Health

Women with early onset of periods, and later menopause -- which means a longer reproductive span -- can have a healthier brain ageing in life, according to a study. The study showed how a woman’s reproductive years may shape brain health later in life and also reduce the risk of dementia. It also suggested the role of oestradiol (or the lack thereof) in the development of dementia. Oestradiol levels rise at puberty, remain high during most of a woman’s reproductive life, and then decline sharply around menopause. This drop in oestradiol has been linked to an increased risk of dementia and other age-related brain conditions. “These findings support the idea that oestradiol -- the most potent and prevalent form of oestrogen during a woman’s reproductive years -- may help protect the brai...

Combining physical and psychological therapies -- exercise, along with cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness -- may have more long-term effects in treating lower back pain, a study has found. Researchers from Macquarie University, Australia, reviewed results from 75 clinical trials, involving around 15,400 participants, that looked at the effects of 20 non-surgical treatments of chronic low back pain -- massage, manipulation, pain education and injections -- over a year or more. Published in The Lancet Rheumatology journal, the findings show that "cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness, exercise, and multidisciplinary care could produce the long-term benefits required to reduce the global burden due to non-specific chronic low back pain". "However, the effects are mostly sma...

Blood sugar responses after food, especially carbohydrates, may indicate metabolic health status as well as signal the risk of prediabetes, according to a study. Researchers from Stanford University in the US explained that the differences in blood sugar response patterns among individuals were associated with specific metabolic conditions such as insulin resistance or beta cell dysfunction -- both can lead to diabetes. The findings, published in Nature Medicine, suggest that this variability in blood sugar response could lead to personalised prevention and treatment strategies for prediabetes and diabetes. "This study suggests that not only are there subtypes within prediabetes, but also that your subtype could determine the foods you should and should not eat," said Michael Snyder, Pr...

Exposure to the tiny particles in air pollution during pregnancy can disrupt maternal metabolisms, altering key biological pathways, according to a study. These changes were associated with an increased risk of various negative birth outcomes, including premature birth, said researchers from Emory University. Preterm birth is also linked to complications such as cerebral palsy, respiratory distress syndrome, and long-term noncommunicable disease risks, while early-term births (37-39 weeks of gestation) are also associated with increased neonatal morbidity and developmental challenges. Approximately 10 per cent of the preterm births in the world are attributable to PM2.5 exposure. "The link between air pollution and premature birth has been well established, but for the first time we we...

Early exposure to pet dogs may lower the risk of developing atopic eczema -- a condition characterised by dry, itchy, and inflamed skin -- among children who are genetically prone to the condition. Eczema is an itchy skin disorder caused by a combination of genetic and environmental effects, but little is known about how the two interact. The findings provide new insights into what could cause eczema in children and how environmental factors may influence genetic risk, experts say. The study did not look at the effect of dog exposure in the treatment of existing eczema, and experts caution that introducing a dog may make symptoms worse in some children. “We know that genetic make-up affects a child’s risk of developing eczema and previous studies have shown that owning a pet dog may be...

Vaccination may play a significant role in preventing hearing loss in children and adolescents, according to a study that identified 26 infectious pathogens that can potentially cause hearing loss. Over 1.5 billion people worldwide are affected by some degree of hearing loss. While it is often linked to ageing, a lesser known but significant cause is infections contracted during childhood and adolescence, many of which are preventable. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 60 per cent of childhood hearing loss could be prevented through public health measures such as vaccination against rubella and certain forms of meningitis. To probe further, a team of researchers, including from Université de Montréal in Canada conducted an in-depth review of the scientific literature. ...

Cycling has gained recognition both as a sport and a leisure activity. Over the years, it is gradually extending beyond these boundaries and becoming a way of life for many. It is not only the activity’s environment-friendly nature but also its health and fitness benefits that are prompting many to adopt it in their everyday life. The Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative launched in December 2024 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is a recent example of the growing awareness about health benefits of cycling in the country. Under the campaign, sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya urged citizens to incorporate cycling in their daily routines, like for commuting to work, for better health and environment. Every year, World Bicycle Day is observed annually on June 3 to draw attention ...

If you are suffering from chronic back pain, a walk in the woods can help you better manage the condition, according to a study on Tuesday. The study, published in The Journal of Pain, showed that time in or around nature can provide people suffering from chronic lower back pain with a degree of escapism that helps them better manage their physical discomfort. In a first-of-its-kind experiment, researchers from the University of Plymouth, UK, asked 10 people experiencing chronic lower back pain, in some cases for almost 40 years, about the role nature plays in any coping strategies they employ to help manage their condition. They found that people who were able to get out in nature said it enabled them to connect with others on a social level, whereas they might otherwise spend the majo...

Amid a fresh wave of Covid-19, caused by the SARS-CoV2, a new study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras showed that viruses follow seasonal and yearly cycles. The international study, undertaken along with a team of scientists from the universities of Wisconsin-Madison and Texas at Austin, focused on viruses in freshwater lakes. The researchers used cutting-edge Machine Learning (ML) tools to study 465 freshwater lake samples from Madison, Wisconsin, collected over more than 20 years. By sequencing all the DNA from the lakes using a method called metagenomics, the researchers reconstructed 1.3 million virus genomes. The study enabled the researchers to learn how viruses change with the seasons, over decades, and in response to environmental shifts. “Virus...

The effects of smoking on the body are known to all but unfortunately, the habit is hard for many people to end. While the toll it takes on men is known, experts highlight that even women are at the receiving end. It is because smoking not only impacts one’s lungs and heart but also their reproductive health. Smoking can raise one’s risk of pregnancy complications, infertility, and even certain cancers. It is why doctors say it is the need of the hour for women to quit smoking and improve their reproductive health. Quitting smoking can restore hormonal balance, improve ovulation, and increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy. With timely support and awareness, women can take control of their health and safeguard their future. Tobacco use among women is a form of smoking; smokeless tobac...