Health

In a major advancement for tackling antibiotic resistance, researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a promising new antibiotic using artificial intelligence. The research, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, marks a significant step forward in creating safer and more effective treatments. The research team employed a large language model (LLM), similar to the technology behind ChatGPT, to re-engineer Protegrin-1. This potent antibiotic, naturally produced by pigs, was effective in killing bacteria but was previously too toxic for human use. By modifying Protegrin-1, the researchers aimed to preserve its antibacterial properties while eliminating its harmful effects on human cells. To achieve this, the team generated over 7,000 variations of Protegrin-1 th...

People born blind develop unique connectivity patterns in the primary visual cortex, akin to a fingerprint, a new study by Georgetown University neuroscientists reveals. Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), these findings could inform personalised rehabilitation and sight restoration strategies. The study, led by Lenia Amaral, PhD, and Ella Striem-Amit, PhD, explores how the visual cortex in individuals born blind responds to various stimuli, including touch and sound. Unlike the consistent visual cortex connectivity in sighted people, blind individuals exhibit highly individual patterns that are stable over time. The research involved functional MRI scans of blind participants over two years, revealing that their connectivity patterns remained consistent...

Long to-do lists, looming deadlines, social obligations – the pressures of everyday life sometimes end up overpowering the body’s need for rest and relaxation. In today’s demanding work environment and constantly evolving lifestyle choices, it is common for people to be indifferent towards the high level of stress they undergo on a daily basis. However, when your body sends subtle or not-so-subtle cues that it needs a break, you should listen. If not, seemingly common issues like exhaustion can develop into burnout and cause more complex and serious health issues. As more people succumb to burnout not only around the world but also India, experts warn of the consequences in a chat with mid-day.com.  Utkarsha Jagga, a Delhi-based counselling psychologist and founder of The Coping Central...

Insulin resistance is a disorder that causes the body`s cells to become less sensitive to the insulin hormone, which raises blood sugar levels and increases the chance of developing type 2 diabetes. The management and potential reversal of insulin resistance are greatly influenced by diet. Especially when it comes to this illness, superfoods can be great allies. Dr Shuchi Sharma, chief dietician at Sahyadri Hospital, Pune shares a list of superfoods that can help fight insulin resistance: Antioxidants, especially anthocyanins, which are abundant in berries like raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries, have been demonstrated to enhance insulin sensitivity. These berries are also a great source of fiber, flavonoids, and vitamin C. Eating berries helps lower inflammation and oxidative str...

Eating a vegan diet for eight weeks can help reduce biological age estimations, according to a small study. Knowing biological age can help understand the risk of diabetes or dementia. The research, published in the journal BMC Medicine, showed that the age reduction observed was based on levels of DNA methylation -- a type of chemical modification of DNA (known as an epigenetic modification) that alters gene expression but not DNA itself. The new study, a randomised, controlled trial of 21 pairs of adult identical twins, investigated the molecular effects of a short-term vegan diet. The team instructed one-half of each twin pair to eat an omnivorous diet for eight weeks -- including between 170 and 225 grams of meat, one egg, and one and a half servings of dairy each day -- and the oth...

Abhishek Shah (name changed), a 45-year-old Mumbai man initially visited the diabetes care centre, says Dr Rajiv Kovil, head of Diabetology, Zandra Healthcare and co-founder of Rang De Neela Initiative, for a routine diabetes checkup. Although, he was reluctant to discuss his health issues, the Mumbaikar eventually confided that he was struggling with Erectile Dysfunction (ED). A doppler examination revealed plaque buildup in the blood vessels of his penis, a common complication of diabetes. Medications were prescribed to improve blood flow and help him achieve an erection. However, Abhishek later experienced chest pain and was found to have inadequate blood flow to his heart, placing him at risk for a heart attack. Treatment for his cardiovascular condition required stopping the ED medic...

About 236,000 lives every year, which can be 350 per day or 26 every hour, are lost due to drowning worldwide, said Saima Wazed, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for South East Asia on Thursday.  July 25 is observed as World Drowning Prevention Day to bring awareness about the leading cause of injury-related death and disability worldwide. The theme this year is ‘Anyone can drown, no one should’. “In 2019, drowning claimed 70,034 lives in the South-East Asia Region, making it the second-highest contributor to drowning deaths worldwide,” said the Regional Director. “Drowning is a sudden and silent killer, often catching victims and those around them unawares until it is too late. A few seconds may not be enough time to respond. The power is in prevention,” she added...

In an effort to address increasing deaths from liver cancer in Southeast Asia, which are projected to double by 2050 to over 200,000 deaths annually, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday called on the countries in the region to urgently scale up efforts to provide universal access to prevention, vaccination, diagnosis, and treatment of viral hepatitis B and C. Liver cancer is currently the fourth biggest cause of cancer deaths in the region, and the second most common cause of cancer deaths among men. Saima Wazed, Regional Director, WHO Southeast Asia, said on World Hepatitis Day that we have the knowledge and tools to prevent, diagnose and treat viral hepatitis, yet people with chronic hepatitis B and C are still waiting to access the services they need. “We need to accelera...

In a highly challenging and life-changing medical feat, a team of doctors successfully corrected severe scoliosis in a 14-year-old boy from Manipur.   The boy had been living with scoliosis -- a condition characterised by an abnormal curvature of the spine. In a challenging five-hour procedure, surgeons successfully removed a hemivertebra, a half-formed vertebra in the spine. This intricate surgery required precise correction to align the spine properly while carefully protecting the surrounding nerves. Several major hospitals had considered the operation too risky, citing the high potential for paralysis. The surgical team`s expertise was crucial in navigating the complexities of the spine and ensuring a safe outcome for the patient. "This surgery was particularly challenging due to th...

India is witnessing a significant increase in the incidence of head and neck cancers, with projections estimating 2.1 million new cancer cases by 2040, healthcare experts said on Saturday. On the World Head and Neck Cancer Day, experts said this alarming trend underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding of the underlying factors and the implementation of effective public health strategies. A recent study by Delhi-based NGO, Cancer Mukt Bharat Foundation, highlighted that at least 26 per cent of cancer patients in India have head and neck cancer. "India is seeing a surge in head and neck cancer cases, especially among young men, due to increased tobacco consumption and Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Around 80-90 per cent of oral cancer patients have been found to use tobacco in s...