Health

A newly identified "blood signature" may predict lung cancer risk more than five years before diagnosis, offering a potential pathway to earlier prevention, a study has revealed.  The findings, published in Cell, could help identify people who would benefit from preventative drugs, even before they receive a lung cancer diagnosis, said a statement from Australia`s Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) released Friday. The study analysed over 48,000 blood samples, identifying a 14-protein signature that predicted lung cancer risk within five years and was validated across eight international datasets, including in non-smokers. Researchers suggested that the signature does not come from the tumour itself, but reflects an altered inflammatory lung environment that prec...

A type of cell death linked to iron and oxidative stress could be playing a role in keeping the brain healthy by helping maintain a balance while producing new neurons in the hippocampus, which is critical for memory and learning. "Ferroptosis (type of cell death) has been identified in almost every neurological disorder where cells are dying, including Alzheimer`s disease, Parkinson`s disease and stroke," Tara Walker, associate professor at the Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland in Australia and author of the study published in the journal Cell Stem Cell, said. "But we wanted to know whether it also had a role in normal brain function," Walker said. Researchers focused on neurogenesis in adult mice, or the process by which neural stem cells in the hippocampus divi...

As global temperatures continue to climb, heatwaves are becoming more than just a discomfort—they are emerging as a significant food safety challenge. Long before fruits and vegetables show visible signs of spoilage, microscopic changes begin transforming fresh produce into an ideal breeding ground for harmful bacteria. The result can be a silent assault on the gut microbiome, leading to foodborne illness, inflammation, and disruption of the intestinal barrier. On World Food Safety Day, observed every year on June 7, experts warn that summer heat creates a perfect storm for bacterial growth, making food handling, storage, and gut protection more important than ever. The invisible breakdown happening on your produce Most people rely on obvious warning signs such as mould, unpleasant odou...

A visit to the hospital that began with treatment for a serious heart infection suddenly turned into a race against time for 32-year-old woman who lost her ability to speak and move the right side of her body within moments after suffering a severe stroke inside the hospital.  In a remarkable example of timely intervention, medical expertise, and coordinated critical care, doctors at Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, led by Dr Amlan Mandal, HOD and Senior Consultant – Neurology - Adult and Paediatric Neurology, and Dr. Nirmalya Ray, Consultant - Neuroradiology successfully treated the young woman and helped her make a complete neurological recovery without any residual deficit.  Their swift action and advanced stroke intervention not only saved her life but also prevented what could have been ...

Osteoarthritis (OA), long considered a wear-and-tear disease of old age, is increasingly being diagnosed in patients as young as 30 years, according to a review by researchers published in the journal International Orthopaedics. The review, published on May 15, reframes osteoarthritis as a heterogeneous syndrome rather than a single disease, driven by diverse biological, biomechanical, metabolic, genetic and molecular mechanisms. The findings suggest that the traditional "one-size-fits-all" approach to treatment often fails because patients present with different underlying disease drivers. More than 500 million people worldwide live with OA, accounting for 7.6 per cent of the global population. Prevalence has surged 132 per cent in the past 30 years and is projected to rise by another ...

A simple fall inside her home changed everything for a 69-year-old woman. While it initally appeared to be a routine household accident, it soon turned into a medical emergency when she found herself unable to stand or bear weight on her right leg. Doctors in Thane came to her rescue to help her walk again while dealing with their complex medical history. The pain was excruciating, and even the slightest movement became impossible. For the family, the concern extended far beyond the fracture itself. The woman was diabetic, hypertensive and had a long history of serious heart disease. Over the years, she had undergone three separate coronary angioplasty procedures and was living with nine stents in her heart. Any major surgery carried significant risk. Investigations revealed a comminute...

In a deeply emotional and challenging case, a Mumbai doctor has helped an 89-year-old woman regain movement and independence after she was left completely paralysed following a fall at home.  The surgery was performed by Dr Amit Sharma, spine surgeon at Neo Spine Clinic, at Jaslok Hospital.  It all started when a simple accident quickly turned into a life-threatening condition, leaving her unable to move her arms or legs and entirely dependent on others for basic needs. The elderly woman had always been the pillar of strength for her family. She suffered a fall at home, which led to a serious cervical spine (neck) injury. After the fall, her life changed overnight.  She was left completely paralysed, unable to sit, eat, or even breathe comfortably without support. Once fiercely indepen...

Up to 90-120 minutes of strength training per week could be related with a 13 per cent lower risk of death from any cause, with effects amplified if aerobic exercise is added, a 30-year study showed. The duration of 90-120 minutes of strength training also reduced the risk of death from cardiovascular disease by 19 per cent, and from neurological diseases by 27 per cent, according to the findings published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. However, no further benefits were observed beyond 120 minutes a week of strength or resistance training. Researchers, including those from Harvard University, said that benefits of aerobic physical activity on lowering one`s death risk are known, but the role of muscle strengthening exercises in reducing the risk is not clear. "Using repeate...

Amid rising fuel costs, pollution and traffic woes, a cycle enthusiast, social activist and a doctor here has advocated the use of cycle for commuting to the workplace as a sustainable and cost-friendly option. Dr Pawan Chandak, who has been regularly commuting to his clinic by bicycle since October 2017, told PTI that cycling simultaneously addresses several concerns, including fuel consumption, public health, pollution, traffic jams and parking shortages. Advocating the `Cycle to Work` movement as a practical, economical and sustainable solution, he said government efforts alone cannot solve the country`s challenges unless citizens also adopt lifestyle changes. "Most workplaces, hospitals, banks and government offices in urban areas are located within a radius of five to ten kilometre...

The insurance market in India expected to grow by 10.7 per cent annually over the next decade, ahead of nominal GDP growth of 10.1 per cent, helped by rising life expectancy and gaps in social protection, according to a report released on Wednesday. Demographic change, rising life expectancy and gaps in social protection remain key growth drivers, Allianz Research, the economic research unit of Allianz, said in the report. Regulatory initiatives such as IRDAI`s "Insurance for All by 2047" vision and recent market reforms are expected to further support the growth, efficiency, and long-term stability of the sector, it said. Despite ranking among the world`s ten largest insurance markets, India remains significantly underinsured, with insurance penetration of 3.8 per cent of GDP, it said,...