Health

Scientists have identified a key gene essential for vitamin D absorption, which may also boost treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases.  The gene, called SDR42E1, is crucial for taking up vitamin D from the gut and further metabolising it -- a discovery with many possible applications in precision medicine, including cancer therapy. "Here we show that blocking or inhibiting SDR42E1 may selectively stop the growth of cancer cells,” said Dr Georges Nemer, Professor at the University of College of Health and Life Sciences at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar. Previous research showed that a specific mutation in the SDR42E1 gene on chromosome 16 is associated with vitamin D deficiency. The mutation caused the protein to be cut short, rendering it inactive. In the study, publishe...

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are rising at alarming rates worldwide in adults younger than 50 years, according to two studies.  The first study, published in JAMA, showed that the surging cancer cases go beyond colorectal, and include gastric, oesophageal, and pancreatic. "Colorectal cancer is the most common early-onset GI cancer worldwide, accounting for more than half of the cases, but it is not the only GI cancer that is rising in younger adults. Unfortunately, pancreatic, gastric, and oesophageal cancers are also increasing in young people," said Dr. Kimmie Ng, from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in the US. "The rising incidence of early-onset GI cancers is alarming and underscores the need for enhanced prevention strategies and early detection methods," Ng added. The second study,...

US President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) -- a condition where leg veins do not allow blood to flow back to the heart -- explaining the swollen ankles and bruises on his hands.  The 79-year-old US President was recently photographed at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final in New Jersey, where visible swelling around his ankles sparked public speculation about his health. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed that the ultrasound exams performed on Trump`s legs confirmed CVI -- seen frequently among people over the age of 70. However, additional exams showed "no signs of heart failure, renal impairment or systemic illness" in Trump, Leavitt said, adding that the US President is not experiencing any discomfort due to the diagnosis. ...

As monsoon showers cool the air and bring relief from the summer heat, experts raise concerns about a sharp rise in dehydration cases. Prolonged outdoor working hours, coupled with less intake of water and other fluids can lead to dehydration, even during monsoons.  Dehydration-related complaints, especially among adults aged 25-55 years, working professionals, children, and the elderly, need timely attention. Hence, it is the need of the hour to seek medical attention if required. Not only diarrhoea and constipation, but even dehydration is a common occurrence in monsoon. "Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluids than it takes in. This affects the normal functioning of your organs and can lead to serious complications like kidney strain, fatigue, dizziness, heat exhaustion, a...

A study analysing brain scans of crew members who spent a year at an Antarctic research station has revealed changes due to exposure to isolated and extreme environments with potential impacts on physiology and cognition. The findings, published in the journal `npj Microgravity`, have implications as extended space missions are planned from around the world, researchers said. The team from the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand found an overall reduction in white matter and a reduced grey matter in brain regions known to help with memory, language and spatial awareness. Astronauts experience considerable stress in space, and understanding its effects on the brain can aid in assessing risks and building resilience, the researchers explained. They pointed out that analogue environments...

In a remarkable feat of advanced surgical care, the hospital in Kolkata has successfully performed a 10-hour-long, high-risk surgery on a 60-year-old patient diagnosed with severely advanced ovarian cancer. The patient, Rina Ganguly (name changed), had cancer that not only spread extensively in the abdominal cavity but had also reached the chest lymph nodes, making the case highly complex.  Ovarian cancer is the third most common cancer among women in India and is often referred to as a "silent killer" due to its lack of symptoms in the early stages, which frequently leads to diagnosis at an advanced stage. In such cases, performing an ultra-radical surgery to remove all visible disease is the most crucial prognostic factor in improving survival outcomes. The operation was led by Dr Arun...

If you are suffering from insomnia, performing exercises such as yoga, tai chi, walking, and jogging may help improve sleep quality, according to a study. The findings, published in the online journal BMJ Evidence Based Medicine, back the use of exercise as a primary treatment strategy for poor sleep patterns. Insomnia is characterised by difficulties falling and staying asleep, or waking up too early in the morning. It is associated with heightened risks of various mental and physical health conditions, including dementia and cardiovascular disease. Drug treatments for insomnia come with side effects, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), while effective, isn’t always available due to the shortage of trained therapists, explained the researchers from Beijing University of Chinese Me...

Hearing loss combined with the feelings of loneliness accelerates cognitive decline, leading to dementia in older adults, according to a study. Researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) in Switzerland showed that isolation, communication difficulties, reduced alertness, and hearing impairment or loss are a real challenge in daily life. The findings, published in the journal Communications Psychology, showed that hearing loss accelerates cognitive decline, particularly among individuals who feel lonely, regardless of whether they are socially isolated. ‘‘We found that people who were not socially isolated but who felt lonely saw their cognitive decline accelerate when they were deaf,’’ said Matthias Kliegel, professor in the Cognitive Ageing Laboratory in UNIGE. The team analyse...

Indians consume salt 2.2 times more than the amount recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), posing severe health risks such as hypertension, strokes, and kidney disease, among others, according to ICMR`s National Institute of Epidemiology. WHO recommends less than 5 grams per day of salt (roughly under a teaspoon) or below 2g of sodium per day. However, “the mean salt consumption per day by an Indian is 11 grams per day, which is 2.2 times more than the WHO recommendation”, the ICMR-NIE said. According to the apex research body, regular iodised salt contains 40 per cent of sodium, much higher than the WHO limit. The WHO also suggests the use of low-sodium salt to ward off the risk. “Major salt source is hidden in Indian diet and the hidden salt is fuelling a real risk,” sai...

More than 14 million children worldwide did not receive a single dose of any vaccine in 2024, according to new national immunisation coverage data released on Tuesday by the UN agencies World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. The report showed that nearly 20 million infants missed at least one dose of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP)-containing vaccine last year, threatening to unwind decades of progress. More than 30 million children also remained under-protected against measles, leading to more large or disruptive outbreaks. In 2024, the number of countries experiencing large or disruptive measles outbreaks rose sharply to 60, nearly doubling from 33 in 2022. The report blamed limited access to immunisation services, disrupted supply, conflict, and instability, or misinfo...