Health

Abundance of severe gum disease -- periodontitis -- may worsen disability for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system.  Previous studies have shown that periodontitis may contribute to central nervous system disorders through chronic inflammation. However, its role in multiple sclerosis has been unclear. The new research, published in the journal Scientific Reports, found that high levels of Fusobacterium nucleatum -- a bacterium found in the mouth -- were associated with about ten-fold higher odds of severe disability in multiple sclerosis patients. "While the gut microbiome has been extensively investigated in multiple sclerosis, the potential involvement of the oral microbiome has remained largely unexplored. Because the oral ca...

The drug-resistant fungal species Candida auris is turning more deadly and is also spreading globally, according to a study led by Indian researchers.  Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen that has a unique ability to grow and persist on human skin. The study by researchers from the Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, in collaboration with the team at the National Institutes of Health in the US, showed that invasive fungal infections are spreading across the globe, and gaining in virulence, affecting about 6.5 million people per year. These infections are frequently associated with high mortality rates, often exceeding 50 per cent, even with antifungal therapy. “C. auris has developed wily cellular strategies to survive, including morphogenesis in ...

The free-living amoebae, also known as brain-eating amoebae, are becoming a growing global public health threat, warned a new study.  Climate change, ageing water infrastructure, and gaps in monitoring and detection are making the dangerous group of pathogens lurk freely in water and the environment, warned the team of environmental and public health scientists, in the article published in the journal Biocontaminant. “What makes these organisms particularly dangerous is their ability to survive conditions that kill many other microbes,” said corresponding author Longfei Shu of Sun Yat sen University, China. “They can tolerate high temperatures, strong disinfectants like chlorine, and even live inside water distribution systems that people assume are safe,” Shu added. Amoebae are single...

Simple finger-prick blood samples that can be collected at home and mailed to laboratories without refrigeration or prior processing can help detect Alzheimer`s disease biomarkers accurately, according to an international study. The research, published in the journal Nature Medicine, represents the first large-scale validation of the accessible testing approach that removes geographic barriers and opens brain disease research to global populations without requiring specialised health care infrastructure. Alzheimer`s disease is usually confirmed through brain scans or spinal fluid tests, which are invasive and expensive. Blood tests that measure biomarkers, such as p-tau217, are emerging as accurate and accessible tools for detecting Alzheimer`s disease. "This breakthrough could fundamen...

Hair loss is no longer a problem limited to men. A large number of women in their 20s-30s are noticing excessive shedding, thinning, and reduced hair volume. Hair loss can happen due to hormonal disorders such as PCOS and PCOD, which are increasingly prevalent today. These conditions are not just associated with acne, irregular periods, and weight gain; they can also severely impact hair health, causing diffuse thinning or even localised bald patches in some cases. It is necessary to address hair loss without any delay with the help of an expert. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) not only lead to irregular periods, excess hair growth (hirsutism), acne, weight gain, and difficulty conceiving, but even that concerning hair fall. “These conditions tend ...

India’s first government-run artificial intelligence (AI) clinic, launched recently at the Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Greater Noida, marks a major step in integrating advanced technology in the public health system of the country, according to a media report. The initiative aims to boost early detection of diseases, diagnostics, and treatment, which can be crucial to improving outcomes and survival rates, Gulf News reported. The clinic will reportedly perform genetic screening using AI, which can help in faster detection of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, and liver disease. AI tools at the centre will also assist in interpreting X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRI reports, and laboratory investigations, helping doctors improve accuracy and ...

India’s winter pollution worsened across major metros in late 2025, with government monitoring agencies reporting sustained deterioration in air quality. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi repeatedly slipped into the `Severe`  and `Severe Plus` categories during November and December, triggering stricter measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Air Quality Index (AQI) levels crossed 400 on multiple occasions, far exceeding safe limits. Mumbai, while typically less affected than the capital, also saw air quality decline. Monitoring stations across the city recorded `Poor` to `Very Poor` AQI levels during peak winter weeks, particularly in high-traffic and industrial areas, indicating that pollution stress is no longer limited to north India. Agai...

Researchers have discovered a way to help aging intestines heal themselves using CAR T-cell therapy. By targeting senescent cells that build up over time, the treatment boosted gut regeneration, reduced inflammation, and improved nutrient absorption in mice. It even helped protect the intestine from radiation damage, with benefits lasting up to a year. Early results in human intestinal cells suggest the approach could one day improve gut health in older adults and cancer patients. Many people notice that certain foods become harder to tolerate with age. One possible reason is damage to the intestinal epithelium, a thin, single layer of cells that lines the intestine. This lining is essential for digestion and overall gut health. In healthy conditions, the intestinal epithelium renews it...

In a first for Southeast Asia, a 29-year-old man underwent a a rare life-saving hybrid cardiac surgery, combining open bypass with minimally invasive endovascular repair, in Delhi NCR, a hospital here said on Tuesday. The man was admitted in a critical condition with uncontrolled internal bleeding and was suffering from a ruptured thoracic abdominal aorta, according to a statement. The procedure was performed at the Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, and involved open bypass surgery combined with minimally invasive endovascular stent grafting to seal the ruptured aorta and restore blood flow to vital organs, the statement by the hospital said. The patient, a resident of Bihar, was diagnosed with a ruptured and massively dilated thoracic abdominal aorta -- the main artery carr...

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has emerged as an unlikely yet powerful symbol of disciplined living and holistic health. In a recent vlog with filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan, Gadkari candidly spoke about his remarkable fitness transformation, revealing how he lost 46 kilograms post-Covid and reshaped his lifestyle through unwavering consistency and self-discipline. Once weighing 135 kg, Gadkari now maintains a weight of 89 kg, a change he describes not as cosmetic but deeply transformative for his overall well-being. “You can see the positive effects of this routine on my face,” he said, attributing his renewed energy and youthful appearance to a strict daily exercise and pranayama regimen. Despite his demanding schedule, Gadkari has made health non-...