Health

A new study led by researchers from Oxford Population Health has shown that a variety of environmental factors, including lifestyle choices (such as smoking and physical activity) and living conditions, have a more significant impact on health and premature death than our genes. The study, which analysed data from nearly half a million UK Biobank participants, examined the influence of 164 environmental factors and genetic risk scores for 22 major diseases on ageing, age-related diseases, and premature death. The findings were published today in Nature Medicine. As per the key findings, the environmental factors explained 17 per cent of the variation in risk of death, compared to less than 2 per cent explained by genetic predisposition (as per the present). Of the 25 independent environ...

Indian eye hospital chain Dr Agarwal`s Eye Hospital has roped in Sachin Tendulkar as its new brand ambassador to promote eyecare wellness.The hospital has been performing free eye surgeries on 100 patients annually under its ‘100 Centuries, 100 Patients’ programme — a tribute to the cricketing legend. This is in addition to the two lakh surgeries performed in a year while serving two million patients annually. The collaboration commenced with two television commercials that were well-received by the masses. The first advertisement play’s on one of Sachin’s biggest fan confusing him with his lookalike only for the real Sachin to step in and save the day for his fan. In the second advertisement,  The Master Blaster is paired with the renowned Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath, which evokes...

A team of Chinese virologists has identified a new bat coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, that could potentially infect humans. Led by Shi Zhengli, a renowned scientist known as "Batwoman" for her extensive research on coronaviruses, the discovery raises concerns about the possibility of another zoonotic spillover.  According to the South China Morning Post, researchers found that HKU5-CoV-2 can bind to human ACE2 receptors, the same entryway used by SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. This similarity suggests a potential risk of human transmission, though further research is needed to determine its real-world impact. HKU5-CoV-2 belongs to the merbecovirus subgenus, which includes the MERS-CoV virus that caused the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak. The study, cited by Newswe...

Scoliosis causes abnormal curvature of the spine, and is increasingly affecting children between the ages of 10-15. Early diagnosis is crucial as untreated scoliosis can lead to long-term complications, including chronic pain and breathing difficulties. Recognising early signs such as uneven shoulders, an abnormal posture, or one hip appearing higher than the other can help in seeking timely treatment and preventing further progression. Dr Sameer Ruparel, spine surgeon, Lilavati Hospital in Bandra, said, ‘‘Scoliosis is a spine condition commonly seen in children. The spine of the child with scoliosis will bend laterally or sideways to form a C or S-shaped curvature (middle part) and lumbosacral (lower part) spine. In 3-4 months, 2-3 children aged 10-15 come with abnormal spine curvature. ...

Genetic factors sometimes play in role in the development of prevalent non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cancer. In some cases, these health risks can be identified early through genetic testing, a process that examines one’s DNA to detect changes that can increase risk of diseases. It can often prove useful in diagnosing genetic conditions and assessing risk of future diseases. Dr Pranav Gupta, Consultant and Head, Molecular Biology Regional Reference Lab at Apollo Diagnostic Delhi, explains, “Genetic testing is an effective tool that provides valuable insight into one’s health by analysing DNA and confirming whether one has a birth defect, chromosomal disorder or hereditary cancer.” Further sharing how DNA can help diagnose health risks, he says, “DNA acts as a blueprint of y...

India has seen a more than 30 per cent reduction in the suicide death rate in India from 1990 to 2021, according to a study published in The Lancet Public Health on Thursday, marking a significant progress in health strategies.  The analysis, based on the results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021, showed that the suicide death rate in India was 18.9 per lakh population in 1990, in 2019 it stood at 13·1 lakh per lakh population and 13 per lakh population in 2021. From 1990 to 2021, the suicide death rate in India declined to 31·5 per cent. The reduction in death rates by suicide was seen more in females than males. In 1990 suicide death rate among females stood at 16·8 per lakh population, which reduced to 10·3 per lakh population in 2021. On...

One in five or 20 per cent of newborns with neonatal seizures will go on to develop epilepsy by age one, finds a study on Wednesday.   Seizures in newborns are one of the most frequent acute neurological conditions among infants admitted to neonatal care units. Researchers from the Copenhagen University Hospital – Rigshospitalet in Denmark showed that after neonatal seizures, the risk of epilepsy is persistently increased throughout adolescence. The team analysed data on all 1,998 children born in the country who experienced neonatal seizures. The results, published in the journal Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology showed that the cumulative risk of epilepsy was 20.4 per cent among children with neonatal seizures compared with 1.15 per cent among children without. Among these...

In a medical achievement, a team of doctors in Navi Mumbai performed a successful cochlear implant surgery on a 2.5-year-old baby girl from Mahad, who had congenital profound hearing loss. The patient, Anika (name changed), had hearing loss by birth. She wasn`t responding to sounds of claps, toys, etc. Her parents consulted an audiologist, and BERA tests were performed at the age of 1. Due to the non-availability of facilities in Mahad and financial constraints, her treatment was delayed. A team led by Dr. Rajendra Waghela, Consultant ENT Surgeon, Medicover Hospital, performed the surgery after ENT consultation, under the guidance of Dr Sanjiv Badhwar. Dr Waghela said, “The baby was suffering from congenital hearing impairment. Despite being diagnosed with hearing loss before the age of...

Doctors at a hospital in Hyderabad removed a pen cap from the lungs of a man, who had accidentally ingested it 21 years ago. The 26-year-old from Karimnagar recently approached a hospital due to persistent cough and unexplained weight loss. According to Dr. Shubhakar Nadella, Consultant Clinical and Interventional Pulmonologist, KIMS Hospital, the youth’s condition worsened significantly over the last 10 days, making it difficult for him to sleep. "When the patient arrived, we conducted a CT scan, which showed a lump-like structure inside his lungs. We initially assumed it was an obstruction causing his persistent cough. However, during the procedure, we discovered that it was actually a pen cap lodged inside,” he said. “Midway through the procedure, we called in his elder brother and ...

A vaccine to fight cancers affecting women will be available in five to six months, and those in the age group of nine to 16 years will be eligible for inoculation, Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav said on Tuesday.Addressing a press conference in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the Union Minister of State for Health, Family Welfare and Ayush (Independent Charge) said that research on a vaccine is nearly complete and trials are underway."The number of cancer patients has increased in the country, and the Central government has initiated steps to address this issue. Women above 30 will undergo screening at hospitals, and daycare cancer centres will be established for early detection of the disease," Jadhav said.He said the government has also waived off customs duty for medicines used in cancer tr...