Health

Researchers have found that the heart possesses "sweet taste" receptors, similar to those on our tongues, and stimulating these receptors with sweet substances can modulate the heartbeat. The discovery opens new avenues for understanding heart function and potentially for developing novel treatments for heart failure. The new research found that these receptors are not just present on heart muscle but also functional. When the researchers stimulated these receptors in both human and mouse heart cells using aspartame, a common artificial sweetener, they observed a significant increase in the force of heart muscle contraction and accelerated calcium handling – key processes for a healthy heartbeat. While taste receptors are traditionally associated with the tongue and our ability to perc...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s eighth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha took place on Friday, focusing on the importance of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle in managing exam stress. The special episode featured renowned experts in nutrition and wellness, including author and macrobiotic nutritionist Shonali Sabherwal, author and nutrition and wellness expert Rujuta Diwekar, and health and nutrition influencer Revant Himatsingka. Moderated by Sharat Bhattatiripad, the discussion provided valuable insights on maintaining a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle to manage exam stress. Rujuta Diwekar emphasised the importance of variety in one`s diet, saying, "As we have different subjects in school, we should have variety in our diet. There are a few food items that are good destressers. ...

A study has found that hormonal contraceptives are related with a higher risk of stroke and heart attack. However, researchers from the University of Copenhagen said that while the overall risk remains low, clinicians should consider the potential risks before prescribing them. Following over 20 lakh women in Denmark for more than 10 years, the team found that the most commonly used hormonal contraceptive -- the combined oestrogen-progestin pill -- was associated with double the risk of ischaemic stroke and heart attack. The results translated to one extra stroke for every 4,760 women using the combined pill for one year, and one extra heart attack for every 10,000 women per year of use, the researchers said. They stressed that even though the risk remains low, given the widespread use...

Jumping workouts may be key to thwart the risk of cartilage damage and boost bone strength in astronauts during long space missions, claimed an animal study on Thursday.   The findings, although in mice, comes even as Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams is stranded in space since June last year. Williams along with colleague Butch Willmore are stuck in space due to technical problems with Boeing`s Starliner which took them to the International Space Station (ISS). Recent experiments by the European Space Agency (ESA) also showed evidence of cartilage degradation in astronauts who spend several months aboard the ISS. The reduced movement can lead to cartilage thinning and cellular clustering -- early indicators of arthritis. The new study, appearing in the journal npj Microgravi...

Life can change in an instant. One moment, everything is normal, and the next, something unexpected happens altering the course of one’s future. Such was the case for 66-year-old businessman Gopal Roy from Barasat. A seemingly regular day turned into a never-ending nightmare when he fell off a bike, and a bus ran over his hand injuring it critically. Rushed from one hospital to another, he and his family were repeatedly met with uncertainty. The initial diagnosis was devastating—his hand was mangled beyond repair, bones shattered, and the possibility of amputation loomed over him. They started to lose hope until he was finally transferred to Manipal Hospital, Salt Lake, where a team of expert surgeons made it their mission to save not just his hand, but his way of life. Dr. Arya Roy, cons...

Currently, there is a concerning surge in the problems related to the pancreas in youngsters. A large number of youngsters aged 25-30 are suffering from pancreatitis. Timely diagnosis and treatment for pancreatitis is crucial, delaying care can lead to severe complications, including organ failure. Doctors urge awareness and lifestyle changes to curb the surging cases among youngsters. Dr Narendra Nikam, general surgeon, Lilavati Hospital in Bandra says, ‘‘Pancreatitis is a serious inflammation of the pancreas affecting youngsters. The most common causes include excessive alcohol consumption, gallstones, high-fat diets, and certain medications. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, rapid heartbeat, and digestive issues. Chronic cases may lead to diabetes, nutrit...

A team of doctors in Mira Road have successfully treated a 50-year-old man from Malad with a massive liver cyst measuring over 18 cm and containing 2.2 litres of fluid. The cyst, which occupied nearly 70 per cent of the liver, was compressing vital organs and causing jaundice, necessitating an urgent and complex surgical intervention. Ashok Surti, who was once active and cheerful, found himself grappling with discomfort and uncertainty as the pain and yellowing of his skin intensified. What started as a seemingly mild issue quickly became a cause for concern, leading him to seek medical attention. Little did he know, these symptoms were the result of a rare and life-threatening condition that is a massive cyst in his Liver. He was admitted to Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road with alarming s...

Australian researchers have developed a new treatment for deadly childhood cancer using engineered immune cells.  The research, published on Wednesday, was led by a team from the University of Queensland (UQ) that developed a new therapeutic strategy for paediatric sarcomas, Xinhua news agency reported. Sarcomas are cancers that develop in the bones and soft tissues, including muscles, fat, and blood vessels. In children, the tumours tend to grow aggressively and spread throughout the body, making treatment difficult. According to the new study, sarcomas account for 5-10 per cent of all childhood cancers but are responsible for more deaths than brain cancer, skin cancer, leukaemia, and lymphoma. The new treatment uses engineered immune cells -- also known as "killer cells" that have be...

A second-hand or passive exposure to cigarette smoke could change how children`s genes express themselves, similar to that in active smokers, thereby making them more vulnerable to disease as adults, according to a study. The findings, published in the journal Environment International, highlighted why children`s exposure to second-hand smoke needs to be reduced. "Our study shows that second-hand smoke during childhood leaves its mark at the molecular level and can alter the expression of genes that influence disease susceptibility in adulthood", first author Marta Cosin-Tomàs, a researcher at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), said. While genes in one`s DNA act as an instruction manual for the body, environmental factors, such as tobacco smoke, can affect `gene expre...

Chronic constipation is not only discomforting but also has serious health consequences. Approximately, 20 per cent of people between the ages of 45-65 suffer from this chronic constipation and have the chance of suffering from complications like piles (hemorrhoids) and anal fissures. In severe cases, excessive straining due to constipation can cause blood clotting, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Addressing constipation is essential to enhance the quality of life. Chronic constipation means infrequent, difficult, or painful bowel movements lasting for weeks or longer. Symptoms are bloating, abdominal pain, straining during bowel movements, and a feeling of incomplete evacuation. If left untreated, the excessive pressure can damage rectal tissues, causing hemorrhoids (pi...