran autogene," is based on the same messenger RNA (mRNA) technology behind Covid-19 vaccines. Researchers have for years been trying to apply mRNA treatments against cancer, but this was the first time such a drug showed positive results in a large, late-stage clinical trial. "Today marks an extraordinary milestone for Moderna, for mRNA science and, most importantly, for patients with cancer," Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said in a statemen...

Corporate men and women make hundreds of invisible decisions each day, creating a hidden cognitive load. This story explores the rise of “Low-Friction Days” and simple routines that reduce mental clutter and preserve energy. You slept for a solid eight hours, drank your morning coffee, and did not lift a single heavy object—yet by 2 pm, you feel completely wiped out. You stare at your screen, frozen. When a coworker asks a simple question like, "Where should we order lunch from?" or your partner texts, "What should we do for dinner?", a sudden flash of irritation hits you. “You decide,” you reply, throwing your hands up in frustration. If this scenario sounds familiar, you are not experiencing standard physical tiredness. You are experiencing decision fatigue. To unpack why this happens...

A severe headache quickly spiralled into a life-threatening neurological emergency for a 31-year-old woman from Gujarat but Mumbai doctors have come to her rescue, and helped her walk again after timely surgery.  After developing weakness on the right side of her body and slurred speech, she was admitted to a hospital where a brain scan showed swelling. She was started on conservative treatment, but her condition took an alarming turn when she began experiencing recurrent seizures. As her neurological symptoms worsened despite treatment, she was referred to Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai Central, where Dr Prashant Makhija, consultant neurologist, took over her care. By the time she arrived at the city-based hospital, the priority was to understand why a young woman with no obvious explana...

When a heavy monsoon shower begins outside or the low, resonant vibration of a singing bowl fills a room, the immediate reaction for many people is a deep sigh of relief. The mind slows down, the shoulders drop, and a sense of calm takes over. But when you are sitting at your desk with a deadline looming, a crucial question arises: does this relaxed state actually help you lock in and accomplish complex tasks, or is it simply setting the stage for an afternoon nap? To unpack what actually happens inside our nervous system when we listen to acoustic sounds, mid-day.com spoke to two expert neurologists Dr. Aniruddha More, consultant neurologist at Jupiter Hospital, Thane, and Dr. Prashant Makhija, consultant neurologist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central. By looking past the wellness t...

Knee replacement was previously linked to older age. However, currently, various factors such as obesity, previous injuries, demanding lifestyles, and untreated joint problems are now raising the chances of knee problems in young adults in their 40s. Currently, there is a surge in the number of people requiring knee replacements. Previously, knee replacement was only linked to older people. But now, many people in their 40s are suffering from unbearable knee pain that is interfering with their daily routine. They also having joint damage that can require knee replacement surgeries. However, when the cartilage is severely damaged and pain begins to affect walking, sleep, work, and everyday activities, surgery may be considered after other treatments have been explored. Mumbai doctors high...

Bust­ing common weight-loss myths around the elimination of rice, bananas, and ghee, nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar said these traditional foods do not need to be automatically removed from one's diet while trying to lose weight. In a social media video, Diwekar addresses the widespread belief that avoiding certain everyday foods is essential for weight loss. She specifically discusses rice, bananas, and ghee, challenging the tendency to label them as foods that must be completely eliminated during a weight-loss journey. 'Rice need not be eliminated during weight loss' Diwekar discusses the perception that rice should be avoided by people trying to lose weight. She points towards the traditional Indian way of eating rice, where it is generally consumed alongside foods such as dal, vegeta...

Artificial intelligence could help ease the pressure on doctors by taking over some of the repetitive paperwork and administrative tasks that take up valuable time, as healthcare systems around the world face a growing shortage of workers, according to a report by QuickBlox. The report highlighted a widening gap between the number of healthcare workers available and the demand for care. The World Health Organization has also warned that the world could face a shortage of 10 million health workers by 2030, with the problem expected to be particularly serious in regions where healthcare systems are already under pressure. Against this backdrop, the report mentioned that technology can help existing healthcare staff handle more patients by reducing some of the work that does not require th...

A team of hybrid Mumbai doctors have successfully treated an elderly man from abalpur who was suffering from a large subdural hematoma (SDH), a condition in which blood collects between the brain and its outer covering due to bleeding. The man, who was taking blood-thinning medication for an existing heart condition, was advised conventional open brain surgery because of the size of the bleed and mass effect. However, as he was unwilling to undergo open surgery, the team successfully treated him using an advanced minimally invasive Middle Meningeal Artery (MMA) embolisation, allowing him to recover without opening the skull. On follow-up, the man is doing well and has resumed his clinic and is treating patients like before. The 67-year-old practicing doctor had dedicated his life to cari...

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore claimed to have developed a non-invasive technique that can detect early signs of oral cancer using only saliva and a swab sample from the inner surface of the mouth. The researchers plan to validate the findings in larger and more diverse groups of patients, and then develop targeted, easy-to-use tests that can be brought into routine clinical practice, officials said on Thursday. The technology's key strengths are that it is point-of-care, economical, quick, and non-invasive - qualities that matter greatly in a country where access to specialist cancer diagnostics is still limited outside big cities, according to the researchers. At present, doctors confirm oral cancer through a biopsy, which involves removing a tissue sam...

With the monsoon season bringing an increase in several infections, Professor of Medicine at AIIMS Delhi, Dr Neeraj Nischal, advised people to remain cautious and seek appropriate medical advice when symptoms occur. Speaking to ANI, Nischal said that common conditions during the season include the common cold, influenza and other viral fevers that can cause respiratory symptoms. "During this season, we typically see conditions like the common cold and influenza, which is commonly referred to as swine flu. Apart from that, various other viral fevers can cause respiratory symptoms, which are commonly seen during this time," he said. He said that symptoms of several viral respiratory infections can be similar, making it important to monitor the condition carefully. "Symptoms are quite sim...