Health

A virus long dismissed as a scientific oddity has been found hiding in plain sight, and it may help fight dangerous bacteria, according to a study. The study focussed on bacteriophages (phages) -- viruses that infect bacteria and come in many forms. In particular, researchers investigated telomere phages -- a type of phage that until now was considered a ‘curiosity’. These viruses aren`t just passive passengers as they may actually help good bacteria wipe out neighbouring bad ones, Xinhua news agency reported. Previous studies decoded only their unique DNA replication mechanism. The new study, published in Science Advances, discovered that bacteria carrying telomere phages produce toxins that kill off rival bacteria. Researchers from Monash University, Australia discovered that telomer...

Integrating mental health support in cancer care is important and will boost the health of both survivors and caregivers, according to a new study by oncologists at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi. The study, published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, sheds light on the critical yet under-recognised psychological struggles faced by cancer survivors and their caregivers. More than affecting physical health, a cancer diagnosis raises fear, uncertainty, anxiety, and depression -- all of which can profoundly affect the quality of life not only for patients but also for caregivers. “We advocate for integrating mental health care into routine oncology services, expanding access to psycho-oncology, and recognising caregivers` needs,” corresponding a...

Are you addicted to playing online games like PUBG? Prolonged gaming addiction can lead to spinal deformity and paralysis, said doctors here, who treated a 19-year-old boy suffering from the condition. The adolescent boy spent almost a year isolated in his room and engaged in excessive gaming for up to 12 hours a day. He suffered a gradual loss of appetite for physical activity and school and eventual social withdrawal. The increasing dependence on online gaming finally resulted in an abnormal curvature of the spine and problems in walking and passing urine. “This excessive gaming led to a significant kypho-scoliotic spinal deformity," according to a statement from the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) in New Delhi. The doctors stated that the boy developed severe kypho-scoliotic de...

Spring in full swing necessitates a change in wardrobe, skincare, as well as diet. As we trade in woollen for breezy cotton, our diets also need to adapt to the change in temperatures.  With a shift in weather, comes a shift in produce which is ideal for aligning the body’s requirements offering ease of digestion, hydration, and more.  To chart a holistic path for overall wellbeing, nutrition experts delve into the benefits of consuming seasonal produce. They outline seasonal fruits and vegetables and share tips on elevating your diet with ease with the right preparation methods empowering individuals to embrace seasonal eating. Seasonal fruits and vegetables to add to your dietSimmi Shah, head of department, consultant-dietetics at Jupiter Hospital, Thane, says, “This seasonal ensemble ...

A team of Swedish researchers has identified biomarkers in the blood associated with symptoms of long Covid, particularly severe respiratory disorders. Long Covid is a condition characterised by persistent symptoms including acute breathlessness and fatigue, after an infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The team from Karolinska Institutet discovered a set of proteins in the blood of people with long Covid. The findings may pave the way for future diagnosis and treatment. "The proteins were mainly found in patients with long Covid and severe respiratory problems," said Marcus Buggert, docent at the Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet. "This is a biomarker pattern that we know to be linked to inflammatory signal pathways involved in cell death and lung damage and that has ...

Unchecked irregular periods can sometimes indicate or lead to serious health problems. While occasional irregularity is normal, regular irregular periods can indicate certain underlying medical issues like: Dr Ashwin Shetty, consultant, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, shares: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A hormone disorder that might cause infertility, insulin resistance, and a heightened risk of diabetes and heart disease. Thyroid Disorders: Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can affect menstrual cycles and influence metabolism, cardiac health, and fertility. Endometriosis: A condition in which tissue that is like the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, leading to intense pain, heavy bleeding, and possible fertility problems. Uteri...

With growing medical advancements, young and old people are able to find hope when they are faced with challenging health complications, especially in severe cases. These miracles are ones that involve not only elderly people already dealing with kidney issues, who have suffered from critical issues, but also one that saw a challenging liver transplant take place across two cities, to showcase how hope is never lost. 85-year-old dialysis-dependent man treated for massive brain haemorrhage defies At an age when most people are expected to slow down, an 85-year-old man has redefined what it means to fight for life. Frail in appearance but strong in spirit, the long-term dialysis patient arrived at Manipal Hospitals in Kolkata`s Dhakuria, unconscious and battling an acute brain haemorrhage—h...

Depression in young teenagers could be easier to treat than in adulthood due to the symptoms being more flexible and not yet ingrained, according to a study on Tuesday. Depression is a complex condition, characterised by a range of connected symptoms. Current interventions treat overall depression severity and do not consider how symptoms interact and evolve. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh, in the UK, explained that symptoms such as sadness, fatigue, and a lack of interest are less predictable in teenagers. However, these become more fixed in adults, which can lead to persistent depression. “The findings highlight the importance of targeting depression at an early age when symptoms are still changing,” said Poppy Z. Grimes, Division of Psychiatry, at the varsity. In the p...

In a post-Covid world, many people are scared any time there is a health scare. Understandably, it is difficult for those going through it. However, there are many advancements being made every other day to highlight how there are an equal number of medical miracles that can give people hope.  Surgical removal of a 2.5 kg tumour In the most recent example, a 41-year-old woman from Thane has successfully undergone a complex surgical procedure to remove a massive 2.5-kilogram hemangioma liver tumour from her liver at the hospital.  The woman who underwent the surgery at Jupiter Lifeline Hospital in the same city, had been living with the condition unknowingly for many years. Hemangiomas are benign tumours composed of blood vessels and typically remain small and asymptomatic. They predomina...

Israeli researchers have discovered that stress experienced by mothers during pregnancy affects the foetus`s brain. The discovery led by researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) could pave the way for new treatments or interventions to support a baby`s healthy development after birth, Xinhua news agency reported. Published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, the study revealed that maternal stress during pregnancy could "reprogramme" key molecular pathways in the foetus, particularly the cholinergic system -- a network of nerve cells responsible for regulating stress responses and inflammation. The researchers analysed blood samples from 120 newborns and their mothers collected at birth, focusing on small RNA molecules known as tRNA fragments (tRFs), many of which origi...